Guide · section 8
Schools and childcare
The headline for parents: children pick up Croatian faster than adults manage to worry about it. The real difficulty is not language but application deadlines, which are easy to miss if nobody warns you.
Nurseries (vrtić)
City nurseries are subsidised, and the fee depends on family income and residence status. They are substantially cheaper than private ones, but places are short, especially in popular districts.
Entry to city nurseries runs through an application round (upisi) in a fixed window — typically in spring for the school year starting in autumn. You submit a document pack and places are allocated on a points system weighing parental employment, family composition and registration in the district.
Private nurseries cost more but admit during the year and often run English or bilingual programmes. For families arriving mid-year they are frequently the only realistic option at first.
What you will need
- OIBs for the child and the parents.
- Proof of address and registration.
- Medical records and a vaccination card.
- Proof of parental employment — it affects priority.
Schools
State schools
Compulsory education begins with osnovna škola, the eight-year primary school, followed by srednja škola (gymnasium or vocational). It is free and taught in Croatian. Children are allocated by catchment, so choosing a district is to a large extent choosing a school.
Language support exists for children who do not speak Croatian. Practice varies between schools, so it is worth speaking to the head of the specific school before enrolling.
International and private
Zagreb has international schools teaching in English and private schools with extended language programmes. Fees are comparable to international schools elsewhere in Europe, which makes this a significant budget line.
The practical question worth answering honestly: how long do you plan to stay? For a long-term move, a state school gives your child the language and a social world, which an international programme cannot. For a one-or-two-year horizon, curriculum continuity may matter more.
FAQ
My child does not speak Croatian — will they be accepted?
Yes, children without the language are admitted and support mechanisms exist. How much support varies between schools, so ask specifically.
How quickly do children pick up the language?
Families report preschoolers taking a few months and younger primary children around a year. Teenagers find it harder and more often need extra tuition.
Do school records need formal recognition?
Transferring mid-education from a foreign school requires a recognition procedure. Start it early — it is not fast.
Are there Russian-language schools?
Do not expect full Russian-curriculum schools in Zagreb. There are communities, Saturday schools and tutors for maintaining the language — find them through local parent groups.
What does a private nursery cost?
Considerably more than a city one. Nurseries publish their own fees and they differ severalfold by programme.
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