If you’re planning to enroll your child in a school in Croatia—whether public or private—you might be wondering: is English enough? The answer depends on the type of school, the grade level, and your long-term plans in Croatia.
This guide is designed for international parents, especially those enrolling in international schools, but also useful for those considering Croatian public education.
🇭🇷 Croatian vs. International Schools: The Basics
- Public Schools in Croatia follow the Croatian national curriculum, taught in Croatian. There are a few bilingual programs, but overall, Croatian is the main language of instruction.
- Private International Schools offer programs like the International Baccalaureate (IB) and teach primarily in English, sometimes with additional Croatian classes.
- Private Croatian Schools may offer more flexibility or integration support, but still follow the national curriculum.
🗓️ School Year, Grade System, and Inclusion
- The school year starts in early September and ends in mid-June.
- Elementary school (osnovna škola) lasts 8 years (grades 1–8), and high school (srednja škola) lasts 4 years.
- Inclusion policies exist for students with learning difficulties, language barriers, or special needs, but they vary by school and region.
- For younger children, preschool (vrtić) is optional but often recommended for language integration.
👩🏫 Do Children Need to Speak Croatian?
- In public schools, a basic level of Croatian is essential. Some schools offer support for non-native speakers, but it’s not standardized.
- In international schools, classes are held in English, and children are not required to speak Croatian upon enrollment. However, many schools encourage learning the local language.
📄 What Documents Are Needed for Enrollment?
If you’re enrolling in a Croatian school, you’ll typically need:
- Birth certificate
- Proof of residence
- School records and diplomas (translated if not in English)
- Medical/immunization certificate
➡️ See this guide: Translating School Records and Diplomas for Use in Croatia
🎯 Final Tip
Even if English is the main language of instruction, most schools and public institutions in Croatia require official documents to be translated into Croatian—especially for legal purposes. If you’re moving with children, it’s worth preparing in advance.
Need help translating your child’s documents?
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