Nomad Watch
Notifications
Loading…
View all notifications
Log in / Join free
HR

Rijeka digital nomad guide

Overview Economics Demographics Politics Environment Cities Map Jobs Visas Taxes Groups
Nomad score 6.6/10

45.3268, 14.4422 Europe/Zagreb #909

Log in to rate Save Compare

Researched Updated Oct 29, 2026 Last changed Oct 31, 2026 About guide entries

Other Services and Amenities

Casino & Gaming Halls
Casino Rosalia at Šetalište 13. divizije 45 is the main casino option in Rijeka, located on the eastern side of the city near the coast.
Parcel Delivery Service
HP Hrvatska Pošta is the main postal operator; DHL, GLS, and DPD provide reliable courier services. Parcel lockers and pickup points are available around the city center and shopping areas.
Tech Repair Services
Authorized and independent repair shops are concentrated near Korzo, Ciottina, and Tower Center Rijeka. For phones and laptops, local electronics stores and service points are practical for quick fixes.
Table Tennis Spots
Sports halls and community centers around Zamet and the university area often have table tennis facilities; check local sports clubs for drop-in sessions and memberships.
Language Classes
The University of Rijeka and local adult-education providers offer Croatian language classes, while private schools in the center can help with intensive beginner courses.
Libraries & Study Spots
Gradska knjižnica Rijeka, the city library system, and the main branch in the center are solid study spaces. The Public Library and reading rooms near the city center are quiet alternatives for focused work.
Community Centers
RiHub at Ivana Grohovca 1/a is a free city room with coworking, a conference hall and meeting rooms, used for entrepreneurship and community events. 6 31
Gaming Lounges
Internet cafés and gaming lounges are limited, but gaming bars and PC-focused venues appear intermittently in the center and near university areas. Tower Center occasionally has entertainment venues with arcade-style options.

Essentials

City
Rijeka, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Croatia — a working port city on the Adriatic, with a compact center around Korzo, the harbor, and Trsat hillside.
Population
About 107,000 in the city proper; roughly 200,000+ in the wider urban area.
Internet Speed
Generally solid fiber and 4G/5G coverage in central Rijeka; typical home/office speeds are 100–500 Mbps on fiber, and 30–150 Mbps on good mobile data. Best reliability is in the Korzo, Brajda, Zamet, and Trsat areas.
Currency & Banking
Euro (EUR) since 1 January 2023. The country-prep ECB reference for 19 October 2026 is 1 EUR = 1.1225 USD (1 USD = 0.8909 EUR). 1
Tap Water
Tap water is safe to drink. Wikivoyage calls Croatian tap water perfectly safe, and in some areas among the best. 2
Power
230 V, 50 Hz, Type C and F (Europlug and Schuko). 2
SIM Card
Hrvatski Telekom, A1 and Telemach sell prepaid SIMs. bonbon (HT, no contract): 7 GB for €4, 12 GB for €7, 20 GB for €11 or 25 GB for €13 a month. HT tourist eSIM: €11 for 3 days of unlimited data, €15 for 10 days, or €25 for 120 GB over 90 days, each with 100 local minutes. Register with a passport or ID. 3 4
Banking for Expats
Widely accepted: Visa, Mastercard, Revolut, Wise, N26, and contactless Apple Pay/Google Pay. For local banking, OTP banka at Korzo 11 and Erste branches near the center are practical for non-residents.
Accommodation
Best options are short-term apartments in the city center, Sušak, and around Brajda/Podmurvice for longer stays. Airbnb and Booking.com are the main platforms; local agencies like Rijeka Real Estate and Filos Nekretnine also list furnished flats.
Cashless Friendly
Yes. Cards are accepted in most cafes, supermarkets, coworking spaces, and taxis, though small bakeries, kiosks, and some local bars may prefer cash.
Short Term Rentals
Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agencies in Korzo/Sušak are the main options. Expect studio apartments in decent central locations to start around €40–€70 per night off-season, higher in summer.
Budget Accommodation
Hostel Fun near the city center and Botel Marina by the waterfront are among the best budget-friendly stays; in March, dorm beds often start around €25–€35 and private rooms around €60–€90.
Best Area to Stay for Tourists
Korzo and the waterfront are best for first-time visitors, while Trsat is ideal for views and a quieter atmosphere. Staying near the center puts you walking distance from the harbor, museums, and restaurants.
Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
Brajda, Podmurvice, and the wider city-center/Sušak area are best for longer stays because they combine walkability, bus access, supermarkets, and more reasonably priced apartments than the prime seafront.

