Country visa guide
Croatia Digital Nomad Visa 2026: Requirements & How to Apply
Verified Last verified: against the official source below.
Information, not advice
This is general information, not immigration or legal advice. Requirements change — verify with the official government source linked below before applying.
Croatia’s “digital nomad” route is a temporary stay (residence) permit, not a work visa. It lets non-EU nationals who work remotely for a foreign employer or their own foreign company live in Croatia. As of 19 July 2026, official sources state the headline income figure is €3,622.50 per month and the permit is granted for up to 18 months.
Who is eligible
The route is for third-country nationals — people who are not citizens of the EU, EEA or Switzerland. As of 19 July 2026, the Croatian Ministry of the Interior states you must be employed by, or perform work through communication technology for, a company or your own company that is not registered in Croatia, and you may not work for or provide services to Croatian employers. Your spouse or life partner and minor children can be included as family members. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens do not need this permit because they already have free-movement rights.
Income requirement
As of 19 July 2026, official sources state the minimum income is €3,622.50 per month (roughly US$4,240), set at 2.5 times Croatia’s average net monthly salary. This figure was raised in March 2026 (Narodne novine 3/26). You prove it with a bank statement showing regular income or with six months of payslips. Instead of monthly income, you can show savings covering the whole stay: about €43,470 for a 12-month permit or €65,205 for an 18-month permit. Add roughly 10% of the average salary per accompanying family member.
Required documents
- Valid passport (valid at least three months beyond your intended stay)
- Proof of purpose — an employment contract or other document showing you work remotely for a company or your own company not registered in Croatia
- Proof of income or savings (bank statement, or six months of payslips)
- Health insurance covering your stay in Croatia
- Criminal-record clearance from your home country (legalised/apostilled)
- Proof of a Croatian residence address, plus a completed application form and photo
Documents must be in Croatian or accompanied by a certified English or Croatian translation.
How to apply, step by step
- Choose where to apply. Visa-exempt nationals can apply online at the Ministry’s portal (digitalnomadscroatia.mup.hr) or in person at the police administration/station for your intended address in Croatia. If you need a visa to enter, apply at a Croatian embassy or consulate first.
- Gather and legalise your documents (contract, proof of income or savings, insurance, criminal record, accommodation) and submit the application with the fee.
- Once approved, enter Croatia if applying from abroad, then register your address and collect your biometric residence card from the local police.
Cost
Fees are modest but come in parts. As of 19 July 2026, applying inside Croatia costs about €46.45 for the temporary stay, €9.29 for issuing the permit and €31.85 for the biometric card (or €59.73 for accelerated card processing). Applying at a Croatian mission abroad costs about €55.74 for the temporary stay and €41.14 for the card, plus €93.00 for a long-stay (D) visa if you need one to enter. Budget extra for health insurance, translations and apostilles — these estimates change, so confirm current amounts before paying.
Processing time
As of 19 July 2026, official sources do not publish a fixed guaranteed timeline; applicants commonly report a few weeks from a complete submission to a decision, and longer if documents are missing or need legalisation. Apply well ahead of any planned travel and avoid booking non-refundable trips until you have a decision.
Tax implications (overview)
General overview only, not tax advice. Tax residency and treatment depend on your nationality, days present and personal circumstances — confirm with the tax authority or a licensed advisor.
A key draw of this route is that, as of 19 July 2026, income earned by digital nomads from remote work for a foreign employer or their own foreign company is exempt from Croatian income tax under the Croatian Income Tax Act. That exemption is specific to Croatia and does not cancel obligations in your home country, so check how your days in Croatia affect your overall tax residency.
Official source
Always confirm the current rules directly with the issuing authority:
Croatian Ministry of the Interior (MUP) ↗
Link opens the official government page. We last checked our figures against it on 19 July 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Can I extend or renew the Croatia digital nomad permit back-to-back?
Not immediately. The permit is granted for up to 18 months and cannot be renewed as an ongoing residence. As of 19 July 2026, official sources state that once your digital nomad stay ends you must wait six months before you can submit a new digital nomad application. If your original permit was granted for less than 18 months, you can apply to extend it up to the 18-month cap no later than 60 days before it expires.
Do digital nomads pay income tax in Croatia?
As of 19 July 2026, income earned by digital nomads through remote work for a foreign employer or their own foreign company is exempt from Croatian income tax under the Croatian Income Tax Act. This does not remove tax obligations in your home country or your wider tax-residency position, so confirm your situation with a licensed tax advisor before relying on it.