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Head to head

Croatia vs Montenegro: the digital nomad visas compared

Partially verified Last verified June 10, 2026 Reviewed by Henry van de Vorming

The short version

  • Montenegro has the lower entry bar: €1,800 per month versus €3,622.50 for Croatia.
  • Montenegro grants a longer initial stay (24 months vs 18), and it is renewable.
Side-by-side comparison of the Croatia DN and the Montenegro DNV.
Criteria Croatia DN Montenegro DNV
Minimum income / month €3,622.50 €1,800 (better)
Income basis Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) Mixed (salary, freelance or savings)
Initial duration 18 months 2 years (better)
Renewable Yes Yes
Maximum total stay 18 months 4 years
Path to permanent residence No No
Path to citizenship No No
Family inclusion Yes Yes
Working for local clients Not allowed Not allowed
Tax treatment Foreign income exempt (Digital nomad exemption, Income Tax Act Art. 9(1)(26)) Foreign income exempt (Digital-nomad foreign-income exemption (Personal Income Tax Law; commonly cited as Art. 32d))
Health insurance Required (explicit) Required (explicit), min. €30,000
Insurance duration required Full visa period Full visa period
Application fee ≈ €46.45 (better) ≈ €47
Where to apply Online, Embassy / consulate, In country In country, Embassy / consulate
Processing time — 6–8 weeks

Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.

Full guide

Croatia DN →

Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.

Full guide

Montenegro DNV →

Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.

Don't forget insurance

Both programs have their own health-insurance rules — we match plans against each one's published requirement, with the evidence shown.

Insurance for Croatia → Insurance for Montenegro →

Sources