Studying in Zagreb: universities, costs, housing and student life
By Muntasir • Published Oct 03, 2025 • Updated Sep 20, 2026 • Study Abroad, Study in Europe, Country & City Guides, Student Housing
Zagreb is home to the University of Zagreb, Croatia's oldest and largest university, where EU students pay no tuition fee and only a small administrative charge.
🎓 The University of Zagreb, founded in 1669, has around 30 faculties and departments
💶 EU/EEA students pay no tuition, only a small enrollment fee, the same as Croatian nationals
🏠 Studentski dom rooms cost less than private rent but are allocated by need and merit
🚋 ZET trams and buses cover the whole city on one ticket
Why study in Zagreb
Zagreb is Croatia's capital and its main university city, with a compact center that mixes Austro-Hungarian architecture, a lively cafe culture and a growing tech sector. Since Croatia joined the euro and the Schengen area in 2023, EU students cross the border without checks or currency exchange, and the city stays noticeably cheaper than Vienna or Munich for rent and daily costs.
The academic year runs on the standard two-semester pattern, with the winter semester starting in early autumn and the summer semester starting in February, so confirm your program's exact start date before you book travel. Winters run cold with occasional snow, while summer stays warm and dry, ideal for the city's outdoor cafe culture and for weekend trips down to the coast once your exams are finished for the term.
Universities in Zagreb
The University of Zagreb, founded in 1669, is the oldest and largest university in Croatia and one of the largest in Southeast Europe, organized into around 30 faculties, academies and university departments covering medicine, law, engineering, economics, humanities and the arts. Several faculties offer programs taught fully in English, particularly in medicine, business and engineering.
The Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, the Faculty of Economics and Business, and the Faculty of Medicine count among the university's most competitive faculties for international applicants, each running its own admissions process and, in some cases, its own English-taught track.
Smaller private and specialized institutions operate in the city too, but the University of Zagreb remains the default choice for most international applicants because of its size, range of subjects and international partnerships.
Most faculties require an entrance exam, an assessment of your prior grades, or both, and English-taught programs sometimes add an interview in place of the Croatian-language requirement used for Croatian-taught places. Check the exact requirement on your target faculty's admissions page, since it differs between faculties.
Tuition and other study costs
EU/EEA students pay no tuition fee for full-time study at Croatian public universities, matching the treatment of Croatian nationals, and only cover a small annual administrative or enrollment fee set by each faculty. Non-EU students pay tuition that varies by faculty and program, so check the fee schedule on your chosen faculty's website before you apply.
Because Croatia uses the euro, budgeting and comparing costs against other eurozone study destinations is straightforward, with no currency conversion to track.
Look into Erasmus+ exchange places and bilateral scholarship agreements between your home country and Croatia, which sometimes cover tuition, a stipend or both, arranged through your home university's international office or the Croatian embassy.
Cost of living in Zagreb
Zagreb costs less than most Western European capitals, and rent takes up the largest share of a typical student budget, ahead of food and transport. Supermarket shopping and the student canteens (studentska menza) run by the Studentski centar keep weekly food costs down, and the open-air Dolac market offers fresh produce at a fair price close to the main square.
Build a monthly budget around rent, food, a ZET pass, phone and internet, and course materials, then add a buffer for your first month to cover a rental deposit or dorm fees before any scholarship or income arrives.
Where students live
The University of Zagreb runs student dormitories, known as studentski dom, across several city locations, usually cheaper than the private market and allocated partly on financial need and partly on academic merit. International students apply through the university's student center (Studentski centar), and demand is high, so apply as soon as the portal opens.
Students who rent privately look at neighborhoods close to the main faculties, such as the area around the city center and Trešnjevka, both well connected by tram. Sharing a flat with other students is standard practice and keeps costs down, and most leases run for the full academic year, so confirm the notice period before you sign.
| Neighborhood | Why students choose it |
|---|---|
| Trešnjevka | Affordable, well connected by tram to the university area |
| City center (Donji Grad) | Walking distance to many faculties, higher rent |
| Trnje | Close to the Faculty of Economics and student center, good transport links |
| Maksimir | Quieter, near the park, popular with students who want more green space |
Getting around the city
ZET , Zagreb's public transport operator, runs an extensive tram network through the city center plus buses reaching the outer districts, all on one ticketing system. Students buy discounted monthly passes, and most faculty buildings sit within walking distance of a tram stop, which keeps daily commuting simple even without a pass for short trips.
Banking, SIM cards and everyday admin
Open a Croatian bank account soon after you arrive, bringing your passport, proof of address and proof of enrollment, since some landlords and offices prefer local euro transfers over international payments. A prepaid Croatian SIM card or eSIM connects you within your first day and helps with transport apps, university systems and government registration.
Health insurance and residence formalities
EU/EEA students bring their European Health Insurance Card and register their address with the local police if staying over 90 days, since Croatia is inside the Schengen area and does not require a separate visa for short EU travel. Non-EU students need approved health insurance before arrival and apply for a temporary residence permit for study purposes soon after arriving, in addition to any visa required before travel.
Working while you study
EU/EEA students work without restriction while studying in Croatia. Non-EU students on a study residence permit are normally allowed limited part-time work alongside their course, though the exact rule depends on the permit type, so confirm the current limit with the university's international office.
Student life in Zagreb
Zagreb's cafe culture centers on Tkalčićeva street and the streets around the main square, where students gather for coffee, drinks and live music through the week. The Erasmus Student Network runs regular meetups, trips and city tours for new arrivals, and student discounts apply widely across museums, cinemas and public transport.
Maksimir Park gives students green space close to the center, and Zagreb's position makes weekend trips to the Adriatic coast, Ljubljana or Budapest realistic by train or bus.
A valid student card gets you reduced entry to museums, theaters and cinemas around the city, so carry your university ID or an ISIC card whenever you plan a cultural outing.
Most faculties and the university's sports association run clubs covering everything from football and rowing to debate and student media, and joining one is a fast way to meet people outside your own faculty.
Zagreb's Advent Christmas market, running through December, draws visitors from across Europe and gives students a lively season of concerts, food stalls and open-air ice skating right in the city center.
Applying to study in Zagreb
Choose your program and confirm the language of instruction and any entrance exam requirements.
Submit your application through the faculty's own admissions system, typically months before the semester starts.
Complete any entrance exam or interview required by your faculty.
Once accepted, apply for your visa or residence permit if you come from outside the EU, and arrange health insurance.
Apply for a place in a studentski dom as soon as applications open, or start looking for a private flat two to three months before arrival.