Today, I finally finalised my Digital Nomad Visa here in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
The most important piece? My original apostilled Police Clearance.
Without it, my case would still be hanging in limbo. Because my initial application traced back to Dubrovnik last March while I was in Montenegro, everything had to be settled here.
Yes, it cost me 500 euros, but that was 500 euros well spent.
Now, I have peace of mind knowing I hold Croatian residency. All that’s left is my biometric ID card.
It’s funny… I didn’t even realise I had officially become a resident of Croatia, a member of the European Union, until weeks later, when I stumbled across the confirmation email while in Serbia. By then, I had already been roaming across the Balkans, convinced I didn’t have residency anywhere. My Schengen visa had expired, and I was forced to apply for a new one. With a Philippine passport, nothing ever comes easy.
But no regrets. Had I discovered my residency sooner, I wouldn’t have spent months weaving through Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia building connections that felt deep and lasting. Those detours rooted me in the Balkans in a way no plan could have.
So when I finally crossed back into Croatia, I couldn’t hold it in. I cried at the border as the officer stamped my passport.
A journey that once looked like a cancelled trip had stretched into six months:
Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia… and finally, full circle, back to Croatia.
In Bosnia, things aligned. Shezna, the kind consul in Sarajevo, processed my application as urgent, and within two weeks I had my visa. Had it taken any longer, I would have overstayed. God’s timing, yet again, was perfect.
The rejection in Belgrade, the delay in Niš, they felt frustrating at the time. But looking back, had they accepted my case, it would have taken months longer. Everything really does happen for a reason.
At first, I resented having to return to Dubrovnik after settling in Zagreb. But that inconvenience allowed me to see Split, to understand it wasn’t where I felt peace.
Zagreb is where I belong, at least for now. Until March 6, or until my lease runs out, that’s my base.
… for now.
Today, I feel accomplished.
Following my gut to pay the residence fee was the right call. Otherwise, I’d still be stuck here, draining my wallet on Dubrovnik’s inflated prices. That short 15-minute walk to the bank almost broke my spirit, one bank rejected me, but Kent Bank accepted me without an OIB. The woman who helped me was patient, gracious, and the timing couldn’t have been more divine. With the slip in hand, I walked straight into MUP, met Marija in person after months of emailing, and she finalized my case.
Ticket to Zagreb booked. Case closed. Peace found.
This residency gives me enough stability to think bigger again: Spain, new work opportunities, maybe even a whole new career path.
Because on the bus from Split to Dubrovnik, I felt something stir. A whisper that it was time to ask Michael for a shift, from systems into sales. I want growth. I want my work tied directly to revenue, to results. I know I can thrive in that arena. Even if I start slow, I’ll get there.
I don’t want easy. I want growth.
And today reminded me: with faith, persistence, and a little divine favor, growth always comes.
Amen.