Working and Networking

Best Coworking Space
PORIN at Milutina Barača 62 charges €8.30 a day or €99.54 a month for a desk, VAT included, on the price list dated 10 September 2026, with access around the clock. RiHub at Ivana Grohovca 1/a is a free city open-space coworking room in the centre. 5 6
Best Cafe for Work
Caffe bar Filodrammatica on Korzo is a strong work-friendly option with central location, good coffee, and easy laptop use during daytime hours. For quieter work, try Kavana Grad on the ground floor of the City Library area or spots around Ciottina Street.
Networking Events
RiHub at Ivana Grohovca 1/a runs the Rijeka startup incubator and hosts entrepreneurial events in a free open-space room. PORIN at Milutina Barača 62 also offers business workshops with the coworking desks. 6 5
Social Events for Expats
Look for expat gatherings in Rijeka via Facebook groups like Expats in Croatia and Digital Nomads Croatia, plus language-exchange meetups at RiHub and university-adjacent events around the center and Trsat.

Transportation

Best Taxi/Ride App
Visit Rijeka lists Bolt, Uber and Wizi, formerly Cammeo, on 051 313 313. Wizi publishes €7 for a trip of up to 5 km and €1.40 for each further kilometre, with a €7 minimum, priced as of 10 September 2026. 27 26
Bike/Scooter Rental
Rijeka has local bike rental shops near the waterfront and the port area; for scooters, availability is more limited than in larger Croatian cities. For longer stays, many nomads buy or rent from local cycling shops near the center and Zamet.
Best Beach Nearby
Sablićevo is a few minutes east of the centre, toward Pećine, beside Brajdica and Križić. Kostanj is on the western shore from Preluk toward Kantrida. Kantrida's own beaches include Ploče and Razbojna. 22
Top Regional Airline
Rijeka Airport's summer 2026 timetable, 29 March to 24 October and updated 24 March 2026, lists Croatia Airlines to Munich alongside Lufthansa, and on domestic flights Trade Air operates: Dubrovnik via Split, Osijek, and Osijek via Zadar. 23
Top International Airline
Rijeka Airport summer 2026 timetable (29 March to 24 October, updated 24 March 2026) shows Lufthansa to Frankfurt and Munich, Ryanair including London Stansted and Frankfurt-Hahn, Eurowings, Swiss to Zurich, Wizz Air and Air Serbia to Belgrade. Austrian Airlines is not on it. 23
Highway Access
The A6 runs toward Zagreb via the A1. The A7 is the Rijeka bypass, toward Ljubljana via Ilirska Bistrica and toward Trieste, and it feeds the A8 of the Istrian Y at the Učka Tunnel. 24
Main Train/Transit Hub
The railway station is at Trg kralja Tomislava 1. An electrified line runs to Zagreb and on toward the Hungarian border, and another runs toward Trieste and Ljubljana. The bus station, Autobusni kolodvor Rijeka, is at Žabica 1. 28 29 24
Public Transport Passes
Autotrolej worker monthly ticket, open to adults who do not qualify for a reduced pass, is €48 for zone 1, €65 for two zones, €82 for three and €99 for four. It sits on the Torpedo card and covers unlimited trips from the first to the last day of the month. 7
Regional Travel
Use FlixBus, Arriva, and KD Autotrolej for regional buses; trains are slower but work for Zagreb connections via Rijeka Main Station. Popular day trips include Opatija, Krk, Crikvenica, and Pula by bus or car.

