How to become a digital nomad in Croatia
Have you ever dreamed of working from King’s Landing? No, we are serious because you actually can. Croatia’s Dubrovnik was the main filming location for the capital of the Seven Kingdoms in the Game of Thrones. But there’s more — the country offers a beautiful coastline, over a thousand idyllic islands, ancient castles, and walled-in cities — and yes, there is decent internet too.
Why Croatia?
Croatia is a country of contrasts, mysteries, and beauty. From the heart-shaped island of Galešnjak and eclectic cuisine to the terraced lakes linked by waterfalls, eerie medieval towns and a currency named after a ferret, there is no country like it.
On the practical side, Croatia offers good public Wi-Fi and a wide selection of places to work from in comfort. Unlike most other countries in the region, Croatia will not challenge you with a language barrier as over 80% of its residents can speak English. What's more, the cost of living in the country is low compared to western Europe.
Best cities to work from
Zagreb is Croatia's compact but vibrant capital. It has preserved its charm of an old medieval city and paired it with the amenities of a large metropolitan area. Zagreb's streets are lined with coffee shops offering a convenient setting for working remotely. The all-year-round warm weather makes Zagreb an outdoor city and there are galleries, museums, street concerts, and theatres to explore after work.
Split is a very aptly named town as it's a seaside tourist spot and an economic hub all at once. A balanced blend of ancient and modern, the city is where you can see the Diocletian's Palace (a Unesco World Heritage site), swim with the dramatic backdrop of towering mountains, and enjoy a busy vibrant nightlife.
Last but not least, if you are intent on sending in your remote assignments from where Cersei crafted her evil schemes and Tyrion Lannister made his sarcastic jokes, head straight over to Dubrovnik. It's a perfectly preserved walled-in city on the Adriatic Sea coast that will give you the impression of having travelled back in time.
The internet and coworking spaces
The internet speed in Croatia is on the slower side compared to other countries in Europe, but there are a lot of public Wi-Fi hotspots and you will be able to get online in any of the many cafés and coffee shops. Croatia's average broadband download speed is around 10Mbps with Zagreb showing the best result at 14Mbps.
You will find coworking spaces in most major cities and several options for setting up camp: daily and monthly rentals, hot desking, and more.
Coworking spaces in Zagreb
Impact HUB, Vlaška ul. 70E
HUB385, PetraÄiÄeva ul. 4
Coworking spaces in Split
Amosfera Coworking Space, Ul. RuÄera BoškoviÄa 20
WiP Coworking, Velebitska ul. 147
Leisure in Croatia
Most will want to start exploring the country with its natural sights like the Plitvice Lakes National Park, Krka National Park, Hvar Adriatic resort, Lokrum botanical gardens, and more. The country's many islands are each a destination in itself, and there are many medieval towns to stroll through with a camera.
What to know before arriving
Croatia (along with Bulgaria and Cyprus) is on the way to joining the Schengen Zone and its current visas policy already reflects that. Residents of all member states of the Schengen Zone can travel to Croatia visa-free and stay for a period of up to 90 days. If you come from a country where a visa for Bulgaria is required, you will need to apply for one in advance at a Croatian Embassy or Consulate.
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