Use my helpful guide to decide if Croatia is the perfect place for you to live and work online. Handy tips and advice that will give you the support you need to survive this application process.
The Croatian Digital Nomad visa, while actually fairly straightforward (in theory), does take patience, perseverance and the understanding that if MUP (Croatian police) haven't granted your visa yet, it's not because it has been declined - you just need more time and documents!
If you're like me, visa applications are a dreaded part of nomading. The combination of uncertainty and a lack of control over the outcome makes me feel like I am existing in visa purgatory; a place where I am reluctant to join groups, get into a routine or make friends... just in case it doesn't work out.
It has become slightly easier over the years, but it is still the less glamourised side of travelling that is not often spoken about. If this is you, trust me, I know it is difficult, but hopefully the information in this guide gives you a little peace of mind if you're choosing temporary residence in Croatia.
I applied at the end of 2021 and the information may not be 100% accurate for your individual situation. Not only that, the requirements I needed were sometimes different for others so bear in mind that it can be frustrating that advice is not always the same for everyone. No doubt, as the visa becomes more popular, Croatian authorities will eventually smooth out any creases and inconsistencies.
Also, the process and the time it takes can be longer or shorter depending on the region handling your application. I completed mine in Kaštela (outside of Split) and the ladies at this MUP were incredibly helpful and kind, but from what I have heard from other nomads, this has not always been the case at busier offices throughout Croatia.
Ensure you have at least 20+ months left before it expires. Sometimes, this application can take anywhere between 2-6 months to approve so you want to have enough time to cover the visa as well as afterwards.
The requirements state you need health insurance to cover the length of your visa. I used SafetyWing's nomad insurance and provided documentation this was being paid on a month-by-month basis.
A copy of your work contract (officially translated into Croatian). This should state somewhere in which country the business you work for is operating to prove that you will not seek employment in Croatia.
I highlighted every payment I received from my client on my bank statements dating back 3 months so it was easier for them to see I met the minimum income requirements. When I was submitting online, everything needed to be in PDF format so I used an online PDF editor to do this.
Your criminal background check cannot be older than 3 months old and needs to be apostilled in the country it came from. For me, my last residence was in the UK, so I needed an ACRO police certificate, which you need to get apostilled before they send it to you. Total cost was around £90 for the certificate, £20 for apostille + £20 international courier + sending to the apostille office (FYI a DBS certificate is NOT accepted.)
You will also need to get your rental contract notorized before MUP accepts it. To get documents notorized, you need to obtain an OIB (Croatian Identification Number). I didn't need my landlady to come with me to complete this step, but I know this has been a requirement for others.
A Croatian ID number is really easy to get, it just takes a quick visit to the Registry office and doesn't take longer than 15 minutes. The offices in Kaštela are kind of hard to find on Google because they use the Croatian name, so I have linked to it here.
At the Kaštela MUP, there is a small business located in the carpark where you can get your photo taken. Let them know it is for a residence card and they will ensure it is taken with the correct dimensions.
It is a simple, no-frills 1-sentence email saying that your application has been received and the date. That's it. It will be in your inbox less than 24 hours after submitting.
I have heard people getting fined for not registering their address at the police station within 5 says of arrival. I would double-check with your landlord that they have completed this as you don't want this to come back to bite you on the bum!
You will get an email once your online application is approved with x2 sets of bank details that you will need to take to the bank to deposit the money for your visa. Once paid, get the receipt and bank stamp. It is possible to do steps 3,4 and 5 on the same day.
IMPORTANT: Take your OIB and passport with you to the bank!
Once you've shown them the payment receipts, they will give you one more paper application to fill in.
Because you haven't filled in enough forms, they will give you a paper application to fill out. Once filled in, they will issue you a small paper confirmation, which you need to bring back to get your real card, so don't destroy this over the next 30 days.
You don't need an appointment to pick up your ID card. Show up with your paper confirmation 30 days later and walk away with your shiny new ID card. Well done! You did it!
The Digital Slowmad
Check out the helpful Facebook group Digital Nomads Split Croatia to find more answers to your questions or ask nomads who have been in your position.
Yes, you can apply online here.
If they haven't stated why the documents you provided aren't sufficient, then I would ask. If I didn't receive a response, I sent the same documents again.
I have heard varied answers on this so I think it is not standardised across all offices yet. For me, I applied in December 2021 and was approved in May 2022 but mine was dated from the day I applied, unfortunately.
I don't think so. MUP and Croatian Border Control don't speak with one another so if you leave, you run the risk of not being let back into the country if you go over your 90 Schengen days.
You fell in love with Croatia and you're not ready to move on yet? I understand! Before my digital nomad visa expired, I applied for an 'Other Purposes' visa (in my case, this involved paying 1 year rent up-front in exchange for a 1 year residency). I did this without needing to leave the country for 6 months in between visas, which meant I could keep my long-term rental (winning!) Once you move onto this visa, your tax obligations change so this is worth looking into before committing yourself to another year.
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