Updated October 21, 2026
Where paying customers for massage work are in Rijeka
Paying customers for massage therapy in Rijeka come from several places. Some will find you through online search when they look for a massage therapist near them. Others will hear about you through word of mouth - a satisfied customer tells a friend, family member or colleague. Some will come from workplace wellness programs or corporate bookings if companies in the city have those budgets. A smaller number may be people who already know you socially and decide to hire you professionally.
The city is not large, which means your potential customer base is real but finite. There is no single neighbourhood or district where all massage demand concentrates. Customers come from across Rijeka and surrounding areas, and they book based on convenience, reputation and whether they can find you easily. Building a visible online presence - so people searching for massage therapy locally can find your profile - is therefore important from the start.
Setting your first price and talking about money
Your price should reflect the market rate for massage therapy in Rijeka, your experience level, the type of massage you offer and the length of a session. Start by checking what other massage therapists in your city are charging. You are not obliged to match others, but you need to understand the range so your first price is not drastically out of step.
When you set a price, remember that you keep what customers pay you minus payment processing costs (Stripe handles card payments and takes a small fee). This money goes directly to your bank account, so you see exactly what you earn. Do not underprice to get your first customers; a low price does not guarantee work, and it can hurt you later when you try to raise rates. A fair price from the start sets a professional tone.
Your first ten customers usually look like
Your first customers are often people who already know you, or who find you through someone's recommendation. They may not be ideal long-term clients, but they are how you start. Some will book once out of curiosity. Others will return and become regular. A few may ask for discounts or negotiate on price - this is normal early on, and you decide whether to accept.
The first months are usually slow. You may get one or two bookings a week, or none for a while. This is not unusual for a new independent service provider in a city. Do not expect steady income immediately. Building a customer base takes time, consistency, good results and visibility. Your early customers matter because they can leave reviews or refer others, but also because they teach you what works in your local market.
What to sort out as an independent person in Croatia
If you work as a self-employed person (samostalni obrtnik or freelancer), you must register with the relevant Croatian authority. The specifics depend on your status and whether you work full-time or part-time alongside another job. You should check with the Croatian Chamber of Commerce or your local tax office (Porezna uprava) for the exact requirements in your situation, as the rules can be complex and change.
You will need to handle invoicing and report your income to the tax authorities. You are responsible for keeping records of what you earn and what you spend on your work. Payments through Websta come to your bank account, so there is a clear record. Keep receipts for any equipment, supplies or costs related to your massage work. Understand your obligations for social contributions and health insurance if you are self-employed, as these vary depending on your exact status and whether you have other employment.
Talk to an accountant familiar with small service providers in Croatia if you are unsure. The investment in advice at the start can save you problems later.
What tends to go wrong in the first months
Many massage therapists starting out expect customers to arrive faster than they do. Building a business takes patience. You may spend weeks with few or no bookings, which is discouraging but not unusual.
Another common problem is being hard to find. If you do not have an online profile with your services, prices and a way for people to book, you lose customers who search online and cannot find you. A page people can point to and book from is essential.
Some therapists price inconsistently or change their rates too often, which confuses customers. Set a clear price and stick with it for a reasonable period. Changing constantly looks unprofessional and makes it hard for people to recommend you.
Finally, taking cash and not keeping records is tempting but creates legal and tax problems later. Use proper payment methods so you have a clear record of your income.
Why a Websta profile with online booking helps
A Websta profile gives you a page that looks professional and works like a website. You list your services, set your prices, add photos and include a contact form. Customers in Rijeka searching for massage therapy online can find you through the Websta marketplace for your city. When someone books through your profile, the payment goes to your own bank account via Stripe. You control your prices, your availability and your information.
This page is something you can send to anyone - friends, family, past clients, corporate contacts - to make it easy for them to see what you offer and book a session. It is also discoverable by people searching for massage therapists near them, not just by word of mouth. Having this visibility matters in a smaller city where you cannot rely only on offline networking.
The profile is a concrete tool that solves a real problem: customers need to find you, see what you offer, know your price and be able to book without calling or messaging back and forth. When you have one, you have a professional presence to point to.
Next steps to start
Decide whether you want to work part-time alongside a job or full-time. This affects your registration and tax obligations.
Check the current requirements with the Croatian Chamber of Commerce or Porezna uprava for self-employed massage therapists in your situation.
Research what massage therapists in Rijeka are charging. Set your own price based on your experience and what the market shows.
Create a Websta profile with your services, prices, photos and a description of what you offer. Make sure your availability and booking method are clear.
Tell people you know that you are available for massage work. Word of mouth is how most of your first customers will find you.
Start small. Your first customers will come slowly, but each one teaches you something about working in Rijeka's market.
Frequently asked questions
- How much money can I make as a massage therapist in Rijeka?
- That depends on how many customers book you, what price you set, and how much time you put in. There is no guaranteed amount. A few customers a week at a fair price can provide meaningful income, but building that takes time and work. Many therapists start part-time while keeping another job, then move to full-time if the business grows.
- Do I need to register as self-employed to work as a massage therapist in Rijeka?
- This depends on whether you work part-time or full-time and your personal situation. You should check with the Croatian Chamber of Commerce or your local Porezna uprava for the exact requirements. Rules can be complex, so getting clear advice at the start is worth it.
- How do I get my first customers as a massage therapist in Rijeka?
- Your first customers usually come from people you already know, recommendations from friends or family, and online search. Having a visible profile on Websta helps people find you when they search for massage therapy in Rijeka. Tell people in your network that you are available. Building a customer base takes time.
- How much does Websta cost, and how do I keep the money I earn?
- You can create a Websta profile and list your services and prices. When customers pay through your profile with a card, the payment goes to your own bank account via Stripe. Stripe takes a small processing fee, and you keep the rest. Check Websta for current details on how it works.
- What paperwork do I need to handle as a massage therapist working independently in Croatia?
- You must register as self-employed if required by law in your situation, keep records of your income, and report it to the tax authorities. You may need to invoice clients and handle social contributions and health insurance. The exact requirements depend on whether you work full-time or part-time. Talk to an accountant or your local tax office to understand your obligations clearly.
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.