Move to Croatia

Adriatic coastline, stone old towns and easy island hopping

Croatia gives digital nomads a temporary stay of up to 18 months, applied for online or at a consulate, with an income or savings threshold tied to the national average salary. After it ends you must wait 6 months before applying again.

Routes we checked
5
Digital nomad visa
Yes
Language
Croatian
Currency
EUR
Last checked
30 October 2026

Digital nomad visaWork permitStudent visaFreelancer and self-employed

Ways to live in Croatia

These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.

Programme details are shown in English.

Digital nomad visa Digital nomad visas →

Temporary stay for digital nomads

For non-EU nationals working remotely for a foreign employer or their own company registered outside Croatia, with no Croatian clients or employers.

What you need
Income of at least €3,622.50 a month (plus 10% of the average salary per family member), or savings of €43,470 for 12 months or €65,205 for 18 months. Also: proof of remote work, health insurance, a criminal record certificate and an address in Croatia.
Income
from about $4,200 a month
Savings
about $50,430
How long
Up to 18 months; a shorter stay can be extended once, within the 18 months
Renewable
No
Cost
Police station: €87.59 in total, including the card. Consulate: €55.74 plus €93 for the visa or €41.14 for the card
How to apply
Online on the Interior Ministry's digital nomad portal, at a Croatian consulate, or at a police station if you are in Croatia legally without a visa. If you need a visa, apply at a consulate.
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
No; you can reapply 6 months after it ends

Official page

Work permit Work permits →

Stay and work permit

A single permit to live and work in Croatia for a local employer.

What you need
A job with a Croatian employer. The employer usually needs a labour market test and an opinion from the Croatian Employment Service; jobs on the shortage list skip the test.
Renewable
Yes
Cost
€74.32 plus €31.85 for the residence card (€59.73 fast-track) and €9.29 issuing fee
How to apply
At a Croatian consulate or police station, after the employer's labour market procedure
Family
Family members can come with you

Official page

EU Blue Card (EU work permit for qualified specialists)

For university graduates with a highly qualified job at a Croatian company.

What you need
An employment contract of at least one year for a highly qualified job, a recognised higher education degree, and meeting the rules of regulated professions where they apply.
Renewable
Yes
Cost
€74.32 plus €31.85 for the card (€59.73 fast-track) and €9.29 issuing fee
How to apply
At a Croatian consulate or police station
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Yes, long-term residence after 5 years with the Blue Card

Official page

Student visa Student visas →

Temporary stay for university studies

For students admitted to undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate study in Croatia.

What you need
Proof of enrolment, a passport valid 3 months beyond the permit, means of support and health insurance. Students may work up to 20 hours a week.
How long
Up to 1 year at a time
Renewable
Yes
Cost
€46.45 plus €31.85 for the residence card (€59.73 fast-track) and €9.29 issuing fee
How to apply
At a Croatian consulate or, even if you need a visa, at a police station in Croatia

Official page

Freelancer and self-employed Freelancer and self-employed visas →

Stay and work permit for owners of a company or sole trade

Lets you live in Croatia and work in your own company or sole trade (obrt) without a labour market test.

What you need
You must own at least 51% of the company or sole trade registered in Croatia.
Renewable
Yes
Cost
€74.32 plus €31.85 for the residence card and €9.29 issuing fee
How to apply
At a Croatian consulate or police station after registering the business

Official page

Cost of living

Monthly amounts in US dollars.

Room in a shared flat$400
One-bedroom flat$560
Two-bedroom flat$920
Bills$160
Typical local salary$1,770

Cities to consider

Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.

What life is like

Programme details are shown in English.

Why people move

Clear sea, a thousand islands and a relaxed café culture shape everyday life. Split and Zadar offer coastal living with year-round residents, Zagreb is the cultural and business hub, and Istria adds rolling hills and truffle country.

Day to day

Buses and ferries are the main way around, with a modern motorway along the coast. Public healthcare is decent, private clinics are affordable. Cards are widely accepted, internet is solid, and English is common among younger Croatians.

Trade-offs

Coastal towns get crowded in summer and quiet down sharply in winter. Bureaucracy can be slow. Trains are limited, and seasonal rental prices push up long-term rents.

Before you move: visa-free entry

Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:

Visa rules for every passport

Questions

Does Croatia have a digital nomad visa?

Yes. Croatia offers: Temporary stay for digital nomads.

How can I move to Croatia?

The routes we have checked are: Digital nomad visa, Work permit, Student visa, Freelancer and self-employed.

When was this information checked?

The residence routes for Croatia were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

Sources and last check

Residence routes for Croatia were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.

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