This European vacation spot is considered one of my favourite locations on the planet, and when you go to, I feel you’ll agree – I liked my time as a digital nomad in Croatia. Not solely is it a stupendous place, nevertheless it’s a prime spot for digital nomads. The world is filled with hubs for distant staff these days, however for me, Croatia stands out head and shoulders above the remainder for thus many causes.
Having spent many months in Croatia, I consider it’s someplace everybody ought to dwell and work in not less than as soon as. I can truthfully say that I by no means as soon as obtained bored, I met so many great folks, and the meals! Oh, don’t get me began on the meals – it’s fairly unbelievable.
What I’m attempting to say is that in the event you’re on the fence about whether or not or not it’s best to head to Croatia for just a few months, or perhaps a 12 months, go for it. You possibly can select from varied cities and cities, transfer round as a lot as you want, and make reminiscences on the go. It’s a win-win.
Prime Causes Why Croatia is a Digital Nomad’s Dream Vacation spot
There are numerous nations to select from as a digital nomad nowadays, so why Croatia? I’ve put collectively my prime ten the explanation why I consider that Croatia is a digital nomad’s dream vacation spot. By the tip, I hope you’ll be urgent the ‘guide’ button in your flight.
1. Wonderful Meals
Meals superb meals certainly! Croatian delicacies is extraordinarily contemporary, seasonal, and really hearty. After all, you’ll discover many worldwide menus regardless of the place you go, nevertheless it’s all the time cheaper and extra genuine to attempt native dishes wherever doable.
I’m not normally the most important risotto fan, however I really like black risotto in Croatia; it simply hits in a different way in some way. Burek can also be a must-try, in addition to regionally sourced truffles, gregada (a standard fish stew), and pag cheese particularly. So far as drinks go, be courageous and take a look at rakia with mates—simply be warned; it’s extraordinarily sturdy!
Consuming native meals will prevent loads of cash throughout your keep. Touristic resorts, particularly in locations like Dubrovnik, will set you again a big quantity, however in the event you head to the place the locals go, you’ll get pleasure from your meals a lot extra and maintain money in your pocket within the course of. You possibly can additionally attempt studying how one can prepare dinner Croatian fare and that can train you a brand new ability and prevent cash on the similar time.
2. Unbelievable WiFi Connectivity
As a digital nomad, the web is extraordinarily necessary. For essentially the most half, you possibly can’t work with out it, so you could know that you simply’re going to have the ability to join simply and that you simply’ll have high-quality service out there. Throughout my time in Croatia, I by no means struggled with the web as soon as, even once I was touring round.
In response to Speedtest, Croatia’s common add and obtain speeds are 29.23 Mbps and 71.65 Mbps respectively. In massive cities, cities, and resorts, virtually all bars, eating places, accommodations, and cafes have WiFi you should use. You can too use an eSIM, akin to Airalo, or buy an everyday SIM card and use your knowledge as a hotspot.
I used each cafes and coworking areas round Croatia and carried out video calls and heavy web work with ease. I by no means had an issue and managed to be super-productive generally. Even the extra rural areas and islands didn’t pose main points, so the web shouldn’t be a priority for you.
3. Straightforward to Meet Different Digital Nomads and Locals
Since Croatia launched its digital nomad visa (extra on that shortly), the nation has develop into an actual hub for distant staff. As such, you received’t battle to satisfy different like-minded folks from everywhere in the world. Most coworking areas and accommodations additionally organize social evenings, the place you may make new mates, community, and socialize to your coronary heart’s content material.
I discovered the locals in Croatia to be extraordinarily pleasant and really welcoming. In massive cities and cities, many individuals communicate English nicely sufficient, and even when they don’t, Google Translate is your good friend. It helps to be taught just a few phrases of the language if doable, however I felt like I used to be struggling to speak.
The preferred digital nomad hotspots are Dubrovnik, Break up, the capital metropolis of Zagreb, Zadar, Hvar City, and my private favourite, Korčula. Nevertheless, that doesn’t imply you possibly can’t journey round and keep somewhere else in the event you discover someplace that calls out to you. I discussed the prime quality of the web within the final level, and that extends usually throughout Croatia, so you actually do have the liberty to go wherever you need.
