Croatia Entry Requirements: Passports and Visas

Quick Answer

• EU, EEA and Swiss citizens: A valid passport or national identity card is sufficient for a normal tourist visit. A visa is not required.
• Visa-exempt non-EU travellers: A valid passport is required. Most short tourist visits are limited to 90 days within any 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area.
• Travellers who require a visa: A valid Schengen visa is normally required before arrival.
• EES: The Entry/Exit System is operational and records most non-EU short-stay travellers at external Schengen borders.
• ETIAS: ETIAS is not yet operational, and applications are not currently being accepted.

Entry Requirements for EU, EEA and Swiss Citizens

Citizens of EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland can enter Croatia using either a valid passport or a national identity card. The document must be valid on the day of travel.

The standard 90-days-in-180 rule applied to many non-EU visitors does not apply in the same way to EU, EEA and Swiss citizens exercising free-movement rights. However, anyone planning to remain in Croatia for longer than three months may need to register their residence and meet additional conditions.

Children and minors must have their own passport or national identity card. A parent’s travel document does not cover accompanying children.

Even when travelling to Croatia from another Schengen country, carry the correct document with you. A driving licence, bank card or similar document is not accepted as an international travel document.

More details are available on the official EU travel documents page for EU nationals.

Visa-Exempt Visitors from Outside the EU

Many visitors from countries outside the EU can enter Croatia without a visa for short tourist or business trips. This generally includes travellers holding ordinary passports from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Visa-free entry normally allows a stay of up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period. This limit covers the whole Schengen Area, not 90 days in Croatia followed by another 90 days in Italy, Slovenia or another Schengen country.

Visa-free travel does not automatically permit paid employment, long-term study or residence in Croatia. Separate permission may be required for these activities.

Because exemptions can depend on nationality and passport type, check your individual status using the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs visa requirements overview.

Travellers Who Need a Visa

Nationals of countries that are not covered by a visa exemption normally need a short-stay Schengen visa before entering Croatia.

A short-stay visa may permit travel for tourism, family visits, certain business activities or other approved purposes. The number of permitted entries, validity period and maximum stay are shown on the visa sticker.

Holding a visa does not guarantee entry. Border officials may still request supporting documents and confirm that the purpose and conditions of the trip match the visa application.

Apply through an official Croatian embassy, consulate or authorised visa centre. Avoid unofficial websites that promise guaranteed or accelerated approval.

Passport Validity for Non-EU Travellers

For most non-EU visitors entering Croatia for a short stay, the passport must:

• have been issued within the previous ten years on the date of entry;
• remain valid for at least three months after the intended departure from the Schengen Area;
• be in good condition and contain accurate personal information.

The three-month requirement relates to the date you plan to leave the entire Schengen Area, not only Croatia.

Airlines, ferry operators and other transport companies may refuse boarding if a passport does not meet the applicable entry requirements. Check your passport well before booking or departure.

Understanding the 90/180-Day Rule

The 90/180-day rule allows eligible non-EU visitors to spend no more than 90 days in the Schengen Area during any rolling 180-day period.

Days spent in Croatia must be added to days spent in other Schengen countries. For example, 60 days in Italy followed by 30 days in Croatia would normally use the full 90-day allowance. Both the day of entry and the day of departure count as days spent in the Schengen Area.

The calculation looks backwards over the previous 180 days from each day of your stay. It is therefore not based on a fixed six-month period or calendar year.

Travellers with a valid long-stay visa or EU residence permit may be subject to different rules. Use the official EU short-stay calculator when planning a longer multi-country trip.

Arriving from Another Schengen Country

Croatia has internal Schengen connections with Slovenia, Hungary and other Schengen countries reached by air or sea, including Italy.

Routine passport checks are generally not carried out when crossing an internal Schengen border. Nevertheless, temporary controls may be introduced, and police or transport operators can still request identification.

Carry your valid passport or national identity card even when:

• driving into Croatia from Slovenia or Hungary;
• flying from another Schengen airport;
• taking a ferry from Italy;
• travelling by international bus or train.

Read the separate guides to air travel to Croatia and travelling to Croatia by car for practical arrival information.

External Schengen Borders and EES

Croatia’s borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro are external Schengen borders. Flights and ferries arriving from countries outside the Schengen Area also pass through external border controls.

The Entry/Exit System, known as EES, has been fully operational at participating external border crossings since 10 April 2026. It applies to most non-EU nationals visiting for a short stay, whether they travel visa-free or hold a short-stay visa.

EES can record:

• information from the traveller’s passport;
• the date and place of entry or exit;
• a facial image and/or fingerprints;
• information about a refused entry.

Travellers do not apply for a separate EES authorisation. Registration forms part of the border-control process. For travellers registered in the system, electronic records replace routine manual passport stamping.

The system may make the first crossing of an external Schengen border take slightly longer, particularly during busy travel periods. Allow extra time when arriving at an airport or crossing by road from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro or Serbia.

Check the official EU Entry/Exit System information before travelling.

Is ETIAS Required for Croatia?

ETIAS is not currently operational, and travellers cannot yet submit an official ETIAS application.

The system is expected to begin after the introduction of EES, with the current official timeline indicating the last quarter of 2026. However, the exact starting date can still change.

Once operational, ETIAS will apply to eligible visa-exempt non-EU travellers visiting Croatia and other participating European countries. It will be a pre-travel authorisation rather than a visa and will be electronically linked to the traveller’s passport.

Until the EU officially opens applications:

• ETIAS is not required for entry into Croatia;
• no valid official application can be submitted;
• avoid websites claiming they can provide an ETIAS authorisation now.

Always check the official EU ETIAS website before departure.

Documents Border Officials May Request

Non-EU travellers should be prepared to show supporting documents at an external Schengen border. Depending on the situation, officials may request:

• proof of booked accommodation;
• a return or onward travel ticket;
• evidence of sufficient funds for the stay;
• documents explaining the purpose of the visit;
• a valid visa, when required;
• travel medical insurance when required as part of a visa.

Keep important documents accessible in your hand luggage or vehicle rather than in checked baggage.

Travelling to Croatia with Children

Every child needs an individual passport or national identity card. Children travelling alone, with only one parent or with an adult who is not their legal guardian may also need written parental authorisation.

There is no single EU-wide consent form used in every situation. Check the requirements of the country of departure, transit countries and the airline or transport company before travelling. The official EU page on documents for minors travelling in Europe provides further guidance.

Staying Longer Than 90 Days

The information on this page covers short tourist visits. Travellers planning to work, study, join family members, live as digital nomads or remain in Croatia for more than 90 days may need a long-stay visa, temporary residence permit or other authorisation.

Requirements depend on nationality and the purpose of the stay. Contact the nearest Croatian embassy or the Croatian Ministry of the Interior before travelling.

Lost or Stolen Travel Documents

Report a lost or stolen passport to the Croatian police and contact your embassy or consulate as soon as possible. A police report may be required before an emergency travel document can be issued.

Follow the detailed steps in our guide to replacing a lost or stolen passport in Croatia.

Final Entry Checklist

Before travelling to Croatia:

• check that your passport or identity card is valid;
• confirm whether your nationality requires a visa;
• calculate previous days spent in the Schengen Area;
• prepare accommodation and onward-travel information;
• understand what to expect from EES at an external border;
• check the official ETIAS status shortly before departure.

Entry rules can change, and individual circumstances vary. Use this page for general trip planning and verify your requirements through official Croatian and EU sources.