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Croatia digital nomad visa: Complete guide for UK expats
Croatia is famed for its climate, cuisine and coastline, as well as its great mix of historic cities, beach resorts and quiet boltholes. These are just a few of the reasons the country has become such a hotspot for remote workers.
If you’re self-employed or can work remotely for your UK employer, you might want to look into getting a Croatia digital nomad visa. This will let you legally live and work in the country for a temporary period.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to get a digital nomad visa for Croatia. This includes info on how much this visa costs, eligibility requirements, the documents you’ll need and how long you can stay.
Croatia digital nomad visa: requirements and eligibility
Croatia is one of many countries which offers a digital nomad visa.
With this visa, eligible non-EU citizens can legally live and work in Croatia for up to 18 months.1 You can only work for a company or clients located overseas though - you can’t work for a Croatian employer or run a business in Croatia itself.
You can bring close family members with you on this visa, including your spouse/partner and dependent children.1
To meet the Croatia digital nomad visa requirements, you’ll need to have a minimum monthly income of at least 2.5x the average monthly net salary in the country (according to the Croatian Bureau of Statistics).1
As of November 2025, this means you’ll need to be earning a minimum of €3,295 EUR (approx. £2,903 GBP) a month1 - although this may change as average salary figures are updated.
Alternatively, you’ll need to prove you have at least €39,540 EUR (approx. £34,841 GBP) in savings if you intend to stay in Croatia for 12 months, or €59,310 EUR if you’ll be staying for the full 18 months.1
How much does it cost?
The Croatia digital nomad visa costs £78.28 per person in application fees, plus a further €33 to €36 EUR (approx. £29.11 to £31.76 GBP) in service fees.2 The service fee varies depending on which Visa Application Centre you apply at.
Aside from the upfront application fees, there may be other costs to factor in. For example, the cost of getting travel/health insurance, or having documents translated.
What documents do you need?
You’ll need the following documents to apply for a digital nomad visa for Croatia:1
- A completed and signed application form
- Original and copies of your passport, with validity for at least 3 months longer than your intended period of stay in Croatia
- Proof of remote work - such as an employment contract or official letter from your employer stating that you can work remotely and the company is registered outside of Croatia.
- Proof of income - such as bank statements showing the required amount in savings or regular income, or payslips for the last 6 months
- An ACRO police/criminal record certificate
- The address you’ll be staying at - this may be a rental property or a home you’ve purchased in Croatia
- Evidence of sufficient health insurance cover for the duration of your stay.
If you’re bringing family members with you, you’ll also need relevant supporting documents for them too.
How to apply for the digital nomad visa for Croatia
To apply for the digital nomad visa for Croatia from the UK, you’ll need to apply through VFS Global. This is the official partner of the Embassy of Croatia in the United Kingdom.
Here’s how to do it:3
- Check your eligibility - in particular, that you’re able to meet the minimum income requirements
- Get your documents together - this includes taking out a health insurance policy, downloading/requesting bank statements and making a photocopy of your passport’s biometrics and personal information pages
- Complete the application form online - you can do it here on the Croatia Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs website
- Book an appointment at your nearest Visa Application Centre - they’re located in London, Manchester and Edinburgh, so you may have to travel.
- Attend your appointment, taking along your supporting documents. You’ll submit your application and have your biometrics taken, which means your photograph and fingerprints.
- Pay your visa application fee - you can pay in cash or by debit/credit card.
- Wait for a decision - you can track the progress of your application online at the VFS Global website
- Once your application has been approved, you’ll need to collect your passport and visa documents from the Visa Application Centre - or arrange for it to be returned to you by courier for an additional fee.
While you’re waiting for your visa to be issued, you can get on with other important pre-move preparations.
For example, starting an application to open a Croatian bank account, arranging accommodation and getting some euros or a suitable travel debit card ready for your first few days in Croatia.
How long can you stay in Croatia as a digital nomad?
The digital nomad visa for Croatia lets you stay in the country for up to 18 months.1
In a relatively recent update, the Croatian government now allows this visa to be renewed once, which means a potential total stay of up to 3 years.4
📚Can you keep UK bank account when moving abroad?
Taxes for digital nomads in Croatia
While you’re living and working in Croatia as a digital nomad, you’ll need to know whether or not you’ll pay taxes on your income.
There’s no specific Croatia digital nomad visa tax, just income tax rules that apply to anyone considered a tax resident of the country.
The great news for holders of the digital nomad visa though is that they are exempt from income tax on all foreign-sourced income. This means you can work remotely for overseas clients and/or an employer, and not pay Croatian income tax on your earnings.5
However, income tax may be due elsewhere - it all depends on where you’re considered to be a tax resident. This usually means the place you spend more than 183 days in a tax year.
Tax between countries can be really complicated, so it’s best to get professional advice to make sure you understand your obligations.
Save on your relocation costs with Wise
That’s everything you need to know about the digital nomad visa in Croatia. Make sure you check for any updates to the application process or the requirements ahead of applying.
Before moving to Croatia, you’re likely to have lots of costs to cover. Some of these, such as real estate costs, visa application fees and rental deposits, will need to cross borders and can get expensive because of the transfer fees and exchange rate markups.
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FAQs
Is it possible to extend the Croatia digital nomad visa?
Yes, you can extend the Croatia digital nomad visa once. This means a potential total stay of up to 3 years.4
Does a Croatia digital nomad visa lead to citizenship?
No, there isn’t a direct route to citizenship with the Croatia digital nomad visa. It’s intended as a temporary visa and is not for people planning to settle in the country permanently or become a citizen.
If you want to move there permanently and explore routes to citizenship, you’ll need to be eligible for a different, long-term visa, such as a skilled work or residence pathway.
How long does it take to get a digital nomad visa for Croatia?
The standard processing time for visa applications is around 15 working days, but be aware that you may not be able to get an appointment right away. If more documents or details are required, or there are any issues with your application, it could potentially take around 30 to 60 days to get your visa.2
Sources used:
1. Republic of Croatia Minister of the Interior - visa duration, eligibility and income requirements
2. VFS Global - processing time and visa costs
3. VFS Global - how to apply
4. CNBC - revised digital nomad visa to last up to 3 years
5. Lexology - digital nomad visa holders exempt from tax
Sources last checked on date: 18-Nov-2025
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This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
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