In short
US citizens can stay in Croatia visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180 and can apply for temporary stay online, at a police station in Croatia or at a consulate — no long-stay visa is needed. The best-known route is the digital nomad stay (€3,622.50 a month in 2026, up to 18 months, foreign income tax-free). Croatia has no retirement permit — a stay for "other purposes" is limited to a year, except for pensioners over 60 who own property there. Owning a Croatian company does not give residence by itself. Long-term residence follows after 5 years, with B1 Croatian.
Moving to Croatia: key facts
Last verified 28 September 2026| Short stays without a visa | 90 days in any 180-day period (Schengen)# Source: Ministry of the Interior (MUP): temporary stay of third-country nationals |
|---|---|
| Where to apply | Online, at the police station for your address in Croatia during a visa-free stay, or at a Croatian embassy or consulate — no long-stay visa needed# Source: MUP: third-country nationals (Croatian page) · MUP: temporary stay of digital nomads |
| Digital nomad stay | Up to 18 months (since 2025); one extension within that period; new application only 6 months after it ends# Source: Official Gazette NN 40/2025: amendment of the Foreigners Act · MUP: temporary stay of digital nomads |
| Digital nomad income | €3,622.50 a month (2026) — 2.5× the previous year's average net salary, +10% per family member; or savings of €43,470 (12 months) / €65,205 (18 months)# Source: MUP: temporary stay of digital nomads |
| Tax on nomad income | Exempt from Croatian income tax (Income Tax Act art. 9(1) point 26)# Source: Income Tax Act (consolidated), art. 9 |
| Retirement permit | None. A stay for "other purposes" lasts up to 1 year and normally cannot be renewed — except for pensioners over 60 who own property in Croatia# Source: MUP: third-country nationals (Croatian page) · Ministry of the Interior (MUP): temporary stay of third-country nationals |
| Owning a company | Not a residence ground; owners and directors need a stay-and-work permit with investment and job conditions# Source: TEB: conditions for key personnel and self-employment (Rulebook NN 20/2022) · Official Gazette NN 55/2026: amendment of the Foreigners Act |
| Long-term residence | After 5 years of continuous legal stay, with means, health insurance and Croatian language (B1) and Latin script# Source: MUP: long-term residence and permanent stay · Official Gazette NN 100/2021: Croatian language exam rulebook |
| Citizenship | 8 years of residence plus long-term residence, B1 Croatian, a culture test and giving up your previous citizenship# Source: AIDA/ECRE: naturalisation in Croatia (Citizenship Act art. 8) |
| US–Croatia tax treaty | Not in force: signed Dec 2022, protocol Apr 2026, awaiting US Senate approval (Sep 2026)# Source: US Treasury: United States and Croatia sign protocol to income tax treaty |
Not American?
Canadians, Australians, Brits and other non-EU citizens: the same rules apply
Croatia's residence rules are the same for all non-EU citizens, so Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Brits follow the same routes as Americans. Only a few points differ:
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- South Korea
- + other visa-free countries
| Short stays | 90 days in any 180-day period (Schengen). |
|---|---|
| Where to apply | Visa-exempt citizens (including the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK) can apply in Croatia during their visa-free stay; others apply at a Croatian embassy. |
| Tax treaty with Croatia | The US has no income tax treaty in force with Croatia yet; many other countries do — check yours. |
| Documents from abroad | Need an apostille; the US, Canada (since 11 Jan 2024), the UK, Australia and NZ issue them.Source: HCCH: Apostille Convention status table |
Country Overview
Croatia at a Glance
Key facts Americans need before deciding.
Zagreb
Lively capital all year round, with about 778,000 people. Split, Rijeka and Dubrovnik offer coastal living.
Croatian + English
Croatia ranks 2nd in the world for English in the EF English Proficiency Index 2025.
Euro (€)
Euro and Schengen member since 1 January 2023.
Mostly one stop
Connections via Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna and other hubs to Zagreb (ZAG), Split (SPU) and Dubrovnik (DBV).
HZZO + private
Residents who are not otherwise insured join the public insurer HZZO; digital nomads use private insurance.
Mediterranean coast
Hot, sunny summers on the coast, colder continental winters inland. More than 1,200 islands, islets and reefs.
Rail and road
Direct trains from Zagreb to Ljubljana (about 2–2.5 hours) and Vienna (about 6.5 hours); Split is about 4 hours by motorway.
EU & NATO
EU member since July 2013 and NATO member since 2009.
Pathways to Residency
Which Visa Route is Right for You?
US citizens can stay visa-free for 90 days in any 180 and can apply for temporary stay online, at the police station for their address in Croatia, or at a Croatian embassy — no long-stay visa is needed.
Digital Nomad Stay
For employees of foreign companies and owners of companies registered abroad who work remotely for clients outside Croatia. Your foreign income is exempt from Croatian income tax. You may not work for Croatian employers or clients.
- Income
- €3,622.50/month (2026)
- Or savings
- €43,470 (12 months)
- Duration
- Up to 18 months
- Reapply
- After a 6-month gap
Other Purposes / Property Owners
Croatia has no retirement permit. A temporary stay for "other purposes" lasts up to a year and normally cannot be renewed. The exception is pensioners over 60 who own property in Croatia (and their spouse or partner).
- Retirement permit
- None
- Other purposes
- Up to 1 year
- Renewable
- Pensioners 60+ with property
Work Permit / EU Blue Card
A stay-and-work permit through a Croatian employer. The EU Blue Card needs a salary of at least 1.5 times the average gross salary and a job contract of at least a year; decisions within 30–60 days.
