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Croatia is part of the EU and on 1 January 2023, Croatia became part of the Schengen area.
UK Citizens do not need a visa for short trips to the EU or countries in the Schengen area if both of the following apply:
Note: your total stay in the Schengen area must be no more than 90 days in every 180 days. It does not matter how many countries you visit. The 180-day period keeps ‘rolling’.
It is your responsibility to make sure you meet the visa and passport requirements. For further information, click here to visit gov.uk
At the time of writing, to enter Croatia (and all Schengen countries) your passport must:
Your passport should be stamped on entry and when you leave to show you have not overstayed 90 days.
Check this information is correct on gov.uk before you travel.
The official language of Croatia is Croatian and it is great to pick up a few words to use during your travels. Approx. 50% of Croatians speak English as a foreign language, with 34% speaking German, followed by Italian with 14%. Italian is recognised as a minority language in the northern region of Istria.
The Euro became the official currency of Croatia in January 2023. The Kuna is no longer an accepted currency.
You may still see prices in shops and restaurants listed in Kuna and Euros but this is just for information purposes and the Kuna is no longer in circulation. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted but we advise you to have some cash with you as some places still insist on cash payments.
We like to use a Revolut Card in location for cash withdrawals. Revolut is a money transfer card that offers the bank interchange rate (the rate the banks give each other) and doesn’t charge fees for use at ATMs abroad (you may still be charged by the ATM on foreign withdrawals). Further information on Revolut can be found here. We are sharing our travel tips, not financial advice, so read all the details before deciding whether a Revolut card is right for you.
You can drive in Croatia using your UK driving licence for up to 12 months. You don’t need an International Driving Permit.
If you’re driving in Croatia, see information on driving abroad and read the RAC Croatia guide.
The Croatian Automobile Association lists current traffic hazards.
Croatia has a very low crime rate by European standards. However, travel insurance should be taken out to protect you and your belongings, and common sense exercised to prevent petty crime.
Wall sockets operate 220/230 volts and 50Hz and take round two-pin plugs. UK travellers will need a continental adaptor.
Wifi is widely available in hotels, cafes and restaurants. If you have EU roaming included in your UK phone tariff you can use your phone as if you were at home. If not, you can purchase a temporary local sim or an Esim for use in Croatia. We use Airalo to purchase Esims while travelling.
The tap water in Croatia is safe to drink and of good quality, in fact, it is one of the cleanest in the world. However, in times of extended heavy rain, the water supply in some locations, such as Dubrovnik can become contaminated. Some hotels alert their guests and tend to provide free bottled water on these occasions.
There are no vaccination requirements for Croatia.
When you travel to an EU country or Switzerland you should have either:
A GHIC or EHIC card gives you access to medical treatment at a reduced cost or free. This should not replace travel insurance. You should also have travel insurance with healthcare coverage.
Further information can be found on GOV.uk
Croatia has world-class dentistry and private treatment is in the region of 75% cheaper than dentistry in the UK, many people travel to Croatia for lower-cost, high-quality dental treatment.
There is no official religion in Croatia. That said, more than 86% of the population are Roman Catholic. The second-most common religion is Eastern Orthodoxy at 4%.
Post-civil war in the 1990s, the economy in Croatia has been doing increasingly well, largely due to its shift into a market-based economy. The majority of Croatia’s GDP is tied up in the services sector.
Croatia is very proud of its independence, so don’t lump the Croats into the same boat as other ex-Yugoslavia countries.
The Croatians love football and are very proud of their place in the World Cup final in 2018.
Visitors to Croatia are required by law to register with the police within 24 hours of their arrival. However, if you are staying at a hotel, hostel or campsite the job of registering will be done for you.
Tipping has become more expected in Croatia, in large part due to the high volume of US visitors. Wages in the hospitality sector are much lower than the cost of living in Croatia and tips are very much appreciated if you feel you have received a good service.
It is polite to round up the bill at a restaurant by 10% when dining at restaurants.
Croatia is 1 hour ahead of the UK, GMT
Daylight savings begins on 31 March and ends on 27 October.
Croatia is a predominantly Catholic country and a new law restricting work on Sundays came into force on 2 July 2023. As of this date, all stores are restricted to opening on just 16 Sundays of the year. You can read more about the Sunday restrictions here.
Additionally, most shops and all banks are closed on the following public holidays:
January 1: New Year
January 6: Epiphany
March or April: Easter Monday
May 1: Labour Day
May or June: Corpus Christi
June 22: Day of the 1941 Antifascist Uprising
June 25: Day of Croatian Statehood
August 5: National Thanksgiving Day
August 15: Assumption
October 8: Independence Day
November 1: All Saint’s Day
December 25 & 26: Christmas
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