Europe South 📈Rising

Split for Digital Nomads

Adriatic gem where Roman ruins meet turquoise waters

Croatia • Europe/Zagreb (+1)

TL;DR

Split scores 8/10 on our Hustle-Free Index. You'll spend around $1,720/month for a comfortable setup. Split is Croatia's Adriatic jewel—a 1,700-year-old Diocletian's Palace that's still a living, breathing city center. The DN visa offers 0% tax on foreign income, ferries depart for islands daily, and the Riva promenade is perfect for evening coffees. Perfect for corporate escapees and burned-out creatives. It's okay to want both adventure and stability. Here's everything you need to know.

Hustle-Free Index Score

8 /10

Based on safety, happiness, and cost of living data

Quick Facts

Monthly Budget	$1,720 (comfortable)
Visa Situation	90 days visa-free DN Visa Available
Internet Speed	80 Mbps avg (Excellent)
Best For	Corporate escapees, Creatives
Skip If	Avoid summer crowds, Need year-round warmth
English Level	Excellent
Safety	Safe (Score: 80/100)

Why Split Works for Freelancers Like You

Split is Croatia's Adriatic jewel—a 1,700-year-old Diocletian's Palace that's still a living, breathing city center. The DN visa offers 0% tax on foreign income, ferries depart for islands daily, and the Riva promenade is perfect for evening coffees. The perfect blend of history, beach, and affordability.

"Evening coffee on the Riva with palace walls glowing at sunset"

What Makes It Special

✓ 0% tax on foreign income (DN visa)
✓ UNESCO Diocletian's Palace
✓ Easy island hopping (Hvar, Brač, Vis)
✓ EU/Schengen member (2023)
✓ Mediterranean lifestyle

What It Actually Costs

Comfortable Budget: $1,720/month

Housing

$800

Coworking

$180

Food

$350

Transport

$40

Fun & Social

$200

Health

$50

Misc

$100

Total

$1,720

Lean Budget: $1,100/month ▼

For those who want to stretch their runway. Trade-offs include shared housing, café working instead of coworking, and cooking most meals.

Housing: $500 • Food: $250 • Total: $1,100

Treat Yourself: $2,860/month ▼

Nice apartment, premium coworking, eating out regularly, and enjoying the city's best experiences.

Housing: $1,400 • Food: $550 • Total: $2,860

Getting Work Done

WiFi Reality

80 Mbps average • Excellent reliability • Power: Stable

Café Culture

Excellent café scene for working

Recommended Coworking Spaces

Coworking Split

Beach town • Central

€100-150/month

Visa & Legal Stuff (Don't Panic)

The Quick Answer

You get 90 days visa-free entry , plus there's a dedicated Digital Nomad Visa available.

Croatia Digital Nomad Visa

Duration

1 year

Income Required

$2,539/mo

Cost

$55

Renewability

renewable after 6 months outside

Processing

2-4 weeks

Tax Situation

0% tax on foreign income for DN visa holders

Always consult a tax professional for your specific situation.

Living Your Best Sustainable Life

👥

Expat Community

Medium

💻

Nomad Scene

Growing

🤝

Local Friendliness

Very Welcoming

🍽️

Food Scene

Excellent

Nightlife: Vibrant

The Honest Truth

✓ What's Amazing

• 0% tax on foreign income (DN visa)
• UNESCO Diocletian's Palace
• Easy island hopping (Hvar, Brač, Vis)
• EU/Schengen member (2023)

⚠ What's Challenging

• Very crowded in summer
• Expensive July-August
• Quiet winters
• Smaller than Zagreb
• Tourist-oriented services

Skip Split If...

• Avoid summer crowds
• Need year-round warmth
• Prefer large nomad community

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living for digital nomads in Split? ▼

A comfortable lifestyle in Split costs approximately $1720/month. This breaks down to: housing $800, food $350, coworking $180, transport $40, entertainment $200, health $50, and miscellaneous $100.

Does Croatia have a digital nomad visa? ▼

Yes! Croatia offers the Digital Nomad Visa with a duration of 1 year. The income requirement is €2539/month, visa cost is €55, and processing takes 2-4 weeks. Tax note: 0% tax on foreign income for DN visa holders.

How is the internet for remote work in Split? ▼

Split has excellent internet reliability with average speeds of 80 Mbps. The café culture is excellent with many work-friendly spots. Power supply is stable.

Is Split safe for digital nomads? ▼

Split is rated as safe with a safety score of 80/100. It's one of Europe's safest cities. Standard precautions apply.

What is the digital nomad community like in Split? ▼

The nomad community in Split is growing with a medium expat community. English proficiency is excellent. Nightlife is vibrant. The food scene is excellent with fresh Adriatic seafood.

Your Next Step

You've done your research. That's already more than most people do.

There's no rush to decide. Split will still be here when you're ready.

Take the Freelance Life Quiz

How We Calculate the Hustle-Free Index

Our Hustle-Free Index balances three factors that matter most for sustainable freelance life:

Formula: HFI = (Safety Score × Happiness Score) / Cost of Living Index

Safety Score (80/100): From Numbeo Safety Index
Happiness Score (74/100): World Happiness Report + freelancer surveys
Cost of Living Index (52): Numbeo Cost of Living Index

Last updated: 2026-01-03 • Data sources: Numbeo, World Happiness Report, local research