Tips for tourists

Tips for tourists

Registration
When you check in a hotel, hostel, campsite or an apartment, you will automatically be registered with the police, a matter required by law. If you are staying with friends please do it yourself. In a 24 hour period, check with your nearest police station or tourist board if you come from EU countries and be sure to bring your passport. You will be kindly asked to complete some paperwork, a procedure necessary for your own safety, to help you overcome any inconvenience that may occur while you are on a holiday.

Travel documentation
On December 8, 2022, the member states of the European Union (EU) unanimously approved Croatia's entry into Schengen from January 1, 2023.
The Schengen area allows more than 400 million people to travel freely between member countries without going through border controls.
The entry of Istria/Croatia into the Schengen area means the abolition of border controls between Croatia and the 22 member states of the European Union as well as four countries outside the EU: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
From January 1, 2023, travel within the Schengen member states will be carried out without border control at land and sea crossings, while controls at airports will be carried out until March 26, 2023.
Entering Croatia from countries that do not belong to the Schengen area is possible upon presentation of an identity card, a valid passport or a valid visa.
Tourists may remain in Croatia for up to three months.

Visas
Generally, citizens of European countries, regardless of whether their countries are Member States of the EU or not, do not need a visa to come to Croatia. The only exceptions to this rule are the Russian Federation, Belarus and the Republic of Turkey. Citizens of most non-European countries will probably need to obtain a visa pursuant to the agreements concluded between Croatia and their country.
Further information about the visa regime between the Republic of Croatia and all other countries is available at:
» Visa requirements overview

Customs
The Customs regulations of the Republic of Croatian are in line with the regulations of the European Union.
When entering Croatia, passengers and visitors are entitled to bring in personal baggage, including foods, drugs, weapons and other goods in accordance with that prescribed by the customs regulations.
Detailed instructions and information about carrying certain objects, plants, animals into Croatia can be found on the Ministry of Customs and Finance Administration's website: www.carina.gov.hr.

Pets
The transport of pets across state borders may only take place upon presentation of a certificate of the animal’s good health issued by a veterinary surgeon.
The European pet passport is a standardised and mandatory document, containing information such as the description of the animal, microchip or tattooing number, as well as data on all received vaccinations against rabies, and contact data for the owner or the issuing veterinarian. The passport is issued by authorized veterinary offices, and it can be issued for dogs, cats and ferrets. It remains valid as long as you regularly vaccinate your pet against rabies.
If you are travelling from a non-EU country or territory, your pet must have an EU animal health certificate issued by an official State vet in the country of departure not more than 10 days before your pet arrives in the EU. This certificate, which also contains your pet’s name, basic information and history of vaccination against rabies, must be validated by an authorised veterinarian in the home country no more than 10 days before entering Croatia.
Detailed information:
»» EU regulations for travelling with pets and other animals within EU

Currency

The Republic of Croatia is a member of the eurozone since January 1, 2023, which means that the euro (€) is the new official currency and legal tender in Croatia (instead of kunas (HRK).
The euro is the common currency of the European Union and one of the main symbols of European integration. With the introduction of the euro, Croatia became the 20th member state of the euro area.
Fixed conversion rate: 1 € = 7.53450 Croatian kuna (HRK)
In line with a consistent record of exchange-rate stability, the kuna will be exchanged at a conversion rate of 1 euro for 7.53450 Croatian kuna.
Dual display of prices in Croatia, i.e. simultaneous labelling of prices in euros and kunas, is mandatory until 31 December 2023.
»» Euro coins and notes: europa.eu/euro/euro-coins-and-notes_en

Exchange of former national currency
If you are our regular guests and you still have kuna/HRK with you - don't worry: you can exchange banknotes and coins for euros free of charge throughout 2023, with the use of a fixed rate conversion rate: €1 = HRK 7.53450:

The number of HRK/kuna banknotes and coins that can be exchanged free of charge is limited to a maximum of 100 banknotes and 100 coins. More than 100 kuna banknotes and 100 kuna coins can be exchanged in one transaction, but with a possible fee.  

From January 1, 2024, the Hrvatska Narodna Banka - Croatian National Bank (HNB) will exchange kuna banknotes without a time limit, and kuna coins until 31 December 2025.   
»» More about the currency (banknotes, coins and replacement of cash)
Croatian National Bank: hnb.hr/en/currency (in English)

Time zone
GMT plus one hour in winter and GMT plus two hours in summer.

Electricity
Voltage on city power grids is 220 V / 50 Hz, so visitors from the U.S. will need to use a transformer and visitors from G.B. will have to use an adopter for European electricity grid to run their electrical appliances.

Religious and National holidays in Croatia 2024
01.01. New Year’s Day
06.01. Epiphany
31.03. Easter, celebrated on the first Sunday after the first spring full moon [variable date]
01.04. Easter Monday, the second day of Easter
01.05. Labour Day
30.05. Statehood Day
30.05. Corpus Domini / Corpus Christi - The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, 60 days or ninth Thursday after Easter [variable date]
22.06. Anti-Fascist Resistance Day
05.08. Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and Homeland War Veteran's Day
15.08. Assumption
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
25.12. Christmas Day
26.12. St. Stephen's Day

During the national holidays all public institutions are closed

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