--- title: "Moving to Croatia 2026: visas, requirements and tax" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- Dubrovnik's walled old town above the Adriatic in morning light # Moving to Croatia 8 ways to move to Croatia in our guide: 1 nomad / remote-work visa, 1 business / startup route, 3 work visas, 1 student visa, 1 route by nationality or ancestry, 1 spouse visa. Remote workers: [Digital nomad stay](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/digital-nomad/), €3,623+ a month ≈ $4,050. Smallest investment: [Own-company owner permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/own-company-51pct/), €27k+ ≈ $30k. Checked against official sources on 12 October 2026. **Nomad visa: income needed:** **€3,623+ a month ≈ $4,050** Digital nomad stay **Smallest investment needed:** **€27k+ ≈ $30k** Own-company owner permit **Longest first stay:** **4 years** Blue Card Croatia offers a mix of routes for remote workers, business owners, employees, and students. The digital nomad stay is designed for people who work remotely for a foreign employer or their own company abroad, while other permits cover local employment, self-employment through a company, or study. Remote workers with a foreign employer or own foreign company Highly qualified professionals with a job offer from a Croatian employer Students enrolled at a Croatian higher education institution Workers with a specific job offer from a Croatian employer ## Nomad / Remote work · 1 ### [Digital nomad stay](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/digital-nomad/) **Income needed:** €3,623+ a month ≈ $4,050 Stay 1 yr 6 mo, renewable Remote work only Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/digital-nomad/) ## Business / Startup · 1 ### [Own-company owner permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/own-company-51pct/) **Investment needed:** €27k+ ≈ $30k Stay 2 yrs, renewable Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/own-company-51pct/) ## Work · 3 ### [Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/blue-card/) **First stay:** 4 yrs Can work: limited Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/blue-card/) ### [Work permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/work-permit/) **First stay:** 3 yrs Can work: limited Needs money in the bank [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/work-permit/) ### [Researcher permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/researcher-art74/) **Income needed:** €826+ a month ≈ $920 Stay 1 yr, renewable Can work: yes Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/researcher-art74/) ## Student · 1 ### [Student stay](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/study/) **Income needed:** €362+ a month ≈ $400 Stay 3 yrs, renewable Can work: limited Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/study/) ## For your nationality or ancestry · 1 Open only to citizens of certain countries or to people with family roots here. Unlike free movement, each needs an application. ### [Croatian citizenship for emigrant descendants](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/citizenship-emigrant-descendants/) Needs certified translations [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/citizenship-emigrant-descendants/) ## Spouse visas · 1 For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident. ### [Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/family/) **First stay:** 2 yrs Can work: yes Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/family/) **Free movement and visa-free stays · 1** - **[EU free movement](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/free-movement-eu/)** · Lets you live here Open to 31 passports: [Austria](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/austria/), [Belgium](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/belgium/), [Bulgaria](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/bulgaria/), [Croatia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/croatia/), [Cyprus](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/cyprus/), [Czechia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/czechia/), [Denmark](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/denmark/), [Estonia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/estonia/), [Finland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/finland/), [France](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/france/), [Germany](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/germany/), [Greece](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/greece/), [Hungary](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/hungary/), [Iceland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/iceland/), [Ireland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/ireland/), [Italy](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/italy/), [Latvia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/latvia/), [Liechtenstein](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/liechtenstein/), [Lithuania](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/lithuania/), [Luxembourg](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/luxembourg/), [Malta](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/malta/), [Netherlands](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/netherlands/), [Norway](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/norway/), [Poland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/poland/), [Portugal](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/portugal/), [Romania](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/romania/), [Slovakia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/slovakia/), [Slovenia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/slovenia/), [Spain](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/spain/), [Sweden](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/sweden/), [Switzerland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/switzerland/). [Where