Croatia and Greece are two of the most popular Mediterranean destinations for remote workers, retirees and lifestyle movers. Both are in the EU and the Schengen area, use the euro, have stunning coastlines and islands, and offer visas for remote workers. Here is how they compare.

Cost of living

From our data for Croatia and Greece:

  • Cost of living index: Croatia 42, Greece 45 (New York = 100).
  • Average one-bedroom rent: Croatia about $650, Greece about $450.
  • Groceries for one: both about $250.
  • Utilities: Croatia about $170, Greece about $120.

Overall costs are similar, but average rents in our data are lower in Greece. In both countries, prices in the capital (Zagreb or Athens) and popular coastal and island spots are higher, and summer tourism pushes up short-term rents. Athens offers a large city with year-round life, while much of the Croatian coast is quiet from November to April.

Digital nomad visas

  • Croatia: the digital nomad temporary stay lasts up to 18 months, and foreign income earned under it is exempt from Croatian income tax, according to the Croatian Ministry of the Interior. You must usually leave for six months before reapplying.
  • Greece: the digital nomad visa requires income of at least €3,500 a month after tax and can lead to a two-year residence permit that is renewable. If you stay more than 183 days, you may become a Greek tax resident.

Croatia's tax exemption is a major advantage for remote workers staying under 18 months. Greece is better for those who want a longer-term, renewable status.

Other residence routes

Greece offers a wider range of options, including the financially independent person visa for people with passive income and a Golden Visa through real estate investment. Since 2024 the minimum is €800,000 in the most popular areas such as Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos and Santorini, and €400,000 elsewhere, with a lower threshold for converting commercial property to residential use, according to Enterprise Greece. Croatia has no golden visa, and owning property there does not by itself grant residence.

Taxes

  • Croatia: city-set income tax rates; in Zagreb, 23% up to €50,400 and 33% above. VAT is 25%.
  • Greece: progressive income tax from 9% to 44%, and VAT of 24%, according to AADE. Greece offers notable incentives: new residents who move their employment there can get a 50% income tax reduction for seven years, and foreign pensioners can opt for a flat 7% tax on foreign income for up to 15 years.

For long-term residents, especially retirees, Greece's incentives can be very attractive. Check details with an adviser and use our tax calculator.

Healthcare

Both have public systems for contributing residents and affordable private care. Croatia's public system is generally well regarded; Greece's has faced funding pressures, and many expats use private clinics. Visa holders in both countries need private health insurance.

Lifestyle

Croatia is smaller, very safe and orderly, with a Central European influence inland and a relaxed Adriatic coast. Greece is larger and more varied, with Athens' big-city energy, hundreds of inhabited islands and a longer warm season. Greek food, culture and history are a huge draw, while Croatia's national parks and quieter islands appeal to nature lovers.

Which should you choose?

  • Choose Croatia for a tax-free stay of up to 18 months as a digital nomad, or if you prefer a smaller, quieter country.
  • Choose Greece for long-term residence options, retiree tax incentives, a bigger capital and lower average rents.

Compare Croatia and Greece side by side using our country comparison tool.