Health and Wellness

Best Hospital
KBC Rijeka lists the Rijeka site at Krešimirova 42, switchboard 051 658 111, and the Sušak site at Tome Strižića 3, 051 407 111. A newer Sušak complex is at V. Dukića 7. 8 30
Yoga & Wellness Centers
Look for yoga classes at local studios in the center and Trsat, plus wellness services near Kantrida and Zamet. Seasonal pop-up classes also appear on the seafront and in community halls.
Gyms & Fitness Centers
Gyms like Gyms4You Rijeka near the center and local fitness centers in Zamet and Tower Center Rijeka are practical options. Monthly memberships commonly range from about €30 to €50.
Laundry Services
Self-service laundromats and wash-and-fold services are available around the city center and Sušak; apartment laundry is common in longer-term rentals, while hotel laundries are pricier.

Food and Drink

Best Food Delivery App
Glovo and Wolt are the most useful delivery apps in Rijeka, with a broad selection of restaurants and groceries in the central districts.
Best Local Dish to Try
Try šurlice with seafood, black risotto, and bakalar na bijelo in local konobas; for Kvarner specialties, look for Kvarner scampi in restaurants near the waterfront and harbor.
Vegan/Vegetarian Options
Cacao Lounge & Bar near Korzo and places like Vegan House in the broader center are good options. Many Italian and Mediterranean restaurants in Rijeka can adapt dishes for vegetarians.
Best Dessert Spots
Cukeraj Rijeka on Korzo is a top stop for cakes and pastries, while local bakeries near the market and Sušak offer good kremšnita, fritule, and seasonal sweets.
Affordable Shopping Spots
Rijeka Central Market (Glavna tržnica), Tržnica Rijeka at Verdieva 2, is the best place for fresh produce, fish, cheese, and local products at fair prices. Supermarkets like Konzum, Plodine, Lidl, and Kaufland keep daily costs manageable.
E-commerce/Online Store
Nabava.net is useful for price comparison, while eKupi.hr and Links.hr are practical for electronics, appliances, and office gear. For general shopping, Amazon.de ships many items to Croatia.
Grocery Delivery
Kaufland delivery, Wolt Market, and Glovo grocery options are the most convenient for home delivery in Rijeka; larger stores like Konzum and Plodine also offer online ordering in selected areas.
Bar/Nightlife Area
Korzo, Ciottina Street, and the area around the port and Old Town have the densest concentration of bars. For a livelier late-night scene, students and younger crowds often head toward the center and Trsat.
Local Brewery
Mlinarica Brewery and local craft beer bars around Korzo are good places to sample Croatian craft beer. Look for regional labels and rotating taps in pubs near the city center.
Wine Bars
Wine & Co. Rijeka and smaller wine bars around the center and waterfront are good for Croatian wine tastings, especially Istrian and Kvarner selections.
Street Food Stalls
Rijeka Market and the area around the central promenade occasionally host quick bites, seafood counters, and festival food stalls; for fast local food, bakeries and burek shops around Korzo are the everyday equivalent.
Popular International Cuisine
Italian pizza and pasta are strong in Rijeka, with good options around the center and Sušak. Also common are Balkan grill houses, Asian takeout, and sushi spots near Tower Center and the city core.

