This European vacation spot is one in every of my favourite locations on this planet, and when you go to, I believe you’ll agree – I beloved my time as a digital nomad in Croatia. Not solely is it a gorgeous place, but it surely’s a prime spot for digital nomads. The world is filled 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 reside 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 fantastic folks, and the meals! Oh, don’t get me began on the meals – it’s fairly unimaginable.
What I’m making an attempt to say is that for those who’re on the fence about whether or not or not it’s best to head to Croatia for a number 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 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 lately, so why Croatia? I’ve put collectively my prime ten explanation why I imagine that Croatia is a digital nomad’s dream vacation spot. By the tip, I hope you’ll be urgent the ‘ebook’ button in your flight.
1. Wonderful Meals
Meals wonderful meals certainly! Croatian delicacies is extraordinarily contemporary, seasonal, and really hearty. In fact, you’ll discover many worldwide menus irrespective of the place you go, but it surely’s all the time cheaper and extra genuine to strive native dishes wherever attainable.
I’m not normally the largest risotto fan, however I like black risotto in Croatia; it simply hits otherwise by some means. Burek can also 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 mates—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 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 would additionally strive studying find out how to prepare dinner Croatian fare and that may 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 vital. For essentially the most half, you possibly can’t work with out it, so you should know that you just’re going to have the ability to join simply and that you just’ll have high-quality service obtainable. Throughout my time in Croatia, I by no means struggled with the web as soon as, even once 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, nearly all bars, eating places, motels, and cafes have WiFi you should utilize. It’s also possible to use an eSIM, reminiscent of Airalo, or buy a daily SIM card and use your information 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 typically. 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 out to be an actual hub for distant employees. As such, you gained’t wrestle to satisfy different like-minded folks from everywhere in the world. Most coworking areas and motels 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 converse English effectively sufficient, and even when they don’t, Google Translate is your buddy. It helps to be taught a number of phrases of the language if attainable, 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 somewhere else 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. Beautiful Seashores
I like a superb seaside, and I discovered loads throughout my time in Croatia. With 1777.3km/1104.4 miles of shoreline, you’ve received rather a lot to select from! Copacabana Seashore in Dubrovnik is a superb start line, however don’t be afraid to journey to barely off-the-beaten-track to search out some beautiful, secluded coves to chill out.
Golden Horn on Brač Island is like one thing out of a seaside dream, and Bacvice Seashore in Cut up is someplace I spent numerous time. All of this makes it simple to sit back out while 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 unique viewpoint.
If you happen to’re into seashores particularly, it’s a good suggestion to base your self someplace near the coast, reminiscent of Zadar or Cut up. Dubrovnik is a tremendous spot, but it surely’s extraordinarily busy throughout the summer season months, to the purpose the place you possibly can barely transfer. I’d personally select to dip out and in of town throughout the hottest months and go to throughout the shoulder seasons as a substitute.
5. Simple to Journey Round and Discover
Croatia is full of many issues to see and do, and while you’re staying for an prolonged period of time, you’re free to move out and discover. The excellent news is that it’s fairly simple to take action, with many organized journeys, an incredible public transport community, and easy-to-follow roads. Even for those who’re not tremendous adventurous, you gained’t discover it tough to get round.
Plitvice Lakes Nationwide Park is someplace that actually blew my thoughts, together with the attractive Krka Waterfalls. These are two locations which can be fairly simple to succeed in in case you have a time without work and belief me once I say you’ll refill your digicam with superb images. In fact, testing the Dubrovnik metropolis partitions must also be in your to-do record.
In Cut up, you’ll discover the superb 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 allure. Put merely, your days off will likely be full of superb sightseeing alternatives and tedium gained’t be a difficulty.
6. Comparatively Low Price of Residing
Whereas costs have elevated over the previous couple of years, as they’ve internationally, the price of residing in Croatia continues to be comparatively low while 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 residence or consuming in conventional eating places to be huge cash savers.
If you happen to’re trying to lease an residence, you’ll discover that costs are greater for those who 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 example, 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, reminiscent of Barcelona, the place you’re taking a look at costs round €850/$912.
In fact, for those who attempt to reside such as you’re on trip, you’ll discover that your cash goes rather a lot quicker. Nonetheless, for those who’re cautious, and actually 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 just 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 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 in regards to 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 can be 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 onerous to reside an genuine life in Croatia. In actual fact, 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 Get hold of
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 simple to use for so long as you may have all the required documentation. Briefly, it permits freelancers and distant enterprise homeowners from overseas nations to remain for as much as one yr, so long as their enterprise is registered exterior of Croatia.
It’s additionally attainable to carry your partner and/or kids 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 should continuously keep at your registered deal with; you possibly can journey across the nation and solely should replace your deal with for those who don’t intend to return to your authentic location.
You’ll be able to verify all crucial documentation right here, and you’ll apply when you arrive in Croatia or earlier than you propose to journey. If you happen to apply beforehand, I’d suggest making use of on-line a few months beforehand, so you may have time to obtain your visa with none stress.
SEE ALSO: Croatia Digital Nomad Visa: Learn how 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 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 similar time.
Cut up and Zagreb have the biggest 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 gained’t wrestle to discover a snug espresso store to remain for a number of hours, so long as you buy meals and drinks proportionate to the period of time you spend there.
Many coworking areas additionally manage 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 extra extras, reminiscent of 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 implies you don’t have to pay taxes within the nation whilst you’re residing and dealing there on this visa. In fact, you should keep on 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 incredible perk of selecting Croatia typically. 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, for those who obtain your earnings in {dollars} (particularly), you’ll discover that you just get much more in your cash, and the actual fact you don’t have to pay tax in Croatia helps much more.
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 acquire a lot throughout your keep.
With the brand new digital nomad visa in place, Croatia has all the things you might 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 situation for me was making an attempt to resolve what to do on my days off, as there was an excessive amount of to select from!