Croatia digital nomad visa: Complete guide 2026

What Is the Croatia Digital Nomad Visa?

Croatia's Digital Nomad Visa is a temporary residence permit for remote workers, introduced in January 2021. It allows non-EU and non-EEA nationals to live in Croatia for up to 18 months while working remotely for employers or clients based outside the country.

This guide covers who is eligible, what the permit allows, how to apply, and what to expect throughout the process.

Who Is the Digital Nomad Visa For?

The permit is open to any non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss national who works remotely for a company or clients based outside Croatia. You cannot provide services to Croatian employers or clients while on this permit.

• Remote work: You must demonstrate a net monthly income of at least €3,295. This figure is updated annually, so verify the current threshold before applying. You can prove your income with six months of bank statements or payslips showing consistent income at or above the threshold. If you do not have a regular monthly income, you can instead demonstrate savings. In that case, you'll need €39,540 in your bank account for a 12-month stay, or €59,310 for an 18-month stay, proven with 12 months of bank statements.
  

• Criminal record: You must have a clean criminal record from your country of residence, certified by the relevant authorities, and not older than six months at the time of application.

What the Digital Nomad Visa Allows

The visa gives you the following rights during your stay.

• Length of stay: The permit is valid for up to 18 months. After it expires, you must spend at least six months outside Croatia before you can apply again.

  
  

• Work: You can work remotely for foreign employers or international clients for the duration of your stay. Working for Croatian employers or clients is not permitted.

  
  

• Tax exemption: Holders are exempt from Croatian income tax on income earned from foreign sources for the full duration of the permit.

  
  

• Banking: Permit holders can open a bank account in Croatia.

  
  

• Travel: As Croatia is part of the Schengen Area, holders can travel freely within the area.

  
  

• Dependents: Your spouse or partner and minor children can apply to live in Croatia alongside you. They do not apply under the digital nomad permit; they apply separately for a temporary residence permit based on family ties to you. Their applications must be submitted after your own permit has been approved, not before. Once approved, their permits will have the same duration as yours. For each dependent included, the income requirement increases by 10%.

Documents You'll Need to Prepare

All documents not in Croatian or English must be translated by an authorized translator.

• Application form: The Form 1a, available on the Ministry of the Interior website. If applying online, it is completed on the portal. If applying in person, fill it out and bring it to your appointment.

  
  

• Passport: Valid for at least three months beyond the intended end of your stay, plus two copies of the biographical data page.

  
  

• Two passport-sized photographs

  
  

• Proof of remote work: An employment contract or letter from your employer confirming remote work for a company outside Croatia, or client contracts and business registration documents if self-employed or a business owner.

  
  

• Proof of income: Six months of bank statements or payslips demonstrating the required monthly income. If using the savings route, a single bank statement showing the full required balance is sufficient.

  
  

• Health insurance: Valid for the full duration of your stay in Croatia.

  
  

• Criminal record certificate: From your country of residence, not older than six months, certified by the relevant authorities.

  
  

• Proof of accommodation: A rental contract, property deed, or confirmed booking for the full duration of your stay in Croatia.

  
  

• For each dependent: Proof of family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, or proof of partnership), along with the dependent's passport and photographs.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Choose your application route

There are three routes:

1. Online: Available to everyone, regardless of nationality or location, through the Ministry of the Interior portal.

2. In person at a Croatian embassy or consulate: Available to everyone, regardless of nationality or location.

3. In person at a local police station in Croatia: Only available if you are already in Croatia on a tourist stay and your nationality does not require a visa to enter Croatia.

Step 2: Gather and prepare your documents

Collect all required documents as listed above.

Step 3: Submit your application and pay the fee

Submit your application. Pay the application fee at the time of submission. Fees vary by route and nationality; confirm the exact amount with the office handling your application.

Step 4: Wait for a decision

Processing typically takes up to 30 days, though it can take longer in some cases. You may be asked to provide additional documents during this time.

Step 5: Enter Croatia

If your nationality does not require a visa, you can travel to Croatia directly once your permit is approved. If your nationality requires a visa, you must return to the embassy or consulate with your permit approval to have a long-stay D visa stamped in your passport. You must enter Croatia within 30 days of your permit being approved, or it will be revoked.

Step 6: Register your residence and obtain your biometric card

Within three days of arriving in Croatia, you must register your address at the local police station. This deadline is strict: failure to register on time carries a fine of €200 to €2,000. You will also need to obtain a biometric residence card in person at the police station, providing a photo and biometric data. The card is typically issued within 10 to 15 business days, or within 5 days if you pay for the expedited procedure.

Renewing the Digital Nomad Visa

If your permit was granted for less than 18 months, you can apply to extend it up to the 18-month maximum. Submit the extension application no later than 60 days before your current permit expires, in person at the local police station covering your place of residence in Croatia.

Once the full 18 months are exhausted, you must leave Croatia and wait at least six months before applying again from scratch. You must meet all the original eligibility requirements at the time of reapplication.

Costs and Fees to Expect

Fees vary depending on whether you apply from abroad or within Croatia, and may also vary by nationality. Applications submitted within Croatia are generally cheaper than those submitted at a consulate. As a rough guide, total government fees for applications within Croatia amount to approximately €85, covering permit issuance, administrative fees, and the residence card. Applications through a consulate abroad typically range from €80 to €200. Confirm the exact amounts with the office handling your application before submitting.

Budget separately for health insurance for the duration of your stay, your criminal record certificate, any required certification, and document translation costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freelance, or do I need to be employed?

Both are permitted. You can qualify as an employee of a foreign company, a freelancer with clients outside Croatia, or the owner of a company not registered in Croatia. The key requirement is that your professional activity is performed remotely and no income comes from Croatian sources.

Can I apply from inside Croatia?

Yes, if your nationality allows you to enter Croatia without a visa, you can apply in person at the local police station. If you require a visa to enter Croatia, you must apply at a Croatian embassy or consulate abroad.

How long does processing take?

Up to 30 days in most cases, though it can take longer depending on the volume of applications and whether additional documentation is requested.

What counts as proof of income?

Six months of bank statements or payslips showing consistent income at or above €3,295 per month. If demonstrating savings instead, a single bank statement showing the full required balance is accepted.

Does the permit lead to permanent residency?

No. The digital nomad permit is a temporary residence permit and does not provide a pathway to permanent residency or Croatian citizenship.

Is there a minimum stay requirement?

No minimum stay is required for the initial permit. To reapply after your permit expires, you must have spent at least six months outside Croatia first.

Can I bring my family?

Yes. Your spouse or partner and minor children can apply to live in Croatia alongside you. They apply separately for a temporary residence permit based on family ties to you, and their applications must be submitted after your own permit has been approved.

Am I taxed on my income in Croatia?

No. Permit holders are exempt from Croatian income tax on income earned from foreign sources. Your tax obligations in your home country remain unaffected.