A digital nomad visa is a relatively new visa concept that is intended for people who can work remotely. The idea is to attract digital nomads who can help local startups with their knowledge, but also stimulate the local economy. This type of visa is specific because, unlike a tourist visa, it allows digital nomads to legally work for companies outside the destination in question. The visa for digital nomads, although it bears the name “visa”, it is not that in the traditional sense of the meaning. Instead, this is more of a residence/work permit.
Some of the countries in the region have already introduced a digital visa for nomads. Although a bunch of countries in Europe have this visa, probably one of the most interesting destinations in Europe is Croatia.
Just one look at the ads is enough to see why Croatia is a popular destination for digital nomads. From the climate, the ancient Roman sites, an active startup community, and even locations in Split and Dubrovnik where popular TV Shows like Games of Thrones are filmed.
What you need to know if you want to move to Croatia as a digital nomad
The Croatian visa for digital nomads covers all countries that are not part of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland. The maximum length of stay is one year and cannot be extended. At least 6 months must pass between two digital visa issuances.
In addition to the digital nomad who received a residence permit, his family members can also reside in Croatia. This applies to traditional marriages, but also to partners who have lived together for more than 3 years.
For the digital visa, the application can be submitted online, but it can also be done in person at the Croatian representative offices.
To obtain this visa, documents are required that prove that the employee is self-employed or works as a freelancer for a company outside Croatia. The visa applicant should have a stable income of more than 2500 euros per month.
The Croatian visa for digital nomads also avoids double taxation. Visa users will not have to pay tax in Croatia.
Part of the requirements are health insurance that covers Croatia; proof of no criminal record; residence documents such as a rent payment agreement.
Croatia is not the only country in the region with a visa for digital nomads
Visa for digital nomads is also issued by Greece. The requirements are similar, though not identical. To obtain a digital nomad visa, the applicant must be a citizen of a country that is not a member of the European Union. The visa applicant needs to work as a digital nomad and must prove that they work using telecommunications technology. As in the case of Croatia, the employer must be outside the country, in this case outside of Greece. The minimum required finances for the digital nomad visa in Greece are higher, amounting to at least 3500 euros per month.
For the Greek visa for digital nomads there is no possibility of online application, the request must be made in the representative offices.
More countries in the region with announcements of visas for digital nomads
One of the countries in the region that announced visas for digital nomads is Montenegro. Unfortunately, it is not yet available at the moment. Unofficially, when the Montenegrin visa for digital nomads will be available, it will last for 2 years. After this, an additional extension for another 2 years will be possible. When available, applications should also be available online.
Like Montenegro, Serbia does not have a visa for digital nomads. The visa should be available soon, and unofficially it will be for one year, but the monthly earnings of the nomads will need to be over $3500 per month.
What about North Macedonia?
In February 2021, North Macedonia first announced the introduction of visas for digital nomads. Director of the Innovation and Technological Development Fund Kosta Petrov unofficially announced the visa in December 2020 at the CIVIL Conference “Perspectives 2021”. There were plans to convert the ‘Macedonian village’ in Nerezi into ‘Digital nomad village’ which still remains only a promise.
Without official confirmation, visaguide.world speculates that visas for digital nomads may be made official this year.
