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Varaždin digital nomad guide

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Nomad score 6.8/10

46.3080, 16.3378 Europe/Zagreb #914

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

Essentials

City
Varaždin, Varaždin County, Croatia
Population
The 2021 census counted 43,782 people in the City of Varaždin and 36,187 in the urban settlement of the same name. The older figure of 46,946 is the 2011 census. 1 2
Internet Speed
Reliable fiber optics, average 150-300 Mbps; 5G coverage available via HT and A1
Currency & Banking
Euro (EUR) since 1 January 2023. The country-prep European Central Bank rate for 19 October 2026 is 1 euro = 1.1225 US dollars (0.8909 euro per dollar). 3 4
Tap Water
Tap water is safe to drink across Croatia. Bottled water is widely sold as well. 3
Power
230 V, 50 Hz, Europlug and Schuko (types C and F). 3
SIM Card
Hrvatski Telekom, A1 and Telemach are the networks. bonbon, the HT prepaid brand, is the priced monthly option in the country prep: 7 GB for €4, 12 GB for €7, 20 GB for €11 or 25 GB for €13, with no contract. The city cost file uses the 25 GB plan. The HT tourist eSIM is €11 for 3 unlimited days, €15 for 10 days, or €25 for 120 GB over 90 days. Take a passport; bonbon activation goes through a named account. Both operator pages print these prices in a browser; on bonbon the tiles appear after the cookie banner is accepted. 3 5 6
Banking for Expats
Revolut and Wise are widely used. Local Zaba (Zagrebačka banka) at Franjevački trg 10 provides expat accounts
Accommodation
Nekretnine.hr showed 25 flats for rent in Varaždin, from €450 a month. Asking rents on that page included €450, €600, €650, €700 and €800. 7
Cashless Friendly
Cards are accepted in almost every Croatian shop. American Express generally is not. Small cash still helps at the market and for a tip of about 5-10% at dinner. 3
Short Term Rentals
Airbnb and local apartments like 'Park & City' near the Old Town (Stari Grad)
Budget Accommodation
The student-centre hostel site lists Studentski centar in Varaždin at Ulica kralja Petra Krešimira IV. 42. A single room without a kitchen starts at €43 a night for the bed only. No hostel at Alojzija Stepinca 1, and no €20 to €25 dorm rate, was on that page. 8
Best Area to Stay for Tourists
The Historic Core (Gradska jezgra) near the Stari Grad castle and Korzo
Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
Banfica or the area near Varaždin Cemetery; quieter, cheaper, and within 10-min walk to center

Food and Drink

Street Food Stalls
American Donut Varaždin and various 'Pekara' (Bakeries) like Mlinar for quick snacks
Popular International Cuisine
Pizzeria Angelus (Ulica Alojzija Stepinca 3) for high-end Italian/Mediterranean
Best Food Delivery App
Wolt and Glovo are the primary services for Varaždin
Best Local Dish to Try
The county tourism board names varaždinski klipič, a dough roll, and Varaždin sauerkraut as the best-known local dishes, served as starters in many restaurants. 16
Vegan/Vegetarian Options
Healthy Point (Ulica kratka 1); focused on salads, wraps, and plant-based bowls
Best Dessert Spots
Ekos Cakes (Trg kralja Tomislava) for traditional cakes and modern pastries
Affordable Shopping Spots
Varaždin City Market (Gradska Tržnica) for fresh local produce at low prices
E-commerce/Online Store
eKupi.hr and Mall.hr for electronics and general goods; Amazon.de delivers to Croatia
Grocery Delivery
Konzum Klik or the Glovo app for delivery from Lidl and Kaufland
Bar/Nightlife Area
Ivana Padovca street and the area around the Old Town; popular spot: Gverila Bar
Local Brewery
Medina Škrinja (ul. Ivana Padovca 3); excellent craft beer taproom and pub
Wine Bars
Vinska kuca (Wine House) near the Old Town castle for regional Graševina wine

