Croatia Extends Digital Nomad Visa to 18 Months for Remote Workers

Croatia has officially extended its digital nomad visa to allow stays of up to 18 months, a change that took effect in March 2025 and was reconfirmed in regulatory updates in August 2025. The shift from a 12-month cap to 18 months aims to draw remote workers, freelancers, and their families for longer stays while setting clear rules on eligibility and documentation. The programme remains limited to people who are not citizens of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland and who work for employers or clients outside Croatia. Local employment is not permitted under this visa.

Key change and renewal path

• Applicants can receive an initial approval of up to 12 months and then apply for a six-month extension to reach the full 18 months, provided the extension request is filed at least 60 days before the first approval expires.
• A further renewal of up to 18 months may be granted after the first 18-month period, allowing a potential total stay of 36 months.
• A mandatory cooling-off rule applies: after the visa cycle ends, the applicant must spend at least six months outside Croatia before starting a new application.

The extension gives families and solo workers more certainty and reduces churn from short-term moves, while also encouraging year-round local spending beyond the summer season.

Government rationale and economic impact

Officials say the updated terms help attract skilled remote workers, boost spending in coastal and inland towns year-round, and formalize longer stays for families seeking stable schooling and healthcare. Analysis by VisaVerge.com notes the extra six months reduces churn and allows better planning for housing, schooling, and community ties.

Stakeholder reactions are mixed:
– Remote worker advocates and local businesses welcome the longer stays and family inclusion.
– Some freelancers criticize the €3,295 monthly threshold as too high for early-career or inconsistent-income workers.
– Government counters that thresholds reflect local economic conditions and aim to attract self-sufficient visitors.

Financial eligibility: income and savings options

• Monthly income requirement: €3,295 minimum (set at 2.5× the average Croatian net salary).
  • For each additional family member (spouse, qualifying unmarried partner, or minor dependent), add 10% — €329.50 per person.
• Savings alternative:
  • €39,540 for 12 months.
  • €59,310 for 18 months.
• Documentation normally required:
  • Six months of bank statements or payslips for income-based applications.
  • Twelve months of bank statements for savings-based applications.

Experts caution that the household totals can add up quickly, especially for families; early-career freelancers with uneven income should plan in advance.

Required documentation (typical)

Applicants must provide:
– Valid passport with at least three months beyond planned stay.
– Proof of remote work: employment contract, client agreements, or business registration abroad.
– Health insurance covering Croatia for the entire requested period.
– Clean criminal record from country of residence.
– Proof of accommodation (lease, deed, or notarized owner’s statement).
– Two recent passport photos.
– Short written statement explaining the purpose of stay as a digital nomad.

Note: All work must be for foreign entities; visa holders cannot sign local clients or be employed by Croatian employers.

Application channels, processing, and after-arrival steps

• Where to apply:
  • Online platform.
  • Croatian embassy or consulate in country of residence.
  • Local police station in Croatia (if lawfully present).
• Lead agency: Ministry of the Interior.
• Typical decision time: about 30 days, but can be longer during peak volumes.
• After approval:
  • Register address at the local police station within three days of arrival (or within six months if entering via long-stay visa before final residence approval).
  • Collect biometric residence card in person; fingerprinting and photos are required.
• Translating documents: Expect certified translations if materials are not in Croatian. English-language documents may be accepted in practice, but the police administration has final discretion.

Fees (by application route)

• Online filing: €87.59.
• Embassy/consulate filing: €189.88 (covers temporary stay permission, long-stay visa if needed, and biometric card).
• In-country filing (police station): €523.40 administrative fee.

Keep receipts: police stations will ask for proof of payment at card collection. Refunds are uncommon if a case is denied.

Family inclusion and related rules

• Unmarried partners may qualify if they have cohabited for three years, or for a shorter period if they share a child.
• Minor dependents can be included; income requirement increases by 10% per additional family member.
• Each family member must have adequate health insurance covering Croatia.
• Spouses and partners included in the application cannot work for Croatian employers, though they may continue remote work for foreign companies if they qualify independently.
• Evidence of cohabitation may include joint leases, joint bank accounts, or shared utility bills. Children can be confirmed with birth certificates and custody documents.

