The “Digital Nomad Visa” in Croatia is actually a residence permit. Here’s what you need to know:

• It’s designed for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who are employed or perform work through communication technology for a company or their own company that is not registered in the Republic of Croatia.
• This permit allows digital nomads, remote workers, and freelancers to stay in Croatia for up to 12 months.
• The permit cannot be extended. A new application can be submitted 6 months after the expiry of the previously granted temporary stay.
• Close family members of a digital nomad who has been granted temporary stay in the Republic of Croatia may join them in the Republic of Croatia.
• Applications can be submitted online or at the embassy or consulate of the Republic of Croatia, depending on whether a third-country national is or isn’t required to hold a visa to enter the Republic of Croatia.

Requirements

• Nationality: You should prove that you are not a citizen of an EU or EEA country.
• Income: You must prove that you have a monthly income of around €2,300. If you want to bring your family members with you, the bank statement of your monthly income must show that you have an extra €90 per month.
• Employment: You must work for a company outside of Croatia. You cannot work for any employer inside Croatia.
• Passport: Your passport must be valid for three more months after your Croatia digital nomad visa expires.
• Health Insurance: Your health insurance must be valid in Croatia for your entire length of stay.
• Criminal Record: You need to have a clear criminal record.
• Temporary Address in Croatia: You must prove that you have secured accommodation in Croatia.

Application process

• Determine where you need to apply: Depending on your nationality, you can either apply online or submit your application to a Croatian embassy or consulate abroad.
• Gather all the documents: You will need to gather all the necessary documents that meet the eligibility requirements.
• Complete the application form: You can complete the application form online or print it out if you’re applying in person.
• Submit your application: Pay the application fees and submit your application.
• Wait for the application to get processed: After submission, you will need to wait for your application to be processed.
• Travel to Croatia: Once your application is approved, you can travel to Croatia.
• Register a temporary address: Upon arrival in Croatia, you will need to register your temporary address.
• Apply for the biometric residency card: After registering your temporary address, you will need to apply for the biometric residency card.

Taxes as a Digital Nomad in Croatia

• Local Taxes: Digital nomads who have been approved for the Temporary Stay are not required to pay local income taxes on the income from their remote job. Nor do they have to do any local fillings for any income that they derive from that remote job.
• Tax Residency: During the process, Digital Nomads will be given a tax number, however, that doesn’t indicate that they become tax residents of Croatia. As a default, they are considered non-tax-residents. If a Nomad is deemed to be a Croatian tax resident, they still don’t need to pay income tax on the income from the remote work they declared when getting the Digital Nomad status. However, they will need to pay tax on all of their other incomes worldwide.
• Taxes Back Home: Holders of the Digital Nomad Temporary Stay are not allowed to work for nor to derive any income from any local entity and are expected to pay their taxes in the countries in which they are normally residents.
• Employer Perspective: Employers of remote workers are not required to register or have a payroll in Croatia.