8 Croatia Digital Nomad Visa Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

The best thing you can do before applying for a digital nomad visa is to research everything you can about the requirements, application process, and implications of living there. Here are some surprising Croatia digital nomad visa facts you should know before submitting your visa application. 

Our mission at Nomads Embassy is to break down borders and simplify the digital nomad lifestyle, which means making it easier to apply for digital nomad visas worldwide. 

One way we do this is by writing helpful articles, such as this one about helpful Croatia digital nomad visa facts you probably didn’t know. 

Another way we simplify applying for digital nomad visas is by partnering with hand-selected local immigration lawyers to create a Done-for-You Digital Nomad Visa Service. That’s exactly what we have done with Croatia’s digital nomad visa! 

While the Croatia digital nomad visa facts in this article will be enlightening, it’s still a good idea to work with an immigration lawyer to ensure you submit a 100% compliant application with documents tailored to your specific situation. 

If after learning these Croatia digital nomad visa facts you are still interested in applying for the visa, complete the contact form below to request our free eligibility assessment and an opportunity to meet with our immigration lawyer partners. 

What is the Croatia Digital Nomad Visa?

Croatia introduced its digital nomad visa in the summer of 2021. The visa allows remote workers to live in Croatia for 12 months. 

It’s important to note that the visa is non-renewable. Once the visa expires, you must leave the country for at least six months and reapply for the visa if you wish to live there again. 

Applicants may bring a spouse and dependent children under the age of 18. 

Some of the major benefits of Croatia’s digital nomad visa is that it is tax-free, which means you will not pay local taxes, and you can travel visa-free to other Schengen Area countries. 

Croatia Digital Nomad Visa Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Croatia digital nomad visa, you must meet the following requirements. 

• Valid Passport – Your passport must be valid at least 3 months after the visa term
• Work Remotely – You must work as a freelancer, employee, or entrepreneur for companies outside of Croatia
• Earn 2,870€ per month OR have 34,444€ in bank – You must meet the monthly income requirement or have a balance in the bank if you intend to stay for a year
• International Health Insurance – Your policy must be valid in Croatia during the length of your stay 
• Clean Criminal Record – You must obtain a clean certified background check from your country of residence
• Temporary Address in Croatia – You will need a lease agreement or booking confirmation of your address while staying in Croatia

To see if you meet the eligibility requirements for Croatia’s digital nomad visa, you can request our free eligibility assessment by completing the form in this article. 

Croatia Digital Nomad Visa Facts You Should Know Before Applying

Knowledge is power, especially when applying for a digital nomad visa. It’s important that you fully understand if you meet the eligibility requirements (request our free eligibility assessment here), the application process (read our step-by-step Croatia digital nomad visa guide), and the implications of living in the country as remote worker. 

Below are some of the most surprising and important Croatia digital nomad visa facts you should know before submitting your application. 

The Visa is Non-Renewable

Unlike most digital nomad visas, the Croatia digital nomad visa is non-renewable. 

This means that once the 12 months has expired, then you must leave Croatia. 

However, this does not mean that you cannot reapply for the Croatia digital nomad visa multiple times. You simply have to wait at least six months to resubmit your application. 

This visa or the temporary residence that comes with it also is not eligible to count towards permanent residency. 

You Won’t Owe Local Taxes

Croatia’s digital nomad visa is one of the few that has no tax implications. Therefore, you will not become a tax resident in Croatia, so you will not owe local income tax. 

This is excellent news for digital nomads who are looking to legally save a few hundred (or thousand) dollars on their income taxes each year. 

It’s important to note that US citizens must still file federal tax returns to the United States, even if they are no longer residents there. 

You Must Have a Temporary Address Before Applying

When submitting your Croatia digital nomad visa application, you must also submit an address of where you plan to stay in Croatia. This is important as it determines which local police and immigration office you will go to for your residence permit and biometrics. 

You can make a reservation using any of the following methods:

• Booking.com
• Airbnb
• Spotahome (Use NOMADSEMBASSY15 for a 15% discount on the reservation fee)
• VRBO
• Flat.io
• Lease with local landlord 

This address can be for a few weeks to a few months. If you change your location, it’s important that you notify the local police. 

You Can Apply While Already in Croatia

If you can enter Croatia and the Schengen Area without an entry visa (for example, US, UK, Australian, New Zealand, etc. citizens), then you can apply directly for the digital nomad visa while already in the country as a tourist. 

Remember not to overstay your tourist visa while waiting for your digital nomad visa approval, though! 

Savings Can Be Considered for the Minimum Income Requirement

One of the most underrated Croatia digital nomad visa facts is that your bank savings can replace your monthly income and still satisfy the income requirement. 

If you have at least 34,444€ in your bank account for at least 12 months but only earn 2,000€ per month, then you can show proof of savings and still qualify for the visa. 

It’s important to note that even when applying with your savings, you must still prove that you work remotely using telecommunications, such as a laptop. 

Documents Must Be Submitted in Croatian or English Language

When submitting the documents for the Croatia digital nomad visa application, they must either be in Croatian or English. 

If the documents originate in another language, then you must use an accredited or certified translator to translate them into either of these two languages – your choice! 

Croatia Joined the Schengen Area in 2023

In January 2023, Croatia joined the Schengen Area and adopted the Euro currency. This is excellent news for digital nomads who want to visit nearby countries easily. 

As a Schengen member country, Croatia digital nomad visa holders will have visa-free access to 26 other countries. This means you can cross borders without receiving a passport stamp. 

Unmarried Couples Can Apply Together

Lastly, one of the newest Croatia digital nomad visa facts is that unmarried couples that can prove they have been together for at least three years may apply together. 

This means, while not legally married, the main applicant can include their partner as a dependent on their Croatia digital nomad visa application. This partnership would fall under the “common law marriage” category. 

For couples with children, the time period can be less than three years. 

Get Personalized Legal Assistance with Your Croatia Digital Nomad Visa Application

Now that you know some of the most important (and surprising) Croatia digital nomad visa facts, are you ready to begin the application process?

Nomads Embassy: The World’s First Embassy for Digital Nomads is here to make the digital nomad visa application process as smooth and stress-free as possible. 

We have partnered with hand-selected English-speaking local immigration lawyers to assist you with your Croatia digital nomad visa application from start to finish. Plus, our innovative platform helps speed up document organization and verification from your lawyer. 

To begin, request our free digital nomad visa eligibility check by completing the form above. Once your eligibility is confirmed, we will introduce you to our immigration lawyer partners to start your application!