Volunteer in Croatia

Volunteer Projects and Internships in Croatia

Volunteer and explore Croatia during your next volunteer adventure and discover exactly why this treasure by the Adriatic Sea attracts so many tourists. Croatia is perfectly located bridging Western and Eastern Europe. Don’t miss out on this volunteer destination with breathtaking nature, emerald green waters, thousands of islands, and cultural remnants dating back to the Roman Empire. Festival lovers will be drawn to the original line-up of this dream location in the Mediterranean. Check out volunteering abroad programs in Croatia!

Before we tell you all about the volunteer opportunities in Croatia, let’s take a look at some interesting facts about this pearl of the Adriatic Sea:

• Some views in Split and Dubrovnik may be familiar to Game of Thrones fans as several scenes were shot between these 2 breathtaking coastal cities.
• With over 2715 hours of sunshine a year, people in Croatia enjoy even more sun than Sydney.
• Croatia has the longest list of UNESCO intangible cultural heritage in Europe.
• The origin of the Dalmatian dog can be traced back to Croatia whose waterfront area is known as the Dalmatian coast.
• There are as many Croatians living outside the country as there are living in Croatia. The population is a little over 4 million.

🇭🇷 Why Volunteer in Croatia?

Croatia scores below the average of other European countries when it comes to GDP. As it recovers from the Yugoslav wars and works on boosting their economy, there are still a number of challenges this tourist hotspot faces. Even though they are part of the European Union, some of the struggles Croatia faces are:

• Aging population
• Increasing outmigration - many Croatians emigrate looking for a better future
• Lagging behind other countries in Economic growth

Croatia attracts tourists from all over the world due to its natural beauty and cultural heritage. You can contribute to maintaining this by joining one of the conservation projects during your volunteer work in Croatia.

In every society, there are communities that struggle and need extra support. Volunteer by working with the local youth, those with special needs or teaching.

🌳 How to Volunteer for Environmental Conservation in Croatia

Croatia’s environment is one of the major attractions of this country situated on the Adriatic coast. If you’re a nature lover, you can make an impact by rolling up your sleeves and joining one of the volunteer projects abroad to support the environmental efforts to conserve Croatia’s natural beauty.

🐬 How to Volunteer for Marine Conservation

Sign up for this opportunity of a lifetime and witness one of the most fascinating sea mammals in their natural environment! Your dream of dolphin watching in Croatia is about to come true. Some of the tasks you’ll have a dolphin conservation volunteer in Croatia are:

• Observing dolphins and collecting data
• Learning how to distinguish dolphins through photo ID
• Raising awareness on the importance of dolphin conservation
• Learning about marine conservation and the importance of different species to maintain balance.

Passionate divers won’t want to pass up on the chance to volunteer and dive into Croatia’s emerald green waters. Support underwater clean up efforts by removing trash from the sea and learn more about the different marine species of the Adriatic Sea. This is the perfect opportunity to combine a diving holiday in Croatia with supporting the environment.

🌴 How to Volunteer for Community Service in Croatia

Social volunteers eager to get to know the culture and connect with the locals will love volunteering for community service. This can take on several forms:

• volunteer and work at a youth project
• join a teaching project and teach children and adults a foreign language
• work with those with special needs

🇬🇧 How to Teach English in Croatia

English skills are incredibly valuable to have. By teaching local youth or adults English, you will boost their future opportunities significantly. Volunteers with a background in education can gain valuable international experience. Those of you who want to test the waters before becoming a teacher can do this too.

👩🏽‍💻 How to Volunteer for NGO Support

Are you eager to work for a great cause and apply your business skills? Why not support an NGO? You can even do this remotely! Learn the ins and out of an NGO and what it takes to run one.

Fundraising is a big part of working with NGOs but there are various departments you can make a difference in:

• online sales
• fundraising
• social media
• communication
• planning and communication
• IT
• creative technologies

Put your skills to great use by supporting an NGO in Croatia!

🌏 Best Places to Volunteer in Croatia

Most volunteer programs in Croatia will take you to Split. A stunning coastal city which was also the backdrop in many Game of Thrones scenes. Combine the culture of this city that dates back to ancient times with its natural beauty and you have a dream volunteer abroad destination.

🤑 How Much Does it Cost to Volunteer in Croatia?

The suggested daily budget for living as an international volunteer in Croatia is between US$ 31 and US$ 72. This is an estimate made considering some of the goods and services you may want to buy while you volunteer overseas. It gives you a general overview of how much things cost when you’re abroad, so you can prepare accordingly.

Additional costs you should consider will be:

• program fees
• flight tickets (find cheap flights to Croatia)
• travel insurance (find your travel insurance)
• fees for your visa
• personal expenses

An overview of living costs for Croatia (in US $, for one person):

Hotel

$n.a.

Big Mac

$n.a.

Coca-Cola

$1.41

Eating out

$8.58

Rental Car

$n.a.

Hostel

$n.a.