- Employer needed
- Yes
- Blue Card validity
- 2 years
Company Owners & Directors
Owning a d.o.o. does not give residence by itself. Owners and directors need a stay-and-work permit, which requires about €26,500 invested, at least 3 Croatian employees and a salary of 1.5 times the average gross wage.
- Company alone
- Not a residence ground
- Staff
- 3+ Croatian employees
Family Reunification
For spouses, partners and children of people living legally in Croatia. Requirements depend on the family member's status.
- Sponsor required
- Yes
Long-Term Residence & Citizenship
EU long-term residence after 5 years of continuous legal stay, with means, health insurance and B1 Croatian. Citizenship after 8 years of residence, with B1 Croatian, a culture test and giving up your previous citizenship.
- Long-term residence
- After 5 years
- Citizenship
- After 8 years
- Language
- B1 Croatian
Cost of Living
What Does Life in Croatia Actually Cost?
Zagreb's everyday costs are close to Lisbon or Athens and well below Western European capitals; the coast is pricier.
| Item | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, Zagreb centre | about €775 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, Zagreb outside centre | about €590 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, Split centre | about €900 |
| Everyday costs without rent (single person, Zagreb) | about €825 |
| Utilities (85 m² apartment) | about €190 |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | about €37 |
| Zagreb public transport pass | €47.78 |
Estimates from Numbeo (September 2026); ZET fares. Source: Numbeo: Zagreb · Split · ZET
A single person in Zagreb spends about €1,400–1,600 a month including rent. Split and especially Dubrovnik cost more because of tourism.
Why Croatia
What Americans Love About Croatia
Beyond the visa — the real reasons expats choose Croatia.
Adriatic Coast
More than 1,200 islands, islets and reefs, clear water and medieval walled towns — and you can live here all year.
Schengen + Euro
Croatia joined Schengen and the euro on the same day, 1 January 2023 — easy travel across 29 countries and no currency exchange.
Tax-Free Nomad Income
Income that digital nomads earn from foreign employers or their own foreign company is exempt from Croatian income tax.
English Everywhere
Croatia ranked 2nd in the world in the EF English Proficiency Index 2025 — daily life in English is easy in Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik.
Good Value
Everyday costs in Zagreb are close to Lisbon or Athens and well below Western capitals.
EU Citizenship Path
Long-term residence after 5 years and citizenship after 8 years — though citizenship means giving up your US passport.
Where to Live
Where to Live in Croatia
From the capital to the islands — each place has its own rhythm.
Zagreb
The capital — best for year-round city life, jobs, international communities and culture. Cheaper than the coast.
Split
The heart of Dalmatia — Roman history, coastal living, a growing nomad scene and ferries to the islands.
Rijeka & Istria
Rijeka is an authentic port city with lower costs; Istria (Pula, Rovinj) offers Mediterranean charm, excellent food and a strong expat community.
Dubrovnik
Breathtaking but tourist-heavy and the most expensive — the "Pearl of the Adriatic".
Zadar & Šibenik
Historic coastal towns that are cheaper and quieter than Split or Dubrovnik, close to national parks.
How It Works
From Decision to Your Croatian Residence Permit
We guide you through every step — from first consultation to settled life in Croatia.
Book a free consultation
We assess your goals and confirm your best Croatian route — digital nomad stay, work permit, family reunification or another option.
Gather documents in the US
Before you leave, get apostilled documents: FBI background check, birth and marriage certificates, and proof of income. This saves weeks later.
Apply online, in Croatia or at a consulate
US citizens can apply for temporary stay online, at the police station for their address during the visa-free stay, or at a Croatian embassy or consulate.
Register your address
Register your address with the police after arrival; the police station also hands out your OIB (personal identification number) when you register your residence.
Receive your residence card
Once approved, collect your biometric residence card, open a bank account and arrange health insurance. Welcome to Croatia.
Free Tools
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Frequently asked questions
How do Americans get residency in Croatia?
The main routes are the digital nomad stay, a stay-and-work permit or EU Blue Card through a Croatian employer, family reunification and study. US citizens can apply online, at a police station in Croatia during their visa-free stay, or at a Croatian embassy. Owning a Croatian company is not a residence ground by itself, and there is no retirement permit.
What is Croatia's digital nomad stay?
A temporary stay of up to 18 months for people who work remotely for a foreign employer or through their own foreign company, for clients outside Croatia. In 2026 you need €3,622.50 a month (2.5 times the previous year's average net salary, plus 10% per family member) or savings of €43,470 for 12 months. The income is exempt from Croatian income tax. After it ends you must wait 6 months before applying again.
How much does it cost to live in Croatia?
A single person in Zagreb spends about €825 a month without rent, and a 1-bedroom apartment costs about €775 in the centre and €590 outside (Numbeo, September 2026) — about €1,400–1,600 in total. Split and Dubrovnik are more expensive.
Is Croatia in Schengen and the euro area?
Yes. Croatia joined both on 1 January 2023, replacing the kuna at 7.53450 to the euro. A Croatian residence permit lets you travel in the other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180.
Can Americans retire in Croatia?
Not on a dedicated permit — Croatia has none. A temporary stay for "other purposes" lasts up to a year and normally cannot be renewed; the exception is pensioners over 60 who own property in Croatia. Many retirees combine visa-free stays with time elsewhere, or look at countries with a retirement permit.
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