Spain vs Croatia: which digital nomad visa fits you?
Spain Digital Nomad Visa and Croatia Temporary Stay of Digital Nomads, side by side. Every figure comes from the official government source, with the date we last checked it.
- Income
- Spain is lower
- Family
- Spain: Yes · Croatia: Yes
- Renewable
- Spain: Not confirmed · Croatia: Not confirmed
| SpainDigital Nomad Visa | CroatiaTemporary Stay of Digital Nomads | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income | ≈ $3,196/mo€2,849 / month | ≈ $4,063/mo€3,622.50 / month |
| Official rule | €2,849 gross per month (€34,188/yr): 200% of Spain's 2026 minimum wage (SMI €17,094/yr). Some consulates calculate it on the 14-payment monthly SMI (€1,221), which gives €2,442/month, so plan for the higher figure | €3,622.50 per month (2.5× average net salary), or savings of €43,470 for a 12-month stay / €65,205 for 18 months |
| Stay | Consular visa valid 1 year; you can then apply in Spain for a residence permit (from 60 days before the visa expires) | Up to 18 months |
| Renewable | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Family | Yes | Yes |
| Fees | €73.26 for initial residence-permit applications filed in Spain (paid online); consular visa fees vary by nationality | At a consulate: €55.74 temporary stay + €93.00 D visa (or €41.14 biometric card). At a police station in Croatia: €46.45 temporary stay + €9.29 admin + €31.85 biometric card |
| Official source | inclusion.gob.es ↗Verified, checked Oct 25, 2026 | mup.gov.hr ↗Verified, checked Oct 25, 2026 |
USD figures are approximate (FX Oct 20, 2026). The official currency figure is what the authority applies.
Key differences
- Spain’s bar is lower: €2,849 a month gross (200% of the 2026 minimum wage) against Croatia’s €3,622.50 a month (2.5× the average net salary). Only Croatia accepts savings instead of income: €43,470 for a 12-month stay or €65,205 for 18 months.
- Family costs more in both: Spain adds 75% of the minimum wage for the first family member and 25% for each extra one; Croatia adds 10% of the average net salary per family member, and family join through family reunification.
- Spain issues a 1-year consular visa; from 60 days before it expires you can apply inside Spain for a residence permit (€73.26). Croatia grants up to 18 months; you can only extend if your first grant was shorter, and a new application is possible 6 months after your stay ends.
- Spain lets freelancers bill Spanish clients for up to 20% of their work and requires Social Security registration right after approval. Croatia rules out working for Croatian employers and asks for a legalised clean criminal record; its fees are €55.74 + €93.00 at a consulate.
Quick answers
Which needs less income, Spain or Croatia?
Spain Digital Nomad Visa has the lower bar: about $3,196 a month, versus about $4,063 for Croatia Temporary Stay of Digital Nomads (a gap of roughly $867 a month at exchange rates of Oct 20, 2026). Spain Digital Nomad Visa: €2,849 gross per month (€34,188/yr): 200% of Spain's 2026 minimum wage (SMI €17,094/yr). Some consulates calculate it on the 14-payment monthly SMI (€1,221), which gives €2,442/month, so plan for the higher figure (inclusion.gob.es, checked Oct 25, 2026). Croatia Temporary Stay of Digital Nomads: €3,622.50 per month (2.5× average net salary), or savings of €43,470 for a 12-month stay / €65,205 for 18 months (mup.gov.hr, checked Oct 25, 2026).
Which lets you stay longer, Spain or Croatia?
Spain Digital Nomad Visa: The consular visa is valid for 1 year. From 60 days before it expires, you can apply from inside Spain for a residence permit (initial in-Spain applications cost €73.26, paid online). Register with Spanish Social Security right after approval: skipping it can get the permit revoked. Croatia Temporary Stay of Digital Nomads: An extension is only possible if your first grant was shorter than 18 months. Apply no later than 60 days before it expires; the extension is for up to 6 months. A new application is possible 6 months after your stay ends.
Can I bring my family on the Spain or Croatia visa?
Spain Digital Nomad Visa: yes, family members can be included. Croatia Temporary Stay of Digital Nomads: yes, family members can be included.
How much do the Spain and Croatia visas cost?
Spain Digital Nomad Visa: €73.26 for initial residence-permit applications filed in Spain (paid online); consular visa fees vary by nationality. Croatia Temporary Stay of Digital Nomads: At a consulate: €55.74 temporary stay + €93.00 D visa (or €41.14 biometric card). At a police station in Croatia: €46.45 temporary stay + €9.29 admin + €31.85 biometric card.
Full official notes
Spain Digital Nomad Visa
Family: +75% of SMI for the first family member (about €1,068/month on the annual basis) and +25% (about €356/month) for each additional one. Degree or 3 years' experience; employer active 1+ year. Freelancers qualify with a 3+ month contract with a foreign company and may bill Spanish clients for up to 20% of their work. Spanish Social Security registration is mandatory right after approval (self-employed must join RETA), and skipping it can get the permit revoked. Amounts are gross, before taxes.
Sources: inclusion.gob.es · inclusion.gob.es · boe.es · sepe.es
Croatia Temporary Stay of Digital Nomads
+10% of the average net salary per additional family member. Close family can join via family reunification once your stay is granted. Clean criminal record (legalised) required. Cannot work for Croatian employers. If your first grant was shorter than 18 months, apply to extend no later than 60 days before it expires (extension up to 6 months).
Sources: mup.gov.hr
Not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the issuing authority before you apply. How we verify
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