The digital nomad visa in Croatia
An official EU state programme for remote employees and freelancers with income from foreign employers or clients — residence for up to 18 months with zero tax on that income, but with no right to renew the status straight after it expires.
- A third-country national employed by a foreign company or performing work for it through communication technology
The Digital Nomad Residence Permit was introduced by amendments to the Aliens Act (Zakon o strancima) in January 2021 — a separate status written into law specifically for remote workers and freelancers, not a general residence permit based on financial means. The requirements and the procedure are confirmed on the official page of the Croatian Ministry of the Interior (mup.gov.hr/aliens).
Since 15 March 2025 (the NN 40/2025 amendments) the maximum term of the permit is 18 months within a single round (it can be extended once within that term if it was initially granted for a shorter period). A new application for digital nomad status can only be filed 6 months after the previous permit expired — that is written directly into the law (Art. 57(4) of the amending act, official text on narodne-novine.nn.hr). Also, according to consistent reports from immigration lawyers, time spent on digital nomad status does NOT count towards the 5 years needed for long-term or permanent residence in Croatia — this point is not stated directly on the MUP page; permanent residence requires a different type of permit.
Who it suits
- A third-country national employed by a foreign company or performing work for it through communication technology
- Remote employees and freelancers with income from €3,622.50 a month from foreign clients
- People who want an official rather than a ‘grey’ status in the EU for 12–18 months
- People for whom it does not matter that the status does not lead directly to permanent residence or citizenship
What the service includes
| Checking that the income or savings and the documents meet the requirements | |
| Preparing and filing the document pack (the police in Croatia or a consulate) | |
| Support with biometrics and collecting the residence card | |
| The applicant's own income or savings— billed separately | |
| Health insurance (arranged separately)— billed separately | |
| The apostille and translation of the criminal record certificate— billed separately | |
| Renting accommodation in Croatia— billed separately | |
| State fees (from €46.45 for the permit + from €31.85 for the biometric card + €9.29 administrative charge)— billed separately |
Official terms
Financial requirement
- Funds of at least 2.5 average net monthly salaries for the previous year (per the Ministry of the Interior — EUR 3,622.50 a month): EUR 43,470 for 12 months, EUR 65,205 for 18 months
- Proven by bank statements or payslips
Timelines and rights
Right to work
Working for a Croatian employer and providing services to employers in Croatia are prohibited
Documents and programme requirements
- 1Citizenship of a country outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland
- 2Remote work for an employer or clients not registered in Croatia — working for Croatian companies on this status is not allowed
- 3Income from €3,622.50 a month (the formula is 2.5× the national average net salary, recalculated annually), evidenced by statements or payslips for 6 months
- 4Or savings: from €43,470 for a 12-month application or from €65,205 for 18 months
- 5+10% of the average net salary on top of the income threshold for each additional family member or partner
- 6Valid health insurance covering Croatia
- 7A criminal record certificate (apostille/legalisation + translation) — for the initial application
- 8A passport valid for at least 3 months longer than the period of stay applied for
- 9An address of residence in Croatia
What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship
Route to citizenship
- A Croatian passport is granted through naturalisation: from the age of 18, after 8 years of continuous registered residence and holding stalni boravak status
- You take Croatian at level B1 and a test of 15 questions on culture and social organisation — 10 correct answers are required
- Release from the previous citizenship is required
- After the age of 60 language and culture are not tested
Frequently asked questions
Can the digital nomad visa in Croatia be extended beyond 18 months?
What is the minimum income for the digital nomad visa in Croatia in 2026?
Do I have to pay tax in Croatia on digital nomad status?
How long does a digital nomad visa application in Croatia take to process?
Sources
- Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova (MUP) RH — Temporary stay of digital nomads (the official page of the Croatian Ministry of the Interior: requirements, income, savings, fees)
- Narodne novine (the Official Gazette of Croatia) — NN 40/2025, Zakon o izmjenama i dopunama Zakona o strancima (18 months, the 6-month break rule, Art. 57 and 61)
- Narodne novine — NN 138/2020, Zakon o izmjenama i dopunama Zakona o porezu na dohodak (Art. 9(1)(26) — the tax relief for digital nomads)
Residence permit: other options
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