If you are looking for a place to set up shop away from home, make Biograd n/M in Croatia your new office!
Benefits
Why is Biograd n/M the best place to work from?
Biograd n/M (Population: 5,739 (2015) DZS Croatia) is a place that offers a high quality of life for all its inhabitants.
This is a place where you will avoid all the negatives that urban hubs bring, but at the same time, it offers everything you need for a good life and productive business: high-speed internet, proximity to the airports, medical care, top quality local food, excellent accommodation, mild Mediterranean climate, gyms, sports and sailing clubs, restaurants and cafes located along the coast.
Biograd n/M provides easy access to national and nature parks, and access to 1000+ beautiful islands at the archipelago.
Climate conditions will allow you to enjoy the sun all year round, and to exercise cycling, hiking, mountain-climbing, free-climbing, speleology, ornithology, diving or sailing. If you like to ride a motorcycle, Biograd region offers plenty of quality local roads that run through the picturesque landscape.
Biograd n/M is a stress-free environment but at the same time close to urban centers like Zadar, Sibenik and Split.
All you need to know on How to Become A Digital Nomad in Croatia?
How do we define a Digital Nomad?
A DIGITAL NOMAD IS a third-country national who is employed or performs work through communication technology for a company or his own company that is not registered in the Republic of Croatia and does not perform work or provide services to employers in the Republic of Croatia.
How do I apply for a Digital Nomad Residence Permit?
In order to apply please fill out the online form:
https://digitalnomadscroatia.mup.hr/Pages/Zahtjev
The Ministry of the Interior processes all submitted applications. The approval process takes up to 20 days from the date of complete application.
Once your application is approved you will receive confirmation.
Full details on the process of applying for a permit including applicable fees may be found on the Ministry of the Interior’s website:
https://mup.gov.hr/aliens-281621/stay-and-work/temporary-stay-of-digital-nomads/286833
Kindly be advised that even though your application for Digital Nomad Residence Permit has been granted, you still may need Visa for entry in Croatia.
Do I require a Visa?
Citizens of Canada, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and the Sultanate of Brunei do not need a visa to enter the Republic of Croatia. Citizens of the mentioned countries are in a visa-free regime with the Republic of Croatia and other EU member states.
Additionally, most of Central and South America is in a visa-free regime with the Republic of Croatia and other EU member states, e.g. Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Peru, Colombia.
Other third-country nationals may also require a visa.
Russian nationals can fill in the Online Application for the Digital Nomad Residence Permit in Croatia or submit their application for the approval of Temporary stay of digital nomads at the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Moscow (contacts are available on the following link: http://ru.mvep.hr/ru/).
Once you are informed that your temporary stay was granted, you have to contact the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Moscow to obtain a visa to enter the Republic of Croatia or a biometric residence permit (please inquire beforehand about this possibility at the embassy or consulate).
You can also fill out the visa application form on-line at https://crovisa.mvep.hr/. After you complete entering the data, the pin code number of your online application together with the printed and filled out application form, along with other required documents, should be submitted to the competent Embassy or VFS visa centre (the list of VFS visa centers in Russia is available on the following link: http://ru.mvep.hr/ru/viznicentri/).
It is advisable to contact the competent embassy or consulate in advance for information on possible limitations in work with applicants caused by epidemiological measures due to the epidemic of COVID-19 virus.
I require a Visa, where can I submit my application?
You may fill out the visa application form on-line: https://crovisa.mvep.hr/default.aspx?langId=en . After you finish entering the data, the pin code number of your online application together with the printed and filled out application form, along with other required documents, should be submitted to the competent Embassy/Consulate General: http://www.mvep.hr/en/diplomatic-directory/diplomatic-missions-and-consular-offices-of-croatia/ or the VFS Global visa centre: https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/individuals/index.html .
How long can I stay in Croatia with a Digital Nomad Residence Permit?
Up to 12 months.
The new legislation introducing Digital Nomads Residence Permits for residence permits took effect January 1st and is intended for non-EU third-country nationals.
