Travel Regulations Croatia

All important travel regulations for Croatia as well as many helpful infos about the beautiful country can be found on the website of the Foreign Office or the European Union. Due to the Corona pandemic, travel regulations for Croatia or the safety regulations and requirements for tests can change continuously. We have compiled some notes on various topics related to travel regulations for Croatia from Crovillas for you here.

Travel Regulations for Croatia: Your Safety in the Republic of Croatia or Republika Hrvatska

Croatia is a parliamentary democracy with a president at the helm. Germany has maintained diplomatic relations with this country since 1992.

For your own safety, there are some tips that, while not falling under the term travel regulations for Croatia, you should definitely keep in mind.

Violence: In Croatia, during your trip, especially during football matches, there may be altercations, so you should avoid large crowds during such events.
Danger: Additionally, in some areas like Eastern Slavonia, Western Slavonia, or the border area with Bosnia and Herzegovina, you should be aware that there may still be landmines from the Balkan War. Therefore, you should not leave the regular paths and roads here.
Theft: Croatia is generally a peaceful country, so you can expect low street crime and hardly any violent crimes. However, pickpocketing or shoplifting is more common in tourist areas, as well as car break-ins, theft on the beach, or in holiday apartments. Therefore, you should never leave your valuables unattended!
Environment: In summer, you have to reckon with forest fires in Croatia – even in tourist areas. There is also a risk of earthquakes. To ensure you behave correctly in case of doubt, you should respond to warning signs and instructions from local security forces.

Travel Regulations for Croatia: Entry, Customs, and Legal Provisions

The regular travel regulations for Croatia can vary due to Corona regulations, so it is important that you check the currently valid travel regulations for Croatia before your trip.

Border Control: The travel regulations for Croatia include a border control regardless of Corona, where entry from the EU is unproblematic, but you should still expect long waiting times before your travel documents are carefully checked for validity.
Driver's License and Driving Fitness: Your German driver's license is sufficient to drive in Croatia. Note the blood alcohol limit of 0.5 and for young drivers under 25 years the limit of 0.0.
Payment Options: In Croatia, you can pay with German credit cards and withdraw money from ATMs with German bank cards. Payment is made in the local currency Kuna (HRK) or in Euros.
Legal Provisions: Croatia is very strict when it comes to drug trafficking, where even small amounts can result in a 3-year prison sentence. Collecting fossils, archaeological artifacts, or shells is also punishable. Additionally, there is strict criminal prosecution for the use of drones.

The most important travel regulations for Croatia also include entry and customs regulations.

For entry, you need one of the following travel documents, which must be valid for the entire planned stay:

Passport or temporary passport
Identity card or temporary identity card
Children's passport

The import regulations are relatively extensive travel regulations for Croatia, which are subject to the regulations of the European Union.

Be sure to inform yourself in advance about the valid upper limits for the import of cigarettes, tobacco, and alcohol. There is also a registration requirement if you want to import hunting weapons and ammunition for a hunting holiday. You should also avoid items ("cold weapons") that are suitable for attacks (knives, pepper spray, or similar) if you do not want to risk confiscation and a fine.

Travel Regulations for Croatia: Health Regulations and Corona Provisions

In addition to the Corona regulations, various health tips are among the important travel regulations for Croatia. General mandatory vaccinations are not prescribed but recommended. These include vaccinations against: Hepatitis A, B, rabies, and TBE. There are also dangers from mosquito bites that could transmit West Nile fever.

Medical Treatment: If something should happen, treatment in the hospital or by a doctor is no problem with the presentation of the European Health Insurance Card, but a private travel health insurance is recommended.

Corona Provisions

These regulations, which currently make up the most important part of the travel regulations for Croatia, can change at any time and should therefore be checked daily. At the moment (February 2022), Croatia is considered a high-risk area. Entry (only for unavoidable trips) must be made with the presentation of an EU digital COVID certificate.

The currently valid test and quarantine regulations are regularly published by the Croatian Ministry of the Interior. A violation results in a high fine. These regulations are available in German and are easy to understand.

Entry and Extended Stay – Regulations for Children and Animals

The travel regulations for Croatia stipulate that even small children must enter with valid travel documents!

For minors, there are no separate special travel regulations for Croatia, but there are regulations for the consent form for minors traveling without parental accompaniment. For this, you need a certificate for the accompanying person, which includes the personal details of the child and the accompanying person along with the travel route and contact details of the guardians.

For pets such as dogs or cats, according to the travel regulations for Croatia, you need an EU pet passport, which includes proof of a rabies vaccination, for example.

As an EU citizen, you can stay in Croatia for a maximum of 90 days, after which you must register with the authorities and report to the police station. You will then receive a biometric residence permit, which is valid for 5 years.

The same applies here: The travel regulations for Croatia can change at any time due to a changed political or epidemic situation. Therefore, you must always check with the Foreign Office or the Croatian Embassy in Germany about the valid travel regulations for Croatia before traveling.

If you have any questions, please contact us.