Digital Nomads in Croatia 2022 (A Year in Review)

December 2022 – Another year ends, but a new one begins. It’s a great time to look back at the good news this year for digital nomads in Croatia, and the reasons to look forward to the next one!

A lot has happened since the president of the Digital Nomad Association Croatia, Jan de Jong, met with the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, back in August 2020. The goal? Introducing a digital nomad visa that would allow remote workers from all around the world to reside and work anywhere in Croatia for a period of more than 90 days. This would give them the chance to get to know and enjoy the country to the fullest throughout the whole year. The support of the Government was immediate and in January 2021, the first digital nomad visa application in Croatia was approved.

In tune with the hundreds of applications that arrived each month, new coworking spaces have become available and big events have been held to promote Croatia as a digital nomad-friendly destination. One of those first big events was the world’s first Digital Nomad-in-Residence Competition, held between April and May 2021 in the ”Pearl of the Adriatic”, organized by Saltwater Nomads, the Association of Digital Nomads Croatia, the Dubrovnik Tourist Board, and the city of Dubrovnik. We have come a long way since then.

Fast forward to 2022, what events have been held this year?

Dubrovnik Work.Place.Culture Conference (May 5-7)

We returned to Dubrovnik at the beginning of May this year, and this time for the Work.Place.Culture. conference, bringing work from anywhere to absolutely everywhere. Digital nomads, professionals in the world of remote work, and representatives of the Dubrovnik city and tourism board came together to network through unique activities within and around the walled city. Likewise, with a rich program full of keynotes and discussion panels, attendees and participants were able to delve deeper into the future of remote work. Additionally, the Navi Savi company became the winner of the first Workation, a luxury escape at Sun Gardens in Dubrovnik that included a five-star stay, welcome dinner, tours, and coworking.

Zadar Digital Nomad Week (June 10-17)

For the first time since the digital nomad visa was introduced, we went to Zadar to hold the first digital nomad week in the historic Dalmatian city. With a completely different approach, the participants were able to get to know a destination that, in addition to its growing number of coworking spaces, also offered them a wide and varied selection of opportunities and nearby destinations to disconnect from work. In mid-June, with one of the most ambitious programs to date, participants enjoyed everything from a puzzle picnic in the old town, an Ottoman brunch, a keynote in kayaks, to outdoor workshops, master classes, and a panel at the birth site of the always inspiring Nikola Tesla in Smiljan. The event could not have closed in a better way than with a keynote in the Paklenica National Park.

Slomadism Split (September 20-25)

After a hectic summer, with the tourist season at its highest peak in years, it was necessary to find an ideal formula to sit back and relax. After all, and especially in this part of Croatia, a dose of fjaka never hurts. This is how the Slomadism event became a reality, bringing together digital nomads and friends to network and learn more about the historic city of Split and the laidback Mediterranean lifestyle that characterizes it. In September, participants enjoyed posture workshops in Đarđin, a walking tour inside Diocletian’s Palace (including a trip back in time thanks to the Diocletian’s Dream virtual reality experience), networking to the top from Marjan hill, beachside conversations in Bačvice and wine tasting at the newly opened Ambasador hotel. But amidst all the hype, those present also had the opportunity to learn in detail about the city’s plans for the future for digital nomads, both with Lucijana Perković, Global PR of the Croatian National Tourism Board, and with the mayor of Split, Ivica Puljak.

We{dn}esdays drinks

Being a digital nomad in Croatia means enjoying its spectacular nature, authentic experiences, and ideal climates that help balance professional life with a dream lifestyle. However, it doesn’t have to be a solo adventure, which is why in an effort to connect remote workers in the country, DNA Croatia launched earlier this year the first nationwide We{dn}esdays drinks events. We{dn}esdays drinks took place in bars in several cities all over the country: Swanky Monkey in Zagreb, The Daltonist in Split, Mama’s in Dubrovnik, Beach Bar Bamboo in Zadar, and Rakhia Bar in Rijeka. A chance to meet other nomads, or find out more about the remote work lifestyle for anyone interested in becoming one the nomad tourism sector, including special discounts for those coming.