Culture and Attractions

Must-See Landmarks
Korzo, Trsat Castle, the City Clock Tower, and the Molo Longo waterfront promenade are essential Rijeka sights. The colorful port and hilltop views make the city easy to explore on foot.
Museums & Art Venues
The Maritime and History Museum of the Croatian Coast at the Governor’s Palace, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, and the Natural History Museum of Rijeka are the key cultural stops.
Historical Sites
Trsat Castle, the Roman Arch, the Old Gate (Stara vrata), and the remains of the city walls are the most important historical locations in the center.
Religious Sites
Our Lady of Trsat Sanctuary on Trsat hill is the most famous religious site, along with St. Vitus Cathedral in the city center.
Annual Events
Rijeka Carnival is the city’s biggest event, peaking in February/March depending on the year, with the main parade and many neighborhood mask festivities. The Rijeka Summer Nights and music festivals keep the calendar active through summer.
Cultural Districts
Korzo and the Old Town are the cultural core, while Trsat has a more historic, hilltop atmosphere with student life nearby. Sušak has a more local, lived-in feel.
Theater Venues
The Croatian National Theatre Ivan pl. Zajc lists its address as Verdieva 1. The 2026/27 season on its site includes drama, opera and ballet. 25
Local Markets
Rijeka Central Market and the fish market at Verdieva 1 are the best daily markets. The architecture and harbor setting make them worth visiting even if you are not shopping.
Music Scene
Klub Palach, Caffe Bar Crkva, and HNK Ivana pl. Zajca anchor the music scene, ranging from indie shows and DJ nights to classical performances. Student venues around Trsat also host live music.
Street Art
The areas around the city center, Brajda, and underpasses near the port have the best street art and murals. The industrial edges of the harbor also feature urban art and graffiti.
Cooking Classes
Look for occasional Croatian cooking workshops at local tourism offices, culinary schools, and guesthouses in the center; seafood and Mediterranean cooking classes are most common in season.
Art Galleries
The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and smaller galleries in the center and Sušak host rotating exhibitions. Independent art spaces near Korzo and Trsat are worth checking locally.
Historic Buildings
The Governor’s Palace, City Tower, Rijeka Cathedral area, and old Austro-Hungarian administrative buildings along the center and waterfront are the architectural highlights.
Local Heritage
Rijeka’s identity is shaped by its port history, multicultural Austro-Hungarian past, and strong carnival tradition. The city’s emblematic symbols include the harbor, Trsat, and the masked carnival culture.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Nearby Nature Escapes
Drenova, the hills above Trsat, and the coastal parks west toward Kantrida provide quick nature breaks close to the city. For a bigger escape, head to Učka Nature Park, about 45–60 minutes away.
National Parks Nearby
Plitvice Lakes National Park is a longer day trip or overnight trip; closer nature-park options include Učka Nature Park and Risnjak National Park, both accessible by car from Rijeka.
Cycling/Walking Paths
Molo Longo is the signature waterfront walking path, while the Trsat stairs and hillside routes give exercise plus views. The Kantrida coastal stretch is also popular for walking and jogging.
Scenic Viewpoints
Trsat Castle lookout is the best panoramic viewpoint over the city and Kvarner Bay. The top of Molo Longo and the hillside roads above Trsat also offer excellent harbor views.
Birdwatching Locations
The wetlands and coastal edges near the Rječina estuary, plus quieter sections toward Kostrena and the surrounding bays, can be good for casual birdwatching.
Bonfire-Friendly Spots
Official bonfire areas are limited inside the city; for open-fire gatherings, use designated seaside picnic areas or organized private venues outside the urban core, and check local fire restrictions carefully.

Business

Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
Approx. €3,000–€4,200 per m² in central Rijeka, e.g., a 40 m² studio typically costs about €120,000–€168,000.
Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
Approx. €2,200–€3,200 per m² in outer districts like Zamet, Podmurvice, and Drenova, e.g., a 40 m² studio typically costs about €88,000–€128,000.
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
Approx. €2,900–€4,100 per m² in the center, e.g., a 60 m² one-bedroom apartment typically costs about €174,000–€246,000.
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
Approx. €2,100–€3,000 per m² outside the center, e.g., a 60 m² one-bedroom apartment typically costs about €126,000–€180,000.
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
Approx. €2,800–€3,900 per m² in central neighborhoods, e.g., an 80 m² two-bedroom apartment typically costs about €224,000–€312,000.
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
Approx. €2,000–€2,800 per m² in outer districts, e.g., an 80 m² two-bedroom apartment typically costs about €160,000–€224,000.
Corporate Tax
18% corporate income tax, or 10% when revenue in the tax period is under €1 million. 12
Dividend Withholding Tax
12% final withholding on dividends paid to individuals. Corporate withholding on dividends paid to foreign companies is 10%, and it is not charged when the reinvested-profit allowance applies. 14 13
Tax System
Residents are taxed on worldwide income and non-residents on Croatian-source income. The bands split at €60,000. Rijeka set 20% and 25% from 1 January 2026. Where a city sets no rates, the default is 20% and 30%. 11 9 10
Highest Income Tax Bracket
25% on annual income above €60,000 and 20% up to that threshold, from 1 January 2026. A county seat may set the higher band up to 32%. Only Zagreb may set 33%. 9 10 11
VAT
25% standard VAT rate in Croatia. 15
Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
Yes, Croatia has CFC rules aligned with EU anti-avoidance standards. 16
Property Tax
Since 1 January 2025 an annual property tax replaced the holiday-home tax. The national band is €0.60 to €8 per square metre of usable area. Rijeka charges €5 per square metre a year on a house or flat that is not a permanent home, across the whole city. 17 18
Property Transaction Tax
Real estate transfer tax is 3% of the market value at the moment the liability arises. 19
Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
A third-country national can get a digital-nomad temporary stay of up to 18 months. The 2026 means test is €3,622.50 a month. Income Tax Act article 9, point 26, exempts receipts from work for an employer that is not registered in Croatia while that status lasts. The stay does not allow work for Croatian employers. 20 21

