Bordered by Slovenia, Hungary, and Serbia, Croatia is quickly gaining popularity as a must-visit vacation and remote working destination. A stunning coastline, incredible food, and fascinating cities make it fantastic choice for digital nomads and remote workers alike. make it fantastic choice for digital nomads and remote workers alike.

Destinations such as Split, Dubrovnik, Rijeka, and the country's capital Zagreb are not only all becoming fantastic remote working destinations, but digital nomad hubs, too. With affordable accommodation, plenty of coworking spaces, and a thriving digital nomad community, it’s the perfect place for your next workcation. 

If you’re looking to spend more than 90 days at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, find out everything you need to know about the Croatia digital nomad visa in our guide below. 

What is the Croatia Digital Nomad Visa?

Confusingly, the Croatian digital nomad visa is not actually a visa at all, but rather a temporary resident permit that can be used by remote workers. The temporary resident permit, introduced to digital nomads and international remote workers in January 2021, can be used to live and work in the country. 

Why is the Croatia Digital Nomad Visa Better Than a Tourist Visa?

The main benefit of the Croatian digital nomad visa is the length of time that visitors are permitted to stay within the country. Typically, most visitors are able to visit Croatia for a maximum of 90 days as the country is not in the Schengen zone. With the temporary residence permit, digital nomads are able to stay in Croatia for between six months and one year. After this temporary residence permit expires, nomads will be required to leave the country for a minimum of 90 days before reapplying for the permit. 

Croatia Digital Nomad Visa Requirements 

All applicants looking to apply for the Croatian temporary residence visa must satisfy the following criteria to have the submission accepted: 

• Valid Passport: The applicant's passport must be valid for at least three months following the visa period. 
• Proof of Remote Work: All applicants must prove that they earn their income outside of Croatia as either a freelancer, entrepreneur, or employee of a company based outside of Croatia. 
• 17,822.50 HRK Minimum Monthly Income: All applicants must prove a minimum monthly income of at least 17,822.50 HRK (approximately $2367.56 USD).
• 202,890 HRK Minimum Bank Balance: An alternative to the minimum monthly income. Applicants can prove a minimum bank balance of 202,890 HRK ($26952.10 USD) if applying for an entire year. 
• Health Insurance: Applicants must show proof of health insurance coverage for the duration of the visa.
• Proof of Temporary Address: Applicants must supply either a lease agreement or a booking confirmation of their address in Croatia.
• Criminal Background Check: Applicants must pass a criminal background check completed and certified by the country of residence. 

How to Apply 

Applying for a temporary residence permit can be tricky with many different pieces to the puzzle.  Our step-by-step guide to applying for the Croatia digital nomad visa is designed to help remote workers efficiently and correctly submit their applications ready for processing.

Step 1: Gather all Necessary Documents

The first step in applying for the Croatian temporary residence permit is to gather all of the following necessary documents for the application process:

• Copy of passport with three-month validity after visa period
• Proof of health insurance covering the visa period
• Proof of purpose with a statement from the employer or third-country national and one of the following: 

• Contract of employment or service contract with a foreign employer
• Copy of the registration of your own company with the relevant bodies and proof that the applicant performs the tasks through their own company        

• Proof of means of subsistence with one of the following:

• Bank statement showing you have the total amount required for the year (202,890 HRK)
• Bank statement showing proof of regular income to the required monthly amount (17,822.50 HRK per month)
• Payslips for the last six months showing the required monthly amount (17,822.50 HRK per month)

• Proof that you have not been convicted of criminal offenses 
• Proof of address in the Republic of Croatia

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All documents should be submitted in either English or Croatian. If original copies of these documents are in a different language they must be translated before submission. 

Step 2: Complete the Application Form

Once all the required documents have been collected and are ready for submission, digital nomads are then able to begin the application process. The Croatia digital nomad visa can be applied for either online or in person. Please note that those applying in person will be required to fill out Form 1a. Once submitted, applicants must then wait until they receive the notification that the temporary stay has been granted. Applicants that require a standard visa to enter Croatia are required to contact either the embassy or consulate to obtain a visa to enter the Republic of Croatia.

Step 3: Arrive in Croatia and Register Your Address

Following their arrival in the Republic of Croatia, digital nomads are then required to register their temporary address of residence within three days of arrival. This can be completed with a visit to the corresponding competent police administration/police station with a completed form 16a enclosed with one of the following documents: 

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• Lease contract (with the landlord)
• Title deed
• Statement from the property owner for family members to register residence

Step 4: Receive a Biometric Residence Permit

Collection of the biometric residence permit is the next step of the digital nomad visa for Croatia and be collected in person at a police administration/police station. Applicants must supply a 30mm x 35mm photograph and proof of payment for both the residence and administrative fees, as detailed in the available Biometric Residence Permit information. A temporary residence card will be issued until nomads can collect their completed residence permit card.

Step 5: Receive Residence Permit Card 

The residence permit card can be collected from the police administration/police station approximately three weeks after the biometric residence permit is issued. When collecting the document, nomads should ensure that they bring both their passport and their biometric residence permit. 

Fees of the Croatia Digital Nomad Visa 

The fees charged to applicants applying for the digital nomad visa will differ depending on application submission details. If an application is submitted and processed at a diplomatic mission/consular post, the following fees are charged: 

• HRK 420.00 for granting a temporary stay
• HRK 460.00 for the visa 
• HRK 310.00 for the biometric residence card 

If an application is submitted and processed at a police administration/police station, the following fees are charged: 

• HRK 350.00 for granting a temporary stay
• HRK 70.00 for administrative fees 
• HRK 240.00 for the biometric residence card (HRK 450,00 for the accelerated procedure). 

Why Choose Croatia For Your Next Remote Working Trip?

Croatia is one of the top up-and-coming countries for remote workers and there is huge influx of digital nomads and remote workers arriving in the country. 

Remote Work Culture in Croatia

The sparkling coastline is brimming with digital nomads all looking for the best coworking spaces, working cafes, and accommodation in Europe. A large digital nomad community is present in the country with the majority of nomads spread between Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb, and Rijeka. 

Cost of Living and Quality of Life in Croatia 

Croatia is ranked 40th of 167 in the 2021 Legatum Prosperity Index, an annual report highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of countries taking into account 104 different variables. The cost of living in Croatia is lower than in the majority of Europe with a high quality of life offered in the country. For example, rent in Croatia is, on average 45% lower than in Spain with the overall cost of living 8% less than on the Spanish mainland. 

Healthcare in Croatia

Healthcare in Croatia is rated as good with a ranking of 52/167 in the 2021 Legatum Prosperity Index, just below the neighboring country, Hungary. 

Croatia has a universal health care system, although temporary resident permit holders are required to show proof of health insurance for the length of the visa period. Healthcare is not free in the country and, even with insurance coverage, a 20% co-payment is typically required. The maximum amount that remote workers will be required to pay for any single treatment is capped at HRK 2,000.

Conclusion 

Croatia really is enjoying its time in the limelight with thousands of remote workers making their way to the country's spectacular coastline. A strong digital nomad community, based in Split, Dubrovnik, Zagreb, and Rijeka, offers good variety throughout the country and offers different experiences throughout Croatia for remote workers. 

With the Croatia digital nomad visa now available, remote workers are able to utilize the temporary residence permit to stay in the country for up to one year. With a maximum tourist stay of just 90 days, the permit gives much more flexibility for those looking to spend time living and working in the country. 

Applying for a temporary resident permit isn’t the simplest of tasks, but our step-by-guide aims to help streamline the process for quick and easy results.