Useful information for sailors

The commander of a vessel entering the Republic of Croatia by sea is required to pay the prescribed fees for navigation safety and marine pollution protection, pay the tourist tax, and register the stay of foreign nationals on board (if they are actually staying on the vessel) in accordance with special regulations. It is important to distinguish between arrivals from Schengen area countries and other countries.

Persons on a vessel for sport and recreation coming from or departing to a port in a Schengen area member state are not subject to border control and may enter a port that is not a border crossing point.

A vessel coming from a third country is required to enter exclusively into a port where an international border crossing point for passenger traffic in maritime transport is open. In exceptional cases, a vessel for sport and recreation may enter a port that is not a border crossing point. This exception is limited to exceptional circumstances, including force majeure, for example, extreme weather conditions, urgent medical issues, engine failure, or other technical problems, involvement in SAR operations.

If it concerns a re-registration, it is also possible to obtain and pay it via the link enautika.pomorstvo.hr. The fee amount depends on the length of the vessel and engine power, and it is paid for the calendar year regardless of the sailing period in the territorial sea and internal waters of the Republic of Croatia.

Ports open for international traffic in the Republic of Croatia are: Umag, Poreč, Rovinj, Pula, Raša-Bršica, Rijeka, Mali Lošinj, Zadar, Šibenik, Split, Korčula, Vela Luka, Ubli (Lastovo), Ploče, Metković and Dubrovnik. Seasonally (from April 1st to October 31st), these ports are also open for international traffic: ACI marina Umag, Novigrad (Istria), Sali, Božava, Primošten-Kremik, Stari Grad (island of Hvar), Hvar (port), Vis (port), Komiža, Cavtat.

Fee for Navigation Safety and Marine Pollution Protection

The fee is paid for the calendar year, regardless of the sailing period in the Republic of Croatia. A Payment Certificate is issued as proof of payment upon registration of the yacht or boat. The fee amount depends on the length of the vessel and the total power of propulsion devices.

Authorization for Vessel Users

On a vessel owned by a natural person or persons, which is sailing in the Republic of Croatia, the vessel owner, members of their immediate family, and persons who have written authorization from the vessel owner may be present on board during navigation. The owner’s signature on the written authorization must be certified by a domestic or foreign competent authority.

On a vessel owned by a legal entity, which is sailing in the Republic of Croatia, persons authorized to use the vessel based on a written power of attorney may be present on board during navigation. The text of the power of attorney must clearly state the name and surname of the responsible person in the legal entity who signed and stamped the power of attorney, the period of use of the vessel to which the power of attorney relates, the name and surname of the person responsible for managing the vessel if the vessel does not have a permanently employed crew, and the names of all persons who will stay on the vessel during the validity period of the power of attorney.

Documents on Board

On a vessel sailing in the Republic of Croatia, the following original documents must be available for verification purposes:

-Proof that all fees have been paid
-Proof that the vessel is seaworthy
-Proof that the person commanding the vessel is qualified to operate the vessel in accordance with the national regulations of the flag state or the regulations of the Republic of Croatia
-Proof of liability insurance for damage caused to third parties
-Proof of ownership or authorization for the use of the vessel.

Licenses for Operating Boats and Yachts

To operate boats and command yachts, a person must be qualified in accordance with the regulations of the country whose flag the boat or yacht flies, and if no qualifications are required in the home country for boat operation, then Croatian regulations apply. A person operating a boat or commanding a yacht of Croatian nationality, depending on the category of the boat and/or yacht, must possess a Certificate of Competence for Boat Operator or a Certificate of Competence for Yacht Commander or a license/permit for operating boats and yachts issued by the competent authorities of foreign states and recognized by the Ministry of the Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure. The list of recognized foreign certificates/licenses is published on the website of the Ministry of the Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure: http://www.mppi.hr/UserDocsImages/27.04.2018-TABLICA%20(2)MoU.pdf

Vignetta

The vignette is a mark that proves the registration of arrival, the fulfillment of the conditions for sailing in the Republic of Croatia and the payment of the fee for navigation safety, light duty, maritime information map and administrative fee. The vignette is valid from the date of issue until the end of the current year. Vessels with a length of 3 meters or more must have a vignette, as well as vessels with a length of less than 3 meters and the total power of the propulsion machinery 5 kW or more. Rowing vessels do not have to have a vignette, regardless of their length.

The harbor master’s office or branch office issues a vignette based on the documentation that the master of the vessel is required to attach:

Tourist tax

The tourist tax for vessel owners or vessel users is paid exclusively online through the portal nautika.evisitor.hr. The portal is available in Croatian, English, German and Italian and supports payments via all the world’s most famous card brands. Sailors can pay the tourist tax according to the length of the boat or according to the number of people, that is, the number of nights if it is more favorable for them, which is usually the case during a shorter stay in the destination.

Before leaving Croatian territorial waters, the captain of the vessel must:

The Nautical Information Service (nIS) application is intended for yacht captains, vessel managers, fishermen, divers, bathers and other people who spend time along the coast and at sea. The application was created in a multilingual version in Croatian, Slovenian, English, German, Italian, French, Czech, Slovak, Polish, Hungarian, Spanish and Russian.

Legal Advice for Boaters