Croatia

Emergency numbers

Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes and providing emergency services.

• Dial 112  for police 
• Dial 194  for ambulance 

Terrorism

Terrorists and their supporters may target U.S. citizens abroad. 

Terrorists may target:

• Large public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
• Popular hotels, clubs, and restaurants
• Places of worship
• Schools 
• Parks
• Shopping malls and markets
• Public transportation (subways, buses, trains, and commercial flights)
• For more information, review our Terrorism page.

Demonstrations 

While civil disorder is rare, demonstrations may take place in response to political or economic issues. They may also occur on significant holidays, and during large events. 

• Demonstrations can be unpredictable. Avoid areas around protests and other demonstrations.  
• Some soccer matches lead to fights between rival fans. High profile games usually have heavy police presence. This can cause traffic disruptions.
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories. 
• Security messages about demonstrations can be found on the U.S. Embassy in Croatia’s website.

Landmines

Armed conflict ended in all parts of Croatia in 1995. However, de-mining of areas along former confrontation lines continues. 

• Mined areas are clearly marked by warning signs in Croatian. These signs use the international symbol for mines: a skull and crossbones inside a red, upside-down triangle. 
• Drivers in former conflict areas should stick to paved roads. This helps reduce the risk of hitting unmarked mines and unexploded ordnance. 
• For a map of mine-affected areas in Croatia, please visit the Croatian Mine Action Center's mines map.

Crime

Violent crime is rare. Petty crime cases have been reported in densely-populated tourist areas.

• Take care of your belongings, especially when using public transport or at the beach. Report incidents of theft to the local police.
• Don’t display signs of wealth. It may make you a target for thieves.
• Avoid “gentlemen’s clubs.” These establishments have inflated foreign customers’ bills and threatened those who refuse to pay.
• U.S. businesses are encouraged to view the most recent Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Annual Crime and Safety Report for Croatia.

Scams

Follow the Department of State guidelines to protect yourself from scams.

If you are a victim of a scam, learn how the FBI can help.   

Scams are common in Croatia. Be careful of anyone asking for money, especially those who start a "romantic" relationship online or claim local authorities want money. Scams often begin through online posts, emails, or letters. Scammers pretend to be U.S. citizens in need of help.

Common scams include:

• People claiming to be U.S. military personnel
• People claiming to be detained or hospitalized abroad
• Romance and online dating 
• Money transfers 
• Grandparent and relative targeting 
• Free trip or luggage 
• Lotteries 
• Inheritance notices 
• Work permits and job offers

Victims of crime

Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime. You may report crimes to the local police by dialing 112.

• Review our information for Victims of Crime.  

The U.S. embassy can: 

• Replace a stolen or lost passport.
• Help you find medical care.  
• Assist you in how to report a crime to the police. 
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent. 
• Provide general information regarding the criminal justice system.  
• Provide a list of local attorneys. We do not endorse or recommend any specific attorneys. 
• Provide information on victim’s compensation programs in the United States. 
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States or limited medical support in cases of need. 
• Help you find accommodation and options to travel home.
• Provide information about local resources for victims of crime. 

Sexual assault and domestic violence 

• U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. embassy and local law enforcement for assistance. The U.S. Embassy in Croatia’s website has information on local resources for victims of sexual assault.
• U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the nearest U.S. embassy and local law enforcement for assistance.

Technology use abroad

Mobile devices are vulnerable to compromise, theft, and damage anywhere in the world. Follow these safe practices:

• Update all software (operating system and apps) before leaving the United States. 
• Use reputable, U.S.-based VPN or VoIP applications.  
• Don’t connect to public Wi-Fi networks. 
• Research the safety of routes recommended by GPS. The fastest route is not always the safest.
• Be cautious using dating apps abroad, as scammers often target U.S. citizens.

Tourism safety

The tourism industry is regulated:

• Rules and safety inspections are regularly enforced. 
• Dangerous areas and activities are marked with signs. 
• Trained and certified staff are usually there to help with organized activities. 
• If you get injured, you can usually get medical help locally. 
• In rural areas, it might take longer for medical help to arrive and help. 
• U.S. citizens are encouraged to have medical evacuation insurance. 
• Review our information on Travel Insurance.

