Croatia Digital Nomad Visa

Croatia, famous for its picturesque beaches and settings used in the renowned television series Games of Thrones, presents an abundance of opportunities for digital nomads. With the Croatian digital nomad visa, you can operate remotely in the country for a maximum of one year.

If you are a digital nomad, it is possible for you to work for a company located in a foreign country, provided that the said company is not registered in Croatia.

Monthly, Croatia accommodates 10,000 digital nomads.

According to De Jong, digital nomads are attracted to Croatia not only for its infrastructure, which primarily encompasses reliable internet connectivity and an existing digital nomad community, but also for the affordable lifestyle it provides in addition to other benefits.

Nomad List reports that digital nomads typically earn an average monthly income of €6,500, making that way of life highly accessible in terms of financial affordability.

At the end of January 2023, there were 595 valid visas for digital nomads in Croatia, according to data from the Ministry of the Interior, however, that figure is much below the actual number of digital nomads staying in Croatia because it refers only to third-country citizens staying here for more than three months.

To obtain a comprehensive understanding of the scenario, it is crucial to consider not only the EU nationals who have unrestricted movement across EU borders, including Croatia, but also the significant population of digital nomads from non-EU nations who reside in Croatia for less than a month.

As per the Ministry of the Interior, there is no documentation kept for the last two classes of digital nomads, thus, their count can only be approximated.

Based on the Nomad List platform’s data on various cities like Zadar, Split, and Zagreb, de Jong infers that nearly 5,000 digital nomads visit Croatia per month. As per the estimation that each digital nomad stays for two months in Croatia, it can be assumed that nearly 10,000 digital nomads reside there every month.

Subsequently, other European countries have followed Croatia’s lead in introducing visas for digital nomads, making it one of the first countries to do so.

Apart from meeting the fundamental criteria like engaging in distance work or being self-employed and earning a specified minimum monthly income of €2,300 in Croatia or over €6,000 in Iceland, the digital nomad visa also specifies the maximum duration of stay in the nation.

One of the countries with stricter regulations is Croatia, where a digital nomad who desires to extend their stay for more than a year must exit the nation for a minimum of six months before being eligible to reapply for a visa.

The aim of the visa is to promote tourism in the country.

De Jong acknowledges that while the intention of the digital nomad visa was not to permit permanent residency, a number of individuals still approach his association for guidance on how they can prolong their stay in the country.

When asked about the possibility of legally prolonging a visa, the Ministry of the Interior responded by stating that no such option is available. They also made it clear that obtaining a permit for an extended tourist stay would not result in a visa extension either.

The ministry’s reasoning is that the visas for digital nomads were only intended to promote tourism in Croatia.

Steve Tsentserensky, a copywriter from Ohio, USA, was among the first digital nomads to receive a visa in Croatia and is one of those who became trapped in the legal limbo.

He developed a strong affection for Zagreb during his six-month stay, prompting him to plan a longer visit.

When questioned about how he intends to extend his stay given the legal restrictions that only allow him to do so if he marries a Croatian, starts a business or gets a job, he stated that he will undertake whatever is practical to manage his stay and might consider reapplying for a digital nomad visa in the future.

He emphasizes the need for a longer duration of the visa without necessitating applicants to exit the country, considering that they have the option to reapply under the same conditions once the initial six-month period ends.

A US woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared that as a digital nomad, she chose not to exit the country after her visa expired. She continued working for her US employer and found a workaround by creating a phony employment agreement.

Cautionedly, she mentioned that she was given a work permit. She explored other options such as launching a business, and she was also suggested to get married. However, she believes that holding a work permit will allow her to give back to her community by paying taxes since she doesn’t have to do so as a digital nomad.

Because of the laid-back lifestyle of Zagreb locals, both Americans are interested in staying there for a while.

The duration was not mentioned, however, the woman affirmed that she is presently studying Croatian and has no intentions of departing from the country.

If they remain for an extended period, they transition into immigrants.

According to Caroline Hornstein-Tomi?, a researcher working at the Ivo Pilar Institute of Social Sciences, digital nomads tend to be well-educated individuals in their thirties who are skilled consumers.

According to her, individuals who opt to prolong their stay eventually transform into a sort of immigrant. She also notes that despite the absence of research in Croatia on the influence of digital nomads on community, their impact is undeniably present.

According to her, they have stimulated the growth of infrastructure and various industries, including tourism, and have established various hubs and services to cater to their integration needs in the new nation.

According to Hornstein-Tomi?, she has spoken with a few of the nomads who have been residing on the Dalmatian islands and has been informed of their favorable interactions with the native inhabitants.

Hornstein-Tomi? states that individuals who have chosen to prolong their stay have a keen interest in local employment opportunities or the advancement of businesses. Furthermore, in addition to financial assets, they possess valuable insights gained from their volunteer work, which they are eager to impart.

De Jong remarks on the demographic opportunity presented by digital nomads, noting that they now prioritize personal lifestyle preferences over higher salaries when choosing countries to reside in, ultimately bringing their lucrative jobs with them.

He believes that the ongoing remote work revolution will persist and it is improbable that the trend will be reversed.

De Jong, who has resided in Croatia for the last 16 years, states that Croatia has the possibility of experiencing substantial growth due to the trend that led roughly half a million individuals to emigrate in the past decade in search of higher-paying employment opportunities.

Croatia Digital Nomad Visa Eligibility Criteria

To apply for a Digital Nomad Visa, you need to fulfill the eligibility requirements listed below:

You should prove that you are not a citizen of an EU or EEA country.
You must prove that you have a monthly income of around 2,300€. If you want to bring your family members with you, the bank statement of your monthly income must show that you have an extra €90 per month.
You must work for a company outside of Croatia. You cannot work for any employer inside Croatia. You can only work remotely as a digital nomad in any foreign country.

Requirements for the Croatia Digital Nomad Visa

In order to request a Croatian digital nomad visa, the subsequent documents must be presented:

Valid passport. Your passport must be valid for three more months after your Croatia digital nomad visa expires.
Croatia digital nomad visa application form. Print the 1A application form if you want to apply in person at a Croatian Embassy. You can find the form on the embassy website or the Croatian ministry of interior.
Proof of sufficient monthly income. You must prove that you receive a monthly income from a company outside Croatia. The monthly income should be at least 2,300€ per month.
Health insurance. Your health insurance must be valid in Croatia for your entire length of stay.
Clear criminal record. You can get your criminal record from your home country.
Temporary address in Croatia. You must prove that you have secured accommodation in Croatia by submitting a confirmed booking or a rental agreement with a Croatian landlord.

How to Apply for a Digital Nomad Visa for Croatia?

You can apply for the Croatia nomad visa in two ways: either by visiting a Croatian embassy or by submitting an online application.

Apply for Croatia Digital Nomad Visa at an Embassy

To obtain a digital nomad visa for Croatia, you must adhere to the following application process at the embassy.

Fill out the 1a application form. You can find the form on the website of the closest Croatian embassy or the Croatian Ministry of Interior (MUP).
Prepare the required documents. Make sure you prepare the required documents, so your application does not get rejected for minor mistakes.
Apply at the embassy or consulate of the Republic of Croatia. You must make an appointment if necessary and submit the completed application on the day of the appointment. See the embassies and consulates of Croatia here.
You will receive an envelope or a phone call if your application has been approved.

If you are not required to obtain a visa, then applying for the digital nomad permit from your home country has the benefit of allowing you to remain in Croatia for a total of 15 months – consisting of 3 months as a tourist and 12 months under the digital nomad permit.

Apply for Croatia Digital Nomad Visa Online

In order to apply for the Croatia digital nomad visa online, you must adhere to the guidelines listed below:

Use the online form to apply for the Croatia digital nomad visa.
Submit the online application. The application will be forwarded to the relevant authorities (police administration/station in Croatia), who will decide on your application. They may also request you submit additional documents.
You will receive an email if your application has been approved.

Once you arrive in Croatia, it is mandatory to register your temporary residence within a timeframe of three days.

In the event that you are required to obtain a visa to gain entry into Croatia, it is mandatory to submit an entry visa application to the closest Croatian embassy or consulate.

Benefits of the Croatia Digital Nomad Visa

The advantages of acquiring a digital nomad visa for Croatia consist of:

No taxes. Once you obtain a Croatia digital nomad visa, you do not have to pay income tax in Croatia for your remote job. However, note that you may still have to pay taxes in your home country.
Great weather. Croatia has the perfect weather for most people since it is warm during summer and cool during the winter.
Good internet connection. Since you will be working as a digital nomad, you need a good internet connection, and that won’t be a problem in Croatia.
Many locals can speak English. If you do not know Croatian, you won’t have any problem because almost everyone speaks English.
Croatia is a very safe country to live in. The U.S ranked Croatia at level one, which means that it is a safe country.
Affordable cost of living. Depending on where you live and decide to buy things on a daily basis, the prices vary. You can buy fresh fruits and vegetables at reasonable prices, and the transportation is not expensive either.
Countless places to visit. As a digital nomad in Croatia, you can enjoy the country by visiting the Krka national park, the museums, the old town of Dubrovnik, etc.
Friendly people. Croatians are friendly people so you won’t have a problem making new friends.