Official Language
Croatian
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: cava-tours.com, inspiredbycroatia.com
Overall8/10More English-friendly than about 70% of cities
Good to know
Good to Know
- Basic Croatian phrases like "Dobar dan" (Good day), "Hvala" (Thank you), or "Molim" (Please/You're welcome) can go a long way. Locals genuinely appreciate the effort, even if your pronunciation isn't perfect.
- Children are required to learn English as a second language when they start elementary school (around the age of 7), which contributes to broad English availability in the younger population.
- English proficiency is strongest in urban centers such as Zagreb and Split, and along the coast, owing to high tourist traffic.
Official Language
- Name
- Croatian
- Notes
- Croatian is the official language of the Republic of Croatia and has been an official language of the European Union since Croatia's accession in 2013.
Practical English Use
- Navigation
- In everyday situations, like asking for directions, ordering food or buying tickets, you'll rarely run into a language barrier. If you do, people are generally patient and will try to assist using gestures or even translation apps.
- ATMs Payments
- ATMs in Dubrovnik have English-language options and credit/debit cards are widely accepted, especially in hotels, restaurants and stores.
- Taxis Rideshare
- Most taxi drivers in Dubrovnik speak at least basic English. However, using a rideshare app like Bolt or Uber (popular in Croatia) ensures smoother communication, as destinations and payments are handled within the app.
- Public Transport
- Most ticket booths and bus stops have English signage.
Regional Dialect Note
In Dubrovnik and along much of the Dalmatian coast, you will hear a mix of standard Croatian and local Čakavian influences.
English Proficiency In Dubrovnik
- Key Finding
- Nearly half of the local population is proficient in English.
- Age Demographics
- Younger locals, especially those under 40, tend to speak English fluently thanks to education and exposure to English-language media. Older generations may have more limited vocabulary, but are usually friendly and will make an effort to help.
- Overall Assessment
- English is widely spoken in Dubrovnik, especially in areas frequented by tourists.
Sector Specifics
- Casual Dining
- Menus are almost always available in English, and waitstaff in tourist areas typically speak it well. In less touristy neighborhoods, menus might be only in Croatian, but servers are usually happy to explain or recommend something in English.
- Tourism Hospitality
- Hotel receptionists, restaurant servers, baristas, shop assistants, and tour guides typically speak English well.
- Upscale Establishments
- In upscale hotels and restaurants, staff often speak multiple languages fluently, including English, German, and Italian.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this language & english friendliness research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Dubrovnik
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.