Culture and Attractions

Must-See Landmarks
Stari Grad (Varaždin Old Town Castle) and the Varaždin Cemetery (world-famous park architecture)
Museums & Art Venues
Entomological Museum 'The World of Insects' (Trg otaca kapucina 10)
Historical Sites
The Sermage Palace and the Ursuline Convent
Religious Sites
Varaždin Cathedral (Assumption of the Virgin Mary) and the Franciscan Church
Annual Events
Špancirfest runs from 21 to 30 August 2026 in the historic centre, with street shows, concerts and food. The county tourism board also names the Varaždin Baroque Evenings. The months of that music festival were not on the pages opened. 17 16
Cultural Districts
Varaždin Historic Core (Baroque center)
Theater Venues
Hrvatsko narodno kazalište (HNK) Varaždin (Trg kolodvorski)
Local Markets
The 'Plac' (Trg slobode); famous for traditional vendors in folk costumes
Music Scene
Elephant Bar for live jazz and alternative performances
Street Art
Murals on the walls of high schools and the VAMA building exterior
Cooking Classes
Seasonal workshops at the Gastronomy Center 'Varaždinska kuhinja'
Art Galleries
Galerija starih i novih majstora (Stančić square)
Historic Buildings
The City Hall (Gradska vijećnica), one of the oldest in Europe
Local Heritage
The Purgari, the old city guard, change the guard every Saturday from 11:00 to 12:00, with the guard drummers. The county tourism board says the tradition is more than 250 years old. 16

Working and Networking

Best Coworking Space
TECH_PARK (Tehnološki park), Zagrebačka ulica 89, calls itself the largest coworking space in Varaždin, with fast internet included in the rent, 3 phone booths and a meeting room for up to 8 people. Phone 042 500 050, [email protected]. Neither the coworking page nor the office-rental page prints a euro price for a day or a month. 9
Best Cafe for Work
Kavana Grofica Marica (Trg kralja Tomislava 2). Quiet morning vibe, good Wi-Fi, and historic atmosphere
Networking Events
Events hosted by VOID (Varaždin Open IT) community and Tech Park 'Coffee & Networking' sessions
Social Events for Expats
Expats in Varaždin Facebook group meetups occasionally held at Medonja Pub

Transportation

Best Taxi/Ride App
Bolt and Uber are active; Cammeo Taxi Varaždin (Phone: 1212) is the most reliable local option
Bike/Scooter Rental
Nextbike locations page did not name Varaždin, so a local station price was not confirmed. Bolt Croatia prices scooter hire from €0.15 a minute and does not list this city. The city tourism board points riders to the Drava cycle path and to EuroVelo 9 and 13. 10 11 12
Best Beach Nearby
Aquacity, locally called Varaždinsko more, is in Trnovec Bartolovečki, 3 km from the baroque centre. The county tourism board says entry is free, with a landscaped beach, shade, a playground and sports courts. 13
Top Regional Airline
Croatia Airlines (Operating out of Zagreb Airport, 1 hour away)
Top International Airline
Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, and Turkish Airlines (via Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport)
Highway Access
Direct access to the A4 Highway (Zagreb - Goričan/Budapest)
Main Train/Transit Hub
Varaždin Railway Station (Kolodvorska ulica 17) and adjacent Bus Station (Varaždin Autobusni Kolodvor)
Public Transport Passes
City buses are run by Čistoća. From 2 January 2025 a single ticket is €0.60 in cash on the bus, or €0.50 with a value card, and a monthly pass is €20 (€200 for a year). Buy passes at the Čistoća desk, Trg bana Jelačića 18, in the city market. 14
Regional Travel
Frequent buses to Zagreb (1.5 hours) for approx. €10-€12 and Maribor (Slovenia)

Health and Wellness

Best Hospital
Opća bolnica Varaždin, Ivana Meštrovića 1. Switchboard 042 393 000, [email protected]. It is the city's full-service public hospital. 29
Yoga & Wellness Centers
Yoga Studio Varaždin (Ulica Ljudevita Gaja); Drop-in classes approx. €10
Gyms & Fitness Centers
TTS Sport Centar, Ul. Vjekoslava Špinčića 1a, about 300 metres from the centre, has a gym, functional training, courts and a sauna. Reception 08:30-22:00, phone +385 42 490 850. The site does not print a monthly membership fee. It is not on Maruliceva 4. 15 30
Laundry Services
Praonica rublja 'Sjaj' (Ulica braće Radić 34)

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Nearby Nature Escapes
The city tourism board describes the Drava, its banks and the forests along it, for paddling, rafting and cycling. That page does not use the name Dravska Park Šuma. 12
National Parks Nearby
Plitvice Lakes National Park (Approx. 2 hours 15 mins drive)
Cycling/Walking Paths
The Drava cycle path runs through the Varaždin stretch of a route of about 710 km from the source toward Osijek. EuroVelo 9 passes on the west side toward Maribor, and EuroVelo 13 on the east. A signed ride goes from the Old Town castle to Trakošćan. 12
Scenic Viewpoints
Trakošćan Castle hill (40km away) for views of the lake and mountains
Birdwatching Locations
Lake Varaždin (Ormož Reservoir) - an important sanctuary for water birds
Bonfire-Friendly Spots
Designated campfire zones at Aquacity leisure park

