The digital nomad movement experienced a surge after the covid-19 pandemic. Years later, workers are still seeking alternatives to being glued to a desk in the company office, says Dr. Laura Madrid Sartoretto, research lead at the Global Citizen Solutions Global Intelligence Unit.
Growth rates have slowed down compared to the pandemic peak, but the total number of digital nomads is still 150% higher than in 2019, according to Global Citizen Solutions.
“Remote work is steadily growing, so we think digital nomadism is something that is here to stay. It’s not going to grow as it grew during the pandemic, but we see that people like millennials and Gen Zers are more likely to travel and keep traveling and with their families now too,” Madrid Sartoretto tells CNBC Make It.
“People are thinking about education for their kids when they are in this digital nomad life.”
Croatia’s original digital nomad visa was only valid for one year.
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A digital nomad visa is a short-term permit that allows individuals to stay in a country for an extended period and work remotely. The length of time a nomad can stay varies from place to place but most countries allow for six months to a year—unless you have your eye on Croatia.
Recently, the Balkan country announced it an update its digital nomad visa, which will allow non-EU residents to stay for up to three years. The visa also permits close family members of a digital nomad to join them.
Croatia’s digital nomad visa website states that close family members also include partners or non-married couples who have been together for longer than three years without children, or for less time if they do have children together.
Madrid Sartoretto believes that Croatia’s expansion of its digital nomad program is a sign that the country is trying to attract more talent and compete with neighboring countries and their offerings.
“I think they are competing with other countries that are in the same region, like Estonia and Romania, that also attract a lot of digital nomads. If you give more benefits to people to come to your country, then you attract more talent. It’s all about competition now,” she adds.
For those looking to apply for Croatia’s digital nomad visa, Dr. Madrid Sartoretto says the country offers a low cost of living but still needs to improve its infrastructure, like more reliable internet speeds.
“If you compare internet speed and reliability to countries like Romania, which has one of the fastest speeds in the world, Croatia needs to improve its infrastructure,” she adds.
Croatia’s new digital nomad visa also includes close family members.
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To apply for Croatia’s digital nomad visa online, applicants must provide proof that they work outside of Croatia. Additionally, they must provide a copy of a valid travel document, proof of health insurance, proof of address in Croatia, and a minimum monthly income of 3,295 euros or $3,855 USD.
For proof of income, applicants can submit a bank statement showing the total amount required, a bank statement demonstrating regular income, or pay slips for at least six months. Applicants must also send evidence that they have not been convicted of criminal offences in their home country or the country in which they have resided for more than a year immediately before arriving in Croatia.
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