This European vacation spot is certainly one of my favourite locations on the earth, and when you go to, I believe you’ll agree – I cherished my time as a digital nomad in Croatia. Not solely is it a good looking place, but it surely’s a prime spot for digital nomads. The world is stuffed with hubs for distant staff these days, however for me, Croatia stands out head and shoulders above the remainder for therefore many causes.
Having spent many months in Croatia, I consider it’s someplace everybody ought to reside and work in at the very least as soon as. I can actually say that I by no means as soon as received bored, I met so many great individuals, and the meals! Oh, don’t get me began on the meals – it’s fairly unbelievable.
What I’m attempting to say is that when you’re on the fence about whether or not or not you need to head to Croatia for just a few months, or perhaps a 12 months, go for it. You may select from numerous cities and cities, transfer round as a lot as you want, and make recollections on the go. It’s a win-win.
High 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 top, I hope you’ll be urgent the ‘guide’ button in your flight.
1. Superb Meals
Meals wonderful 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, but it surely’s at all times cheaper and extra genuine to attempt native dishes wherever doable.
I’m not often the most important risotto fan, however I like black risotto in Croatia; it simply hits in another way in some way. Burek can also be a must-try, in addition to regionally sourced truffles, gregada (a conventional fish stew), and pag cheese specifically. So far as drinks go, be courageous and take a look at rakia with associates—simply be warned; it’s extraordinarily robust!
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 when you head to the place the locals go, you’ll get pleasure from your meals a lot extra and hold money in your pocket within the course of. You could possibly additionally attempt studying how one can prepare dinner Croatian fare and that can train you a brand new ability and prevent cash on the identical time.
2. Incredible WiFi Connectivity
As a digital nomad, the web is extraordinarily vital. For essentially the most half, you possibly can’t work with out it, so it’s essential to know that you just’re going to have the ability to join simply and that you just’ll have high-quality service out there. Throughout my time in Croatia, I by no means struggled with the web as soon as, even after I was touring round.
In accordance with Speedtest, Croatia’s common add and obtain speeds are 29.23 Mbps and 71.65 Mbps respectively. In giant cities, cities, and resorts, virtually all bars, eating places, lodges, and cafes have WiFi you should utilize. You can even 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 performed video calls and heavy web work with ease. I by no means had an issue and managed to be super-productive on the whole. Even the extra rural areas and islands didn’t pose main points, so the web shouldn’t be a priority for you.
3. Simple to Meet Different Digital Nomads and Locals
Since Croatia launched its digital nomad visa (extra on that shortly), the nation has change into an actual hub for distant staff. As such, you received’t wrestle to satisfy different like-minded individuals from all around the world. Most coworking areas and lodges additionally prepare social evenings, the place you can also make new associates, community, and socialize to your coronary heart’s content material.
I discovered the locals in Croatia to be extraordinarily pleasant and really welcoming. In giant cities and cities, many individuals converse English effectively 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 most well-liked digital nomad hotspots are Dubrovnik, Cut up, the capital metropolis of Zagreb, Zadar, Hvar City, and my private favourite, Korčula. Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply you possibly can’t journey round and keep in different places when you discover someplace that calls out to you. I discussed the top quality of the web within the final level, and that extends typically throughout Croatia, so you actually do have the liberty to go wherever you need.
4. Gorgeous Seashores
I like a superb seaside, and I discovered a lot throughout my time in Croatia. With 1777.3km/1104.4 miles of shoreline, you’ve received lots to select from! Copacabana Seashore in Dubrovnik is a good place to begin, however don’t be afraid to journey to barely off-the-beaten-track to search out some beautiful, secluded coves to loosen up.
Golden Horn on Brač Island is like one thing out of a seaside dream, and Bacvice Seashore in Cut up is someplace I spent plenty of time. All of this makes it simple to sit back out whenever you’ve completed work for the day or on a valuable time without work. There are additionally loads of boat journeys you possibly can take which present you the shoreline from a special viewpoint.
For those who’re into seashores specifically, it’s a good suggestion to base your self someplace near the coast, akin to Zadar or Cut up. Dubrovnik is an incredible spot, but it surely’s extraordinarily busy in the course of the summer time months, to the purpose the place you possibly can barely transfer. I’d personally select to dip out and in of town in the course of the hottest months and go to in the course of the shoulder seasons as a substitute.