Other Services and Amenities

Parcel Delivery Service
HP - Hrvatska pošta (Trg slobode 9), DHL, and GLS
Tech Repair Services
Magic Net (Frana Kurelca 2) for IT and hardware assistance
Table Tennis Spots
STK Starr Varaždin (TTS Center) offers table tennis facilities
Language Classes
Pučko otvoreno učilište Varaždin (Hallerova aleja 1/II) for Croatian for foreigners
Libraries & Study Spots
Gradska knjižnica i čitaonica Metel Ožegović. A November 2026 notice on the library site places it at Franjevački trg 4. The children's department is at Augusta Cesarca 10 (Vila Bedeković). Trg slobode 8a was not the address on that page. 18
Community Centers
Centar za mlade i nezavisnu kulturu P4 (Preradovićeva 4)
Gaming Lounges
Reboot eSports-friendly cafes nearby; local gaming at Magic Net center
Casino & Gaming Halls
Admiral City Casino (Ulica Ivana Kukuljevića 15)

Business

Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
No centre-versus-outside or bedroom split is published. The ministry average flat price for Varaždin, for use in 2026, is €1,956 per square metre, so a 40 square metre studio is about €78,240. 19
Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
Same city-wide ministry average, €1,956 per square metre for 2026. A 40 square metre example is about €78,240. There is no separate outside-centre series. 19
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
Using the same 2026 ministry average of €1,956 per square metre, a 60 square metre flat is about €117,360. No centre premium is published. 19
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
Same city-wide figure: €1,956 per square metre, about €117,360 for 60 square metres. 19
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
Using the same 2026 ministry average of €1,956 per square metre, an 80 square metre flat is about €156,480. 19
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
Same city-wide figure: €1,956 per square metre, about €156,480 for 80 square metres. 19
Corporate Tax
10% when revenue in the tax period is up to €1,000,000, and 18% above that. 20
Dividend Withholding Tax
12% final withholding on dividends paid to individuals. A separate 10% corporate withholding applies when a Croatian company pays dividends to a foreign company. 21 20
Tax System
A resident, a person with permanent or habitual residence in Croatia, is taxed on worldwide income. The bands are up to €60,000 and above €60,000. Qualifying foreign work income of someone on a digital-nomad stay is exempt under Income Tax Act article 9(1)(26). 22 23
Highest Income Tax Bracket
Varaždin sets 21% on the lower band and 32% on the higher band for payments from 1 January 2026. The bands are up to €60,000 and above €60,000. As a county seat it may set the higher band up to 32%. If a city sets no rates, the default is 20% and 30%. 24 22
VAT
Standard PDV is 25%. The reduced rate is 13% on hotel accommodation and on preparing and serving food and desserts, and 5% on listed staples such as bread, milk, books and medicines. 25
Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
Yes. PwC, reviewed 27 August 2026, describes a rule in the EU anti-avoidance style: more than 50% of votes, capital or profit, and foreign tax below the Croatian corporate tax that would have been due. 26
Property Tax
Since 1 January 2025 an annual tax of €0.60 to €8 per square metre replaced the holiday-home tax. A home used as a permanent residence, or let for at least 10 months of the year as a home, is exempt. The Varaždin decision on the euro amount per square metre was not on the page opened. A municipal communal fee is separate. 27
Property Transaction Tax
3% of the market value, paid by the buyer, when the purchase is not charged VAT instead. A new building used for under two years is charged VAT rather than this transfer tax. 25
Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
Third-country remote workers can apply for a digital-nomad temporary stay of up to 18 months. The 2026 means test is €3,622.50 a month. Qualifying foreign work income is exempt from Croatian income tax while that stay is valid, under Income Tax Act article 9(1)(26). Dividends, rent and work for Croatian clients are outside the exemption. 28 23

