GUIDE

Travel documents

If you stay less than 90 days (3 months) in Croatia, your passport will be enough for entering the country. But, people from some countries for entering Croatia need visa.

Countries whose citizens don't need visa for entering Croatia:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Andorra, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Brazil, Brunei, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Chile, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Guatemala, Greece, Honduras, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italiy, Canada, Republic of Korea, Costa Rika, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Hungary, Mexico, Nicaragua, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Germany, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, El Salvador, San Marino, Singapore, USA, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, Uruguay, Vatican, Venezuela.

If you come from other state visas for Republic Croatia are available in embassys and consulates of Republic Croatia. In extreme cases visa can be issued at border crosses of Republic of Croatia.

Children must have their own passport or must be signed in, in one of thr parent's passport.
Pets also must have verification or document for regular taken vaccines.

For informations: the consulates of Republic of Croatia abroad or the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia telephone: +385 (0)1 45 69 964.

Money

official currency of Croatia is kuna (1 kuna = 100 lipa)

Coins are of values 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 Lipa, 1, 2, 5 and 25 Kuna, and Banknotes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1.000 Kuna

Banks and exchange offices

Banks

Largest banks in Croatia are: Zagrebačka banka, Privredna banka, Splitska banka, Croatia banka, Varaždinska banka, Karlovačka banka and Istarska banka.

Usual working hours: Monday - Friday from 8 to 19 h, Saturday from 8 to 13 h, closed on Sundays.

ATM machines can be found in most cities and touristic places.

Mjenjačnice

Exchange offices are located in all cities and most smaller towns. Almost every hotel has it's own exchange office, but these might be charging a bigger commision than the exchange offices in the cities. Exchange rates are published in daily newspaper and stated visibly in exchange offices, post offices and local bank branches.

Shopping and payment methods

Shopping

Traditional handmade objects, clothes and other ornament made from silver filigran jewellery or sea shells and corals, interesting handmade objects of wood and cheramics, that can be found along the coast make the best souvenirs. If you go shopping for shoes or clothes, the prices in shops won't pleasently suprize you. If you aren't interested in design clothes we recommend searching for small boutics and local markets. Prices might be higher during summer season, but the selection is rather wide.

Credit Cards and other methods of payment

Standard Credit Cards – Eurocard/Mastercard, Diners, American Express and Visa are among the usual methods of payment in Croatia. Stores, restaurants, agencies, hotels and other service providers accept credit cards which is usualy indicated with a visibly placed label with the logo of the credit card accepted. You can use ATM machines to withdraw cash from your credit cards, using Mastercard and Diners you can withdraw money at regular post offices. Travellers cheques and personal cheques issued by foreign banks can be cashed in most banks and exchange offices –with a commision of around 2% of the amount.

Important phone numbers

International number for Croatia: +385
Police: 92
Firefighters: 93
Ambulance: 94
Road aid: (+385 1) 987
Weather and road condition: +385 1 46 40 800
Traffic conditions: +385 1 46 40 800
Croatian autoclub (HAK): +385 1 66 11 999
Information of local and longdistant phone numbers: 988
Information of international phone numbers: 902
General information: 981

Croatian angels - tourist information available in Croatian, English, German and Italian from the 23.03.-15.10. on number: 062 999 999 (+385 62 999 999)

Customs regulations

Customs regulations of the Republic of Croatia are in accordance with the standards of European Union countries. Foreign currency and cheques are freely brought in and taken out of the country; only higher quantities of money should be reported to the authorities. To specify: amounts exceeding the value of 5420,00 €; as well as amounts of domestic currency over 15 000 kn – require a special approval of the HNB (Croatia Narodna Banka).

Professional and technical equipment should be registered at the border.

Dogs and cats, accompanied by their owner, need to have an International certificate from a registered veterinarian stating that at least 15 days and not more than six months have passed since their last vaccination against rabies.

Value added tax (PDV) in Croatia is 22%.

Foreign citizens have right on tax refund for goods purchased in Croatia over 500 kuna in value with a valid "Tax cheque" at departure from the country.

Information: Republic of Croatia Customs Administration (tel. 01 6102 333);
Web: www.carina.hr

Post and telecommunications

Post offices in Croatia are easily spotted as they are marked with a yellow sign with the lettering HP (standing for Hrvatske Pošte). Their services include pay phones, telegram and fax service and money exchange.

Post offices working hours are from 7 am until 7 pm and in smaller towns from 7 am until 2 pm, sometimes reopening after a long lunch break at around 4 pm. During the summer season post offices in bigger cities and tourist areas are open even on Saturday and Sunday, and as late as until 10 pm.

Postage stamps are sold in post offices and at newsstands.

Post boxes are yellow with HP sign and they can always be found in front of post offices and elsewhere around the cities and tourist areas.

Public telephones can be used only with phone cards that can be purchased in post offices and at newsstands. You can dial directly abroad from any public pay phone.