The Croatia digital nomad visa is officially a temporary stay permit for digital nomads, and it lets non-EU remote workers live in Croatia for up to 18 months while working for a company outside Croatia. The Interior Ministry (MUP) currently asks for €3,622.50 a month, or a lump sum covering the whole stay, and your foreign work income is exempt from Croatian income tax.
Last checked: September 2026
In short:
- The MUP’s monthly income threshold is €3,622.50 (2.5 times the average Croatian net salary), or €43,470 in savings for a 12-month stay and €65,205 for 18 months.
- The permit can run for up to 18 months, and once it ends you must wait six months before applying again for digital nomad or other temporary stay.
- Croatia exempts digital nomads’ employment and self-employment income paid by non-Croatian payers from income tax, but other income such as dividends isn’t covered.
Who it’s for
Non-EU nationals who work through communication technology for an employer or their own company that is not registered in Croatia. You also can’t do work or provide services for employers in Croatia, so no Croatian clients. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens don’t need this permit.
Income and financial requirements
| Option | Amount (MUP) |
|---|---|
| Monthly income | At least €3,622.50 |
| Lump sum, 12-month stay | €43,470 |
| Lump sum, 18-month stay | €65,205 |
| Each family member or partner | +10% of the average monthly net salary |
The threshold is 2.5 times Croatia’s average monthly net salary, so it changes when new salary data is published. The MUP page doesn’t say which year’s average it uses. RemoteWorkEurope says the current figure is based on a 2025 average of €1,449 and rose from €3,295 in March 2026 (verify). On that base, each extra family member adds about €145 a month.
Length, renewal and family
- Up to 18 months. The maximum was raised from 12 months by amendments in 2025, according to RemoteWorkEurope.
- Extensions. If you were granted less than the maximum, you can apply to extend, at least 60 days before your permit expires. The total stays within the 18-month cap.
- Six-month gap. Once the permit ends, you must wait six months before applying for a new digital nomad stay, or any other temporary stay.
- Family. Spouses, children and life partners (including informal partners) can join under family reunification. MUP’s definition of an informal partnership requires three years of living together, or less if you have children.
How to apply
Where:
- Online through the MUP digital nomad portal
- At a Croatian embassy or consulate if your nationality needs a visa to enter Croatia
- At a police station in Croatia if you’re visa-exempt and already there
Documents (MUP list):
- Valid travel document
- Travel or private health insurance covering Croatia
- Proof that you’re a digital nomad (employment contract or company registration)
- Proof of funds
- Legalised proof of no criminal convictions from your home country and any country you’ve lived in for more than a year before arriving (not needed for an extension)
- Your residential address in Croatia
Fees (MUP):
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Temporary stay, at police | €46.45 |
| Temporary stay, at embassy | €55.74 |
| Biometric residence card | €31.85 (€59.73 expedited) |
| Visa D, if you need one | €93.00 |
Timing. MUP doesn’t publish a processing time. RemoteWorkEurope reports four to eight weeks on average, longer in summer.
Tax: when you become tax resident
Per PwC’s summary of Croatian law, you’re tax resident if you’re physically present in Croatia for at least 183 days in one or two calendar years, or have property owned by you or at your disposal there for at least 183 days. So an 18-month stay will normally make you resident.
The point of the scheme is that it largely doesn’t matter. Article 9(1)(26) of the Personal Income Tax Act exempts digital nomads’ employment and self-employment income paid by non-residents. As the Kluwer International Tax Blog explains, this covers your core foreign work income, but not other income such as dividends or capital gains, and not Croatian-source income.
Two caveats:
- Your home country still counts. The exemption only stops Croatia taxing that income. Whether your home country can still tax you depends on its own rules and the treaty.
- Keep it foreign. A Croatian client or employer would break the permit conditions and take you out of the exemption.
Practical tips and common refusal reasons
- Legalise the criminal record certificate early. It needs to be legalised and it often takes longest. Check whether your country uses the apostille.
- Show recent statements. RemoteWorkEurope reports that six months of bank statements or payslips are now expected (verify with MUP or your consulate).
- Pick the right route. Visa-required nationals must start at a consulate. Visa-exempt nationals can apply online or at a police station once in Croatia.
- Lump sum option. If your income is irregular, savings of €43,470 or €65,205 can replace the monthly figure.
- Count the six-month gap. If you want to stay longer than 18 months, you’ll need a different permit, not another nomad stay straight away.
See the full list: Digital nomad visa countries: which countries have one (2026 list)
Related guides: Digital Nomad Visa Index 2026: income requirements for 28 open visa routes, ranked · Visa processing times tracker (2026): real dates from members · Best cities for digital nomads in 2026: 12 picks by budget and lifestyle
Quick answers
Q: How much income do I need for the Croatia digital nomad visa?
The Interior Ministry asks for at least €3,622.50 a month, which is 2.5 times the average Croatian net salary. Instead, you can show savings of €43,470 for a 12-month stay or €65,205 for 18 months. Each extra family member adds 10% of the average monthly net salary.
Q: How long can I stay in Croatia as a digital nomad?
Up to 18 months. If you were granted less, you can apply to extend at least 60 days before your permit expires, up to that limit. When the stay ends, you must wait six months before applying again for digital nomad or any other temporary stay.
Q: Do digital nomads pay income tax in Croatia?
Not on their core work income. Article 9(1)(26) of the Personal Income Tax Act exempts employment and self-employment income that digital nomads receive from non-resident payers. Dividends, capital gains and Croatian-source income aren’t covered, and your home country may still tax you.
Sources
- Croatian Ministry of the Interior: Temporary stay of digital nomads
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Croatia, individual residence
- Kluwer International Tax Blog: Croatia, a new tax-free promised land for digital nomads, Part II
- RemoteWorkEurope: Croatia digital nomad visa 2026
This is general information from the Nomad Forums team, not immigration, tax or legal advice. Rules change; check the official source or a qualified adviser before applying.
Over to you: If you’ve applied since the 18-month change, did you apply online, at a police station or at a consulate, and how long did approval take? And which income figure did they actually check you against?