Coliving in Split
Split is Croatia's second city — a working Mediterranean port with a Roman palace as its old town, excellent seafood, island-hopping ferry connections, and a cost of living below Western European averages.
Split is a Mediterranean city that works as a real place, not just a tourist backdrop. Diocletian’s Palace — the old town — is literally a Roman emperor’s retirement home that people still live and work inside. The seafood at the morning fish market is a few hours out of the Adriatic. The waterfront Riva promenade is where the city socializes every evening. And the ferry port connects you to the Croatian islands that make this coast world-famous.
For remote workers, Split offers a Mediterranean lifestyle at a cost below the Western European norm. Croatia adopted the euro in 2023 (eliminating the exchange rate hassle), English is widely spoken, and the digital nomad visa is one of Europe’s most generous — tax-free, 1-year residency, straightforward application. The city is big enough to have proper infrastructure (hospital, airport, coworking spaces) but small enough to know your way around within days.
Why Split for coliving
The combination of lifestyle quality, cost, and legal framework is hard to beat. Wake up, swim at Bacvice, work from a coworking space or waterfront cafe, eat grilled fish for lunch at a konoba for €12, and catch the sunset from the Riva with a beer. Weekends, take a ferry to Hvar or Brac for island beaches. All of this for €1,200-1,800/month total.
Croatia’s digital nomad visa adds a practical dimension: legal residence without Croatian income tax obligations. For non-EU nomads, this is one of the simplest pathways to legally living and working in an EU/Schengen country.
The nomad scene
Growing steadily since Croatia launched its digital nomad visa in 2021. Coworking spaces like Coworking Split and cafes along the waterfront serve the remote work community. The community is a mix of long-term expats, visa holders, and seasonal nomads who come for summer and stay for fall. The social scene is welcoming — Croatians are generally friendly to foreigners, and the English proficiency is high. Nomad meetups, sailing trips, and island excursions provide community structure. The scene is smaller than Lisbon or Barcelona but the intimate size means you know everyone within weeks.
Where to stay in Split
Diocletian's Palace / Old Town
A living Roman palace — literally. People live, eat, and shop inside a 1,700-year-old structure. Spectacular to experience but touristy and loud in summer. Apartments are atmospheric but cramped. Better for a first week than a three-month base.
Bacvice / Firule
Beach neighborhoods east of the old town. Bacvice beach is famous for picigin (the local paddle game). More residential, seafront promenade, good local restaurants. A 10-minute walk to the old town. The practical choice for longer stays.
Manus / Znjan
Further east along the coast. Newer developments, more space, quieter beaches, lower rents. A 20-minute walk or short bus ride to the center. The budget option with beach access.
Varos
Hillside neighborhood west of the old town. Traditional stone houses, narrow streets, city views, and a local atmosphere. Less tourist-heavy than the palace. Some of the most characterful apartments in the city.
Monthly expenses in Split
| Private room (coliving) | €400-700/month |
| Studio apartment | €500-1,000/month |
| Coworking membership | €80-180/month |
| Meal at local restaurant | €8-15 |
| Coffee | €1.50-2.50 |
| Beer at a bar | €3-5 |
| Monthly groceries | €200-320 |
| Monthly transport pass | €30 |
Quick facts
Last verified: April 2026. Prices and availability change — always check with operators directly.
Common Questions
Is Split too touristy?
In July-August, the old town is overwhelmed with cruise ship passengers and tourists. It's genuinely unpleasant for daily life during peak season. But Split is a working city of 170,000 — move a few blocks from the palace and you're in a real neighborhood with real prices. Off-season (October-May), Split is a completely different city: calm, affordable, and local.
How's the island access?
Exceptional. Split's ferry port connects to Brac (50 min), Hvar (1-2 hours), Vis (2.5 hours), Korcula, and more. Weekend island-hopping is a genuine lifestyle perk. In summer, ferries run multiple times daily. Off-season, less frequent but still operational.
Croatia's Digital Nomad Visa — is it worth it?
One of Europe's best. The visa gives you 1 year of legal residence, you don't pay Croatian income tax (only taxes in your home country), and the application process is relatively straightforward. You need proof of employment/freelance work and sufficient income. It was one of Europe's first digital nomad visas and the process is well-established.