Croatia has made big changes to its Digital Nomad Visa program in 2024 and 2025, making it one of the most flexible options for remote workers in Europe. As of August 5, 2025, digital nomads can now stay in Croatia for up to 18 months on their first permit, with a possible extension for another 18 months. This means remote workers and their families can live in Croatia for up to three years, a major increase from the previous maximum stay.
The Croatian government says these changes aim to attract more skilled remote workers and boost tourism. The Ministry of the Interior highlights that the program is designed to make Croatia a top destination for digital nomads, offering both flexibility and a high quality of life. Experts agree that the new rules make Croatia stand out among other European countries, especially with its easy online application process and clear requirements.
Key Changes to the Digital Nomad Visa
The most important update is the extension of the maximum stay. Before 2024, digital nomads could only stay for 12 months, with a possible six-month extension. Now, applicants can get an initial permit for up to 18 months, and then apply for another 18 months. This change allows for a total stay of up to three years, giving remote workers more time to settle in and enjoy life in Croatia.
Another big change is the increase in the minimum income requirement. As of May 2025, applicants must show a monthly income of at least €3,295. For each additional family member, such as a spouse or child, the requirement goes up by 10%, or about €330 per person. This means a family of four would need to show a monthly income of around €4,615. The government says this increase matches the rising cost of living and helps make sure applicants can support themselves without needing local jobs.
Applicants can also show proof of savings instead of monthly income. For a 12-month visa, you need to show €39,540 in savings over the past year. For an 18-month visa, the amount is €59,310. You must provide six months of bank statements to prove monthly income, or 12 months of statements to prove savings. This is stricter than before, when only three months of statements were needed.
Family Inclusion and Demographics
The revised program allows digital nomads to bring their families, including spouses, unmarried partners, and children. The financial requirements increase for each dependent, but this makes Croatia more attractive for families who want to live abroad together. Between January and September 2024, there were 824 applications for the digital nomad visa, with 342 approved. Most applicants have come from Russia and Ukraine since 2022, showing the program’s popularity among non-EU nationals.
How to Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa
The application process is designed to be simple and flexible. You can apply in three ways:
- Online through Croatia’s official government portal
- At a Croatian embassy or consulate in your home country
- In person at a local police station in Croatia, if you are already there on a valid visa or visa-free entry
To start your application, you need to prepare several documents:
- Valid passport (must be valid at least three months beyond your visa’s expiry date)
- Proof of remote work (such as an employment contract, business registration, or client contracts)
- Proof of income or savings (see above for amounts)
- Health insurance that covers your entire stay in Croatia
- Criminal background check from your home country
- Proof of accommodation in Croatia (rental agreement or hotel booking)
- Two passport-sized photos
All documents must be translated into Croatian and submitted in PDF format if you apply online. This step helps Croatian officials process applications more quickly and reduces mistakes.
After preparing your documents, you submit your application and pay the administrative fee, which is usually around €523.40. You can pay online, at the embassy or consulate, or at the police station. Processing times range from 8 to 30 days, but it can take longer if more documents are needed. If you apply from outside Croatia and get approved, you may receive a visa to enter the country and finish the process in person.
Once you arrive in Croatia, you must register your temporary residence within three days at the local police station. You will then receive a biometric residence card, which lets you stay and re-enter Croatia for the approved period.
Extension and Reapplication Rules
If you are granted less than 18 months on your first permit, you can ask for an extension of up to six months. You must apply for this extension at least 60 days before your current permit expires. After staying in Croatia for the maximum three years (18 months plus 18 months), you must leave the country for at least six months before you can apply for a new digital nomad visa. This rule helps prevent people from using the program as a way to live in Croatia permanently without following regular immigration rules.
Practical Implications for Digital Nomads
The Croatian digital nomad visa comes with several benefits and some important rules:
- Taxation: Digital nomads are usually exempt from Croatian income tax if their income comes from outside Croatia and they do not work for Croatian employers. This makes the program attractive for remote workers who want to avoid double taxation.
- Healthcare: You must have private health insurance for your entire stay. The visa does not include access to Croatia’s public health system, so you need to plan for medical costs.
- Family Members: You can bring your family, but you must show higher income or savings to cover everyone.
- Flexibility: Croatia is one of the few countries that lets you apply online from within the country, even if you entered visa-free. This makes it easier for digital nomads who are already traveling in Europe.
Expert and Official Perspectives
The Croatian Ministry of the Interior says the digital nomad visa is part of a plan to attract skilled workers and boost the economy. “We want to make Croatia a top choice for remote workers from around the world,” a ministry spokesperson said. Experts point out that the online application process is easier than in many other European countries, and the list of required documents is clear and straightforward.
Stakeholders, including local business groups, say the higher income requirement is fair because it matches the rising cost of living and helps make sure digital nomads can support themselves. “The new income threshold is in line with changes to the minimum wage and helps protect the local job market,” said one expert.
Future Outlook and Possible Changes
The income requirement for the digital nomad visa is expected to keep rising each year, as it is linked to Croatia’s minimum wage. The government is also watching how the program affects the local housing and job markets. There could be more changes in 2026 if needed to keep the program balanced and fair for both locals and newcomers.
The digital nomad visa remains popular, with steady numbers of applications and a high approval rate, especially among non-EU nationals. As reported by VisaVerge.com, Croatia’s program is seen as one of the most attractive in Europe because of its long stay options, family inclusion, and simple application process.
Official Resources and Where to Get Help
If you want to apply for the digital nomad visa or need more information, you can visit the Croatian Ministry of the Interior – Digital Nomad Visa page. This official site has up-to-date details, application forms, and contact information for embassies and consulates.
Key Takeaways and Practical Tips
- Stay Length: You can stay in Croatia for up to three years (18 months plus an 18-month extension) on the digital nomad visa.
- Income Requirement: You must show a monthly income of €3,295 (plus 10% for each family member) or enough savings.
- Application: You can apply online, at an embassy or consulate, or in person in Croatia.
- Family: You can bring your spouse, partner, and children, but financial requirements increase.
- Reapplication: After three years, you must leave Croatia for six months before applying again.
- Insurance: Private health insurance is required for your whole stay.
- Tax: Most digital nomads do not pay Croatian income tax if they work for foreign employers.
For anyone thinking about working remotely from Croatia, the digital nomad visa offers a clear path to live and work in a beautiful European country for up to three years. By following the steps above and preparing the right documents, digital nomads and their families can enjoy all that Croatia has to offer while meeting the program’s requirements.
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