Croatia Residence Investor Program offers permanent residence and many other advantages to foreigners who want to relocate here. Particular foreign incomes registered in Croatia benefit from 100% tax exemption which makes this program quite appealing. Those interested in a Golden Visa in Croatia are invited to talk to our agents for setting up a company in Croatia and find out more about the requirements that must be respected.
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What are the requirements for a Golden Visa for Croatia in 2026?
Croatia Residence Investor Program requires no minimum investments from EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA nationals. However, one must prove he/she has sufficient income to sustain living in Croatia without applying and asking for public funds. Health insurance is required to join this program, and the following conditions available in 2026 must be considered at the time of application:
- First of all, an application for a temporary residence permit is needed.
- The Certificate of reporting a temporary stay is needed. This has a validity of 5 years.
- Non-EEA citizens need a temporary work and stay permit that has a validity of one year.
- This program allows applicants to include family members, too.
- The educational background plus qualifications will be verified by the Croatian authorities.
Here is an infografic that explains the alternatives of a Golden Visa in Croatia:
Permanent residence in Croatia comes with benefits
If you would like to apply for a Golden Visa for Croatia, you should know that there are many benefits offered. As mentioned earlier, there are advantageous tax exemptions for varied incomes of foreigners in Croatia. The economic stability, excellent living conditions, and the possibility of traveling without restrictions to the EU, Asia, and the USA are quite appreciated by foreigners interested in a Croatian Golden Visa. If you would like to know more about the available investment programs and about how to register a company in Croatia in 2026, you can talk to our specialists.
Croatia’s passport is quite powerful. This attracts many foreign entrepreneurs to enter the Golden Visa program and enjoy its benefits. Croatia ranks 51st in the Global Passport Ranking, and the document allows visa-free access to 186 countries worldwide.
Category of citizens and requirements for Croatian residency
In Croatia, there is no minimum investment required to buy real estate for residency. In addition, buying a property in Croatia in a residential area is one of the requirements, after which foreigners must apply for residency in Croatia through the known procedures. Here are some other important considerations to bear in mind when applying for residency in Croatia in 2026:
- Australian citizens can purchase a property in Croatia if they already have permanent residency in this country.
- Albanian citizens can only purchase a property if its price is 3 times higher than the price of the land it is built on.
- Malaysian citizens can buy property in Croatia valued up to USD 55,000, but only for commercial use.
Who qualifies for residency by investment in Croatia? Are there any restrictions?
Any EU or non-EU/EEA citizens can apply for residency in Croatia. There is no direct route to obtain this status.
What are the key routes for residency by investment in Croatia?
- Business formation in Croatia with a minimum of EUR 20,000 – employing at least 3 Croatians is a mandatory condition,
- Retiring to Croatia – At least EUR 2,500 as monthly income and at least EUR 36,000 as savings are the main conditions to get residency here.
NOTE! There is no real estate investment route to get direct residency in Croatia. Foreigners can buy properties and respect the key conditions to get this status.
What are the conditions to get residency by investment in Croatia?
Must present:
- valid ID/passport,
- clear criminal record issued in the country of origin,
- health insurance,
- proof of accommodation,
- proof of financial means, etc.
REMARK: If you want to start a company in Croatia and follow the path to residency, you must own at least 51% of the company.
What is the strict absence rule in Croatia?
To apply for a permanent residence permit in Croatia, candidates must have lived in the country for 5 years without interruption. Only 10 months of absence in 5 years are permitted.
Is dual citizenship allowed in Croatia?
Yes, Croatia does not reject dual citizenship, so applicants can also enjoy their nationality. Further details on this matter can be provided by our experts; please do not hesitate to get in touch with them.
What are the benefits of the Croatian passport?
Foreign citizens who have obtained Croatian citizenship can enjoy the benefits of a Croatian passport. It allows unrestricted access to countries in the EU, the USA, and Asia.
Are there any precautions regarding residency by investment in Croatia?
As there is no such program available in Croatia, it is best to seek legal advice and avoid possible scams that promise direct residency in exchange for a specific investment or amount of money.
Updates on the Golden visa in Croatia in 2026
As is known, Croatia does not offer a Golden Visa; therefore, investments cannot be made to obtain residency or citizenship. There are specific paths through which a foreigner can become a resident or citizen of Croatia. Here are the updates for 2026:
- Opening a company in Croatia, with minimum investments of EUR 25,000, is the main way to access the residency program of this country. Croatia offers permanent residency after 5 years, and after 8 years, interested citizens can apply for Croatian nationality.
- A novelty in this matter is the fact that immigrants can benefit from a 5-year income tax exemption starting in 2026, if they work in certain areas of interest in Croatia.
- Remote workers or digital nomads in Croatia can now benefit from a maximum stay of 18 months with their residence permit, an advantageous program considering that there is no Golden Visa.
Interested in a team of accountants in Croatia? Would you like to set up a company in Croatia? Please feel free to contact our specialists in company incorporation in Croatia and discuss further details. Our team can also manage the procedures of getting the Golden visa by foreign citizens.