Head to head
Malta Nomad Residence Permit vs Croatia Digital nomad stay
Two remote-work routes side by side: money, stay, family, fees and tax, from the official sources. The official authority decides every application.
Key differences
- MoneyMalta Nomad Residence Permit asks for income of €42k+ a year ≈ $47k; Croatia Digital nomad stay for income of €3,623+ a month ≈ $4,050. The two figures cover different periods.
- First stayThe first stay is 1 yr on Malta Nomad Residence Permit and 1 yr 6 mo on Croatia Digital nomad stay.
- RenewalMalta Nomad Residence Permit: renewable, 4 years max. Croatia Digital nomad stay: renewable, 18 months max.
- WorkRemote only on both.
- Government feesThe first government fee listed is €300 ≈ $340 for Malta Nomad Residence Permit and €55.74 ≈ $62 for Croatia Digital nomad stay; the table lists every fee.
Side by side
Croatia Digital nomad stay | ||
|---|---|---|
| Country | 1Nomad Residence Permit | 2Digital nomad stay |
| Type | 1Nomad Residence Permit Nomad / Remote work | 2Digital nomad stay Nomad / Remote work |
| Money needed | 1Nomad Residence Permit Needs income of €42k+ a year ≈ $47k | 2Digital nomad stay Needs income of €3,623+ a month ≈ $4,050 |
| First stay | 1Nomad Residence Permit 1 yr | 2Digital nomad stay 1 yr 6 mo |
| Renewal | 1Nomad Residence Permit Renewable, 4 years max DetailsThe permit lasts one year and can be renewed three times, up to four years in total, if you lived in Malta at least 5 cumulative months in the previous 12. | 2Digital nomad stay Renewable, 18 months max DetailsTemporary stay of up to 18 months; if granted for less, one extension of up to 6 months can be requested at least 60 days before expiry, and a new application is possible 6 months after expiry. |
| Work | 1Nomad Residence Permit Remote only DetailsRemote work for foreign employers or clients only; no local employment. | 2Digital nomad stay Remote only DetailsRemote work for foreign employers or clients only; no local employment. |
| Government fees | 1Nomad Residence Permit €300 ≈ $340 Details
| 2Digital nomad stay €55.74 ≈ $62 Details
|
| Permanent residence | 1Nomad Residence Permit Time here doesn't count DetailsThe Nomad Residence Permit does not lead to long-term residence. | 2Digital nomad stay |
| Citizenship | 1Nomad Residence Permit Time here doesn't count DetailsTime on the Nomad Residence Permit does not count toward citizenship. | 2Digital nomad stay |
| Processing | 1Nomad Residence Permit 30 working days DetailsProcessing is expected to take 30 working days from receipt of the fee, and cards take 3 to 4 weeks to issue after approval. | 2Digital nomad stay |
| Where to apply | 1Nomad Residence Permit Abroad or in-country DetailsApply online from abroad or from Malta; if you are already in Malta on a valid visa covering 30 days or more, no separate entry visa is needed. | 2Digital nomad stay Abroad or in-country DetailsApply at a Croatian embassy or consulate if you need a visa to enter; if you do not, apply in person at the police station for your intended residence or online. |
| Employer needed | 1Nomad Residence Permit No | 2Digital nomad stay No |
| Tax residence test | 1Nomad Residence Permit | 2Digital nomad stay At least 183 days (one or two calendar years) This route allows up to 1 yr 6 mo in total. |
| Foreign-source income | 1Nomad Residence Permit Remittance basis (non-dom) DetailsFor a person who is not ordinarily resident or not domiciled in Malta, income arising outside Malta is taxed only on the amount received in Malta and capital gains arising outside Malta are not taxed; Maltese-source income is taxed normally. | 2Digital nomad stay Worldwide income of tax residents; Croatian-source income of non-residents. |
| Tax note | 1Nomad Residence Permit | 2Digital nomad stay |
| Official source | 1Nomad Residence Permit | 2Digital nomad stay |
| Checked against official sources | 1Nomad Residence Permit First checked | 2Digital nomad stay |
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
Official sources
Malta Nomad Residence Permit
- New FAQs – Nomad Residence Permit (updated 17 April 2026) · Residency Malta Agency, Government of Malta · checked 2026-10-10
- Nomad Residence Permits (Income Tax) Rules S.L. 123.210: Guidelines (12 March 2026) · Malta Tax and Customs Administration · checked 2026-10-10
- EU member countries — current official 27-country list · European Union · checked 2026-10-10
- EFTA members and EEA/EFTA membership distinction · European Free Trade Association · checked 2026-10-10
- The European Free Trade Association and its four member states · European Free Trade Association · checked 2026-10-10
Croatia Digital nomad stay
- Digital nomads — Ministry of the Interior · Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia · checked 2026-10-10
- Temporary stay of third-country nationals · Ministry of the Interior of Croatia · checked 2026-10-11
- General information on income: income not subject to income tax, rates and bands · Tax Administration of Croatia · checked 2026-10-11
- Aliens Act, consolidated text with euro amounts (NN 133/20, 114/22, 151/22, 40/25, 55/26), Article 113 · Zakon.hr (consolidated Narodne novine texts) · checked 2026-10-11