About these guide entries

Method
Researched
Last updated
Oct 29, 2026
Last changed
Oct 31, 2026

Checked against the sources below and compared with similar cities. Numbers in the list point to these sources.

  1. ECB: 1 euro = 1.1225 US dollars on 19 October 2026Official
  2. 230 V, Europlug and Schuko; tap water safeSecondary
  3. bonbon prepaid data packs from 4 euro for 7 GB to 13 euro for 25 GB a monthOfficial
  4. HT Visiting Croatia eSIM 11 euro for 3 days, 15 euro for 10 days, 25 euro for 120 GB over 90 daysOfficial
  5. PORIN desk 8.30 euro a day and 99.54 euro a month, Milutina Barača 62Official
  6. RiHub at Ivana Grohovca 1/a, services freeOfficial
  7. Autotrolej zone 1 worker monthly ticket 48 euroOfficial
  8. KBC Rijeka at Krešimirova 42 and Sušak at Tome Strižića 3Official
  9. Rijeka income tax 20 percent and 25 percent, split at 60,000 euroOfficial
  10. City decision: 20 percent and 25 percent from 1 January 2026Official
  11. Worldwide tax, bands at 60,000 euro, reviewed 27 August 2026Official
  12. Company tax 18 percent, or 10 percent under 1 million euroOfficial
  13. 10 percent withholding on dividends paid to foreign companiesOfficial
  14. 12 percent final tax on dividends paid to individualsOfficial
  15. Standard VAT 25 percentOfficial
  16. Controlled foreign company rule, more than 50 percentOfficial
  17. Rijeka property tax 5 euro per square metre, not a permanent homeOfficial
  18. Property tax from 2025, national band 0.60 to 8 euroOfficial
  19. Real estate transfer tax 3 percent of market valueOfficial
  20. Digital-nomad stay up to 18 months, 3,622.50 euro a month in 2026Official
  21. Income Tax Act article 9 point 26 exempts qualifying nomad receiptsOfficial
  22. Sablićevo east of centre; Kostanj on the western shore; Kantrida beaches include PločeOfficial
  23. Rijeka Airport summer 2026 timetable, updated 24 March 2026Official
  24. A6 toward Zagreb, A7 bypass toward Ljubljana and Trieste and the A8Secondary
  25. National theatre address Verdieva 1Official
  26. Wizi Rijeka 7 euro up to 5 km, then 1.40 euro per kilometreOfficial
  27. Visit Rijeka taxi list includes Bolt, Uber and WiziOfficial
  28. Rijeka railway station at Trg kralja TomislavaOfficial
  29. Rijeka bus station at Žabica 1Official
  30. KBC Rijeka mapped at Krešimirova 42Official
  31. RiHub mapped at Ivana Grohovca 1/aOfficial

