TEACH ENGLISH IN CROATIA

About Teaching English in Croatia

To teach English in Croatia, you will need a TEFL certificate and a 4-year college degree. EU citizenship or a work visa and native English proficiency are expected to find a TEFL job. The average salary for an English teacher in Croatia is about $900 - $1,300 USD per month.

Known for its castle-studded coastlines and stunning medieval cities, Croatia represents a small but growing job market for teaching English in southeastern Europe.

Since being regularly featured in the award-winning television show, Game of Thrones, Croatia has enjoyed a rise in popularity by English teachers and tourists alike. English teachers in Coratia typically find work and begin teaching by interviewing locally during major hiring seasons in September, and then again in January. Most contracts end in late June. 

A solid hourly wage affords English teachers in Croatia to live a comfortable life while they are employed.  Schools typically offer 20-25 hours per week of work, leaving plenty of time to travel and explore. English teachers typically need to have a BA to teach in Croatia, and a TEFL certification is absolutely necessary as well.  Major cities for English teaching jobs are Zagreb, Split, Zadar, and Dubrovnik. 

For those looking to teach through the summer, opportunities at summer English language camps exist throughout Croatia and the rest of Europe. These positions typically start in late June and early July. English teachers can apply from their home country and once accepted into the Summer camp, travel to Croatia to begin their experience. English teachers will also be responsible for their airfare, as well as housing. Most teachers live in apartments recently vacated by previous teachers, and many share a flat with their coworkers. 

NOTE: International TEFL Academy does not typically recommend that our students or alumni without a degree consider Croatia as a viable teaching destination.

How to Teach English in Croatia: Requirements

TEFL Certification

A TEFL certification is required to teach English in Croatia. You do not need professional teaching experience but earning your TEFL certification will provide you with the training and qualification you do need to get hired. 

English Teachers in Croatia typically interview for jobs in-person. Therefore, it is most common for students to take one of our TEFL course options listed below.

Native English-Speaking Proficiency

You do not need to be a native English speaker to teach English in Croatia, however, you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a native level to be considered for teaching jobs.  

Degree Requirements for Teaching English in Croatia

English teachers need a bachelor's degree to teach English in Croatia. Please note, your bachelor's degree does not need to be in education, it can be in any field. International TEFL Academy does not recommend that our students or alumni without a degree consider Croatia as a viable teaching destination.

How to Find ESL Jobs in Croatia

English Teaching Jobs in Croatia

The most common TEFL jobs in Croatia consist of:

• Teaching adults in foreign language schools.
• Teaching Business English to adults.
• Private one-on-one tutoring.
• Teaching children in Summer Camps.
• Teaching English Online.

Teaching Jobs in Croatia: Hiring & Visa

English teachers in Croatia can expect to find jobs during the peak hiring months of September and January. Hiring downtimes occur throughout August and also  Christmas through the second week of January. 

Interviews are conducted face-to-face, meaning you will need to be in Croatia to interview for your teaching job.

Croatia represents a more challenging job market for any teacher who does not already have citizenship from a qualified European Union (EU) nation or working rights in Croatia. While there are instances of non-EU citizens receiving a work visa with employment, we highly suggest to not count on getting a legal work permit to teach in Croatia if you are not an EU citizen.  

Teaching in Croatia: Hours

Schools in Croatia offer approximately 20 to 30 hours of classroom work per week plus additional hours for prep time. This allows for plenty of time to travel and explore. 

Teaching Croatian Students

It is most common that your students will be children or adult business professionals. 

TEFL Croatia Salary & Cost of Living

Start-up Costs

Start-up costs will range from $1,350 - $2,000 USD (9,000 – 13,100 HRK). These are expenses you will incur from your arrival in Croatia until you receive your first paycheck and may include things like rent, apartment supplies, transport, groceries, getting your new local cell phone number set up, etc. 

Teaching English in Croatia Salary

A solid salary enables teachers the opportunity to live a comfortable lifestyle while in Croatia. Teachers can expect to make $900 - $1,300 USD per month (6,000 - 8,400 HRK).

There are no flight or housing benefits/stipends provided so you will need to remember to account for accommodation or temporary housing for your first few weeks in your start-up costs until you find an apartment to rent.

Teach in Croatia: Cost of Living & Savings

What is the cost of living in Croatia?

The average monthly cost of living ranges from around $900 - $1,300 USD per month (6,000 - 8,400 HRK).

English teachers in Croatia can expect to break-even month over month. This means you can cover your rent and bills, support yourself, live comfortably, and enjoy your life abroad to the fullest, but you should not expect to save money at the end of the month. If you are hustling and taking on private tutoring lessons and/or teaching English online in addition to your regular teaching schedule, you may increase your ability to save.