Croatia started issuing digital nomad visas in January 2021. Originally, the idea came from Jan de Jong, a Dutch entrepreneur in April 2020 after the country was struggling due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Technically, the Digital Nomad Visa in Croatia is not really a visa but more a sort of temporary residency permit. It allows you to stay and reside in Croatia and remotely work from there. The visa is available for different periods of time, up to 12 months. You can re-apply after leaving for 6 months and stay another year. Your income as a Digital Nomad is tax-exempt (the Croatian Government has created a special tax-exempt legislation in December 2020). Note that this exemption is only on working income, you’ll need to report and potentially pay taxes on passive income.

If you are a citizen of the European Union, you don’t need a Digital Nomad Visa, being part of the EU automatically grants its people to work and live where they want. Brits will also have to get a Digital Nomad Visa, due to the recent Brexit.

Requirements:

• Proof of self-employment or the ability to work remotely (written statement, employment agreement, client contracts, etc.)
• Minimum income of 16.907,50 HRK (2.629$ or 2.232€) per month or 202.890 HRK (31.550$ or 26.790€) for 12 months - these numbers are for one person and go up an additional 10% for each partner and close family member
• Marriage/birth certificate for your spouse/children
• Passed Criminal background check from your home country
• Valid Health/travel insurance
• Croatian address

How to apply:

You can apply online, whether you need a visa or not to enter Croatia. An overview of the countries which require a visa is provided here. If you like, you can also apply at a Croatian embassy or consulate if you need a visa, if not, it is also possible to do it at the nearest police station (according to your temporary address in Croatia). The advantage of applying from within Croatia is that you are able to stay up to 15 months (90 days as a tourist and 12 months as a digital nomad).

Send in your application form and copies of the required documents (as listed in the requirements above) and shortly after you should receive correspondence via email (or in person, depending on how you have applied) concerning your Digital Nomad Visa. The time to process the application can vary, approximately it takes a month.

Once approved, you can enter Croatia (either with a D visa or according to the regulations from the Law on Foreigners). You need to register your temporary address within 3 days after entering the country at the closest police station. After approval of residence, you’ll have to get a biometric residence card. You also get that at the police station, just make sure to take 2 passport photos with you. After the policeman takes your fingerprints, signature, and payment fee, you’ll get a white card as temporary proof of residence. Approximately three weeks after getting that white card you can pick up your new residence permit and are (finally) done with the process and have your Digital Nomad Visa/ residency permit. Congrats and enjoy Croatia!

Costs:

The costs of a Digital Nomad Visa depend on how you apply and can vary. Online or if you submit your application directly at a police station in Croatia, you will have to pay 350 HRK for granting temporary stay, 240 HRK for the biometric residence permit and an extra 70 HRK administrative fee for the biometric residence permit. To compare, if you apply at a diplomatic mission/consular post the costs are slightly higher: you will pay 420 for granting temporary stay, 460 for a possible visa and 310 HRK for the biometric residence card.

Additional information:

For your stay in Croatia, you will most likely need an OIB Croatian Identification Number, which is similar to a social security number in the United States or an NHS number in Great Britain. An OIB is necessary for any kind of financial transaction, including opening a banking account, buying a property or opening a phone account. You can apply online for a OIB, just fill out the application form, enclose an identification document (passport) and send it to Tax administration via contact web form. Within 8 days you should get your OIB per mail. The process of getting an OIB is absolutely free. COVID-19:

To cross the border, you will either need a certificate of vaccination, a negative PCR or rapid antigen test result or have at least received one dose of vaccination and a certificate showing the recovery of covid. People directly coming from the EU, regardless of their citizenship are also allowed to enter with a valid EU Digital COVID Certificate. The website provides detailed information about the current COVID-19 policy.

For more information, visit our dedicated page to all things related to Digital Nomad Visas

Jürgen Pretsch is a professional researcher and consultant, but first and foremost, he is a "serial expat" and contemporary "digital nomad". Having lived in nearly a dozen countries, Jürgen has produced extensive research for major private institutions and governments. At the moment, Jürgen is pioneering work relating to expatpreneurship, and will continue to provide resourceful articles in the global mobility space.

Connect with Jürgen today to learn more about his Advisory & Consulting services.

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