🇭🇷 How to Apply for the Croatia Digital Nomad Visa
In January 2021, Croatia launched the Croatia Digital Nomad Visa, a temporary residency permit for those who wish to work remotely legally from within its borders.
This visa allows digital nomads to stay for up to one year with the possibility of extending. And who wouldn’t want to extend? Croatia offers stunning views of the Adriatic Sea with crystal clear waters and miles of coastline, making it a great base to work remotely from Europe.
In this article, we’ll break down the five most important steps to successfully apply for the Croatia Digital Nomad Visa. So let’s get started.
Before you depart make sure you're covered...
Lau
What is a Digital Nomad Visa
A digital nomad visa is a work or residence permit designed for people working online. Digital nomads can move from place to place while maintaining their careers, often remotely from a laptop or mobile device.
This type of visa is becoming increasingly popular as technology offers more remote job opportunities, and people look to explore the world while still having a steady source of income.
Requirements for the Croatia Digital Nomad Visa
📄 Valid Travel Document
You will need a passport that is valid for at least three months after the planned end date of your trip – for example, if you plan to stay for the entire 12 months, your passport has to be valid for at least 15 months from when you arrive.
📝 Completed Application
Submit an application in-person at the Croatia police station or by filling in the online application form.
💶 Proof of Remote Income
You must be able to prove sufficient income from either:
- Valid working contract with a foreign company
- Owning a business with clients outside the country
- Becoming an independent freelancer and earning an income through providing services to international customers.
💰 Meet the Minimum Monthly Income
If you want to stay in the country for a year, you must earn at least $2,500 per month or have $30,000 (12 x $2,500) in your bank account when applying.
One must submit bank certification and authenticated bank statements to establish proof of sufficient income and funding.
🏴☠️ Clean Criminal Record
This must be certified from your home country.
🚑 Medical Insurance
A valid medical insurance policy that provides coverage during your stay.
🏡 Address in Croatia
While staying in Croatia, you’ll need to provide proof you’ll be living somewhere, such as a rental agreement.
6 Most Important Steps when Applying for the Croatia Digital Nomad Visa
💥 Step 1: Gather all the required documents
As a first step, make sure to assemble all the required documents. It’s wise to reach out to the Croatian embassy to get a clear overview of the necessary documents for your particular country, as these can vary considerably.
❗️ Required Documents
- Copy of Passport
- Proof of Income with Certified Bank Statements
- Remote Work Verification
- Certified Criminal Background Check
- Temporary Residence Address in Croatia
- Visa & Administrative Fees
✔️ Step 2: Submit the visa application
Once your documents are gathered, you can apply for the Croatia digital nomad visa in one of three ways...
🟢 #1 Complete the application online
Applying online is the easiest way to submit an application for the Croatia digital nomad visa and the method I recommend as it’s much simpler than the other options below.
🟠 #2 Via a Croatian Embassy or Consulate
If you need a visa to enter Croatia, consider applying at the nearest Croatian Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
🟣 #3 In-person at a local Croatian police station
If you are able to enter Croatia without a visa because your country has visa-free travel with Croatia (like the US), then you can apply at the local police station. You’ll need to find the closest police station to the residential address you’ll be based at for the duration of the visa for administrative reasons, so make sure to take this into consideration.
⏳ Step 3: Wait for Approval
You should hear back within a month of submitting your application; however, in rare cases, this can take up to 12 weeks.
Depending on how you apply (online/in-person/at the police station), you will be notified in different ways:
- You will receive an email notification if you applied online.
- You are contacted by either mail, email, or phone call if you applied in person at a local Embassy in your country of residence.
- If you applied at a police station in Croatia, you get notified by phone or text message.
🥳 If your visa application is successful, congratulations! The next step is to travel to Croatia.
🏠 Step 4: Register your Temporary Residential Address in Croatia
After you submit your application and it’s approved, you have 30 days to travel to Croatia and register your temporary Croatian address. You must enter the country within this period to ensure your visa is valid.
