Croatia Digital Nomad Visa: Full Requirements And How To Apply

Croatia doesn’t technically issue a “digital nomad visa.” It grants a temporary stay permit for digital nomads, handled by the Ministry of the Interior (MUP). Most people still call it a visa, so we’ll use both terms here, but the paperwork you’ll see is labelled a temporary stay permit.

Who qualifies

You qualify as a digital nomad under Croatian law if you’re a third-country national (not a citizen of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland) who works remotely, using communication technology, for a company registered outside Croatia, or you run your own foreign-registered company. You cannot work for a Croatian employer or provide services to Croatian clients under this permit. If you do either, you don’t qualify.

There’s no minimum age stated in the MUP rules beyond the general requirement to hold a valid passport, and family members can join you through family reunification, covered below.

Income requirement

You need at least €3,622.50 a month, shown through payslips or bank statements covering the last six months. MUP calculates this as 2.5 times Croatia’s average net monthly salary from the previous year, so the figure moves each year. As of August 2026, €3,622.50 is the current threshold.

If you’d rather not show monthly income, you can prove a lump sum instead:

• €43,470 available in your account, for a 12-month stay
• €65,205 available in your account, for the full 18-month stay

Add 10% to whichever figure applies for each family member joining you. Income from Croatian sources doesn’t count toward this threshold, only foreign income does.

Required documents

• Valid passport, with at least three months’ validity beyond your planned stay
• Health insurance that covers you in Croatia
• Proof you work remotely: an employment contract, proof of company ownership, or a statement from your employer
• Proof of income or savings: six months of bank statements or payslips
• A criminal record certificate from your home country, legalised (not needed if you’re applying for an extension)
• Proof of an address in Croatia, such as a rental contract

How to apply

You can apply in one of three ways, depending on your situation:

1. Online, if you’re a citizen of a country that doesn’t need a visa to enter Croatia.
2. At a Croatian police station, once you’re already in Croatia.
3. At a Croatian embassy or consulate in your home country, if you need a visa to enter.

After MUP approves your application, you’ll need to register your address and give biometric data to get your residence card. Once you’re in Croatia, you must report your address within three days of arrival.

Costs and fees

Fees depend on where you apply.

At a police station in Croatia:

• €46.45 for the temporary stay approval
• €9.29 administrative fee
• €31.85 for a standard biometric residence card, or €59.73 for accelerated processing

At an embassy or consulate:

• €55.74 for the temporary stay approval
• €93.00 for the long-term D visa
• €41.14 for the biometric residence card

On top of these, budget for your health insurance, the legalised criminal record check, and any translation or notarisation your home documents need.

Processing time

MUP doesn’t publish an official turnaround time. Bimaris Legal, a Croatian immigration law firm, advises applicants to plan for 4 to 8 weeks for review after filing, and to expect it to run longer during the summer when application volumes rise. Build that buffer into your plans and don’t book irreversible travel around a specific approval date.

Permit duration and renewal

The permit runs for up to 18 months. MUP can grant less than that, for example if it matches the length of your work contract.

If you were granted less than 18 months, you can apply to extend, but not later than 60 days before your current permit expires. The extension adds a maximum of 6 months, so your total stay still tops out at 18 months.

Once your permit or extension ends, there’s no renewing it or converting it into permanent residency. You have to leave Croatia and wait six months before you can apply again.

Tax treatment

Income you earn from work outside Croatia is exempt from Croatian income tax while you hold digital nomad status. This only covers foreign-sourced income tied to your qualifying remote work, not any income from Croatian sources. You should still check your tax obligations in your home country or wherever you’re tax resident, since this Croatian exemption doesn’t cancel those out.

Bringing family

Close family members can join you in Croatia through family reunification once your permit is granted. This includes spouses and, under Croatian rules, common-law partners: a couple who’ve lived together for at least three years, or any length of time if you have a child together. Each family member adds 10% to the income or savings figure you need to show.

FAQ

Is this a visa or a residence permit? It’s a temporary stay permit, not a visa in the traditional sense, though you may need a D visa to enter Croatia first if you’re not from a visa-exempt country. Most guides, including this one, still call the whole process a “visa” because that’s how people search for it.

Can I work for a Croatian company on this permit? No. The permit is only for people working for a company registered outside Croatia, or running their own foreign-registered business. Providing services to Croatian employers or clients disqualifies you.

What happens if my income is just under €3,622.50 a month? You don’t qualify on the monthly income route. You could still qualify through the lump sum option if you have €43,470 or €65,205 available, depending on how long you’re applying to stay.

Can I extend my stay past 18 months? No. Extensions only bring you up to the 18-month cap if you were initially granted less. Once you reach 18 months total, you must leave Croatia and wait six months before reapplying.

Do I pay Croatian income tax on my remote income? No, not on foreign-sourced income earned through your qualifying remote work. Check separately whether your home country still taxes that income.

Can my partner and kids join me? Yes, through family reunification, including unmarried partners who meet Croatia’s common-law marriage criteria. Each additional family member raises the income or savings threshold by 10%.

See if this fits your situation

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