Adventure travel 

• Review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tips for Adventure Travel.
• If you plan to hike or climb in the mountains, seek expert advice from local guides. For emergencies, dial 112.  
• Rock climbers in Paklenica National Park should consult a local guide.  Contact Paklenica National Park before your visit.
• Helmets are recommended for all bicycle tours.

Criminal penalties

• U.S. citizens must follow local laws. If you break local laws, even by mistake, you could be deported, arrested, or imprisoned. 
• You may be prosecuted in the United States for crimes committed abroad regardless of the local law. Review the information provided by the U.S. Department of Justice about crimes against minors abroad.
• Before you start a business or a profession in Croatia seek information from the local authorities about what permits or licenses are required. 

Arrest notification 

• If you are arrested or detained, ask officials to notify the U.S. embassy immediately.

Counterfeit and pirated goods

Counterfeit and pirated goods are common in many destinations. 

• They may be illegal according to local laws.  
• Counterfeit and pirated goods may pose significant risks to consumer health and safety.  
• You may be subject to fines or have to surrender counterfeit and pirated goods to authorities if you bring them back to the United States.  

Learn more about U.S. restrictions on counterfeit and pirated goods: 

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
• U.S. Department of Justice  

Faith-based travelers

Faith based travel includes pilgrimages, service projects, and mission work. Prepare for your travel using these resources:  

• Faith-Based Travel
• Volunteering Abroad
• International Religious Freedom Reports

Travelers with accessibility needs

• The law in Croatia prohibits discrimination against people with physical or psychological disabilities. The law is enforced. 
• The most common types of accessibility may include ease of movement or access, particularly in tourist destinations with ancient city centers.  
• Expect accessibility to be limited in lodging. This is particularly true for private accommodations and along the coast due to hilly and steep terrain. 
• Accessibility is common in public transportation in the capital, Zagreb, and in major cities like Split and Dubrovnik. Accessibility is less common outside of urban areas. 
• Review our information on Accessibility Needs.

Students

• Review our information on Studying Abroad.  

Women travelers  

• Review our information for Women Travelers. 

Human rights

• Review the Department of State’s Human Rights Report for your destination prior to traveling.

Recreational drugs

• Some recreational drugs may be illegal in Croatia. 

• The Government of Croatia maintains a List of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Plants Which Can Be Used for Preparation of Narcotic Drugs, which lists illegal substances.

Real estate

• U.S. citizens should be careful when buying real estate in Croatia. Talk to a lawyer before buying real estate. Make sure you understand every part of the contract. 
• Working with a translator can help ensure your rights are protected. The U.S. embassy cannot help U.S. citizens with legal disputes. Be prepared to take your case to the local courts. 
• Please review the U.S. embassy’s website for additional information on buying real estate in Croatia.

Health resources

• CDC Croatia Traveler Information provides destination specific information on prevalent diseases and vaccination recommendations. 
• CDC Medical Tourism information 
• World Health Organization
• Medicine and Health
• Travel Insurance

Emergency numbers

• Dial 194 or 112 for emergency medical services.  

Ambulance services

• Ambulance services are not widely available outside of major cities. 
• Response time of emergency responders may be poor, and ambulances might not be equipped with advanced medical equipment. 

Medical payments and insurance

Make sure you know if your health insurance plan covers any medical expenses coverage abroad.  Most U.S. plans do not. 

• The U.S. government does not pay medical bills.
• U.S. Medicare and Medicaid do not cover expenses or bills abroad.
• Hospitals and medical facilities in Croatia do not accept U.S. health insurance.
• Credit card payment is not always available. Some hospitals and medical professionals require cash payment.
• Private hospitals often need payment up front before providing treatment or admitting a patient.  
• Make sure you know if your health insurance plan provides coverage abroad or reimbursement of payments. The CDC provides more information on types of insurance.
• We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Vaccinations 

Stay up to date with the vaccines recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

If you will hike or camp in forested areas in Croatia, consider getting a tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) vaccine. 

The TBE vaccine is available in the United States. If you are in Croatia, it is available in some local clinics and the Croatian Public Health Institute. Use insect repellent and inspect your body for ticks after spending time outdoors.

