Information on Travel to Croatia

Croatia applies the “Law on Road Safety”, which contains provisions that differ in part from those in some other European countries. Below is an overview of the most important provisions:

• A maximum blood alcohol level of 0.5 ‰ is set for driving a car, and 0.0 ‰ for drivers under 24 years of age or older drivers within the first two years of obtaining a driving licence.
• Driving under the influence of drugs is not allowed. The police has the right to test the driver if drug use is suspected.
• Dipped headlights must be switched on outside summer time (CEST), even during the day.
• The use of mobile phones and other devices impairing driving safety by the driver of a motor vehicle is not permitted while driving, except for the use of devices which allow operation without the use of the hands (e.g. hands-free equipment).
• The maximum speed allowed, unless otherwise limited by road signs, is: 130 km/h on motorways, 110 km/h on fast main roads, 90 km/h on all other roads outside built-up areas, and 50 km/h in built-up areas
• For drivers under the age of 24 or for older drivers within the first two years of obtaining their driving licence, the maximum speed allowed is: 120 km/h on motorways, 100 km/h on fast main roads, 80 km/h on all other roads outside built-up areas.
• Cyclists under 16 years of age must wear a helmet when riding on public roads. Cyclists aged 9 and over may only ride on public roads if they have either passed a cycling test (appropriate certificate required) or are accompanied by a person aged 16 or over, otherwise they may only ride on public roads from the age of 14.
• The police may temporarily withdraw the driving licence on the spot for a period of up to 30 days in the event of infringements.
• To ensure payment of fines or penalties, the police may confiscate foreigners’ passports or identity cards for a period of up to three days.

can be obtained everywhere without any problems, even on the islands. The petrol stations along the main routes are usually open around the clock. You can get Super unleaded (Eurosuper 95), Super Plus unleaded (Eurosuper 98) and diesel fuel everywhere.

In most places on the Croatian Adriatic coast you can rent motor boats or jet skis. Please note that in Croatia a valid boat licence is required for driving motorised watercraft. In contrast to some other European countries, this regulation also applies in Croatia to engines with less than 5 HP (3.66 kW).

Many jet ski providers also rent out jet skis without a driving licence. Intensive controls are carried out and the risk of a fine lies exclusively with the renter or driver.

There are three very well developed mobile phone networks in Croatia – “A1” (Vodafone partner, old name “VIPnet”), “T-mobile” of the Croatian Telecom and “Tele2”. The area code from e.g. Germany or Austria to Croatia is 00385, from Croatia to Germany 0049, to Austria 0043. The “0” of the area code is not dialled - e.g. 0049-89-… for Munich or 0043-1-… for Vienna.

You do not have to do without the internet even when you are on holiday, e.g. to check your e-mails. There are free public WiFi hotspots almost everywhere, and almost all hotels, holiday resorts and holiday homes have WiFi Internet, usually free of charge.

The HSPA/LTE networks in Croatia are very well developed, so you can use mobile routers or smartphones to access the Internet almost anywhere.

»Roam like at home« – roaming at national prices

Thanks to EU rules on “roaming at national price”, which came into force on 15 June 2017, you will not have to pay additional roaming charges when using your mobile phone in other EU countries when travelling outside your home country. There are no volume limits on roaming at national prices for calls and text messages, but there are rules and limits on using the internet at national prices depending on your contract with your provider. More information is available here.

The euro will be introduced in Croatia on 1st January 2023. From 15th January 2023, it will no longer be possible to pay in the previous currency, the kuna. Any remaining kuna can be exchanged for euro free of charge at all banks in Croatia until 31st December 2023.

Foreign currencies (e.g. CHF, USD, GBP) can be exchanged in Croatia at all post offices, banks and exchange offices, as well as at most hotel receptions. The exchange rate varies only slightly from bank to bank, but often considerably from exchange office to exchange office, so it is well worth making a comparison.

You will find ATMs almost everywhere where you can withdraw cash (euros) with EC cards and most credit cards. In addition, most shops, restaurants, petrol stations and toll booths along the motorways accept the usual credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard, in some places also Diners and American Express, as well as debit cards such as Maestro and Visa Electron.

Riva tip: If you withdraw money from ATMs with your EC or credit card, you should only do so at ATMs of banks, but not at ATMs of private companies (e.g. Euronet or Auro Domus), as these companies charge high commissions.

Medical care in Croatia is good – in addition to polyclinics and hospitals, there are also private outpatient clinics and surgeries.

If you have the European Health Insurance Card, which is issued by your health insurance company, you are entitled to medically necessary public health services – under the same conditions and at the same cost as those insured in the country you are visiting. However, the European Health Insurance Card is not a substitute for travel health insurance. It does not cover private health care or other costs you may incur (e.g. return flight to your home country).

Private doctors (especially dentists) often do not have a contract with the public health insurance and must be paid for in cash.

Travel insurance is not compulsory, however we strongly recommend that you have cover for your own peace of mind and security. Emergency medical coverage is most important. Insurance policies vary, so read the fine print carefully to see exactly what is covered, or ask your travel agent for advice.

For pets (dogs and cats), the same conditions apply for entry into Croatia as for travel within other EU countries with regard to identification by microchip in combination with a valid international health card with vaccination certificate, especially rabies vaccination.

The electricity voltage is 220/240 Volt alternating current as in other European countries – adapters for sockets are not necessary for euro or schuko plugs. For other plugs, e.g. from Switzerland, UK, Ireland, Malta, Cyprus, America, Australia, New Zealand…, you will need adapters.

With Croatia’s accession to the EU on 1 July 2013, practically all customs restrictions for travellers within the EU have been lifted, as far as quantities for personal use (not commercial goods) are concerned. Cigarettes are limited to 800 cigarettes per person for personal use within the EU.

For travelling from/to countries outside the European Union we advise you to check the applicable information given by the customs authorities of your country.