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. City of Varaždin, 2021 census, 43,782 residentsOfficial
  2. English Wikipedia, Varaždin: 2021 census, urban settlement and county seatSecondary
  3. Wikivoyage Croatia: euro, plugs, tap water, cards, tipping and mobile networksSecondary
  4. European Central Bank 90-day euro reference rates, 19 October 2026Official
  5. bonbon prepaid packages page, 7 GB for €4 up to 25 GB for €13 a month after the cookie bannerOfficial
  6. Hrvatski Telekom Visiting Croatia tourist eSIM, €11, €15 and €25Official
  7. Nekretnine.hr Varaždin flat rentals, 25 ads from 450 euro a monthListings
  8. Studentski centar hostel in Varaždin, room rates and addressOfficial
  9. TECH_PARK Varaždin coworking, Zagrebačka 89, phone booths and a meeting room for 8Official
  10. Nextbike Croatia locations page, Varaždin not namedOfficial
  11. Bolt Croatia scooters, pay as you go from 0.15 euro a minuteOfficial
  12. Visit Varaždin outdoor page, Drava forests and cycle routesOfficial
  13. County tourism, Aquacity three kilometres from the centre, free entryOfficial
  14. Čistoća Varaždin city bus tariff in force from 2 January 2025Official
  15. TTS Sport Centar, 300 metres from the centre, reception 08:30 to 22:00Official
  16. County tourism, Varaždin: klipič, sauerkraut, purgari and the castleOfficial
  17. Špancirfest 2026, 21 to 30 AugustOfficial
  18. City library Metel Ožegović, Franjevački trg 4Official
  19. Ministry average flat price for Varaždin in 2026, 1,956 euro per square metreOfficial
  20. Porezna uprava, corporate tax 10 percent and 18 percent, and 10 percent withholding to foreign companiesOfficial
  21. Porezna uprava, 12 percent withholding on dividends to individualsOfficial
  22. Porezna uprava, worldwide income, bands at 60,000 euro, default 20 percent and 30 percentOfficial
  23. Income Tax Act, article 9 paragraph 1 point 26, digital-nomad receiptsOfficial
  24. RRiF municipal income-tax table for payments from 1 January 2026, Varaždin 21 percent and 32 percentSecondary
  25. PwC Croatia VAT rates and 3 percent real-estate transfer taxProfessional
  26. PwC Croatia controlled foreign company rule, reviewed 27 August 2026Professional
  27. Porezna uprava, annual property tax from 1 January 2025Official
  28. MUP digital-nomad temporary stay, up to 18 months, 2026 means testOfficial
  29. Opća bolnica Varaždin, Ivana Meštrovića 1, switchboard 042 393 000Official
  30. TTS Sport Centar contact page, Špinčića 1a and +385 42 490 850Official

