You have chosen Croatia for your holiday destination? Unreal natural beauty, top gastronomy and cultural and historical heritage will introduce you to another world and make your holiday unforgettable. But, before that, we bring you a list of useful information and tips which you should be aware of before starting your journey.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Entering the Republic of Croatia, all foreign citizens must hold a valid passport or any other internationally recognised identification document. If you are a citizen of the European Union, a valid identification card is sufficient. Foreign citizens who enter Croatia as tourists may stay up to three months.
VISAS
Foreign citizens who hold Schengen documents, as well as citizens from Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania, holding valid visas or other stay permits, do not require an additional visa for Croatia. In keeping with the Republic of Croatia’s visa regime, a visa is required for citizens coming from the countries for which a visa is required for entering the country. It is necessary to procure visas before entering the Republic of Croatia and they are issued by the Republic of Croatia consular offices. You can find more information about the visa regime between the Republic of Croatia and other countries on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
The customs regulations in the Republic of Croatia are almost fully in line with the regulations of the European Union countries. When entering Croatia, foreign citizens – tourists, are entitled to bring their personal luggage, including food, medicine and other personal effects, in accordance with the customs regulations. Foreign and local currency, as well as cheques, can freely be brought into and taken out of the country and they can be brought in or out by foreign citizens, as well as Croatian citizens with residence abroad. However, personal transfers of money in the amount of €10,000.00 or more should be reported to customs officers. It is required that any valuable personal equipment and other technical goods be reported to customs officers when crossing the border. You can find more detailed information about bringing specific objects, plants and animals into the Republic of Croatia on the Ministry of Finances, Customs Administration website.
CURRENCY
From January 1, 2023, the euro will become the official currency of Croatia and all payments can be made in euros.
PETS
Your pets are welcome in Croatia! If you wish to take your pets on holiday to Croatia with you, you must make sure they possess the required veterinary documentation related to your pets’ health condition. Cats and dogs must also be fitted with a microchip. Entry into the Republic of Croatia with up to five pets is possible at border crossings which are approved for traffic of pets, while entry with more than five pets is only allowed at border crossings where veterinary inspection services are also part of the border crossing staff. You can find more information about entry of your pets into Croatia on the Ministry of Agriculture website.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN CROATIA
01.01. New Year
06.01. Epiphany or Three Kings Day
Easter and Easter Monday, Second day of Easter
01.05. Labour Day
Corpus Christi, 60 days or the ninth Thursday after Easter
22.06. Anti-Fascist Struggle Day
30.05. Statehood Day
22.06. Day of Antifascist Struggle
05.08. Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving and the Day of Croatian Defenders
15.08. Assumption of Mary
01.11. All Saints’ Day
18.11. Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Homeland War and Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Vukovar and Škabrnja
25. – 26.12. Christmas holidays
Throughout Croatia, all public services and some shops are closed during public holidays.
IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Just like in other countries of the world, in Croatia, too, there are telephone numbers which are useful to know during your stay there:
- 112 (+385 112) is a unique number for emergency services which are used in Croatia. It is available free of charge from all public telephone networks, any time of day and night. This is the number which encompasses the services of urgent medical assistance, fire, police, mountain rescue services, urgent veterinary assistance and other services and operational forces of protection and rescue.
- 192 (+385 192) Police
- 193 (+385 193) Fire
- 194 (+385 194) Ambulance services/urgent medical assistance
- 1987 (+385 1 1987) Emergency road assistance
- 195 (+385 1 195) National centre for sea search and rescue
- 11888 (+385 1 11888) Information on local and inter-city telephone numbers
- 11802 (+385 1 11802) Information on international telephone numbers
- 060 520 520 (+385 60 520 520) Weather forecast and road conditions
If you are calling from abroad or using a mobile device with a foreign number, before dialling numbers in Croatia, dial the code number for Croatia first +385, as quoted on the above list.
The unique telephone number for tourist information for the whole of Croatia is 062 999 999. If calling from abroad, dial +385 62 999 999. The information service is available in Croatian, English, German and Italian languages.
ELECTRICITY AND WATER
Electrical voltage used in Croatia is 220V, of frequency 50Hz. In order to be able to use their electrical appliances, tourists from the USA must use transformers and tourists from Great Britain, adaptors for the European electricity network. The water from the water mains supply is safe to drink throughout Croatia, so there’s no need to buy bottled water.
Wi-Fi
Travelling without access to Internet? A nightmare nowadays! Thanks to the 300 free Wi-Fi access points throughout Croatia, stay informed and connected with your family and friends at home while on holiday, too. You can find the locations of free Wi-Fi points here.