• CDC Travelers’ Health
• World Health Organization Travel Advice 

Medical tourism and elective surgery 

• Medical tourism is a fast-growing industry. If you want healthcare abroad, you need to know that their medical systems are different from the United States. They don't follow the same rules. Before you travel for medical reasons, talk to your doctor. 
• Visit the CDC’s Medical Tourism website for information on medical tourism. Find out about the risks of medical tourism and what you can do to prepare before traveling to Croatia.
• We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation in the event of unforeseen medical complications.  
• Your legal options in case of malpractice may be limited in Croatia.
• Although Croatia has many elective or cosmetic surgery facilities, the quality of care varies widely. If you plan to undergo surgery in Croatia, make sure that emergency medical facilities are available, and professionals are accredited and qualified

Prescription medications 

• You may need a prescription for some medications that you can purchase over the counter in the United States.
• Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. 
• Check with the government of Croatia and its Customs Administration to make sure the medication is legal in Croatia.
• It is illegal to import drugs via postal mail.
• Exercise caution when purchasing medication abroad. You should buy medication with the help of a medical professional and from trusted places.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have rules for bringing medication back into the United States.  If you buy medications abroad, the medications must meet CBP’s and the FDA’s requirements to bring them back legally. 
• The medications must also be for personal use and approved for use in the United States. 

For more information: 

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
• Food and Drug Administration

Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy (ART)

• If you are considering traveling to Croatia to have a child through use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) or surrogacy, please review our information on ART and Surrogacy Abroad. 
• If you decide to pursue parenthood in Croatia via ART with a surrogate, consider hiring a reputable local attorney and be prepared for long and unexpected delays in documenting your child’s birth with local authorities and/or citizenship status. Be aware that individuals who attempt to circumvent local law risk legal consequences.

Water quality & food safety 

• Tap water is generally safe to drink and use in cooking. 
• Water quality is tested daily throughout the country. Tests are performed according to internationally accepted standards. 
• Some rural areas rely on private wells. These may not go through quality testing standards. 
• Some older buildings in major cities may have lead-laced piping. This can cause increased levels of lead in the drinking water. 
• When in doubt, make water safe by filtering, boiling, disinfecting, or distilling.

Air quality

Air pollution can be a significant problem in many destinations abroad. Cities in Croatia have air pollution levels higher than those in major U.S. cities. Winter has higher levels of pollution.

• Visit the European Environment Agency’s website for information on air quality in Croatia.
• Check NASA’s Air Quality Forecast. It uses Artificial Intelligence (AI), historical data, and global pollution modeling to generate a 3-day forecast of expected air quality in Croatia.
• For information about common air pollutants, check the CDC’s Air Quality page. 
• For information about the U.S. Air Quality Index and health guidance, check out the EPA’s AirNow. 
• For general health information, visit the Medicine and Health page.

Road conditions and safety

Road conditions in Croatia may differ significantly from those in the United States. Current information about traffic and road conditions is available in English from the Croatian Automobile Association (HAK). 

• Dial +385-1-464-0800 or +385-1-661-1999. English-speaking operators available 24 hours.
• Exercise caution when driving in Croatia. On highways, aggressive drivers passing on curves or in oncoming lanes are common.
• Highway tolls are higher than in the United States. You can pay in cash or with a credit card. 
• Croatian radio broadcasts programs in foreign languages on several frequencies. From mid-June to mid-September, Channel 2 broadcasts foreign news, traffic information, and important information in English, German and Italian.

Roadside assistance

• Within Croatia, dial 1987 for emergency roadside help.
• Outside of Croatia, dial +385-1-1987. 
• Dial 192 to speak to the police. 
• Dial 194 for an ambulance. 
• Dial 112 for emergency services. They will automatically forward your call to the police, ambulance, or fire department. They can also forward the call to the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service.