Change history

    • Method Generated Researched
    • 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €150,000) Using the same 2026 ministry average of €1,956 per square metre, a 60 square metre flat is…
    • 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. €1,900 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €114,000) Same city-wide figure: €1,956 per square metre, about €117,360 for 60 square metres.
    • 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. €2,300 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €184,000) Using the same 2026 ministry average of €1,956 per square metre, an 80 square metre flat…
    • 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. €1,750 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €140,000) Same city-wide figure: €1,956 per square metre, about €156,480 for 80 square metres.
    • Accommodation Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agencies like Nekretnine Varaždin. Monthly rent for 1BR… Nekretnine.hr showed 25 flats for rent in Varaždin, from €450 a month. Asking rents on…
    30 more changes
    • Annual Events Špancirfest (August) and Varaždin Baroque Evenings (September/October) Špancirfest runs from 21 to 30 August 2026 in the historic centre, with street shows…
    • Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads Croatia Digital Nomad Visa: 0% income tax on income earned from foreign employers for up… Third-country remote workers can apply for a digital-nomad temporary stay of up to 18…
    • Best Beach Nearby Aquacity (Varaždin Sea) - a man-made pebble beach and recreation center 4km from center Aquacity, locally called Varaždinsko more, is in Trnovec Bartolovečki, 3 km from the…
    • Best Coworking Space Tehnološki park Varaždin (Zagrebačka 89). Modern facilities, desk approx. €100/month TECH_PARK (Tehnološki park), Zagrebačka ulica 89, calls itself the largest coworking space…
    • Best Hospital Opća bolnica Varaždin (Ivana Meštrovića ulica 1); full-service public hospital Opća bolnica Varaždin, Ivana Meštrovića 1. Switchboard 042 393 000, [email protected]. It is…
    • Best Local Dish to Try Varaždinski klipič (hand-rolled bread sticks) and Mlinci with turkey The county tourism board names varaždinski klipič, a dough roll, and Varaždin sauerkraut…
    • Bike/Scooter Rental Bolt e-scooters; Nextbike Varaždin station network (around €1 per 30 mins) Nextbike locations page did not name Varaždin, so a local station price was not confirmed…
    • Budget Accommodation Hostel Varaždin (Alojzija Stepinca 1); dorm beds approx. €20-25 per night The student-centre hostel site lists Studentski centar in Varaždin at Ulica kralja Petra…
    • Cashless Friendly Yes, cards accepted in supermarkets and restaurants; small cafes and the market prefer… Cards are accepted in almost every Croatian shop. American Express generally is not. Small…
    • Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Yes, EU-aligned CFC regulations apply Yes. PwC, reviewed 27 August 2026, describes a rule in the EU anti-avoidance style: more…
    • Corporate Tax 10% for revenues up to €1,000,000; 18% for revenues above that 10% when revenue in the tax period is up to €1,000,000, and 18% above that.
    • Currency & Banking Euro (€); 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks: OTP Banka, PBZ, Zagrebačka banka Euro (EUR) since 1 January 2023. The country-prep European Central Bank rate for 19…
    • Cycling/Walking Paths The 'Mura-Drava' cycling route which passes through the Varaždin region The Drava cycle path runs through the Varaždin stretch of a route of about 710 km from the…
    • Dividend Withholding Tax 10% (standard flat rate since 2024) 12% final withholding on dividends paid to individuals. A separate 10% corporate…
    • Gyms & Fitness Centers TTS Sport Center (Maruliceva 4). State-of-the-art gym, crossfit, and sauna. Monthly… TTS Sport Centar, Ul. Vjekoslava Špinčića 1a, about 300 metres from the centre, has a gym…
    • Highest Income Tax Bracket 30% (Standard personal income top rate; varies by municipality city surtax) Varaždin sets 21% on the lower band and 32% on the higher band for payments from 1 January…
    • Libraries & Study Spots Gradska knjižnica 'Metel Ožegović' (Trg slobode 8a) Gradska knjižnica i čitaonica Metel Ožegović. A November 2026 notice on the library site…
    • Local Heritage The Purgari (Varaždin Civil Guard) - ceremonial Changing of the Guard every Saturday The Purgari, the old city guard, change the guard every Saturday from 11:00 to 12:00, with…
    • Nearby Nature Escapes Drava River Forest (Dravska Park Šuma) with walking and river-rafting trails The city tourism board describes the Drava, its banks and the forests along it, for…
    • Population 46,946 (Approx. metro area) The 2021 census counted 43,782 people in the City of Varaždin and 36,187 in the urban…
    • Power 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets 230 V, 50 Hz, Europlug and Schuko (types C and F).
    • Property Tax Communal contribution fees apply; annual Property Tax (Porez na nekretnine) is being… Since 1 January 2025 an annual tax of €0.60 to €8 per square metre replaced the…
    • Property Transaction Tax 3% of the market value of the property 3% of the market value, paid by the buyer, when the purchase is not charged VAT instead. A…
    • Public Transport Passes Varaždin City Bus (Autotransport Varaždin). Single ticket approx. €0.80-€1.30 City buses are run by Čistoća. From 2 January 2025 a single ticket is €0.60 in cash on the…
    • SIM Card Hrvatski Telekom (HT), A1, and Telemach. Prepaid SIM with 20GB data approx. €10-15 Hrvatski Telekom, A1 and Telemach are the networks. bonbon, the HT prepaid brand, is the…
    • Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. €2,700 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €108,000) No centre-versus-outside or bedroom split is published. The ministry average flat price…
    • Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. €2,100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €84,000) Same city-wide ministry average, €1,956 per square metre for 2026. A 40 square metre…
    • Tap Water Safe and high-quality drinkable tap water throughout the city Tap water is safe to drink across Croatia. Bottled water is widely sold as well.
    • Tax System Worldwide income basis for residents; Digital Nomad Visa offers 0% local income tax A resident, a person with permanent or habitual residence in Croatia, is taxed on…
    • VAT 25% (Standard rate), reduced rates of 13% and 5% apply to specific items Standard PDV is 25%. The reduced rate is 13% on hotel accommodation and on preparing and…

    fix pass after the batch check. The SIM card prices now rest on the two operator pages, which print them in a browser once the cookie banner is accepted; the coworking entry drops the twelve-desk figure the page does not state and keeps the three phone booths and the eight-seat meeting room; the gym entry now cites the contact page for the address and phone and adds the reception hours; the hostel address and single-room price were re-checked (bonbon.hr hrvatskitelekom.hr techpark.hr tts-sport.hr)

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