Croatia
Living or working in Croatia: long-stay, digital nomad and working holiday visas
Apply for a digital‑nomad visa if you earn ≥€2,200 /month and plan to stay up to 12 months; otherwise a long‑stay (D) visa for stays over 90 days, or a working‑holiday visa if you are 18‑30 years from a treaty country. Plan ahead: start the application 2–3 months before travel.
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Key facts
- Digital nomad visa income requirementcheck
- €2,200 per month
- Maximum stay on digital nomad visa
- 12 months
- Long‑stay (D) visa validitycheck
- up to 1 year, renewable
- Working‑holiday visa age limitcheck
- 18‑30 years
- Application processing timecheck
- 2–3 months
- Visa fee (digital nomad)check
- ≈€100
- Visa fee (long‑stay D)check
- ≈€80
- Visa fee (working holiday)check
- ≈€70
Quick answer
If you earn at least €2,200 per month and want to work remotely, apply for Croatia’s digital‑nomad visa (up to 12 months). For any stay longer than 90 days without remote work, use a long‑stay D visa (up to 1 year). Citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea can also apply for a working‑holiday visa (18‑30 years, up to 12 months). Start the process 2–3 months before your intended arrival.
Visa options and requirements
Digital‑nomad visa – proof of remote employment or freelance contracts, minimum monthly income €2,200, health insurance, no local employment. Application is online via the Ministry of the Interior portal.
Long‑stay (D) visa – for study, family reunification, or work with a Croatian employer. Requires a signed work contract or enrolment letter, proof of accommodation, health insurance, and a clean criminal record.
Working‑holiday visa – bilateral agreements with selected countries. Requires proof of sufficient funds (≈€2,500), travel insurance, and a return ticket. No local work beyond short‑term seasonal jobs.
- All visas require a valid passport (at least 3 months beyond stay).
- Biometric data (photo, fingerprints) collected at the consulate.
- Residence permit must be applied for within 8 days of arrival for digital‑nomad and long‑stay visas.
Cost and timeline
Digital‑nomad visa fee is about €100, plus optional expedited processing (€50).
Long‑stay D visa fee is roughly €80; additional fees apply for work permits (€150).
Working‑holiday visa fee is around €70.
Processing typically takes 30–60 days, but consulates advise submitting 2–3 months ahead, especially in peak summer months.
How to apply
1. Gather documents: passport, proof of income or work contract, health insurance, accommodation proof, criminal‑record certificate.
2. Complete the online form on the Ministry of the Interior (MUP) portal.
3. Pay the visa fee via credit card or bank transfer.
4. Schedule an appointment at the nearest Croatian consulate for biometric capture.
5. Wait for the decision; you will receive a visa sticker in your passport.
6. Upon arrival, register at the local police station within 8 days to obtain a residence permit card.
Important notes
The digital‑nomad visa does not allow you to take a job with a Croatian employer; you must remain a remote worker for a non‑Croatian entity.
Working‑holiday visa holders may work for up to 6 months with a single employer; longer periods require a work permit.
Health insurance must cover the entire stay and be valid in the EU; a travel insurance policy is insufficient for residence permits.
Questions people ask
What should I know about long‑stay and working visas in Croatia?
Three main options exist: digital‑nomad (remote work, €2,200 monthly income, up to 12 months), long‑stay D (study, family, or local employment, up to 1 year), and working‑holiday (18‑30 years from treaty countries, up to 12 months). All require health insurance and registration after arrival.
How much does it cost?
Digital‑nomad visa ≈€100, long‑stay D ≈€80 (plus work‑permit fees if needed), working‑holiday ≈€70. Fees are approximate 2026 estimates and may vary by consulate.
When should I plan for it?
Start the application 2–3 months before your intended travel date. Consulates are busiest May–July, so apply earlier if you plan a summer arrival.
Can I switch from a digital‑nomad visa to a local work permit?
Yes, but you must leave Croatia, apply for a work permit from a Croatian employer, and obtain a new residence permit. The digital‑nomad visa itself does not permit local employment.
Do I need a separate residence permit after the visa is granted?
Yes. Within 8 days of arrival you must register at the local police station and receive a residence‑permit card, regardless of visa type.
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