Croatia is one of the European countries that welcomes digital nomads and has even introduced a separate permit for this category of expats. Find out what the procedure for issuing a digital nomad visa is, what documents you need to have and the benefits of the permit

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In recent years, Croatia's popularity among tourists and digital nomads has been growing rapidly. Some believe that it is related to the movie "Game of Thrones", which was filmed here, others talk about the ideal climate and delicious cuisine, many are attracted by the low cost of living and good social sphere. However, if you combine all these factors, you can get the perfect place to move. The country's leadership also promotes the attraction of remote workers, in particular, in Croatia there is a separate visa for remote workers. We talk about the conditions and procedure for issuing a digital nomad visa in this article.

Who can get a digital nomad visa in Croatia?

In order to apply for a digital nomad visa in Croatia, you must meet the following two requirements:

- Be a remote worker, freelancer or entrepreneur in the digital industry.

- Earn €2,539.31 per month or more (2.5 of the average net salary) or have €30,471.72 in your bank account.

Requirements for applicants for the digital nomadic visa of Croatia

To obtain a digital nomad visa, a foreigner must meet the following requirements:

1. Provide proof of remote work: you need to confirm that you work for a company based outside Croatia or own your own business abroad. Confirmation can be contracts, employment agreements or business registration documents.

2. Stable income: Your monthly income must be at least 2,600 euros. For each additional family member, 10% is added to this amount. The availability of funds can be confirmed by bank statements or financial documents confirming a stable income.

3. Health insurance: you must have a valid health insurance policy that will cover the entire period of your stay in Croatia.

4. No criminal record: a certificate of no criminal record from the country of permanent residence must be provided. The certificate must be duly legalized and translated into Croatian.

5. Valid passport: your passport must be valid for at least one year from the date of application.

6. Residential address in Croatia: you must confirm that you have a temporary residence in the country. It can be a lease agreement or confirmation of housing reservation.

A package of documents for issuing a Croatian digital nomad visa

- Questionnaire.

- Photo 30x35 mm.

- Passport (validity period should be 3 months longer than you intend to stay).

- Insurance for the period of stay.

- Contract with the employer, registration data of your company. In both cases, you must also confirm your duties as a remote worker.

- A bank statement confirming your income or funds

- Clean criminal record

- Accommodation in Croatia (eg booking, rental agreement)

You can submit documents in Croatian or English.

Where can I apply for a digital nomad visa in Croatia?

There are three ways to apply for a Croatian nomadic visa:

- online;

- in Croatia at the police station;

- in the country of your residence at the Croatian embassy or consulate.

You will need health insurance to safely move and find employment in a new country. You can issue an extended policy on our website using the link.

Croatian visa procedure for digital nomads

Option 1 – Apply online

Go to the application page and fill in all the required fields. The package of documents is standard, just like when applying for a visa in person. Sometimes you may be asked to provide additional documents or information. Regarding the processing time for the digital nomadic visa to Croatia, it usually takes a month and a half to receive your visa.

Option 2 – Personal meeting

You can apply at the Croatian Embassy/Consulate if you need a visa to enter the country. If you are applying from Croatia, contact your nearest police station.

What to do after receiving a Croatian digital nomad visa?

You must enter Croatia within 30 days of the visa being issued. However, if you are already in the country, you do not need to do this.

- Registration of place of residence

After arriving in Croatia, you have 3 days to register your address at the police station. It is necessary to fill out a form and provide a lease agreement, a statement from the owner or a title document. The lessor must come with you to the police station or have the documents certified by a notary.

- Get a biometric residence permit

At the police station, you must provide your biometric data and apply for a residence permit as a digital nomad in Croatia. You must also pay fees and provide receipts.

Can a digital nomad move to Croatia with his family?

You can bring your family members through a family reunification visa. Each dependent increases the necessary finances by 10%.

The main advantages of a digital nomad visa in Croatia

Digital nomads who receive a visa to Croatia can count on the following benefits:

- Right to permanent residence for one year: you can live in Croatia for up to 12 months while continuing to work for a foreign employer or having your own business outside Croatia.

- Tax benefits: you don't have to pay tax on income earned outside the country, which makes this option especially beneficial for entrepreneurs and freelancers.

- Free movement within Schengen - thanks to Croatia's membership in the Schengen area, you will be able to easily travel around Europe and have access to other countries without the need to obtain additional visas.

- Low cost of living: prices in Croatia are much lower compared to other European countries, which allows you to combine a high quality of life with moderate costs.

- Ease of obtaining a visa: low minimum income requirements and moderate visa fees make the process affordable for most remote workers.

Importantly! The main disadvantage of the Croatian digital nomad visa is that it is valid for only one year, and it can be extended only six months after the previous residence permit expires. This visa is suitable for you if you want to live in a new country for a year. If you want to get a residence right away for 2 or 3 years, choose a digital nomadic visa to Portugal or Spain.

We will remind you! Against the background of rapid economic growth in Croatia, more and more foreigners are planning to move to this country for the purpose of employment. We have already talked about the peculiarities of obtaining a work visa and employment prospects in Croatia in 2024.

Igor Usyk - Head of Migration department at VisitWorld

To ensure a safe move to a new country, I advise you to consult a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with a legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations during migration.