Croatia digital nomad permit for founders: can you run your own company?
Can a founder run their own company on Croatia's digital nomad permit? Yes. The Ministry of the Interior defines a digital nomad as someone working through communication technology for a company or their own company that is not registered in Croatia. Founders prove it with the registration of their own company (tax authority or business court) and proof they do the work through that company. Work for local clients or employers is barred. Income needed: At least 2.5 x Croatia's average monthly net salary for the previous year, currently a minimum of €3,622.50 a month, plus 10% of the average net salary for each additional family member. Alternatively hold €43,470 in the bank for a 12 month stay or €65,205 for 18 months. Proven by bank statements or six months of payslips.
Croatia's digital nomad permit, from the official pages
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Scheme | Croatia's scheme is a temporary stay permit for digital nomads, issued by the Ministry of the Interior. | mup.gov.hr |
| Own company | A digital nomad is a non EU/EEA/Swiss national who works through communication technology for a company, or their own company, that is not registered in Croatia. Founders show the registration of their own company and proof they do the work through it. | mup.gov.hr |
| Local work | Digital nomads may not work for or provide services to employers in Croatia. | mup.gov.hr |
| Income | The required means are at least 2.5 times Croatia's average monthly net salary for the previous year, as published by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, plus 10% of that salary for each additional family member. | mup.gov.hr |
| Income | The current monthly minimum is €3,622.50, shown by bank statements of regular income or six months of payslips. Alternatively, savings of €43,470 cover a 12 month stay and €65,205 an 18 month stay. | mup.gov.hr |
| Stay | Temporary stay is granted for up to 18 months. If granted for less, you can apply for an extension at least 60 days before expiry, for up to 6 more months. | mup.gov.hr |
| Status | The permit is not open-ended: a new digital nomad application can only be lodged 6 months after the previous stay ends. | mup.gov.hr |
| Fee | Applying through a Croatian embassy or consulate costs €55.74 for the temporary stay plus €93.00 for the D visa (or €41.14 for a biometric card instead of the visa). Applying at a police station in Croatia costs €46.45, plus €9.29 and €31.85 for the biometric residence permit. | mup.gov.hr |
| How to apply | Apply online, at a Croatian embassy or consulate, or (if you don't need a visa and are legally in Croatia) at the local police station. Visa nationals must apply at a consulate or online, then collect a D visa. | mup.gov.hr |
| Health insurance | You need health insurance (travel or private) covering Croatia for your whole stay, plus a criminal record certificate and an address in Croatia. | mup.gov.hr |
| Family | Close family members, including unmarried partners of more than three years, can join through family reunification once the digital nomad's stay has been granted. | mup.gov.hr |
| Tax | The Croatian Tax Administration says a person has habitual residence, and so Croatian tax residence, with a continuous or linked stay of at least 183 days in one or two calendar years. | porezna-uprava.gov.hr |
Questions founders ask about Croatia
- Can I run my own company on the Croatia digital nomad permit?
- Yes. The Ministry of the Interior defines a digital nomad as someone working through communication technology for a company or their own company that is not registered in Croatia. Founders prove it with the registration of their own company (tax authority or business court) and proof they do the work through that company.
- Can I work for clients in Croatia on it?
- Barred. The official definition requires that the digital nomad does not perform work or provide services to employers in Croatia, and the company must not be registered in Croatia.
- How much income do I need for the Croatia digital nomad permit?
- At least 2.5 x Croatia's average monthly net salary for the previous year, currently a minimum of €3,622.50 a month, plus 10% of the average net salary for each additional family member. Alternatively hold €43,470 in the bank for a 12 month stay or €65,205 for 18 months. Proven by bank statements or six months of payslips.
- How much does the Croatia digital nomad permit cost?
- €55.74 temporary stay fee plus €93.00 for the D visa if applying at a consulate, or €46.45 if applying at a police station in Croatia (biometric residence card fees extra). That's the government fee on the official page; translations, insurance and legal help cost extra.
- How long can I stay on the Croatia digital nomad permit?
- Up to 18 months. A shorter grant can be extended by up to 6 months. After it ends you must wait 6 months before applying again. The page read does not say whether it leads to permanent residence.
- Do I become tax resident in Croatia?
- The Croatian Tax Administration says a person has habitual residence, and so Croatian tax residence, with a continuous or linked stay of at least 183 days in one or two calendar years. A visa doesn't settle where you pay tax, so take advice on your own case.
Other countries
Brazil · Colombia · Costa Rica · Cyprus · Estonia · Greece · Hungary · Indonesia · Italy · Japan · Malaysia · Malta · Mexico · Portugal · Romania · South Korea · Spain · Thailand · United Arab Emirates
To compare the routes, read digital nomad visas for founders and tax residency for remote founders.
- Official name
- Temporary stay of digital nomads (Ministry of the Interior)
- Own company
- Yes
- Local clients
- Barred
- Stay
- Up to 18 months. A shorter grant can be extended by up to 6 months. After it ends you must wait 6 months before applying again. The page read does not say whether it leads to permanent residence.
- Government fee
- €55.74 temporary stay fee plus €93.00 for the D visa if applying at a consulate, or €46.45 if applying at a police station in Croatia (biometric residence card fees extra)
- Official page
- mup.gov.hr
- Checked
Visa rules, fees and income bars change, and consulates apply them differently. Check mup.gov.hr before you apply. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the members' chat.