Croatia Travel Regulations: What You Need to Know

Croatia is an EU member, has been part of the Schengen Area since 1 January 2023, and pays with the euro. For you, that means a trip to the Adriatic is now as uncomplicated as a trip to Italy or France. We at Crovillas have summarized the most important travel regulations for Croatia here.

Entering Without Border Checks

Since Croatia joined Schengen in early 2023, there are no border checks anymore when you arrive from another Schengen country, whether you come by car or by plane. The long queues at the border that many people remember from past summers are a thing of the past.

You still need to carry a valid travel document at all times:

• A passport or national ID card, valid for the entire duration of your trip
• Children need their own document too (a child's passport or ID card)
• For minors traveling without their parents, a consent letter from the legal guardians with contact details and travel dates is recommended

As an EU citizen, you can stay in Croatia for up to 90 days. If you want to stay longer, you register at the local police station. Traveling from outside the EU, for example from the UK or the US? Then you need a valid passport, and you should check the entry requirements for your citizenship before you travel.

Driving to Croatia

A driving licence from an EU country is all you need. Visitors from outside the EU should check before the trip whether their licence is accepted. A few rules are worth knowing:

• Blood alcohol limit: 0.5, and 0.0 for young drivers under 24
• Lights: In the winter half of the year, dipped headlights are mandatory even during the day
• Tolls: The motorways are tolled, and you pay at the toll station in cash or by card. You can find all the details in our post on the highways in Croatia

Health and Safety

There are no mandatory vaccinations for Croatia. If you're insured in the EU, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers treatment by doctors and in hospitals, and a private travel health insurance is a sensible addition for everyone. The emergency number is 112, as everywhere in Europe.

Croatia is a very safe destination. Two notes still belong here: in summer, there is a risk of forest fires along the coast, so pay attention to local warnings and be careful with open flames. And in a few remote inland areas, such as parts of Slavonia and the border region with Bosnia and Herzegovina, leftover mines from the 1990s may still lie off the beaten path. The holiday regions along the coast are not affected.

Traveling with a Dog or Cat

The EU-wide rules apply to pets: your four-legged friend needs an EU pet passport, a microchip, and a valid rabies vaccination. Many holiday homes in Croatia expressly welcome dogs, often even with a fenced garden. You'll find suitable places to stay under holidays with your dog in Croatia.

Customs: Relaxed Within the EU

Since Croatia belongs to the EU, you can freely bring goods for personal use, and the usual EU guide levels apply to tobacco and alcohol. Be careful with two things: drones are subject to the EU drone rules including registration, and collecting fossils or archaeological finds, as well as using metal detectors, is prohibited.

Registration and Tourist Tax

Every guest in Croatia is registered with the authorities (the system is called eVisitor). You don't need to worry about it though: your host takes care of the registration, and you just have your ID details ready. The tourist tax is usually billed directly through your accommodation.