Good to know
Good to Know
- Official census figures (~41,000) do not capture temporary residents, digital nomads on permits, or undocumented long-stayers—actual working population significantly larger during off-season (October–April), especially post-2021 when Digital Nomad Visa launched
- British, German, and Italian nationals form the largest foreign resident clusters; strong expat networking via Facebook groups and regular meetups
- Digital nomad community smaller than Split or Zagreb but actively growing, with government support and dedicated Dubrovnik Long Stay programme
- English and German are widely spoken; Croatian bureaucracy can be challenging for non-EU expats seeking permanent work
- Tech startup ecosystem nascent; most opportunities for expats in remote work (via Digital Nomad Visa, tax-exempt on foreign income) or tourism/hospitality sectors
Business And Tech Ecosystem
- Education
- University of Dubrovnik (established 2003) with international exchange programs; 109 international exchange students in 2024/2025
- Tech Events
- Techne Summit Dubrovnik (international startup/investment conference with Mediterranean region focus)
- Venture Capital
- No VC firms based in Dubrovnik as of mid-2025; regional funds (Zagreb-based) active
- Startup Presence
- Emerging but limited compared to Zagreb/Split
- Digital Nomad Infrastructure
- Growing—coworking spaces, cafes run by expats (Life According to KAWA, D'Vino Wine Bar), digital nomad meetups active April-September
- Employment Challenges For Expats
- Small job market; work quota system restrictive for non-EU citizens; most expats work remotely or via Digital Nomad Visa (EUR 3,295/month minimum income requirement)
Foreign Language Proficiency
- French
- Basic proficiency in hospitality/tourism roles
- German
- Common, strong German expat/retiree presence
- English
- Widespread, especially among working-age population and service sector
- Italian
- Spoken by some older residents; historical Dalmatian-Italian community
Official Registered Population
- Year
- 2026
- Figure
- 41045
- Source Type
- Croatian Bureau of Statistics estimate/projection
Ethnic And Nationality Breakdown Official
- Croats Percent
- 88.39
- Italian Percent 2011
- 0.06
- Italian Residents 2011
- 27
- Note
- Latest reliable census data from 2011
Language Spoken
- Serbian Percent
- 1
- Croatian Percent
- 96.1
- Other And Undesignated Percent
- 2.9
Unregistered And Long Term Foreign Residents
- Note
- No precise census figure available; significant undercounting in official statistics
- Contextual Indicators
- Dubrovnik ranked among top 3 Croatian cities for expat settlement (after Split and Zagreb); multiple active expat/digital nomad communities and coworking spaces documented; smaller community than Split/Zagreb but growing
Documented Composition
Digital Nomads on Temporary Residence Permits
- Trend
- Rapidly growing since 2021 Digital Nomad Visa introduction
- Seasonal Variation
- Higher April-September
Long-term Expats (EU/EEA Citizens)
- Estimate Basis
- Expat.com community networks, Dubrovnik expat Facebook groups, digital nomad ambassador reports
Nationalities
- British
- German
- Italian
- Australian
- American
Retirees and Lifestyle Migrants
- Key Source Countries
- Germany, Austria, UK
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this local demographics 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.