Croatia hosts 3,470 international students

Croatia currently hosts approximately 3,470 international students, according to data from the Higher Education Information System (ISVU). German nationals represent the largest group with about 730 students, followed by French (465) and Spanish (395) citizens.

Student demographics vary by institution. The University of Zagreb has the highest number of French students, while universities in Rijeka, Osijek, and Split see a higher concentration of German students. Within the European Union, Croatia has one of the lower shares of international students, surpassed only by Greece, with higher proportions found in Luxembourg, Malta, and Cyprus.

Short-term exchange programs, such as Erasmus, also contribute significantly to the student population. The Zagreb School of Economics and Management (ZŠEM) expects a 30 percent increase in international students this academic year, with notable interest from Japan, Mexico, and China. Academic officials noted that safety is a primary factor for students from Asia when choosing Croatia.