We love spending time in Europe! However, we are constantly counting the days we spend in the Schengen Area, so that we don’t violate the 90-day rule. We are considering a variety of digital nomad visas that would enable us to stay in a European country on a longer term basis. The Croatian digital nomad permit looks quite attractive. Please note, we are not looking to become residents; we simply want something more significant than a tourist visa.
We are still in the early stages of our Croatian exploration, but let’s start with the basics:
Who is eligible for a Croatian digital nomad visa:
Croatia offers a digital nomad residence permit (Boravak digitalnih nomada) to non-EU/EEA citizens working in “communication technology.” You can apply if you own, or work remotely for, a company registered outside Croatia. You are also eligible if you are a freelancer who only works with clients outside Croatia.
Length of visa:
The visa lasts for one year.* You are not permitted to renew your original digital nomad visa. However, once it expires you can leave Croatia for six months and then apply for a new one.
*The Croatian government explicitly states that you will not become a tax resident during your 1-year stay permit. This was attractive to us because we already reside and pay tax in a territorial tax region. We did not want to face double taxation and/or have our worldwide income taxed.
Requirements:
To obtain a Croatian digital nomad permit, you will need valid health insurance, a clean criminal record, and proof of accommodation. You are permitted to put a temporary address (such as a hotel or Airbnb) on the application form. However, if you are approved, you will need to show proof of accommodation for your entire stay (i.e. a 1-year lease or a title deed). You have a mere 3 days to register the address of your 1-year accommodation, so we recommend searching for properties as soon as possible!
Fortunately, there are some real estate agents that are aware of the 3-day window and are willing to arrange accommodation remotely. The realtor vets properties, gives you virtual tours, negotiates rental terms with the landlord, and has the lease ready to sign before you even land in Croatia.
You will also have to prove that you work in communication technology (and have permission to continue your work remotely from Croatia). To show proof of purpose, you can provide employment contracts with a foreign company or clients. If you are self-employed, you will need to show articles of incorporation, entity registration, business license, or similar documents showing that you own a company registered outside of Croatia. If you wish, you can also submit employment-related extras such as a CV, client references, etc.
Finally, you will need to meet the minimum income requirements. As proof of means of subsistence, you can provide:
1) a bank statement showing you have the required annual amount or
2) a bank statement showing you regularly receive the required monthly amount, or
3) payslips for the last six months showing you receive the required monthly amount.
If you choose the annual amount, you must show that you have a minimum of €30,471.72 (approximately $33,150) already available in your account. If you choose the monthly amount, you must have funds equal to at least 2.5 times the average monthly net salaries paid to Croatian residents the previous year. Currently, the minimum monthly amount required is €2,539.31 (approximately $2,763).
How to apply:
One reason we chose Croatia was because you can submit your visa application online. You can apply from anywhere in the world, and your PDF documents will be forwarded to the Croatian police station in the location you intend to stay. Alternatively, if you are outside the country, you can submit your forms to a Croatian embassy or consulate. If you are already in Croatia, you can apply in person at the local police station closest to the place you are staying.
Some visa applications are approved within a month, but the process can take as long as 3 to 4 months.
Once your permit has been approved, you can move to Croatia. You must relocate to Croatia within 30 days of approval. As stated above, you must remember to register your temporary residence address at your local police station within three days of your arrival. You will also need to bring passport photos and get fingerprinted for your biometric residence card.
Costs for the Croatian digital nomad permit:
Fees vary depending on where you apply:
- If you apply at a consulate, you should expect to pay 55.74 EUR for granting temporary stay, 93.00 EUR for the long-term visa, and 41.14 EUR for a biometric residence card.
- If you apply in person at a Croatian police station, you will pay 46.45 EUR for granting temporary stay, 9.29 EUR in administrative fees for biometric residence card processing, and 31.85 EUR for the biometric residence card itself.
- If you apply online, you will need to pay 46.45 EUR for granting temporary stay, 9.29 EUR for administrative fees for biometric residence card processing, and 31.85 EUR for the biometric residence card itself.
Sidenote – Family Reunification:
The information above relates to the digital nomad applying for the visa. If you want to bring a spouse or child, Croatia allows this, but under a different visa scheme called “family reunification.” Your spouse or child will need many of the same documents we mention above documentation (criminal background check, health insurance, address in Croatia, etc.). Most importantly, they will need documentation supporting their connection to you the digital nomad (i.e. marriage certificate or child’s birth certificate).
*Please note, your loved one can only apply for family reunification once you have been granted your digital nomad visa. You will need to complete the entire application process and be approved for a year-long stay, before they can even begin.
This overview is based on our own research and experience to date. For more details about the digital nomad residence permit, please visit the Croatian government’s official website.
If you are interested in living abroad for a longer period of time, you may want to consider becoming a resident. Check out our article Why Pursue A Second Residency.