4. Gorgeous Seashores
I really like an excellent seashore, and I discovered lots throughout my time in Croatia. With 1777.3km/1104.4 miles of shoreline, you’ve obtained rather a lot to select from! Copacabana Seaside in Dubrovnik is a superb place to begin, however don’t be afraid to journey to barely off-the-beaten-track to search out some gorgeous, secluded coves to loosen up.
Golden Horn on Brač Island is like one thing out of a seashore dream, and Bacvice Seaside in Break up is someplace I spent quite a lot of time. All of this makes it simple to sit back out once you’ve completed work for the day or on a valuable day without work. There are additionally loads of boat journeys you possibly can take which present you the shoreline from a special viewpoint.
If you happen to’re into seashores particularly, it’s a good suggestion to base your self someplace near the coast, akin to Zadar or Break up. Dubrovnik is an incredible spot, nevertheless it’s extraordinarily busy in the course of the summer season months, to the purpose the place you possibly can barely transfer. I’d personally select to dip out and in of the town in the course of the hottest months and go to in the course of the shoulder seasons as a substitute.
5. Straightforward to Journey Round and Discover
Croatia is full of many issues to see and do, and once you’re staying for an prolonged period of time, you’re free to go out and discover. The excellent news is that it’s fairly simple to take action, with many organized journeys, an excellent public transport community, and easy-to-follow roads. Even in the event you’re not tremendous adventurous, you received’t discover it troublesome to get round.
Plitvice Lakes Nationwide Park is someplace that basically blew my thoughts, together with the gorgeous Krka Waterfalls. These are two locations which can be fairly simple to succeed in you probably have a day without work and belief me once I say you’ll refill your digicam with superb images. After all, trying out the Dubrovnik metropolis partitions also needs to be in your to-do record.
In Break up, you’ll discover the superb Diocletian’s Palace, and in the event you’re a Recreation of Thrones fan, you’ll discover a number of of the filming areas dotted round Dubrovnik and Break up. Moreover, there are a lot of lovely Croatian islands to take a look at, all of which have their very own appeal. Put merely, your days off can be full of superb sightseeing alternatives and tedium received’t be a problem.
6. Comparatively Low Price of Dwelling
Whereas costs have elevated over the previous few years, as they’ve internationally, the price of dwelling in Croatia continues to be comparatively low once you evaluate it to different main European cities. There are lots of methods you possibly can look to chop prices right here and there, and I discovered cooking at residence or consuming in conventional eating places to be large cash savers.
If you happen to’re seeking to lease an condominium, you’ll discover that costs are greater in the event you attempt to keep within the middle of a metropolis or near the ocean, however venturing somewhat additional again will yield financial savings. As an illustration, the common value of a furnished condominium in Break up is round €538/$577, with utilities on prime. That’s cheaper than another European cities, akin to Barcelona, the place you’re taking a look at costs round €850/$912.
After all, in the event you attempt to dwell such as you’re on trip, you’ll discover that your cash goes rather a lot quicker. Nevertheless, in the event you’re cautious, and really immerse your self in common, native life, your money will last more, and also you’ll expertise a lot extra in consequence.
SEE ALSO: 15 Execs and Cons of Dwelling in Croatia
7. You possibly can Immerse Your self within the Tradition
The beauty of Croatia is that you simply get one of the best of each worlds. You possibly can throw your self into the touristic enjoyable that’s out there in all main cities, cities, and resorts in the summertime months, or you possibly can go down the genuine, native route, and expertise the tradition. It’s simple to expertise either side of the place relying in your preferences.
Croatian tradition is wealthy and various, and as I discussed earlier, the locals are tremendous pleasant. It’s enjoyable to be taught concerning the regional variations between areas, and in the event you enterprise over to the islands, you’ll discover a wholly totally different lifestyle. From one place to a different, each area has its personal particular quirks which can be really enjoyable to discover.