Work restriction and enforcement

• Strict prohibition: visa holders may not work for Croatian employers or provide services to Croatian clients while on the digital nomad visa. This includes remote consulting for Croatia-registered companies.
• Enforcement relies on documentation checks and can include questions during police visits or biometric card collection.

Housing, schooling, and practical tips

• Popular regions: Split, Zadar, Rijeka (coastal, better off-season availability), and Zagreb (urban base, flights, coworking, international schools).
• Landlords often offer 12-month leases; some provide notarized owner statements for early applicants.
• Families with school-age children should contact schools early; enrollment often requires proof of residence and health records.

Practical tips:
1. Start criminal record checks early; they can take weeks.
2. Confirm translation needs and use certified translators if required.
3. Keep accommodation paperwork organized (leases, notarized statements, utilities).
4. Track the 60-day extension deadline to avoid gaps in lawful stay.
5. Budget for fee differences between application routes.

Insurance and criminal record considerations

• Insurance must cover the entire stay — routine care, prescriptions, and emergencies — not just short-term travel insurance.
• Criminal record checks can have short validity; time applications so documents remain valid through the decision date.
• Where apostilles or notarizations are required, allow courier time.

Renewal considerations and strategies

• To reach 18 months: ensure extension application is filed at least 60 days before first approval ends.
• Extensions may require updated insurance, fresh bank statements/payslips, and confirmation of continued foreign employment.
• The six-month exit requirement between cycles affects long-term planning. Strategies some families use:
  • Stagger applications between partners (each adult must qualify independently).
  • Solo applicants can plan a six-month period elsewhere in Europe or home before reapplying.
• Repeat applications are feasible if applicants again meet all conditions.

Tax, employers, and pets

• The visa is a residence basis but does not automatically determine tax residency. Tax residency depends on days present and other ties — consult tax professionals.
• Employers abroad can plan longer assignments, but legal teams should check tax and social security implications.
• Pet owners must plan for microchips, vaccinations, and EU entry rules. Pet paperwork requires lead time.

Policy outlook and sources

• Financial thresholds (e.g., €3,295) are tied to national wage indicators and may rise with wage changes. Applicants should budget for possible adjustments.
• The Ministry of the Interior is the primary source for official guidance and updates. For authoritative information, consult the Ministry of the Interior and your nearest Croatian embassy or consulate.

Quick policy summary (at a glance)

• Initial Stay: Up to 18 months (12 months + 6-month extension filed at least 60 days before expiry).
• Renewal Path: Up to another 18 months, for potential 36 months total.
• Cooling-Off Rule: Six months outside Croatia required before a new cycle.
• Eligibility: Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens working for foreign employers/clients.
• Work Restriction: No work for Croatian employers or Croatian clients.

Financials:
– Monthly income: €3,295, plus €329.50 per additional family member.
– Savings alternative: €39,540 (12 months) or €59,310 (18 months), supported by 12 months of statements.
– Documentation: Six months of bank statements or payslips for income-based cases; proof of foreign employment; health insurance; clean criminal record; proof of accommodation; and two passport photos.

Application channels & fees:
– Online: €87.59.
– Embassy/consulate: €189.88.
– In-country police station: €523.40.

Processing & after-arrival:
– Processing time: around 30 days (variable).
– Address registration: within three days of arrival (or within six months if entering on a long-stay visa path).
– Biometric residence card: collected in person.

Final takeaway

The extension to 18 months positions Croatia as a more family-friendly and competitive European option for remote workers who can meet the financial and documentation requirements. It offers meaningful time to settle—enroll children, secure housing, and build local ties—while keeping a firm boundary against local employment. Prospective applicants should prepare documentation early, confirm insurance and translation needs, and consult the Ministry of the Interior (https://mup.gov.hr) or their nearest Croatian consulate for the latest instructions before applying.