Croatia•EuropeDigital Nomad Temporary Stay Permit (boravak digitalnih nomada)
At a Glance
Varies
EUR €88
18 months
Not renewable
Renewal
Not renewable
Family
Not specified
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote work OK
Overview
Residence permit for non-EU/EEA remote workers earning at least ~EUR 3,623/month from a foreign employer, valid up to 18 months and not renewable.
Croatia's Digital Nomad Temporary Stay Permit, launched 1 January 2021, lets non-EU/EEA/Swiss remote workers live in Croatia while working via communication technology for a foreign employer or their own foreign-registered company. Applicants must show monthly means of at least EUR 3,622.50, or EUR 43,470 in savings for a 12-month stay (EUR 65,205 for 18 months).
Stay is granted for up to 18 months total; if issued for less than 18 months, one extension is permitted up to that cap, and after expiry a new application can only be filed six months later. The police-administration fee is EUR 46.45 plus EUR 31.85 for the biometric card. Foreign-source income is generally tax-exempt, and family members may join via family reunification.
This visa is ideal for non-EU remote employees, freelancers and solo foreign-business owners earning steady income abroad who want a Mediterranean base for up to 18 months outside the Croatian labour market.
Cost Breakdown
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 1.5 years |
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Must be a third-country national (non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen).
Must work via communication technology for a foreign employer or own a company not registered in Croatia.
Must not perform work or provide services for employers in Croatia.
Must show monthly means of subsistence of at least EUR 3,622.50 (2.5x average monthly net salary, +10% per additional family member), or EUR 43,470 in bank savings for a 12-month stay (EUR 65,205 for an 18-month stay).
Must hold valid health insurance covering the territory of Croatia for the entire stay.
Must provide proof of no criminal convictions in home country (or any country of residence for >1 year prior to arrival), legalised.
Must provide a valid travel document (passport) with validity exceeding the intended stay by at least 3 months.
Must provide an address of stay or intended stay in Croatia (a hostel/hotel reservation acceptable for first-time applicants).
KEY CRITERIA
Min. Income
43,470 EUR/yr
Min. Savings
43,470 EUR
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Valid passport (validity at least 3 months beyond intended stay).
Form 1a — bilingual application form for the regulation of stay (if applying in person).
Proof of purpose: employment contract, service contract, or registration of your own foreign-registered company plus statement that work is performed via communication technology.
Proof of means of subsistence: bank statement showing at least EUR 43,470 (12 months) or EUR 65,205 (18 months) in savings, OR bank statement / six months of payslips showing at least EUR 3,622.50 monthly income.
Proof of health insurance covering Croatia for the entire stay.
Legalised certificate of no criminal convictions from home country (or any country of residence for >1 year prior to arrival) — for first-time applications only.
Address of stay or intended stay in Croatia (lease, title deed, owner statement, or hostel/hotel reservation for first-time applicants).
Translations into Croatian or English by an authorised translator where applicable.
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Up to 18 months of legal residence for remote workers without needing a Croatian job offer.
- Foreign-source income is generally exempt from Croatian income tax for the permit holder.
- Family members can join under family reunification rules.
- Application can be filed online; modest state fees (EUR 46.45 + EUR 31.85 biometric card).
- Accelerated procedure available (EUR 59.73) for faster biometric permit issuance.
- Bilingual filing accepted (Croatian or English documents); no language test required.
Worth Knowing
- Monthly income must be at least EUR 3,622.50, or EUR 43,470 in savings (EUR 65,205 for 18 months).
- Once the 18-month cap is reached the permit cannot be renewed; a six-month wait applies before reapplying.
- Holder may not work for or provide services to any Croatian employer.
- Family-reunification applications filed before the nomad is approved will be rejected.
- Permit does not lead to permanent residency on this track.
- Only third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens) are qualifying.
- Applicants who cannot meet the EUR 3,622.50 monthly income or EUR 43,470 savings threshold cannot qualify.
- Performing work for any employer registered in Croatia disqualifies the applicant.
Application Process
Prepare documentation (passport, employment/business proof, income or savings proof, health insurance, criminal-record certificate).
Submit application online via the MUP digital nomad portal, or in person at a Croatian diplomatic mission/consulate (if visa required) or at the locally competent police administration/station.
Receive automatic acknowledgement; a case worker reviews the file and may request additional documents.
If a visa is required to enter Croatia
obtain a long-term D visa from the Croatian diplomatic mission/consulate after temporary stay is approved.
Enter Croatia and register your temporary residence address at the competent police administration/station within 3 days of entry (Form 16a).
Pay the administrative fee (EUR 46.45 for temporary stay; EUR 9.29 + EUR 31.85 for the biometric residence permit, or EUR 59.73 accelerated).
Provide biometric data (photo, fingerprints) in person at the police administration/station.
Collect the biometric residence permit card.
Application Forms
| Form 1a — Application for the regulation of stay (bilingual) | Fill online |
| Form 16a — Registration of temporary residence address | Fill online |
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