10 Tips for Your Croatia Digital Nomad Visa Application

Applying for a digital nomad visa can be one of the most stressful and overwhelming bureaucratic processes you endure. To help create an easier experience, Nomads Embassy has collected helpful tips for your Croatia digital nomad visa application. 

Remote workers are jumping on the opportunity to live in this gorgeous Mediterranean country for up to one year with the Croatia digital nomad visa. As one of the first digital nomad visas in Europe, Croatia has optimized the visa application process for applicants. 

However, we believe that knowledge is power, especially when applying for digital nomad visas. So, we’ve rounded up the most helpful tips for your Croatia digital nomad visa so you can be prepared when you submit your application. 

Plus, you’ll know our number one tip for a seamless and 100% compliant Croatia digital nomad visa application at the end of this article. 

What is the Croatia Digital Nomad Visa?

The Croatia digital nomad visa allows remote workers and their immediate family members to temporarily reside in the country for up to 12 months. 

One of the main benefits of this opportunity is that it is a digital nomad visa with no tax liability. So, remote workers living in Croatia with the digital nomad visa will not owe local taxes on income. 

It’s important to understand that the Croatia digital nomad visa is non-renewable. Once the visa expires after 12 months, you must leave the country for at least six months before reapplying. 

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

Helpful Tips for Your Croatia Digital Nomad Visa Application

Now that we understand exactly what the Croatia digital nomad visa is and the eligibility requirements, let’s dive into our essential tips for your Croatia digital nomad visa application. 

1. You Can Apply Online, In-Person in Croatia, or a Consulate

There are three different methods for how you can submit your Croatia digital nomad visa application. 

These methods include:

1. Online
2. In-Person while in Croatia
3. Croatian Consulate Abroad

Applying online or while already in Croatia is the easiest method for those who can enter the Schengen Area without applying for an entry visa. 

If your nationality requires an entry visa, then you must apply at a consulate from abroad. 

Planning how you will submit your Croatia digital nomad visa application will help you plan the overall process.

2. Some Nationalities Must Apply for an Entry Visa

As mentioned above, certain nationalities must apply for an entry visa along with applying for the digital nomad visa. 

Applicants from countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India require an entry visa. 

This is a crucial extra step to know when applying for the Croatia digital nomad visa. 

3. Documents May Be Submitted in English

One of the most helpful tips for your Croatia digital nomad visa application is that you can submit your documents in either English or Croatian. 

For many applicants, especially those from English-speaking countries, this saves both time and money during the application process. 

If your documents are in a different language, you can translate them into either English or Croatian by using an accredited translator. Do not simply run them through Google Translate as they may not be accepted. 

4. Prepare to Leave When the Visa Expires

We touched on this a little earlier, but it’s important to understand that the Croatia digital nomad visa is not renewable. 

After your visa expires, you must leave the country for at least six months before reapplying. 

Croatia’s digital nomad visa does not lead to permanent residency and is not a long-term solution for digital nomads and their family members. 

5. You Must Prove That You Work Remotely

Many people ask Nomads Embassy if they can apply for the Croatia digital nomad visa if they do not work remotely or have a pension. The answer, unfortunately, is no. 

You must prove that you work remotely through a work contract or business ownership. 

Even if you choose to use your savings to meet the income requirement, you must still have a remote job. 

6. Income Requirement Increases with Family Members

One of the most important tips for your Croatia digital nomad visa application is to understand that the income requirement increases for each family member you include. 

The Croatia digital nomad visa allows applicants to include their spouse and dependent children under the age of 18. 

However, with each family member, the income requirement increases by 10% or 278€ per month. 

When determining if you are eligible for the Croatia digital nomad visa, this is important to factor in. 

7. Reserve Compliant Accommodations in Croatia

One of the requirements when submitting your Croatia digital nomad visa application is to provide an address of where you will stay. This can be in the form of an Airbnb, VRBO, Spotahome, Flatio, or residential lease. 

You do not have to have an agreement for the entire year, but it’s recommended that you reserve for at least thre months. 

It’s important to know where you will stay because it determines which police station and immigration office you will go to for your biometrics and residence card. 

8. Find the Right International Health Insurance

Shopping for international health insurance can seem daunting, especially with so many different policies out there. 

Nomads Embassy has partnered with two reputable international health insurance companies that are accepted when applying for a digital nomad visa. 

• Genki
• Safetywing

They are reliable, affordable, and offer coverage for a year or more. 

9. Keep a Flexible Timeline

One of the most important tips for your Croatia digital nomad visa application is to keep a flexible timeline. Unfortunately, processing visa applications and obtaining appointments can take longer than one may like. 

It can take a couple of weeks to a number of months to receive approval or secure an appointment for the Croatia digital nomad visa. For this reason, we recommend working with an immigration lawyer who can work on your behalf to ensure your application is processed. 

10. Use Credible Sources for Information

If you remember any of these tips for your Croatia digital nomad visa, let it be this one! Always use credible sources for information about the Croatia digital nomad visa. 

Nomads Embassy prides ourselves in fact-checking our information with our local immigration lawyer partners and referring to the official website for the Croatia digital nomad visa.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of misleading information about digital nomad visas online, so it’s important to use a trusted and credible source when doing your research. 

Should You Use an Immigration Lawyer to Apply for the Croatia Digital Nomad Visa?

While it is not required to use an immigration lawyer to apply for the Croatia digital nomad visa, it is extremely helpful, especially when you go through Nomads Embassy. 

We have found verified English-speaking hand-selected local immigration lawyers who have excellent track records in obtaining Croatia digital nomad visas for clients. 

When you work with our immigration lawyer, you can submit your application knowing that it is 100% compliant with the government’s regulations and that you have a legal professional by your side to follow the application from start to finish. 

It’s possible to do this on your own, but it’s much easier and less stressful with a lawyer assisting you.

Get Professional Legal Assistance with Your Relocation to Croatia

While these tips for your Croatia digital nomad visa application are helpful, the best thing you can do is work with an immigration lawyer. They will save you time, headaches, money, and ensure you submit a compliant application. 

At Nomads Embassy, we created a Done-for-You Digital Nomad Visa Service for Croatia with our hand-selected immigration lawyers, which includes everything you need to apply for the visa. 

To get started, request our free eligibility check by completing the form in this article.