Temporary residence permit is granted for up to 12 months (it’s possible to apply for shorter stay) and it cannot be extended. A new application for regulating a residence permit for digital nomads can be submitted 6 months after the expiry of the previously granted temporary residence permit for digital nomads.
Close family members of a digital nomad who has been granted temporary residence permit in the Republic of Croatia may join him/her in the Republic of Croatia.
I am an EU citizen; do I require a Digital Nomad Residence Permit?
No.
The new legislation introducing Digital Nomads residence permits took effect January 1st and is intended for non-EU third-country nationals.
Citizens of EU/EEA and Switzerland are required to regulate their temporary stay after 3 months via the Ministry of the Interior and more information may be found here.
Why should I choose Croatia as my remote work destination?
- Moderate year-round climate and an amazing coastline, great history and culture, amazing national and nature parks, amazing food and wine, and much more.
- Croatia is well-situated and centrally located within Europe.
- Good and modern telecommunication and internet infrastructure.
- Excellent access via road from nearby European countries.
- International airports, railway service and ports.
- High-quality private accommodation.
- Excellent infrastructure and healthcare options.
- Croatia has been ranked among most popular tourist destinations in Europe.
- Most people in Croatia speak English or other foreign languages.
Do I need to pay taxes in Croatia?
No.
Digital Nomads working remotely are not subject to Croatian income taxes so long as the work they are performing is not for the Croatian market and for non-Croatian companies. This applies for up to 12 months or the duration of the permit.
If you would like to work locally, this permit does not enable local employment.
Additional information on taxation in Croatia may be found on the Ministry of Finance’s Tax Administration website:
https://www.porezna-uprava.hr/en/Pages/default.aspx
What type of work am I allowed to do with a Digital Nomad Residence Permit?
Any work that you are able to perform remotely for your home market or other, so long as this work is not for the Croatian market and/or for a Croatian employer, namely: you are employed or perform work through communication technology for a company or your own company that is not registered in Croatia and does not perform work or provide services to employers (legal or natural persons) in Croatia.
If you would like to work locally, this permit does not enable local employment and you have to apply for work and residence permit in line with Aliens Act
What type of healthcare coverage do I require?
In order to be able to live and work in Croatia during the duration of your stay/permit you must provide proof of private healthcare coverage. This coverage may be purchased in your home country or at one of various local private healthcare providers in Croatia.
The legal requirements for healthcare coverage are undergoing changes and this section will be updated accordingly.
Currently for third-country nationals the local Croatian Institute for Health Insurance (HZZO) will not provide coverage options, nor will you be required to opt-in to the normal mandatory healthcare coverage provided by the Croatian Institute for Health Insurance (HZZO).
What is the internet speed in Croatia like?
Croatia’s internet access is available across most of the country. Optic high-speed internet is available across many urban centres, with high-speed internet access available across most populated towns and cities. Check with your accommodation provider for information on the services available. Mobile internet is available country-wide, with high-speed mobile routers available. The 5G network is currently being rolled out by select telecom providers. The main telecom providers in Croatia include TCom, A1, Telemach, Optima and others.
Can children of non-Croatian nationals accompanying the holder of a Digital Nomad Residence Permit attend schools for the duration of the permit (up to 12-months)?
School age children may be registered in local schools and will be granted an additional 70-hour allotment of Croatian lessons in order to integrate into the local school system. Contact the closest school based on local residence to ensure registration upon arrival.
Alternatively, private and international schools are also options, with a large majority being based in Zagreb, where aside from American and British schools, there are also French, German, and IB programs, amongst others. While the opening of an international school is expected for Fall 2021 in Split.
Should your child be accompanying you and plans to continue their education online in your home country, please ensure that confirmation of your child’s online school registration is provided to the Ministry of Science and Education upon request.
For additional information and/or questions please contact: odgojiobrazovanje@mzo.hr and/or standardistrategije@mzo.hr
Where else can I find additional information and support?
The Digital Nomad Association Croatia offers support for current and potential digital nomads and those looking for a destination to work remotely. You may find more information here.
Request a Digital Nomad Residence Permit for Croatia:
https://digitalnomadscroatia.mup.hr/Pages/Zahtjev
