Croatia raises Digital Nomad residence permit income floor to €3,622.50

Croatia’s permit now starts at €3,622.50 a month

Croatia’s Digital Nomad residence permit now requires at least €3,622.50 in monthly income or the matching savings amount for longer planned stays. The floor is tied to 2.5 times the country’s average net salary and applies to non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals working remotely for foreign employers or their own non-Croatian companies.

The permit still allows a stay of up to 18 months. If it’s first granted for less than 18 months, holders can extend it by up to 6 more months, but they can’t renew it back to back and must leave Croatia for 6 months before reapplying.

Who falls under the rule

The higher income bar matters most for remote workers, freelancers and self-employed expats planning a longer stay in Croatia. Applicants can’t work for Croatian employers or clients and close family members can join through family reunification.

Short Schengen visits are unchanged. The permit is a residence route, not a tourist stay, so it mainly affects third-country nationals trying to live in Croatia while keeping foreign remote work.

What applicants need to file

Applicants need a valid passport, health insurance covering Croatia, proof of remote work, a legalized criminal record certificate and a Croatian address. They can apply online, through an embassy or consulate if they need a visa or at a police station.

Processing usually takes 2 to 8 weeks. Fees run about €46 to €56 for the stay grant and €31 to €60 for the biometric card. After approval, holders must register their address within 3 days of entry and submit biometrics for the residence card. For entry rules and living costs, see the Croatia guide.