Digital Nomad Visa to Croatia in 2026

Starting in 2025, you can apply for a digital nomad visa valid for up to 18 months. The visa allows you to live in an EU member state while continuing to work for a foreign employer or conduct business abroad. With a residence permit card, you can travel within the Schengen Area. Income from foreign remote work is exempt from income tax in Croatia.

To qualify for the Digital Nomad Visa, you must demonstrate remote employment and a monthly income of at least EUR 3,295 or equivalent savings:

• EUR 39,540 for a stay of 12 months;
• EUR 59,310 — for 18 months;
• +10% for each family member.

You can apply online. If a foreigner does not have the right to enter Croatia under a visa-free regime, they will need to obtain a category D visa. Upon arrival, they will be issued a residence permit card. However, approval is difficult: In 2024, only 342 out of 824 applications were approved, or 41.5%. For this reason, digital nomads often prefer other destinations where applying for a digital nomad visa is much easier.

Benefits of a Digital Nomad Visa in Croatia

The Digital Nomad Visa is in high demand in Croatia, primarily due to the country’s EU membership. With a Croatian residence permit, you can freely enter other Schengen countries for up to 90 days every 6 months. You must carry your residence permit card and your foreign passport. Croatia has 9 international airports, and you can also reach neighboring countries by car. You can reach Venice, Italy, from Poreč by ferry in under 3 hours.

Other benefits of the visa for digital nomads and freelancers in Croatia include:

• No taxes. According to the Income Tax Law, foreigners with digital nomad status are exempt from paying this fee.
• Low cost of living. Croatia is one of the cheapest countries in Europe. Prices here are lower than in Latvia, Slovenia, and Greece. On average, one person needs EUR 775 to live in Croatia for a month, and apartments can be rented for around EUR 600.
• Excellent infrastructure for remote work. Broadband internet download speeds in Croatia reach 108.7 Mb/s, and mobile download speeds reach 117.7 Mb/s. 5G is available in most populated areas. There are many coworking spaces in large cities where you can work for as little as EUR 30 per month. It is convenient to travel around the country by car or public transportation, such as buses and trains.
• Access to banking and government services. As a resident, you can receive a personal identification number (Osobni identifikacijski broj), which is issued by the police or the tax office. This number gives you access to banking and the e-Citizens digital government platform, through which you can receive government services, including those related to health and housing (for example, you can request a certificate of residence).
• Transition to other categories of residence permits. The Foreigners Act does not limit your right to apply for other residence options in Croatia, such as family reunification or work.
• Right to family reunification. Once you have been granted permission to reside in Croatia, your spouse and minor children can apply for residency as well. This option is also available to civil partners who have lived with the main applicant for at least 3 years (this period may be shorter if there are children in common). However, if a family member moves in with you, you must confirm that you can provide for them.
• Easy adaptation to the country. Many local residents speak English well. According to this indicator, Croatia entered the top 5 countries where English is not the official or main language of communication in 2024.

Croatia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe and has access to the Mediterranean Sea. The climate here is comfortable; in the south, the temperature stays around +9°C even in winter.

The state is home to many natural and architectural attractions where famous movies were filmed. Digital nomads usually spend their free time visiting these places. However, developed tourism also has a downside: prices for housing, food, and restaurant visits increase significantly during the summer season.

A significant drawback of the Croatian digital nomad and freelancer visa is that the residence permit cannot be renewed immediately. This option becomes available 6 months after the previous permit expires. This means that you will have to leave the country and then return, or apply for a different type of residence permit. The status does not allow you to work directly in Croatia; you can only work remotely. For example, self-employed people in Spain can work partially for Spanish companies.

Who can obtain a Digital Nomad Visa to Croatia?

Citizens of all countries outside the EU, the European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland can obtain a visa for remote work in Croatia. This includes residents of North and South America, as well as other countries.

In Croatia, there are no profession-specific requirements, unlike in Kazakhstan, for example, where some categories of the digital nomad visa require specific professions. IT specialists and representatives of other professions who can perform their duties remotely can come here, as long as their employer confirms it.

The job requirements are simple: You must be employed by a company outside Croatia. You can even work for your own company, which must be registered abroad. You can also be a freelancer; for this, you need to provide a service agreement with a specific company or customer.

Your means of financial support do not necessarily have to come from employment. You may demonstrate sufficient funds by providing a bank statement showing personal savings, which must cover the entire intended period of stay in Croatia. For example, if you plan to relocate for one year, your account balance must be at least EUR 39,540. For a stay of 1.5 years, the required amount increases to EUR 59,310.

Requirements for a Croatia Digital Nomad Visa

To obtain a digital nomad visa to Croatia, you must be employed remotely abroad and have a certain income/savings amount.

The minimum income required to obtain a visa is EUR 3,295 per month. You can demonstrate your eligibility by showing proof of income, such as a payslip, or by providing information about your savings. Compared to other countries, Croatia requires a fairly high income. For example, in Spain, the minimum salary for a digital nomad is 2,368 EUR.

Other requirements for a Digital Nomad Visa include:

• no criminal record;
• having a place of residence in Croatia;
• health insurance coverage.

You must also have the right to enter Croatia. Once your temporary residence permit has been approved, you may need to apply for a long-term D visa. Your visa or entry may be denied if you have been deported from Croatia or the EU, or if you have been banned from visiting the union.

The maximum validity of the Croatian Digital Nomad Visa is 18 months, though it can be issued for a shorter period.

Which documents are required for a Digital Nomad Visa to Croatia?

List of documents required to obtain a Digital Nomad Visa in Croatia:

• Application: fill out Form 1A if submitting in person (it is available on the website of the Croatian Ministry of Internal Affairs) or complete an online application if submitting remotely.
• An international passport with a validity period of at least 90 days beyond the planned period of residence in Croatia.
• Travel or private medical insurance valid in Croatia for the entire period of residence.
• An employment or service agreement + a letter from your employer stating that you can perform your duties remotely OR a certificate of registration of your company + confirmation that you are an employee.
• Bank statements or pay slips confirming a sufficient level of income/savings (these must be provided as a PDF file up to 2 MB in size).
• A police clearance certificate (certificate of no criminal record) issued by your country of citizenship or by any country where you have resided for at least one year prior to moving to Croatia (apostilled/legalized).
• Proof of address in the country of residence. If you have not yet rented accommodation or do not own property, a hotel or apartment booking may be provided instead.

All documents must have copies prepared with a translation into Croatian or English. This translation must be done by a certified translator. Bank statements and other financial documents must clearly indicate the currency of savings and receipts.

How to obtain a Digital Nomad Visa to Croatia?

In order to move to Croatia as a digital nomad, you must first obtain a temporary residence permit.

You can submit an application for a residence permit online through the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ special portal. Your application will be reviewed by the police department in the area where you plan to live. If you do not provide all the required documents, a representative of the authorities may contact you to ask you to complete your dossier.

You can also submit your request in person. If you do not have the right to visa-free entry into Croatia, you must visit the embassy or consulate of the relevant state. If a visa is not required, you can apply directly in the country by contacting the nearest police station and the consulate.

The processing time for a residence permit application has not been established, but it usually takes several months. As a result, you will receive a notification that your temporary residence permit has been granted.

The following is a step-by-step relocation guide for those applying for a visa to Croatia:

1. Register for an entry permit.
   You must reapply to the Croatian embassy or consulate for a long-term visa (category D) or a biometric residence permit card. The biometric residence permit card is not issued by all diplomatic missions. You can submit the application online through the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs portal. You will need confirmation of approval for a residence permit to do this. Typically, the application is processed within about 15 days. The visa is valid for 6 months but allows you to stay in Croatia for no more than 30 days.
2. Entry into the country and registration of address.
   Within 3 days of arrival, you must contact the police and register your address. To do so, complete Form 16a and bring your lease agreement or certificate of title. If you are living with a relative, they must submit an application for your registration of residence.
3. Obtain a biometric residence permit card.
   Contact the police department at your place of residence and bring your passport and a 3×3.5 cm photo. Fill out an application. Your fingerprints will be taken on site. The document will be issued within five days with an accelerated procedure or after three weeks with a regular procedure (the cost of the service depends on the timing).

If you can enter Croatia without a visa, you can do so immediately after receiving approval. When you arrive, you must register your address and apply for a residence permit card.

How much does a Croatian Digital Nomad Visa cost?

To apply for a Croatian digital nomad visa and obtain legal residence status in Croatia, applicants should expect the following expenses:

Consider additional expenses as well:

• Health insurance for 1 year can cost between EUR 200 and EUR 500.
• Notarized translation of one document into Croatian costs approximately EUR 26, but passport translations may be more expensive.
• Temporary rental housing (until you can find a long-term option) can cost over EUR 1,100 for a double room in a Zagreb hotel for 2 weeks.

Can the Digital Nomad Visa be extended in Croatia?

