A digital nomad visa lets someone from outside the EU live in a country while working remotely for an employer or their own company based elsewhere. Spain and Croatia show how these schemes work in practice. Spain's consulates ask for proof of financial means of at least 200% of the Spanish monthly minimum wage, a degree or 3 years' experience, and give a visa valid for up to 1 year. Croatia grants a temporary stay of up to 18 months and, as of October 2026, asks for a monthly income of at least 3,622.50 euros.
Working from somewhere warm for a season is a dream plenty of founders and freelancers have, and a digital nomad visa is how you do it legally for longer than a holiday. Rules change often and differ by consulate, so I've built this from two official sources only: Spain's consulate pages and Croatia's Ministry of the Interior page, both read as of October 2026. Check the official page for your own country before you book anything.
Spain and Croatia side by side
| Spain | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Non-EU nationals working remotely for a company outside Spain | Non-EU, non-EEA, non-Swiss nationals working through communication technology for a company not registered in Croatia |
| How long | Visa valid for up to 1 year | Temporary stay of up to 18 months |
| Income test | At least 200% of the Spanish monthly national minimum wage | At least 3,622.50 euros a month, or savings for the whole stay |
| Family | Plus 75% of the minimum wage for the first family member, 25% for each additional one | Close family can apply through family reunification |
| Work history | At least 3 months working for the foreign company before applying | Contract with a foreign employer or proof of your own company |
| Qualifications | A degree, or at least 3 years' experience in your field | Not required on the page I read |
| Local work allowed | Self-employed applicants may do up to 20% of their work for Spanish companies | No work or services for employers in Croatia |
Spain: what the consulates ask for
Spain's consulate pages in London and Dublin set out the same core rules. You must apply for an NIE number before you apply for the visa. You need health insurance with an insurer authorised in Spain that covers all the risks Spain's public health system covers, a criminal record certificate for the past 2 years, and a passport valid for at least a year. Employees need a company certificate stating the length of the contract and explicit consent to work remotely from Spain. Foreign documents must be legalised or apostilled, with an official Spanish translation where needed.
The London consulate page adds a useful detail: once you're in Spain, the visa itself is proof of legal residence, and a residence card is optional.
Croatia: what the ministry asks for
Croatia's Ministry of the Interior lets you apply online, and the application is passed to the police administration where you plan to live. Proof of means can be a bank statement showing regular income, payslips for the last six months, or savings for the whole stay: as of October 2026 that's at least 43,470 euros for 12 months or 65,205 euros for 18 months. You also need health insurance covering Croatia, proof of your remote work, and a legalised certificate showing no criminal convictions. Documents must be in Croatian or English.
Two timing rules catch people out. If you're granted less than 18 months, you can apply to extend no later than 60 days before it expires, for a maximum of 6 more months. And once a stay ends, a new digital nomad application can only be made 6 months later. People who need a visa to enter Croatia must apply through a Croatian embassy or consulate, not at a police station.
A checklist before you apply anywhere
- Confirm you're eligible: most schemes are for non-EU nationals working for companies outside the host country.
- Check the income test against your last six months of payslips or invoices, not your best month.
- Order your criminal record certificate early, and check how it must be legalised or apostilled.
- Arrange health insurance that meets the host country's rules, not just travel cover.
- Get a letter from your employer or client confirming you can work remotely from that country.
- Ask an accountant about tax residence before you go, because a long stay can change where you pay tax.
If you're planning how to work while you travel, these productivity tips for digital nomads help, and my piece on why working abroad can change your career covers the bigger decision.
My advice on digital nomad visas
Pick the country first for the life you want, then read its official page line by line, because the details that matter, such as income tests, timing and paperwork, differ a lot. Spain suits people planning a longer move with family, given its family rules. Croatia suits a defined stretch of up to 18 months with simple online applications. Whichever you choose, get tax advice before you leave, not after you land.
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Americans working abroad should also read our guide to the overseas work exclusion, which sets out the tests and the traps.
Frequently asked questions
What is a digital nomad visa?
It's a permit that lets a non-EU national live in a country while working remotely for an employer or their own company based elsewhere. Spain and Croatia both run schemes, with different income tests and lengths of stay.
How much income do you need for Spain's digital nomad visa?
Spain's consulate pages ask for financial means of at least 200% of the Spanish monthly national minimum wage, plus 75% for the first family member and 25% for each additional one, as of October 2026.
How long can you stay in Croatia as a digital nomad?
Croatia grants temporary stay of up to 18 months. If you're granted less, you can apply to extend by up to 6 months, no later than 60 days before your stay expires.
Can you work for local companies on a digital nomad visa?
Croatia's scheme doesn't allow work for employers in Croatia. Spain allows self-employed applicants to work for Spanish companies as long as it's no more than 20% of their total professional activity.
Do you need health insurance for a digital nomad visa?
Yes. Spain asks for insurance covering all the risks of its public health system, and Croatia asks for health insurance covering Croatia for your planned stay.