Change history

    • Method Generated Researched
    • Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads Croatia offers a temporary digital nomad residence permit with exemption from Croatian… A third-country national can get a digital-nomad temporary stay of up to 18 months. The…
    • Best Beach Nearby Sablićevo Beach, about 10–15 minutes from the center by car or bus, is the most convenient… Sablićevo is a few minutes east of the centre, toward Pećine, beside Brajdica and Križić…
    • Best Coworking Space Smartspace Rijeka, Ciottina 17, is one of the most practical coworking options in the… PORIN at Milutina Barača 62 charges €8.30 a day or €99.54 a month for a desk, VAT…
    • Best Hospital KBC Rijeka, T. Strižića 3, is the main hospital and referral center for the region. For… KBC Rijeka lists the Rijeka site at Krešimirova 42, switchboard 051 658 111, and the Sušak…
    • Best Taxi/Ride App Bolt is the most practical ride-hailing app in Rijeka; local taxis are also easy to find… Visit Rijeka lists Bolt, Uber and Wizi, formerly Cammeo, on 051 313 313. Wizi publishes €7…
    18 more changes
    • Community Centers RiHub at Ivana Grohovca 1 and youth/cultural centers around the city host workshops… RiHub at Ivana Grohovca 1/a is a free city room with coworking, a conference hall and…
    • Corporate Tax 20% standard Croatian corporate income tax rate for most companies. 18% corporate income tax, or 10% when revenue in the tax period is under €1 million.
    • Currency & Banking Euro (EUR). Approx. 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD and 1 USD ≈ 0.92 EUR. ATMs are common around Korzo… Euro (EUR) since 1 January 2023. The country-prep ECB reference for 19 October 2026 is 1…
    • Dividend Withholding Tax 10% withholding tax on dividends for resident individuals, with tax treaty variations… 12% final withholding on dividends paid to individuals. Corporate withholding on dividends…
    • Highest Income Tax Bracket 35.4% combined top local rate in practice for high earners in many municipalities… 25% on annual income above €60,000 and 20% up to that threshold, from 1 January 2026. A…
    • Highway Access Excellent access via the A6 motorway toward Zagreb and the A7 toward the Istrian and… The A6 runs toward Zagreb via the A1. The A7 is the Rijeka bypass, toward Ljubljana via…
    • Main Train/Transit Hub Rijeka Glavni kolodvor (Main Railway Station) near the center is the main rail hub, while… The railway station is at Trg kralja Tomislava 1. An electrified line runs to Zagreb and…
    • Networking Events Check Smartspace Rijeka, local startup meetups, and events at RiHub, Vukovarska 11, for… RiHub at Ivana Grohovca 1/a runs the Rijeka startup incubator and hosts entrepreneurial…
    • Power 230V, 50Hz, Type C and Type F plugs (European standard). 230 V, 50 Hz, Type C and F (Europlug and Schuko).
    • Property Tax Yes, property-related taxation exists, but the system is relatively light compared with… Since 1 January 2025 an annual property tax replaced the holiday-home tax. The national…
    • Property Transaction Tax 3% real estate transfer tax is standard on property purchases, with some exemptions… Real estate transfer tax is 3% of the market value at the moment the liability arises.
    • Public Transport Passes KD Autotrolej operates Rijeka city buses. Tickets can be bought onboard, via kiosks, or… Autotrolej worker monthly ticket, open to adults who do not qualify for a reduced pass, is…
    • SIM Card A1 Croatia, Hrvatski Telekom (T-HT), and Telemach Croatia all offer prepaid SIM/eSIM… Hrvatski Telekom, A1 and Telemach sell prepaid SIMs. bonbon (HT, no contract): 7 GB for…
    • Tap Water Drinkable and generally high quality, supplied by the local municipal water system. Tap water is safe to drink. Wikivoyage calls Croatian tap water perfectly safe, and in…
    • Tax System Croatia taxes residents on worldwide income; non-residents are taxed on Croatian-source… Residents are taxed on worldwide income and non-residents on Croatian-source income. The…
    • Theater Venues HNK Ivana pl. Zajca, located at Verdijeva 5, is the city’s main theater and opera house… The Croatian National Theatre Ivan pl. Zajc lists its address as Verdieva 1. The 2026/27…
    • Top International Airline Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines are the most useful international carriers for connections… Rijeka Airport summer 2026 timetable (29 March to 24 October, updated 24 March 2026) shows…
    • Top Regional Airline Croatia Airlines, operating via Zagreb, is the main regional airline for domestic and… Rijeka Airport's summer 2026 timetable, 29 March to 24 October and updated 24 March 2026…

    fix pass after the batch's independent check: aligned Currency & Banking, Tap Water, Power and Dividend Withholding Tax with the researched Croatian cities, rewrote SIM Card to the shared country wording after the operator pages were opened in a browser and showed the prepaid prices, and refreshed the record's model, check date and operator page dates.

Continue exploring Rijeka

Free views Sign up free