Does time on Croatia's digital nomad stay count toward permanent residence?

The digital nomad stay is designed as a temporary, flexible option rather than a settlement track. The official material on the program does not present it as a step toward permanent status, and it caps the stay at 18 months with a required gap before re-applying.

Separately, Croatia's long-term residence rules exclude or discount certain special-purpose stays from the five-year qualifying period. If your goal is eventual permanent residence, you should not assume nomad time will count, and it is worth getting tailored advice on a category that does build toward settlement.