Croatia Travel Information

No airport tax is levied on passengers upon embarkation at the airport.

Crime

Crime levels are low and violent crime is rare.

Some tourists have been the victims of overcharging in so-called ‘Gentlemen’s Clubs’, sometimes amounting to thousands of Euros. Victims can be threatened with violence if they refuse to pay.

Take care in busy tourist areas, where pickpockets are known to operate. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Don’t leave valuables unattended, particularly on the beach. Use a hotel safe if possible.

Report all incidents of crime to the local police station and get a police report.

Local travel

If you’re planning to travel outside the normal tourist resorts, beware of unexploded mines in war-affected areas like Eastern Slavonia, Brodsko-Posavska County, Karlovac County, areas around Zadar County and in more remote areas of the Plitvice Lakes National Park. For more information about mine-affected areas visit the Civil Protection website (in Croatian only) or contact the Civil Protection offices.

If you’re travelling in these areas, avoid leaving cultivated land or marked paths. If in doubt seek local advice.

If you’re hiking in the mountains, seek expert advice from local guides, however tame the mountain might seem to you. The weather in the Croatian mountains can change quickly, even in summer and temperatures can get very low overnight. There have been reports of hikers getting lost in the mountains when they have gone out alone and left marked paths. You can find tips about mountaineering and direct numbers for regional rescue teams on the Croatian Mountain Rescue page here and on Twitter HrvatskaGSS , as well as their maps. If you get into trouble, call the emergency number 112 and the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service will help you as best they can.

Road travel

In 2019 there were 297 road deaths in the Croatia (source: Department for Transport). This equates to 7.3 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 2.6 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2019.

Licences and documents

UK driving licence holders may drive in Croatia on their UK licence for a period of up to 12 months. An International Driving Permit is not required.

If you bring your own or rented vehicle into the country, you may need to provide proof of ownership by presenting a V5 log book. If you fail to produce this when asked you will be refused entry and the car might be impounded until you can prove ownership. Contact the Croatian Embassy in London if you have more detailed questions about bringing a vehicle in to the country. The British Embassy is unable to help individuals attempting to bring vehicles into Croatia who do not have the correct documents at the border.

If you’re driving to or through Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the 20km strip of coastline at Neum on the Dalmatian coastal highway, make sure that you have a Green Card that includes cover for Bosnia and Herzegovina. You can’t buy insurance for Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Neum border crossing.

If you’re living in Croatia, check the Living in Guide for information on requirements for residents.

Road safety

Take care when overtaking and be wary of other road users unexpectedly overtaking in slower traffic. Minor roads are usually unlit at night.

Emergency road help (HAK) may be reached by dialling (385 1) 1987. This service is staffed by English speaking operators. Traffic information in English is available on 98.5FM during the tourist season only.

Driving regulations

It is illegal to drive with more than 0.05% of alcohol in the blood system.

You must drive with dipped headlights from the last weekend in October until last weekend in March, even during the daytime. You must have winter tyres on your vehicle between 15 November and 15 April. You must not use a mobile phone whilst driving.

It’s obligatory to carry a fluorescent vest in your car whilst driving in Croatia. You must keep the vest in the car and not in the boot. You should wear the vest while attending to a breakdown. All passengers must wear seat belts and special seats are required for infants. Children under the age of 12 must not sit in the front seat.

See the European Commission,AA and RAC guides on driving in Croatia.

Rail travel

Take care to guard valuables, especially at night.

Sea travel

There is zero tolerance on alcohol consumption if you are in charge of a yacht or boat. The penalties for being caught drunk in charge of a boat are heavy. Yacht/boat skippers have been arrested for entering a non-designated entry port without informing the authorities. If you are sailing to Croatia enter only at a designated port/harbour. If this is not possible, contact the local harbour master or the police before entering.

The Croatian Government requires all skippers to have an International Certificate of Competence (ICC).

Entry to Croatia

In line with the treatment of non-EU/EEA nationals, from 1 January 2021 UK nationals travelling to Croatia from the UK, or any other non-EU/EEA country, are not permitted to enter the country for the duration of these COVID-19 restrictions. Limited exemptions will apply for Croatian residents and those travelling for urgent personal, family or business reasons (but are still subject to the requirement to present a negative PCR test result, not older than 48 hours on arrival, or isolate until a negative test result has been obtained locally at their own expense). Rapid antigen tests or serological tests will not be accepted. See information from the Croatian government for further details.

From 13 January 2021, there are additional restrictions if you are travelling to Croatia from the UK, South Africa or Brazil. In addition to holding a negative PCR test result less than 48 hours old, permitted travellers must also undergo a mandatory 14 day self-isolation period on arrival to Croatia. The isolation period can be reduced to 7 days if a subsequent PCR test confirms a negative result.

Details of eligibility to travel, possible exemptions, and instructions for arrivals are available from the Ministry of Interior.

Tests are not available at Croatia’s airports. Those seeking a test on arrival will need to contact a clinic directly and may temporarily leave their accommodation to attend a test appointment. See more information about testing centres in Croatia. Tests cost approximately 700 Croatian Kuna and results are generally available within 48 hours.

If you have recovered from COVID-19 within the past three months you must provide evidence of your recovery with a doctor’s certificate or a negative test result.

Quarantine requirements

UK nationals travelling to Croatia should produce a negative PCR test on arrival in Croatia or self-isolate until a negative test result has been obtained locally. Travellers are advised to check the latest situation with the Croatian authorities before starting a journey, as health requirements may change. It is mandatory for passengers to wear masks on public transport and taxis and in shops and other commercial premises.

Screening on arrival

The Croatian government has introduced a new online entry form to expedite the entry of foreign visitors. You are advised to carry a copy of your accommodation booking or proof of ownership of holiday homes / boats when arriving in Croatia. If you are travelling to Croatia for business, you are advised to carry evidence of a business invitation or meetings.

Restrictions on travel may change at any time. You should check the latest regulations before travelling on the Croatian government website. British citizens are permitted to leave Croatia and it remains possible to return to the UK by air and road.

Regular entry requirements

Visas

The rules for travelling or working in European countries changed from 1 January 2021:

• you can travel to Croatia for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit for family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training
• visits to other EU or Schengen countries do not count towards your 90-day limit in Croatia as it is not in the Schengen area. Visits to Croatia do not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit in the Schengen area
• to stay longer, to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons, you will need to meet the Croatian government’s entry requirements. Check with the Croatian Embassy what type of visa and/or work permit you may need
• if you stay in Croatia with a visa or permit, your stay does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit

Any time you spent in Croatia before 1 January 2021 does not count towards the 90-day visa-free limit.

At Croatian border control, you may need to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing. Your passport may be stamped on entry and exit.

You may also need to:

• show a return or onward ticket
• show you have enough money for your stay

There are separate requirements for those who are resident in Croatia. If you are resident in Croatia, you should carry proof of residence as well as your valid passport when you travel. For further information on these requirements, see our Living in Croatia guide.

Passport validity

Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip, and renew your passport if you do not have enough time left on it.

You must have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland).

If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.

UK Emergency Travel Documents

UK ETDs are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Croatia and are a valid ID document in Croatia.