Marlboro

$5.72

Beer

$1.78

Fuel

$1.75

Public Transport

$1.77

💰 Can I Volunteer in Croatia for Free?

Most volunteer projects abroad require a fee to be paid by the volunteer to cover accommodation. In some cases, this is also used to support the organization. You can use the budget filter while searching for volunteer opportunities abroad to find volunteer programs within your budget. Don’t hesitate to ask the live chat team for support!

There is a remote volunteer opportunity in Croatia which is a great opportunity for volunteers who are on a budget or aren’t able to travel. Volunteer virtually while you learn and gain valuable work experience.

💡 Good to Know Before Volunteering in Croatia

Going abroad and traveling to a foreign country always involves taking precautions. Some of the following tips may come in handy when traveling as an international volunteer in Croatia.

Culture and Religion

Almost 90% of Croatia is Roman Catholic which doesn't mean they all go to church. Roman Catholicism is an important part of their identity and their history, however. It’s what differentiates them so much from Serbia. They have completely separate histories and religions. Here are a few interesting tips to take into account while traveling in Croatia:

• Football is a religion in Croatia. Despite their small population, they made it to the finals of the 2018 FIFA championship.
• Don’t mention the war when talking to people in Croatia. There’s no need to dig up old wounds.
• Croats are style-conscious when they appear in public. This can be important to take into account when picking out your attire.
• Don’t be offended when Croats come across as assertive and opinionated. This is part of their communication style.
• Family is incredibly important in Croatia. It’s not surprising that people live with their parents until they get married.

🦺 Is it Safe to Volunteer in Croatia?

You should always practice general safety precautions while traveling but Croatia is a very safe place to travel. The level of crime is low and the capital city, Zagreb, is considered safe by European and American safety standards. When you travel it’s a good idea to follow the following tips:

• keep a low profile, don’t show off expensive things
• bring along the money you need and leave remaining cash in a safe
• be sure to have extra copies of important documents like your passport etc.

Medical Advice

Certain vaccines are recommended or required for Croatia. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Croatia: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, and influenza.

Packing Essentials

Your packing list might change depending on when you are traveling to Croatia and what kind of work you will be doing abroad. These are some packing essentials:

• Bring photocopies of important travel documents like passport, travel medical insurance information and visa, and keep them safe at your accommodation.
• Wear long sleeves to protect you from the sun and insects.
• Be sure to bring sunscreen to protect you from the sun. It’s very sunny in Croatia!
• Keep enough cash with you.
• Carry a money belt with you to keep your money secure.
• Make sure to pack lightweight clothing during the summer but pack rain gear in the winter.
• Bring water shoes if you spend time on the beach because there are lots of rocks on the beaches of Croatia.

🧐 Who Can Volunteer in Croatia?

Each volunteer abroad program in Croatia will expect different skills and abilities from their international volunteers. While you can find the specific requirements for each project on their program page, here are some general requirements that apply to most volunteer programs in Croatia:

• You need to be at least 18 years old for most volunteer projects. When in doubt, we advise you to get in contact with the local project coordinator. Some projects will allow you to volunteer from the age of 16 years old.
• You need to have basic English skills to join a volunteer project in Croatia. When you’re planning on teaching English, you should have intermediate English skills
• Depending on the project, you may need to provide a criminal background check and a health declaration.

☝🏼 How to Volunteer Abroad in Croatia

So you’re ready to volunteer in Croatia but you’re not quite sure how to get started? Take a look at the following 3 steps that will prepare you for volunteer work in Croatia and an unforgettable adventure abroad:

• Check whether there’s a match between you and the project by looking at their requirements.
• Take a look at the location of the project and decide whether it’s a place you want to travel to.
• Get in touch with the organization and see whether your expectations and schedules match up.

Once this is sorted. Let’s take a look at the practical steps:

Insurance (Health & Travel)

We recommend getting both health and travel insurance. This is even a requirement for most programs abroad. Get in touch with your program contact person to find out if an insurance plan is already in place for volunteers.

🛂 Do I Need a Visa to Volunteer in Croatia?

Please take into account that the following information is based on a best practice approach, which has been made according to the best of our knowledge and in cooperation with several volunteer programs in Croatia. That’s why you should make sure to discuss your visa requirements with your project coordinator on Volunteer World. If in doubt, we also recommend getting in touch with the Croatiaese embassy or consulate in your country.

General Immigration Information

You can find detailed information on the visa requirements for your nationality traveling to Croatia, here.

EU citizens don’t require a visa to enter Croatia and US citizens can travel to Croatia with their US passport without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180 day period.

• Please check the current validity of your passport. The passport should be valid for at least 6 months after your expected return home date.
• Make sure your passport has at least two blank Visa pages.
• Make sure to be in possession of a valid return ticket for your travel home.

Volunteer in Croatia and take this opportunity to get to know the locals and understand the culture. Boost future opportunities of Croat locals by supporting their communities. Let us help you find your dream volunteer opportunity in Croatia. Our live chat team is here to support you!