Entry Requirements for Croatia

Croatia joined the European Union in 2013 and became part of the Schengen area on 1 January 2023. In practice, that means:

• Croatia applies the common Schengen rules on short stays and visas.
• If you fly in from another Schengen country, there are usually no routine passport checks on arrival, though you still need valid travel documents and may be asked to show them.
• If you arrive from outside Schengen, you pass through border control at the airport or port.

This page is a general checklist. It does not replace official guidance for your nationality and circumstances.

Citizens of EU countries, the other EEA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and Switzerland can enter Croatia with a valid national identity card or passport. Make sure the document is in date for the whole trip and in good condition.

Your airline may have its own rules about which documents it accepts, so check with the airline too. A passport is often the simplest option if you are connecting through a country outside the EU.

If you are not an EU or EEA citizen, the rules depend on your nationality. Points to check:

• Passport validity. Schengen rules set minimum requirements for how long your passport must remain valid after your planned departure, and how recently it must have been issued. Check the current rules for your passport well before you travel.
• Visa. Citizens of many countries, including the UK, the USA, Canada and Australia, can visit the Schengen area for short stays without a visa. Others need a Schengen visa, applied for in advance.
• Length of stay. Visa-free visitors are limited in how long they can stay in the Schengen area within a set period. Time spent in other Schengen countries counts towards the same limit, so plan longer European trips with care.
• Supporting documents. Border officers may ask about your return travel, accommodation and funds. Having your booking confirmation and return ticket to hand helps.

If you hold a residence permit for an EU country, different rules may apply to you.

The Entry/Exit System is the EU's digital border system for non-EU travellers on short stays. It replaces passport stamping with an electronic record of each entry and exit, and collects biometric data such as a facial image and fingerprints at the border.

Your first crossing under the system may take a little longer while your details are registered, so allow extra time at the airport. The EU explains who it applies to and how it works on its official EES page.

ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, is a planned travel authorisation for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays in Europe. Once it is in operation, eligible travellers will need to apply online before their trip.

Check the official ETIAS website for its current status and requirements. Be wary of unofficial websites that look official and charge extra to submit an application. The EU has warned travellers about them.

Rules change, and your nationality, residence status and route all matter. Use official sources:

1. The EU's official travel pages for EES and ETIAS.
2. The Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs for visa information and Croatian embassies abroad.
3. Your own government's travel advice for your country's citizens, including passport rules.
4. Your airline, for the documents it accepts at check-in.

Check once when you book and again a few weeks before you travel. If you transit through another country on the way, check its rules too.

Keep documents in a waterproof pouch in your cabin, and save photos of them on your phone in case of loss. Our guides to travel insurance and getting to the marina in Split cover the next steps.