Although the official website and online application process has still not been launched (although I understand it should be next month), there are several people who are a little too impatient to wait to take advantage of the digital nomad opportunity being offered in Croatia with the introduction of the new 12-month digital nomad visa.
That the system works (and the paperwork required) has been proven by the first foreigner to be granted the 12-month stay. You can read how American Melissa Paul did it, and what she submitted as part of her application in our TCN interview – Meet Melissa Paul, Owner of Croatia’s First Digital Nomad Visa.
There has so far been applications from the UK, USA, Mexico and South Korea, with the majority of applications in the Central Dalmatia area, which is already establishing itself as an emerging hub for nomads in and around Split. Some American friends of mine visited the local police station last week to find out if they could apply for the visa. They are loving live here, are fully integrated into the community, work in IT, and are very keen to continue their stay and contribute their dollars to the Croatian economy. The police told them that they can apply and gave them a list of documents to submit, which will happen this week. Once approved, we will do a feature story on the process to bring a bit more clarity for those wanting more information on this option.
The digital nomad opportunity is starting to get a little more traction in the Croatian media, and it was the subject of a news feature on HRT this weekend (mostly in English, with Croatian subtitles). The report features the initiator of the visa, Dutch entrepreneur Jan de Jong from Split, whose open letter to Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic on July 11 started the process. You can watch the report above, which was originally filmed in November.
For more about digital nomad life in Croatia, follow the dedicated TCN section.
