This European vacation spot is considered one of my favourite locations on this planet, 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 phenomenal place, nevertheless it’s a prime spot for digital nomads. The world is stuffed with hubs for distant employees 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 imagine it’s someplace everybody ought to live and work in at the least as soon as. I can truthfully 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 for those who’re on the fence about whether or not or not you need to head to Croatia for a couple of months, or perhaps a yr, go for it. You’ll be able to select from numerous cities and cities, transfer round as a lot as you want, and make reminiscences on the go. It’s a win-win.
High Causes Why Croatia is a Digital Nomad’s Dream Vacation spot
There are numerous international locations to select from as a digital nomad as of late, so why Croatia? I’ve put collectively my prime ten the explanation why I imagine 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 recent, seasonal, and really hearty. In fact, you’ll discover many worldwide menus irrespective of the place you go, nevertheless it’s at all times cheaper and extra genuine to attempt native dishes wherever potential.
I’m not normally the most important risotto fan, however I like black risotto in Croatia; it simply hits in a different way in some way. Burek can be a must-try, in addition to regionally sourced truffles, gregada (a conventional fish stew), and pag cheese particularly. So far as drinks go, be courageous and check out rakia with associates—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 for those who 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 may additionally attempt studying find out how to cook dinner Croatian fare and that may train you a brand new ability and prevent cash on the identical time.
2. Improbable WiFi Connectivity
As a digital nomad, the web is extraordinarily necessary. For probably the most half, you possibly can’t work with out it, so it’s essential to know that you simply’re going to have the ability to join simply and that you simply’ll have high-quality service obtainable. Throughout my time in Croatia, I by no means struggled with the web as soon as, even after I was touring round.
In keeping with 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, resorts, and cafes have WiFi you need to use. You may as well use an eSIM, resembling Airalo, or buy an everyday SIM card and use your information as a hotspot.
I used each cafes and coworking spaces 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. Simple to Meet Different Digital Nomads and Locals
Since Croatia launched its digital nomad visa (extra on that shortly), the nation has turn into an actual hub for distant employees. As such, you received’t wrestle to satisfy different like-minded individuals from everywhere in the world. Most coworking spaces and resorts additionally prepare social evenings, the place you may 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 massive cities and cities, many individuals converse English properly sufficient, and even when they don’t, Google Translate is your buddy. It helps to be taught a couple of phrases of the language if potential, however I felt like I used to be struggling to speak.
The preferred digital nomad hotspots are Dubrovnik, Split, the capital metropolis of Zagreb, Zadar, Hvar Town, and my private favourite, Korčula. Nevertheless, that doesn’t imply you possibly can’t journey round and keep in different places for those who discover someplace that calls out to you. I discussed the prime 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 great seashore, and I discovered a lot throughout my time in Croatia. With 1777.3km/1104.4 miles of coastline, you’ve received rather a lot to select from! Copacabana Beach 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 calm down.
Golden Horn on Brač Island is like one thing out of a seashore dream, and Bacvice Beach in Cut up is someplace I spent a whole lot of time. All of this makes it straightforward to relax out while you’ve completed work for the day or on a treasured time off. There are additionally loads of boat journeys you possibly can take which present you the shoreline from a unique viewpoint.
In case you’re into seashores particularly, it’s a good suggestion to base your self someplace near the coast, resembling Zadar or Cut up. Dubrovnik is a tremendous spot, nevertheless it’s extraordinarily busy through 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 through the hottest months and go to through the shoulder seasons as an alternative.
5. Simple to Journey Round and Discover
Croatia is filled with many issues to see and do, and while 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 straightforward to take action, with many organized journeys, an amazing public transport community, and easy-to-follow roads. Even for those who’re not tremendous adventurous, you received’t discover it troublesome to get round.
Plitvice Lakes National Park is someplace that actually blew my thoughts, together with the attractive Krka Waterfalls. These are two locations which might be fairly straightforward to succeed in in case you have a time off and belief me after I say you’ll refill your digital camera with wonderful pictures. In fact, trying out the Dubrovnik city walls must also be in your to-do record.
