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Head to head

Croatia vs Romania: the digital nomad visas compared

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

The short version

  • Croatia has the lower entry bar: €3,622.50 per month versus €5,310 for Romania.
  • Croatia grants a longer initial stay (18 months vs 12), and it is renewable.
Side-by-side comparison of the Croatia DN and the Romania Digital Nomad Visa (DNV).
Criteria Croatia DN Romania Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)
Minimum income / month €3,622.50 (better) €5,310
Income basis Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) Salary / employment contract
Initial duration 18 months (better) 1 year
Renewable Yes Yes
Maximum total stay 18 months 3 years
Path to permanent residence No Indirect (switch required)
Path to citizenship No Via permanent residence
Family inclusion Yes (better) No
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 tax exemption (Law no. 69/2023))
Health insurance Required (explicit) Required (explicit), min. €30,000
Insurance duration required Full visa period Full visa period
Application fee ≈ €46.45 (better) ≈ €120
Where to apply Online, Embassy / consulate, In country Embassy / consulate, Online
Processing time — 2–9 weeks

Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.

Full guide

Croatia DN →

Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.

Full guide

Romania Digital Nomad Visa (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 Romania →

Sources