You can extend your digital nomad residence permit if it was issued for less than 18 months. In this case, you must submit your application no later than 2 months before your current residence permit expires. Your stay can be extended for a maximum of 6 months.

You can obtain another digital nomad residence permit only 6 months after your previous one expires. In other words, you will have to leave Croatia, and if your application is approved, you can return. In this regard, Croatia is significantly inferior to Spain, where a digital nomad visa is issued for 1 year and can be used to obtain a 3-year residence permit. You can extend this stay without leaving the country for 2 years, and after 5 years, you can apply for permanent residence. Therefore, digital nomads who want to settle in the EU often prefer Spain.

How to apply for a Digital Nomad Visa to Croatia for family members?

In order for your spouse and children to join you in Croatia, they must apply for a residence permit through family reunification.

The application process is similar to that for digital nomads:

1. Request a temporary residence permit. Contact the Croatian consulate and provide documents confirming your family ties. This should include a marriage or birth certificate, a cohabitation declaration from partners, or an adoption decision. If your relatives do not require a visa to enter the country, they can contact a police station once they are in Croatia.
2. Obtain a visa (if required). Submit a visa application no earlier than 3 months before your arrival in Croatia and no later than 3 months after the residence permit begins. You will be required to provide fingerprints at the consulate.
3. Obtain a biometric residence permit card. Within 3 days of arrival, register your residential address with the police. You will also submit your biometric data for the residence permit card there, and the completed document will be issued.

The income requirement for remote workers increases by 10% for each family member who relocates to Croatia. This means a minimum of EUR 329.50 per family member is required.

Through family reunification, relatives can obtain a residence permit that allows them to live in Croatia, work, study, and run their own business.

The validity period of the residence permit for family members will be the same as that of the primary resident.

Taxes for digital nomads in Croatia

Like the UAE, Croatia is a country where digital nomads do not pay income tax. Specifically, Croatia has legislation that provides benefits to Digital Nomad residents. However, the UAE has no income tax at all.

In other countries, remote workers do not always pay taxes. For instance, if someone lives in Spain for fewer than 183 days a year, they won’t have to pay income tax on earnings from abroad. They will receive Spanish tax residency status and be required to pay taxes on all their earnings only after 183 days of residency.

Would a Digital Nomad Visa for Croatia be worth it?

Croatia is an excellent choice for remote workers who want to settle in the country and travel throughout the Schengen Area. The country is also attractive because it does not tax Digital Nomads’ income.

However, Croatia is not suitable for those considering a Digital Nomad Visa as a path to full immigration and subsequent dual citizenship. To obtain a Croatian passport, you must live in the country continuously for 8 years and obtain permanent residency. Since reapplying for a visa requires at least 6 months of absence, remote workers cannot expect to obtain permanent residency.

The residency process in Croatia is also lengthy. First, you must apply for a temporary residence permit, which can take several months. Then, it will take at least another 15 days to process the visa. Only after that can you move to the country. Immigration is faster if you have the right to visa-free entry, though not everyone has this opportunity.

Spain is a strong alternative to Croatia. A visa application is processed in just 10 days and immediately grants 12 months of residence. A residence permit is initially issued for 3 years and can be extended for an additional 2 years. After 5 years, you can apply for permanent residence and, after another 5 years, for Spanish citizenship. Spain has a lower income requirement for digital nomads than Croatia: EUR 2,368 per month. With a Spanish residence permit, you can travel throughout the Schengen Area, and your family can accompany you.

Another option for obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa is the UAE. As in Croatia, digital nomads are not required to pay income tax there. Family members can also relocate with you. You can reapply for residence permits without a 6-month waiting period, and there is no limit to how many times you can reapply. The application process takes about 2 days. The income requirement is also lower than in Croatia — about EUR 3,028 (USD 3,500) per month. The UAE is especially popular among those who value a comfortable lifestyle and a high level of security.

If you’re considering immigrating as a digital nomad, it’s best to start with a consultation with immigration specialists. They will explain the details and potential challenges of the programs and advise you on the best fit for your needs and preferences. You should also entrust immigration lawyers with preparing your visa application documents to reduce the risk of refusal and expedite the process. Most importantly, you won’t have to worry about complex immigration issues. To start the process, please submit your request in the form to get your first free consultation.

Residence permits for digital nomads in Europe

• We will answer any questions you may have free of charge
• We will select the optimal immigration program for you
• We will accompany you until you receive your visa and residence permit in the EU

Free

Leave an application and get a consultation specialist

Name* Your phone number* Your e-mail* Send

WhatsApp Telegram Instagram