Digital Nomads-in-Residence, Central Istria (December 7-14)

And to wrap up a great year in the digital nomad sector in the country, we went to the northwest of the country, to the very heart of the Istria region. After the successful and award-winning first edition of last year’s Digital Nomads-in-Residence in Dubrovnik, Saltwater Nomads brought nomadism and fun to Central Istria, with the aim of co-creating a blueprint on remote work in a rural region with leading voices in the future of work and the future of tourism. In this pioneering event, digital nomads came together in Central Istria, an ideal place for foodies, hikers and those looking for a deep work destination. The goal? to co-create a strategy for destinations who wish to embark upon or enhance their tourism offer for remote workers, including an action plan for Central Istria. Participants and attendees joined presentations that included place-making strategy, food and tourism storytelling and case studies and intentional nomadism. Remote work in rural areas and off-season tourism was discussed by our global panelists.

Record numbers

As can be seen with the different and unique events carried out this year, digital nomadism in Croatia continues to consolidate as a great success, and increasingly expanding to different parts of the country. But the interest shown by remote workers from all parts of the world is also confirmed by the numbers. According to official statistics collected by the Croatian Ministry of the Interior (MUP), as of January 1, 2021, a total of 1,393 digital nomad visa applications have been submitted to date. And the number continues to rise. An indisputable success.

NomadList Ranking

And there were more reasons to celebrate this year. In addition to successful events that attracted the interest of more remote workers to the country and record numbers of applications received, the quality of Croatia as a destination for digital nomads was seen in the rankings. In a great milestone that surely marks a before and after, the NomadList portal ranked Croatia first among the most liked countries in the world for digital nomads, ahead of Japan, Taiwan, Russia, Brazil, Morocco, and more. The cities of Zadar, Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Split, Rijeka, Osijek, Cavtat and Hvar were the most prominent Croatian destinations, mainly for their safety and affordable cost of living. Globally, Zadar was the highest ranked Croatian city in 2022, in 54th place, just one spot ahead of Zagreb. As more facilities and benefits for digital nomads such as technology, coworking spaces, internet speed, year-round accommodation, communities, and events continue to be developed and implemented, it will come as no surprise to see many of these cities rapidly climb the rankings in 2023.

As a closing, a message from the president of the Digital Nomad Association Croatia, Jan de Jong, about the achievements cultivated to date and what awaits us in the future.

After Croatia became the 2nd country in Europe (after Estonia) to introduce a digital nomad permit, I can say that it’s amazing to see how Croatia continues to take the lead on a global stage when it comes to welcoming remote work professionals and bringing this community closer together.

While in the past people would move to find business opportunities, nowadays people move to find lifestyle. Croatia has a truly remarkable offer as an authentic lifestyle destination and currently welcomes between 3,000 – 5,000 digital nomads per month. (Source: NomadList)

As a country which has seen a rapid decline in population, it’s of strategic importance to welcome young professionals who choose to work for foreign companies and clients, but from Croatia. This can help reverse the brain drain and brings news revenue streams for Croatia’s economy.

The DNA Croatia was the first association of its kind globally, which aims to unite and serve digital nomads who plan on coming to Croatia or who are already here.

It brings great joy knowing that DNA Croatia was able to help and support over 100 Ukrainian remote work professionals to get answers on all their questions during the application process for the digital nomad permit. But none of our efforts would be possible without the support from partners, friends, sponsors and donors of DNA Croatia, including Croatian National Tourist Board, Expat in Croatia, Hrvatski Telekom, RBA Croatia, AirCash, KPMG Croatia, Hertz Croatia, Adriatic Insurance,  Saltwater Nomads, M+ Group and countless volunteers.

For the coming year I hope to see continued progress related to developing the required infrastructure, such as co-working spaces across the country, stronger collaboration with countries in the region and more community building efforts.

Jan de Jong

Digital Nomad Association Croatia

 

From the Digital Nomad Association Croatia, we want to wish everyone happy holidays and a very successful 2023! See you next year!