each passport can live without a visa →](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/) ## Tax Croatia taxes residents on worldwide income and non-residents on Croatian-source income. Personal income tax rates are set locally and apply to income up to a threshold and above it. Special regimes exist for companies and flat-rate trades, but these are separate from your stay permit. Special regime ### [Profit tax: 10% up to EUR 1,000,000 revenue, 18% above](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/tax/#tax-hr-profit-10-18) 10% tax **Details** - On: Profit of the company - Who: Companies and other profit-tax payers with revenue up to EUR 1,000,000 (≈ $1,120,000) apply the 10% rate - Limit: €1M/yr ≈ $1.1M Croatian companies pay 10% profit tax if revenue in the tax period is up to EUR 1,000,000 (≈ $1,120,000) and 18% above that. #### Taxed on Profit of the company; rate depends on annual revenue. #### Who it applies to - Companies and other profit-tax payers with revenue up to EUR 1,000,000 (≈ $1,120,000) apply the 10% rate. #### Exclusions - Revenue above EUR 1,000,000 (≈ $1,120,000) is taxed at 18%. #### Limits - EUR 1,000,000 a year (≈ $1,120,000) · Revenue ceiling for the 10% rate #### Tax residence Applies to Croatian-resident companies; withholding of 15% on certain payments abroad and 10% on dividends and shares in profit. #### Visas Independent of any visa. #### Other taxes Dividends are subject to income tax or withholding (see profit tax page). Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/tax/) Special regime ### [Flat-rate trade owner (obrt pausalist) tax up to EUR 60,000 receipts](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/tax/#tax-hr-pausal-obrt) 12% tax **Details** - Who: Natural person carrying on a trade - Limit: €60k/yr ≈ $67k Trade owners outside VAT with receipts up to EUR 60,000 (≈ $67,000) pay annual income tax of 12% on a flat income set by the receipts band, from EUR 203.40 (≈ $230) in the lowest band to EUR 1,080 (≈ $1,210) in the EUR 50,000.01 (≈ $55,900) to 60,000 band. #### Taxed on Annual flat-rate income set by receipts band: EUR 1,695 (≈ $1,890) (receipts to EUR 11,300 (≈ $12,600)), 2,295, 2,985, 4,590, 6,000, 7,500 and EUR 9,000 (≈ $10,100) (receipts EUR 50,000.01 (≈ $55,900) to 60,000); tax is 12% of that flat income, paid quarterly. #### Who it applies to - Natural person carrying on a trade (obrt) who is not a VAT payer on that basis and whose receipts are not above EUR 60,000 (≈ $67,000). - New trades register with the Tax Administration within 8 days of the trade register decision and choose the flat-rate method. #### Exclusions - Liberal professions (for example health workers, veterinarians, athletes, lawyers) cannot use the flat-rate method. - Above EUR 60,000 (≈ $67,000) of receipts, which is also the mandatory VAT registration level, the ordinary regime applies. - The tax is cut by 25% in Vukovar, assisted local units and island group I areas. #### Limits - EUR 60,000 a year (≈ $67,000) · Maximum receipts for the flat-rate regime and level for mandatory VAT registration - EUR 1,080 a year (≈ $1,210) · Annual flat-rate income tax in the top band (receipts EUR 50,000.01 (≈ $55,900) to 60,000) - EUR 203.4 a year (≈ $230) · Annual flat-rate income tax in the lowest band (receipts up to EUR 11,300 (≈ $12,600)) #### Tax residence Available to taxpayers carrying on a trade in Croatia. #### Visas Not tied to a visa; non-EU nationals need a permit that allows self-employment, such as the owner permit. #### Other taxes Mandatory contributions are paid monthly on a 2026 base of EUR 797.20 (≈ $890): pillar I 15% (EUR 119.58 (≈ $130)), pillar II 5% (EUR 39.86 (≈ $45)) and health 16.5% (EUR 131.54 (≈ $150)), or EUR 1,434.96 (≈ $1,600), 478.32 and 1,578.48 a year; local surtax may apply. Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/tax/) Standard rules ### [Personal income tax: local rates 15-23% up to EUR 60,000 and 25-33% above](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/tax/#tax-hr-pit-ordinary) Worldwide income **Details** - On: Worldwide income of tax residents - Who: Resident taxpayers are taxed on worldwide income - Limit: €60k/yr ≈ $67k Income tax is set by local authorities at 15-23% up to EUR 60,000 (≈ $67,000) a year and 25-33% above (20% and 30% where no local decision exists); 23% and 33% are the Zagreb maximum, and municipalities, towns and large cities have lower caps. #### Taxed on Worldwide income of tax residents; Croatian-source income of non-residents. #### Who it applies to - Resident taxpayers are taxed on worldwide income; non-residents on income earned in Croatia. #### Limits - EUR 60,000 a year (≈ $67,000) · Threshold between lower and higher rate bands (EUR 5,000 (≈ $5,590) a month) - EUR 600 a month (≈ $670) · Basic personal allowance (non-taxable part of income), EUR 7,200 (≈ $8,040) a year; it is increased for dependants (for example EUR 300 (≈ $340) a month for a dependent family member or a first child) #### Days in the country - At least 183 days in one or two calendar years · Owning an apartment or having one at disposal for at least 183 days in one or two calendar years establishes permanent residence for tax; actual stay is not required. - At least 183 days in one or two calendar years · A continuous or time-linked stay of at least 183 days in one or two calendar years establishes habitual residence for tax. #### Tax residence Tax residents are taxed on worldwide income. Permanent residence exists where the person owns an apartment or has one at disposal for at least 183 days in one or two calendar years; habitual residence is a continuous or time-linked stay of at least 183 days in one or two calendar years. #### Visas Immigration status does not decide tax residence. #### Other taxes Contributions, surtax and VAT are separate. Income of digital nomads from employers not registered in Croatia is exempt (see the digital nomad exemption). Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/tax/) Special regime ### [Income tax exemption for digital nomads](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/tax/#tax-hr-digital-nomad-income-exemption) Tax relief **Details** - Who: Holds the temporary stay for digital nomads granted under the Aliens Act Income from employment or work for an employer or own company not registered in Croatia is not subject to Croatian income tax while the person holds digital nomad status. #### Taxed on Receipts from employment or self-employment for an employer or company not registered in Croatia, earned on the basis of acquired digital nomad status. #### Who it applies to - Holds the temporary stay for digital nomads granted under the Aliens Act. - The work is done for a company or own company not registered in Croatia and does not serve employers or customers in Croatia. #### Exclusions - Work or services for Croatian employers are outside the digital nomad status and its exemption. - Income from other sources, such as Croatian-source property income, follows the ordinary income tax rules. #### Tax residence Listed among receipts on which income tax is not paid (point 26); the exemption rests on the nomad status, not on a day count. #### Visas Depends on holding the temporary stay for digital nomads (see “Temporary stay of digital nomad”). #### Other taxes Social contributions, VAT and taxes in the home country are separate and not covered by this exemption. Checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/tax/) Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) **Switch to later · 1** Work ### [Graduate job search](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/graduate-job-search-art76/) **Income needed:** €869+ a month ≈ $970 Stay 1 yr Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/graduate-job-search-art76/) **Path to permanent residence · 2** - **Citizenship** · Croatian citizenship by naturalisation for emigrants and their descendants (Zakon o hrvatskom državljanstvu Article 11) - **PR after 5 years** · Long-term residence and permanent stay ## Arriving in Croatia: first steps 1. Arrange travel or private health insurance valid in Croatia before you arrive. 2. Obtain a clean criminal record certificate from your home country or last residence. 3. Provide a local address in Croatia for your application. 4. If you are a student, show sufficient means for maintenance and return. 5. If you are an employee, your employer will usually need to request a labour-market test and Employment Service opinion. ## Questions people ask ### What is the Croatia digital nomad visa income requirement in 2026? Croatia has 1 nomad or remote-work visa. [Digital nomad stay](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/digital-nomad/) asks for an income of at least EUR 3,622.5 a month (≈ $4,050) and gives a first stay of 1.5 years that can be renewed. ### Can I move to Croatia by starting a business? Croatia has 1 business or startup route. [Own-company owner permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/own-company-51pct/) asks for an investment of at least EUR 26,544.56 (≈ $29,700) and gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. ### What work visas does Croatia offer foreigners? Croatia has 3 work visas. [Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/blue-card/) gives a first stay of 4 years that can be renewed. [Work permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/work-permit/) gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed. [Researcher permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/researcher-art74/) asks for a salary of at least EUR 825.93 a month (≈ $920) and gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed. ### How do I get a student visa for Croatia? Croatia has 1 student visa. [Student stay](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/study/) asks for an income of at least EUR 362.25 a month (≈ $400) and gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed. ### Can my nationality or ancestry give me residence in Croatia? Yes. Croatia has 1 route by nationality or ancestry. It is [Croatian citizenship for emigrant descendants](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/citizenship-emigrant-descendants/). ### Can I join my spouse or partner in Croatia? Yes. Croatia has 1 spouse visa. [Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/family/) gives a first stay of 2 years. ## Compare with [🇵🇹 Portugal](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/) [🇪🇸 Spain](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/) [🇬🇪 Georgia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/) [🇮🇹 Italy](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/) [🇬🇷 Greece](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/) [🇩🇪 Germany](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/) [🇫🇷 France](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/) [🇬🇧 United Kingdom](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.