For me, experiencing the tradition of a brand new location is what makes journey so enriching, and I by no means discovered it arduous to dwell an genuine life in Croatia. In truth, I’d say it’s one of many best locations to expertise the traditions and customs the nation is legendary for. It’s a giant motive for me desirous to return!
8. Digital Nomad Visas are Straightforward to Receive
In January 2021, Croatia launched its devoted digital nomad visa, which opened the doorways in additional methods than one for distant staff to spend extra time on this lovely nation.
The excellent news is that this visa is comparatively simple to use for so long as you’ve gotten all the mandatory documentation. Briefly, it permits freelancers and distant enterprise house owners from international nations to remain for as much as one 12 months, so long as their enterprise is registered exterior of Croatia.
It’s additionally doable to convey your partner and/or kids over with you as a part of the household reunification course of. The visa lasts for a 12 months and can’t be renewed after that point, nevertheless, you possibly can look forward to six months after which reapply once more. Throughout this time, you don’t must consistently keep at your registered deal with; you possibly can journey across the nation and solely must replace your deal with in the event you don’t intend to return to your authentic location.
You possibly can verify all crucial documentation right here, and you’ll apply when you arrive in Croatia or earlier than you plan to journey. If you happen to apply beforehand, I’d advocate making use of on-line a few months beforehand, so you’ve gotten time to obtain your visa with none stress.
SEE ALSO: Croatia Digital Nomad Visa: The best way to Apply & Necessities
9. Numerous Coworking Areas & Laptop computer-Pleasant Cafes
One factor about working remotely in Croatia stood out for me, and that’s the sheer variety of locations to work from. If you happen to’re not a fan of sitting in your condominium and dealing, you’ll discover many coworking areas and laptop computer-friendly cafes dotted round. I labored from each, and I’ve to say that cafes are my favourite; there’s one thing enjoyable about getting your work carried out, absorbing the ambiance, and getting your caffeine repair on the similar time.
Break up and Zagreb have the most important variety of coworking spots general, however you’ll discover them in all main cities, cities, and resorts. Croatia additionally has a really energetic cafe scene, so that you received’t battle to discover a comfy espresso store to remain for just a few hours, so long as you buy meals and drinks proportionate to the period of time you spend there.
Many coworking areas additionally set up social evenings, they usually’re nice locations to community too. I discovered most coworking areas in Croatia to be fairly laid-back and inventive, and under no circumstances ‘stuffy’ or too office-like. You’ll have to pay to work from a coworking spot however you’ll additionally get loads of further extras, akin to free refreshments, a shared kitchen, comfy chairs, and extra.
SEE ALSO: 10 Finest Espresso Outlets & Cafes in Break up (Laptop computer Pleasant!)
10. No Twin Taxation Points
The digital nomad visa in Croatia doesn’t impose any twin taxation guidelines, which implies you don’t have to pay taxes within the nation when you’re dwelling and dealing there on this visa. After all, you could stick with it paying tax wherever you’re initially registered to keep away from any issues on the finish of the tax 12 months.
This isn’t the case for all visas in main digital nomad hotspots so it’s an excellent perk of selecting Croatia generally. I discovered the digital nomad visa to be very simple to use for and I didn’t expertise any issues with it throughout my keep. What’s extra, in the event you obtain your revenue in {dollars} (particularly), you’ll discover that you simply get much more to your cash, and the very fact you don’t have to pay tax in Croatia helps much more.
SEE ALSO: Digital Nomad Information to Dwelling in Croatia
In Closing
There’s no denying that Croatia is a brilliant lovely nation and it’s full of many issues to see and do. For me, so far as selecting a spot to remain and work from goes, it ticks all of the packing containers. Croatia actually does really feel like residence when you arrive; the locals are eager to embrace you as a part of their neighborhood, and so long as you decide to immersing your self within the tradition, you’ll be taught and achieve a lot throughout your keep.
With the brand new digital nomad visa in place, Croatia has every little thing you would presumably want as a distant employee. After all, nowhere on the planet is ideal, however I didn’t encounter any main points in any respect throughout my time there. The most important problem for me was attempting to resolve what to do on my days off, as there was an excessive amount of to select from!