Croatia Extends Digital Nomad Residency to Three Years Under New Rules
Croatia Extends Digital Nomad Visa Stay to Three Years Under New Law
Digital nomads can now stay in Croatia for up to three years following recent amendments to the country’s Aliens Act, which took effect in mid-March 2025. The new law doubles the maximum length of stay for digital nomads, compared to the previous regulations.
Since the launch of Croatia’s Digital Nomad Visa in 2021, non-EU nationals were initially permitted to reside in the country for 12 months, with the option to extend their stay by an additional six months. Under the revised rules, digital nomads can now request longer residency periods, significantly increasing Croatia’s appeal as a long-term remote work destination.
Digital Nomad Visa: Work Remotely, Legally
Croatia’s Digital Nomad Visa allows non-EU citizens to legally live and work remotely from Croatia, provided they are employed by or operate businesses located outside the country.
Updated Rules on Extensions and Stay Periods
The Ministry of the Interior clarified that digital nomads opting for a stay shorter than 18 months are eligible for a one-time extension of up to six months. However, those who initially apply for the full 18-month period may later apply for an additional 18-month stay, making a maximum total of 36 months.
This update means that individuals cannot extend a 12-month stay to 18 months and then request an additional 18-month extension—the 18+18 model only applies to those who start with the maximum 18-month permit.
Russian and Ukrainian Nationals Top Visa Applications
Since 2022, Russian and Ukrainian nationals have submitted the highest number of applications for Croatia’s Digital Nomad Visa. Data from Croatia’s Ministry of the Interior shows that in the first nine months of 2024:
- 824 applications were submitted
- 342 were approved
- The largest number of approvals came from:
- Russia: 105
- Ukraine: 88
- United States: 51
- United Kingdom: 12
As of September 30, 2024, 629 digital nomads held valid temporary residence permits in Croatia.
The increased demand from Russian and Ukrainian nationals is widely attributed to ongoing regional instability, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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