Republic of Croatia · digital nomad

Digital Nomad Temporary Stay (Croatia)

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A temporary stay for non-EU remote workers employed by, or running, a company not registered in Croatia, granted for up to 18 months.

No sponsorship requiredDoes not lead to permanent residencyUp to 18 months, with limited extension; it does not count toward permanent residence - confirm current rules on the official page.In flux
Processing time
Indicative only - the police administration reviews the application after online submission; confirm current processing on the official page.
Government fees
Indicative only - administrative fees and a biometric residence-permit fee apply; confirm current amounts on the official page.
Typical duration
Up to 18 months, with limited extension; it does not count toward permanent residence - confirm current rules on the official page.
Sponsorship required
No
Leads to permanent residency
No

In short

As of 10 July 2026, the Digital Nomad Temporary Stay (Croatia) for Republic of Croatia is an unsponsored Croatia immigration route. Sources: official Republic of Croatia government pages, reviewed 10 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/croatia/digital-nomad-residence#answer

What is the Digital Nomad Temporary Stay (Croatia) in Republic of Croatia?

Digital Nomad Temporary Stay (Croatia) is an unsponsored Croatia route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - administrative fees and a biometric residence-permit fee apply; confirm current amounts on the official page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - the police administration reviews the application after online submission; confirm current processing on the official page; typical duration is Up to 18 months, with limited extension; it does not count toward permanent residence - confirm current rules on the official page. This route does not lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Ministry of the Interior (Croatia) on 1 June 2026.

Overview

Croatia's digital nomad temporary stay is for third-country nationals who work through communication technology for a foreign employer or their own company that is not registered in Croatia, and who do not work for or provide services to employers in Croatia. Since the March 2025 changes it can be granted for up to 18 months. It is explicitly a residence permit, not a work permit for the local market, and time on it does not count toward permanent residence. Applications can be made via the dedicated official portal.

Recent changes to this route

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Confirm you work remotely for non-Croatian clients or your own foreign company and can meet the income threshold.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Gather proof of remote work, income evidence, health insurance, accommodation, passport and photograph.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    Apply online via the dedicated digital nomads portal or through a Croatian diplomatic mission, then await police-administration review.

  4. After approval

    Collect the biometric residence permit, observe the maximum duration, and plan an alternative route if you want to settle.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Digital Nomad Temporary Stay (Croatia), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Croatia. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant
    Use official Digital Nomad Temporary Stay (Croatia) route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Digital Nomad Temporary Stay (Croatia).

    Ministry of the Interior (Croatia) · verified

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Frequently asked questions

Can the digital nomad stay lead to permanent residence?+

No. Time spent on the digital nomad stay does not count toward permanent residence. Confirm the current rule on the official MUP digital nomads portal.

How long can I stay?+

Since March 2025 it can be granted for up to 18 months, with limited extension. Confirm current duration on the official MUP digital nomads portal.

Can I move to Croatia as a digital nomad without a job offer from a Croatian employer?+

Yes. The digital nomad temporary stay does not require sponsorship and is for third-country nationals working through communication technology for a foreign employer or their own non-Croatian company. By contrast, the EU Blue Card, single permit and seasonal routes all require a Croatian job offer. Confirm the current rules on the official MUP digital nomads portal.

Can I work for Croatian companies or clients while on the digital nomad stay?+

No. The digital nomad stay is a residence permit, not a work permit for the local market, and you must not work for or provide services to employers registered in Croatia. Doing so is a listed blocker. Confirm the current rule on the official MUP digital nomads portal.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

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How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Ministry of the Interior (Croatia)

Last checked: 1 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology