Digital Nomads Are Changing the Market – Numbers, Not Impressions
In the global context, the number of people identifying as digital nomads has reached a level that can no longer be ignored.
According to estimates from 2025, about
35 million people worldwide report living location-independently
(source:
everki.com).
A significant portion are between 30 and 39 years old (approximately 47%) and highly educated – almost 90% have a higher or university degree
(source:
localyze.com).
For Europe, this means a new category of temporary residents seeking longer stays, but not necessarily long-term attachment to local markets.
In Croatia, a visible increase in interest has been recorded since the introduction of a special regime for digital nomads.
By January 2021, there were
1,393 applications for digital nomad visas
(source:
dnacroatia.com),
while some sources indicate that by 2024, more than
3,700 permits were issued — an increase of around 45% compared to the previous year
(source:
visa-digital-nomad.com).
This growth confirms demand, but not its stability. Stays are temporary, and the motivation to reside in the country is primarily work-related, not residential.
Istria has responded, but data remains limited. Examples such as the project
“Gourmet Getaway – Workation & Workshops”
in central Istria and the platform
liveandwork.central-istria.com
show that the region is trying to position itself as a destination for remote work.
However, concrete figures on average stay length, rental prices, or the share of digital nomads in total tourism demand
are not systematically published. The fact that Istria offers good internet coverage, safety, and proximity to Italy is not sufficient without transparent statistics
(see IOM policy brief for 2024:
IOM).
At the EU level, more than
40 countries and jurisdictions in 2024/2025 offer some form of visa or residence permit for remote workers
(source:
EY – Global Immigration & Digital Nomad Index).
This puts Istria and Croatia in a competitive position – Portugal, Spain, and Greece have for several years been actively attracting this group
with more developed coworking networks and clearer tax models. If other countries’ offers are broader, part of this mobile workforce will naturally gravitate
toward environments offering greater infrastructural and legal predictability.
Regarding real estate, the effects can go both ways. The increased presence of digital nomads can temporarily raise long-term rental prices
and increase demand for apartments and houses with reliable internet, a workspace, and proximity to urban centers (Pula, Rovinj, Poreč).
However, this demand is
seasonal and volatile.
A study on digital nomads indicates that
79% depend on stable technology, while
73% invest in continuous skill development
(source:
pumble.com).
In other words, they expect higher standards than the average tourist apartment. Property owners targeting this market must account for higher furnishing costs
and for the fact that stays often last 1–3 months rather than an entire year.
The Croatian digital nomad visa allows a stay of up to 12 months for individuals working for foreign employers who meet the required income threshold
(source:
nomadsembassy.com).
However, in 2025 stricter income verification and documentation requirements were announced, reducing the number of people eligible for extended stays
(source:
travelandtourworld.com).
This means that the real estate market cannot treat this group as a stable source of revenue, but rather as an additional, yet fluctuating segment.
For agencies and investors, the message is clear: interest exists, but it must be valued on the basis of data, not expectations.
Without public statistics on how many nomads stay in Istria longer than 90 days, without insight into rental structures and tax frameworks,
investments in “nomad-friendly” properties carry risk. The trend itself is not a guarantee of return — especially in a region
where short-term tourism still generates the majority of income.
