Welcome to Croatia!

Unique in so many ways, Croatia has roots extending from ancient times and a great cultural wealth which tells of its turbulent history, from the Roman era to the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and Ottoman conquests, right up to the presentday. This cultural wealth is exceptionally appealing to all those who visit the country. If we then include in this the amazing natural beauty which attracts visitors throughout the year, the 8 national parks, 11 nature reserves and the numerous UNESCO world heritage sites, Croatia can truly be called a country of incredible magnetic attraction.

Yes, Croatia is all that and so much more. It is the home of the necktie, the parachute, the torpedo, the mechanical pencil, the filament light bulb, the world’s fastest electric car, the Dalmatian dog, Marco Polo, one of the oldest cities and parliaments in Europe, the second longest stretch of defensive walls in Europe, the smallest cathedral, the oldest arboretum, the oldest film festival in the world, and the birthplace of great athletes. And last but by no means least – the Croats themselves! The Croatian people and their kindness are a magnet that keeps drawing tourists back. Sometimes the hospitality of the locals will make you wonder whether you are in your own home or simply – on holiday in Croatia!

Travel documents

ID (EU and EEA citizens and Switzerland) or passport. A visa is necessary for the citizens of certain third countries.

A visa is necessary for the citizens of certain third countries. The Croatian visa policy can be consulted here

DIPLOMATIC MISSION AND CONSULAR OFFICES OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA ABROAD

Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia

Customs regulations

The Republic of Croatia has implemented the customs legislation of the European Union on its territory, and the national legislation has been aligned with the regulations of the European Union.

The import of personal luggage is exempt from import duties, without any limitations regarding its value, and this applies to every individual- passenger who enters the EU customs area, regardless of whether they carry their luggage with them or if it arrived separately, providing that the passenger can prove to the person responsible for its transport that all indicated luggage was declared simultaneously at departure. Items that are in the personal luggage of the passenger, which by its type and quantity are not for resale but solely for the personal use of the passenger and members of their family, is exempt from import duties if its total value does not exceed the equivalent value of HRK 2,200.00, or for air and sea transport the value of HRK 3,200.00. This exemption applies to each passenger individually, and can be applied only once per day. Those items where the value exceeds the specified amount or are not considered to be personal luggage are subject to customs duties and value added tax (and possibly excise duties as well). The luggage of passengers who are under 15 years of age is exempt from import duties up to a total value of the equivalent of HRK 1,100.00, regardless of the mode of transport used. Passengers are obliged to report to the Customs Service when they are carrying the equivalent of EUR 10,000.00 or more in cash, whatever the currency, or in any other means of payment, such as cheques, whenever they enter or leave the EU.

Foreign nationals and Croatians who are residents of third countries may temporarily bring in items for their personal use, as well as for the use of their family members, without being liable to import duties. Also, people residing in the EU may temporarily export items they need during their stay in a third country. The personal belongings of passengers include any items, whether new or used, which a traveller may reasonably need for his or her personal use during the journey excluding all goods being imported for commercial purposes. Examples of personal items are: video cameras, portable TV sets and audio devices, cameras, laptops, PCs, camping, sailing, scuba diving, skiing, skating andhiking equipment, caravans, pleasure crafts, portable medical devices with accessories (if necessary to the passenger), pets and the like. The import of such goods is made by oral declaration without any particular customs formalities at the border crossing. The re-export of the above items is done in the same way. When a passenger imports or exports valuable professional equipment, when entering or leaving the Republic of Croatia, he must complete a “List of Goods” in triplicate at the border. If necessary, he must attach an insurance document to pay any customs duties which may arise.

Natural persons, who are neither residents nor have a usual address in the European Union, are entitled to arefund of value added tax (PDV) on the goods they have purchased in Croatia, if the value of the goods exceeds HRK 740 per purchase. The refund is obtained upon presentation of the completed form PDV-P, i.e. Tax free form that must be certified, within 3 months of the date stated on the invoice or delivery note, by Customs when taking the goods out of the European Union. Foreign citizens must submit the VAT refund request within six months of the date of purchase. It is not possible to certify the PDV-P form or Tax-free form once the goods have been carriedout of the European Union.

For further information, please contact the Customs Administration website

For information on the regulations relating to the import of products of animal origin in personal luggage see the Ministry of Agriculture – Administration for Veterinary Medicine and Food

Currency

EURO – EUR

1 euro = 100 cents

Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices, post offices, and most travel agencies, hotels and camps.

Post offices

The opening hours of post offices are available on the Croatian Post website, as well as a smartphone app.

Some post offices remain open until 0:00 a.m. – the one in Branimirova 4, in the centre of Zagreb, as well as at the one at the border crossing of Bajakovo.

Petrol stations

In larger cities and on the motorways, petrol stations are open 24 hours a day.

Important telephone numbers

Working hours of shops and public services

During the tourist season, most shops are open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on weekdays, and most are open during the weekends as well.

Public services and business offices work from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Health services

Hospitals and clinics are found in all larger towns and cities, while smaller places have outpatient units and pharmacies. Foreign visitors who have compulsory health insurance in other EU countries and EEA (Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein) and Switzerland during their temporary stay in Croatia have the right to basic healthcare, on the basis of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Healthcare on the basis of the EHIC may be used in all healthcare institutions and with all MDs that have a regular contract with the Croatian Health Insurance Fund. They onlybear the cost of participation in cases when Croatian insured persons pay it as well. Tourists that have compulsory insurance in countries which have signed a social security agreement with Croatia, regulating the use of healthcare services (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, FYRM, Turkey) have the right to emergency health care during their temporary stay in Croatia. The precondition is that they request from their insurer the certificate of the right to health care during temporary stay in Croatia, before they leave for Croatia. The Croatian Health Insurance Fund (in the place of their stay) will change it into a health insurance certificate. They can benefit from health care services on the basis of the abovementioned certificate in contracting healthcare institutions and MDs, and they will onlybear the cost of participation in cases when Croatian insured persons pay it as well.

Persons coming from third countries (countries that are not EU/ EEA members, Switzerland or contracting countries) bear all healthcare costs in Croatia themselves.

NOTICE – HEALTHCARE FOR TOURISTS (2024.) – Find the information here!

CROATIAN HEALTH INSURANCE FUND

Compulsory health insurance

CROATIAN HEALTH INSURANCE FUND

Premium health insurance

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

NATIONAL CONTACT POINT FOR CROSSBORDER HEALTHCARE