Once arriving in Croatia, you must register your residential address within three days after landing. This can be done at the police station closest to your address. You need to submit the following documents:
- A completed application form: Obrazac 8a
- A rental agreement or any formal document validating your residential address
👮🏽 Step 5: Submit an Application for your Biometric Residence Card
A mandatory requirement for all nomads working and living in Croatia is they apply for a Biometric Residence Card. You can submit this application at the same police station where you registered your residential address.
Expect to have your signature and fingerprints recorded, after which you’ll receive a “White temporary residency card” whilst you wait for your residency card to arrive.
🪪 Step 6: Pickup your new Residence Card
Your Biometric Residence Card should be ready within three weeks. You will receive a notification from the police station when it’s ready to collect. You will need to bring the following assets with you to the police station:
- 2 x Passport photos
- Proof of payment for administrative fees
- White temporary residence card
In return for the above items, the police will give you your new residence card – congratulations; you can now start your digital nomad journey!
How much is a Croatian digital nomad visa?
Several costs are associated with your application, which will vary depending on how you apply for your visa. As mentioned above, you have a few options when submitting your application.
Below is an indication of the costs you’ll need to consider for each:
🚓 Applying at a local Croatian Police Station In Croatia
- $53.10 (HRK 350) for granting the temporary stay
- The administrative fee for the biometric residence permit is $10.67 (HRK 70).
- The biometric residence card itself will cost $36.46 (HRK 240)
👨🏼💼 Applying at a Consulate or Embassy
- $63.62 for granting a temporary stay
- $69.65 for the visa
- $46.93 for the biometric residence card
Croatia Digital Nomad Visa at a Glance
For those of you who like summary tables, we've put the most important information of Croatia's Digital Nomad Visa below.
Income Requirement $2,500 (€2,300) per month Duration of Visa One year (possible to extend) Cost of Visa $295 (€280) Processing Time 30 days Family Allowed on Visa Yes Ease of Applying 5/10 Tax Obligations None Global Peace Index Ranking 49/163
🐚 Why Croatia is a great place for Remote Workers
Croatia is a great place to be a digital nomad. Its low cost of living and well-connected cities make it an ideal spot to base your operations without breaking the bank.
It also has beautiful natural surroundings, from mountains to lakes and beaches, so you can quickly get away from your screen for some much-needed respite.
Overall, the Croatia digital nomad visa offers entrepreneurs, freelancers, and digital nomads the chance to live in one of Europe’s most beautiful countries without the hassle of complicated paperwork or high living costs. So if you’re thinking of becoming a digital nomad, be sure to consider Croatia as your destination.
Time to start packing!
Lau
F.A.Q
Does Croatia have a digital nomad visa?
Yes, Croatia offers a digital nomad visa for entrepreneurs and freelancers who want to work remotely in the country. It allows individuals to stay in Croatia for up to one year without needing a work permit or additional paperwork.
Do digital nomads pay tax in Croatia?
If you plan to stay in Croatia with a digital nomad visa, the Croatian government will not charge you any tax. However, you are still responsible for paying income tax wherever your tax residency is located.
Can I work remotely in Croatia on a tourist visa?
No, working remotely in Croatia is not allowed on a tourist visa. You must obtain the Croatia digital nomad visa in order to work remotely in Croatia. If caught working without a valid visa, you may be subject to deportation or fines.
Is Croatia good for digital nomads?
Yes, Croatia is an excellent destination for digital nomads due to its low cost of living, stunning views and connected cities.
How long does the Croatia digital nomad visa take?
Once your application has been submitted, you will generally receive a response within 30 days. If approved, you need to travel to Croatia within 30 days to register your address or face having the visa nullified. Once landing, you must visit a police station within three days to submit the relevant proof of residential address, pay administrative fees, and apply for your Biometric Residence card.
How much bank balance is required for a Croatia digital nomad visa?
You must have proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in Croatia. You need to show evidence via a remote employment or work contract that indicates a monthly income of $2500 or a bank balance of roughly $30000 (one year of income).