In Cut up, you’ll discover the wonderful Diocletian’s Palace, and for those who’re a Recreation of Thrones fan, you’ll discover a number of of the filming places 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 attraction. Put merely, your days off can be filled with wonderful sightseeing alternatives and tedium received’t be a problem.
6. Comparatively Low Price of Dwelling
Whereas costs have elevated over the previous couple of years, as they’ve the world over, the price of residing in Croatia remains to be comparatively low while you evaluate it to different main European cities. There are numerous 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.
In case you’re seeking to lease an condo, you’ll discover that costs are larger for those who attempt to keep within the middle of a metropolis or near the ocean, however venturing slightly additional again will yield financial savings. As an example, the common value of a furnished condo in Cut up is round €538/$577, with utilities on prime. That’s cheaper than another European cities, resembling Barcelona, the place you’re taking a look at costs round €850/$912.
In fact, for those who attempt to stay such as you’re on trip, you’ll discover that your cash goes rather a lot sooner. Nevertheless, for those who’re cautious, and really immerse your self in common, native life, your money will last more, and also you’ll expertise a lot extra because of this.
7. You’ll be able to Immerse Your self within the Tradition
The beauty of Croatia is that you simply get the very best of each worlds. You’ll be able to throw your self into the touristic enjoyable that’s obtainable 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 straightforward 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 for those who enterprise over to the islands, you’ll discover a completely totally different lifestyle. From one place to a different, each area has its personal particular quirks which might 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 stay 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 legendary for. It’s an enormous motive for me desirous to return!
8. Digital Nomad Visas are Simple to Receive
In January 2021, Croatia launched its devoted digital nomad visa, which opened the doorways in additional methods than one for distant employees to spend extra time on this lovely nation.
The excellent news is that this visa is comparatively straightforward to use for so long as you will have all the mandatory documentation. In brief, it permits freelancers and distant enterprise house owners from overseas international locations to remain for as much as one yr, so long as their enterprise is registered exterior of Croatia.
It’s additionally potential to carry your partner and/or youngsters over with you as a part of the household reunification course of. The visa lasts for a yr 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 must continuously keep at your registered tackle; you possibly can journey across the nation and solely must replace your tackle for those who don’t intend to return to your unique location.
You’ll be able to verify all vital documentation here, and you’ll apply when you arrive in Croatia or earlier than you propose to journey. In case you apply beforehand, I’d advocate making use of on-line a few months beforehand, so you will have time to obtain your visa with none stress.
SEE ALSO: Croatia Digital Nomad Visa: How to Apply & Requirements
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. In case you’re not a fan of sitting in your condo and dealing, you’ll discover many coworking areas and laptop-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 performed, absorbing the environment, and getting your caffeine repair on the identical time.
Cut up and Zagreb have the biggest 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 wrestle to discover a comfy espresso store to remain for a couple of hours, so long as you buy meals and drinks proportionate to the period of time you spend there.
Many coworking areas additionally arrange 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 must pay to work from a coworking spot however you’ll additionally get loads of extra extras, resembling free refreshments, a shared kitchen, comfy chairs, and extra.
SEE ALSO: 10 Best Coffee Shops & Cafes in Split (Laptop Friendly!)
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. In fact, it’s essential to keep it up paying tax wherever you’re initially registered to keep away from any issues on the finish of the tax yr.
This isn’t the case for all visas in main digital nomad hotspots so it’s an amazing perk of selecting Croatia generally. I discovered the digital nomad visa to be very straightforward to use for and I didn’t expertise any issues with it throughout my keep. What’s extra, for those who obtain your revenue in {dollars} (particularly), you’ll discover that you simply get much more in 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 an excellent 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 packing containers. Croatia actually does really feel like home 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 achieve a lot throughout your keep.
With the brand new digital nomad visa in place, Croatia has the whole lot you would probably want as a distant employee. In fact, nowhere on this planet is ideal, however I didn’t encounter any main points in any respect throughout my time there. The most important subject for me was attempting to determine what to do on my days off, as there was an excessive amount of to select from!
