You might have read in the news that Croatia is one of the first countries to create a digital nomad visa. This is excellent news for those who travel and work simultaneously and allows for extra time to be spent in Croatia’s beautiful locations.
However, even if you’re not planning on working on the go, how can Americans visit Croatia?
The good news is that it’s entirely possible, although there are a few visa hoops to jump through.
From 1 Janaury 2023, Croatia is now a country within the Schengen Zone, so if you have a Schengen visa already, it will help you out when trying to get into Croatia. You still need a passport that is valid for six months after your return date to the USA. You will also need to show a return flight ticket when you arrive. You may need to show funds for your stay in some cases, but not everyone will be asked for this.
However, the good news is that you don’t need to obtain a visa before you arrive. As long as you do not spend more than 90 days out of 180 in Croatia, you’re good to go. This is all recorded digitally when you arrive and leave, so don’t try and trick the system. Anyone who overstays will be hit with a hefty fine.
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I Want To Stay In Croatia More Than 90 Days
If you want to stay in Croatia for longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for a residency visa before your 90th day is up.
This visa system is very similar to many other countries in Europe, including Turkey.
When applying for a temporary residency visa, you’ll need to explain why you want to stay for longer than 90 days, and you’ll need paperwork to back it up, such as employment, family, study, real estate rental/purchase, etc. For most visitors, this won’t be necessary, and 90 days is enough.
US Embassy/Consulate Details
If you do happen to need to speak to someone at the US Embassy or Consulate, here are the details you will need.
US Embassy Zagreb
Telephone – +(385) (1) 661-2200
Out of hours telephone – +(385) (1) 661-2200
Address: Ulica Thomasa Jeffersona 2, 10010, Zagreb, Croatia
Email: ZagrebACS@state.gov
About The Croatia Digital Nomad Visa
Earlier, we talked about the fact that Croatia has initiated a digital nomad visa for those people who work as they travel and want to stay in Croatia for a little longer than 90 days.
The visa allows you to stay for a maximum of 12 months, and it is actually a residency permit that you obtain on the grounds of working as a digital nomad. You need to meet several requirements to be granted this specific visa, and you can find out more about those here.
Americans Visiting Croatia During COVID-19?
The world has been thrown into chaos over the last year or so, and even though vaccination programs around the world are picking up speed, there are still restrictions in many countries. So, should you think about visiting Croatia during COVID?
The basic answer is that, yes, Croatia is a good place to visit during COVID, and we’ll outline why in a second. However, always stay up to date with current guidelines and news because COVID is such a fast-moving situation, even 12 months on. Ensure that you follow all restrictions and rules when you arrive, such as taking a test before you arrive and wearing a mask at all times, and just be sensible. Really, that’s all you need to be.
Here is the up-to-do-date Covid 19 regulations for Croatia.
So, Why Is Croatia Is A Good Choice During Covid-19?
- It’s chilled out – For the most part, Croatia is a very chilled out and laid-back country, and as many people aren’t looking to travel at the moment, you’ll find that you have plenty of space to yourself. This may help you to feel more confident about travel at this time while also giving you an excellent opportunity to explore more freely. That also means being able to see Dubrovnik without cruise ships and endless tourists arriving every day!
- Vaccinations have begun – Croatia has started vaccinating its citizens, which means rates should begin to drop. That should make you feel a lot safer.
- During the summer, Croatia has authentic outdoorsy vibes – You have no reason to stay indoors during the summer months, which makes it ideal for COVID-era travel.
- It’s beautiful, and you deserve it – After living through a pandemic, you deserve to go somewhere stunningly beautiful and authentic. Croatia is precisely that!
- You can travel around Croatia on your own steam – You don’t necessarily need to travel on a packed bus or train; you can hire a car and drive around yourself. That cuts down on safety concerns and allows you to experience the real Croatia.
So, in short, yes, Americans can travel to Croatia!