Traffic laws  

• Vehicles drive on the right side of the road and overtake on the left. Speed limits vary:  
  •  Highways and motorway: 110 to 130 km/h (68 to 80 mph) 
  •  Urban roads: 50 to 90 km/h (30 to 55 mph)
• Drivers who stay longer than 12 months need a Croatian driver's license. 
• Don’t drink and drive. The legal blood-alcohol limit for drivers is 0.05 percent. For drivers with less than 2 years of experience, those under 24, and truck and bus drivers, the limit is 0.00 percent.  
• Police often check for drunk driving and give breath tests at accident scenes. Refusing a breath test is considered a de facto admission of driving while intoxicated. Penalties may include fines up to 2,500 euros or prison sentences.
• For traffic accidents involving a foreign-registered vehicle, the responding police officer must issue a vehicle damage certificate to the owner. This is needed to cross the border out of Croatia. If you ask in writing, the local police station will provide a traffic accident investigation record.
• Seat belts for drivers and passengers are mandatory. Infants must travel in child-safety seats. Children shorter than 150 cm in height and younger than 3 years may not ride in the front seat.
• No right on red at traffic lights unless allowed by an additional green arrow. 
• Pedestrians have the right of way when crossing in designated, white-striped crosswalks. You must stop.
• Use headlights all winter, from November to March. Also, turn them on during fog and bad weather.
• It is illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving unless using a hands-free device.
• For information about Croatian driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, please contact the Croatian National Tourist Board.

Taxis and ride-shares

• Uber and Bolt are common in Croatia. 
• Use a ride share app that shows a fixed price for your trip to avoid overcharging.
• When hailing a taxi, it’s best to use only licensed taxis. They are required to show driver and company information. According to Croatian law, drivers must provide a receipt to customers. A receipt is required to dispute a fare.

Public and commercial transportation 

• Pay attention to trams (streetcars) in Zagreb. These travel at high speeds through narrow streets.
• Visit the website of Croatia’s National Tourist Board, the Ministry of the Interior and the Croatian Ministry of the Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure, which are responsible for road safety.
• Review our information on Driving and Transportation Safety Abroad.

Aviation safety oversight 

• The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has found that Croatia’s Civil Aviation Authority meets international standards for aviation safety oversight.  FAA's website includes more information on its assessment program.

Maritime travel

Mariners planning travel to Croatia should check the following:  

• U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Advisories
• MARAD Active Maritime Alerts 
• Maritime Safety Office Navigational Warnings

Recreational boating

• The Croatian government requires all recreational captains chartering Croatian-flagged vessels to have a certificate of competence.
• Croatia recognizes certain certificates issued by the U.S. Sailing Association and licenses issued by the national authorities of other countries.
• Details on classes of licenses recognized by country can be found on the Ministry of the Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure’s webpage.
• Tourists in Croatia can be certified by passing a test at harbormasters' offices in Pula, Rijeka, Senj, Zadar, Sibenik, Split, Ploce, Dubrovnik, or at the Ministry in Zagreb.
• Travelers arriving by private marine craft should refer to the Ministry’s website for information on nautical regulations

Weather conditions

Croatia's coastal areas have a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. Inland regions experience a continental climate with cold winters, warm summers, and occasional snow. 

The top 5 weather events in Croatia are: 

• Flooding – Heavy rainfall causes river overflow and flash floods. This occurs in low-lying inland areas during spring and autumn.
• Wildfires – Hot, dry summer conditions and strong winds lead to fires. This is common along the Adriatic coast.
• Severe winter storms – Occur in inland and mountainous regions.
• Heatwaves – Prolonged high temperatures are common in coastal areas during the summer.
• Earthquakes – Croatia experiences moderate seismic activity in the southern and central regions near fault lines. A major earthquake struck the Zagreb area in 2020.

Living abroad resources

If you live outside the United States for a long time, you or your family may experience various life events, wish to exercise U.S. citizenship rights, or need to meet U.S. legal obligations while abroad.

• Learn how to prepare for voting in U.S. elections, the birth of a child, or getting married.
• Ensure you have a plan for healthcare and medical insurance abroad.
• Even abroad, you still have certain obligations such as paying your U.S. taxes or registering for military selective service.
• Review information on federal benefits, such as Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits.
• Foreign documents for residence in Croatia must be translated into Croatian. They also need an apostille stamp. The U.S. embassy cannot authenticate documents. 
• For information on apostille and authentication services, please review the Department of State’s Office of Authentications website.