5. Simple to Journey Round and Discover
Croatia is filled with many issues to see and do, and whenever 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 amazing public transport community, and easy-to-follow roads. Even when you’re not tremendous adventurous, you received’t discover it troublesome to get round.
Plitvice Lakes Nationwide Park is someplace that actually blew my thoughts, together with the gorgeous Krka Waterfalls. These are two locations which are fairly simple to succeed in when you have a time without work and belief me after I say you’ll refill your digicam with wonderful images. After all, trying out the Dubrovnik metropolis partitions also needs to be in your to-do checklist.
In Cut up, you’ll discover the wonderful Diocletian’s Palace, and when you’re a Recreation of Thrones fan, you’ll discover a number of of the filming areas dotted round Dubrovnik and Cut 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 might be filled with wonderful sightseeing alternatives and tedium received’t be a problem.
6. Comparatively Low Price of Residing
Whereas costs have elevated over the previous few years, as they’ve internationally, the price of residing in Croatia continues to be comparatively low whenever you examine 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 dwelling or consuming in conventional eating places to be huge cash savers.
For those who’re seeking to hire an residence, you’ll discover that costs are greater when you attempt to keep within the middle of a metropolis or near the ocean, however venturing a little bit additional again will yield financial savings. As an illustration, the common value of a furnished residence in Cut 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, when you attempt to reside such as you’re on trip, you’ll discover that your cash goes lots quicker. Nonetheless, when you’re cautious, and actually immerse your self in common, native life, your money will last more, and also you’ll expertise a lot extra in consequence.
7. You may Immerse Your self within the Tradition
The beauty of Croatia is that you just get the perfect of each worlds. You may 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 assorted, and as I discussed earlier, the locals are tremendous pleasant. It’s enjoyable to be taught concerning the regional variations between areas, and when you enterprise over to the islands, you’ll discover a wholly completely different lifestyle. From one place to a different, each area has its personal particular quirks which are actually 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 reside an genuine life in Croatia. In reality, I’d say it’s one of many best locations to expertise the traditions and customs the nation is known for. It’s a giant purpose for me desirous to return!
8. Digital Nomad Visas are Simple to Get hold of
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 have got 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 carry your partner and/or youngsters 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 ahead to six months after which reapply once more. Throughout this time, you don’t should consistently keep at your registered handle; you possibly can journey across the nation and solely should replace your handle when you don’t intend to return to your authentic location.
You may test all crucial documentation right here, and you’ll apply when you arrive in Croatia or earlier than you plan to journey. For those who apply beforehand, I’d suggest making use of on-line a few months beforehand, so you have got time to obtain your visa with none stress.
SEE ALSO: Croatia Digital Nomad Visa: How one can 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. For those who’re not a fan of sitting in your residence 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 finished, absorbing the ambiance, and getting your caffeine repair on the identical time.
Cut up and Zagreb have the most important variety of coworking spots total, however you’ll discover them in all main cities, cities, and resorts. Croatia additionally has a really lively cafe scene, so that you received’t wrestle to discover a snug 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, and so they’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 must pay to work from a coworking spot however you’ll additionally get loads of extra extras, akin to free refreshments, a shared kitchen, snug chairs, and extra.
SEE ALSO: 10 Greatest Espresso Outlets & Cafes in Cut up (Laptop computer Pleasant!)
10. No Twin Taxation Points
The digital nomad visa in Croatia doesn’t impose any twin taxation guidelines, which suggests you don’t must pay taxes within the nation whilst you’re residing and dealing there on this visa. After all, it’s essential to keep on 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 amazing perk of selecting Croatia on the whole. 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, when you obtain your revenue in {dollars} (specifically), you’ll discover that you just get much more on your cash, and the very fact you don’t must pay tax in Croatia helps much more.
In Closing
There’s no denying that Croatia is a brilliant lovely nation and it’s filled with 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 containers. Croatia actually does really feel like dwelling when you arrive; the locals are eager to embrace you as a part of their group, and so long as you decide to immersing your self within the tradition, you’ll be taught and acquire a lot throughout your keep.
With the brand new digital nomad visa in place, Croatia has the whole lot you might presumably want as a distant employee. After all, nowhere on the earth is ideal, however I didn’t encounter any main points in any respect throughout my time there. The most important situation for me was attempting to determine what to do on my days off, as there was an excessive amount of to select from!