Useful information
Travel documents
Valid passport or some other identity document recognised through international agreement which proves the identity and citizenship of the bearer.
Information: diplomatic missions and consular offices of the Republic of Croatia abroad or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Croatia. Tel: 00385 1 456 9964; e-mail: stranci@mvp.hr; www.mvp.hr
Customs regulations
Customs regulations of the Republic of Croatia are harmonised with the standards of E.U. member states, but imported items of a non-commercial character intended for personal use are relieved of customs duty and VAT (locally PDV) only up to an amount of 300.oo HRK.
Import of meat and milk products without special veterinary inspection is limited to 3 kg, and the import of wine to 5 litres.
Foreign currency may be freely taken in and out of the country; local currency up to an amount of 15,000.00 Kuna, but every transfer of cash (foreign currency of HRK) exceeding an amount of 40,000.oo HRK must be registered with a customs officer.
More valuable professional and technical equipment must be declared at the border.
When leaving the country, foreign citizens are entitled to tax refund for purchased goods exceeding 500.oo HRK (for each single item) on presentation of a certified “Tax Cheque” form.
Pets (dogs, cats and animals of the marten family) which are either travelling through the Republic of Croatia in the company of their owners, or which are staying in the country on a temporary basis, must, prior to entering the country, be fitted with a microchip or be clearly and legibly marked with a tattooed number prior to being entered in the international certificate issued in accordance with legislation valid in the Republic of Croatia. After the first vaccination against rabies carried out at the age of three months, animals must be vaccinated at least six months and no more than one year prior to undertaking the journey, and with regard to booster vaccinations, no more than one year prior to the journey being undertaken.
Information: Customs Administration, Republic of Croatia Tel: 00385 1 6102 333; www.carina.hr.
Currency
The official currency in Croatia is the Kuna (1 Kuna = 100 lipa). Foreign currency may be exchanged in banks, exchange offices, post offices, tourist agencies and hotels.
Credit cards
Most campings and shops accept Eurocard/Mastercard, American Express, Diners, and Visa.
Medical service
There are hospitals and clinics in all larger towns and cities; in the smaller centres there are dispensaries and pharmacies.
Foreign visitors are not obliged to pay for medical services if a convention on social security and health services has been signed between Croatia and visitors’ country of origin.
Persons coming from countries with which no such contract has been concluded shall personally bear the costs of health care.
National holidays
National holidays:1 January - New Years Day; 6 January - Epiphany; 16 and 17 april - Easter, including Easter Monday; 1 May - Labour Day; Corpus Christi (Movable feast); 22 June - Anti-Fascist Resistance Day; 25 June - Statehood Day; 5 August - Victory Day and National Thanksgiving Day; 15 August - Assumption; 8 October - Independence Day; 1 November - All Saints Day; 25 and 26 December - Christmas Holidays.
Electricity
Voltage of city power grid – 220V, frequency 50HZ
Water
Tap water is potable throughout Croatia.
Environmental protection
Zaštita biološke raznolikosti u skladu je s važećim propisima EU-a.
As regards bathing, the sea at the Croatian Adriatic is of high quality, again according to E.U. criteria.
In case of accidental environmental contamination on land, report it to the National Information Centre on the number 122 or e-mail address dc112@dzus.hr, which is included into the network of international organizations of the same level.
For additional information regarding the environment please contact the Ministry of Environmental Protection, Physical Planning and Construction, Administration for the Protection of the Environment, Tel: +385 1 3782 111, e-mail address: zastita.okolisa@mzopu.hr
Fire prevention
If you notice a fire, please alert other persons in your surroundings; immediately inform the fire service on telephone number 93 or 112; attempt to extinguish the fire before the arrival of the fire brigade, but do not place yourself or others in danger!
Observe the signs forbidding the lighting of fires!
Take care that your parked vehicles do not obstruct fire-fighting approaches and access roads.
Search and Rescue
In the event of accident on land or at sea, call “Centar 112” – Telephone number 112
CROATIA BY CAR
Use of mobile/cell telephones while driving is forbidden! Use of seat belts is compulsory.
Documents
To enter Croatia, a driver’s licence, an automobile registration card and vehicle insurance documents.
Permitted speeds
50 km/h - within built-up areas
90 km/h - outside built-up area
110 km/h - on major motor routes designed exclusively for motor vehicles and on fast roads
130 km/h - on motorways
80 km/h - for motor vehicles with a caravan trailer
80 km/h - for buses and buses with a light trailer
Driving with headlights is compulsory both day and night (0-24).
Petrol stations
Open from 7 a.m. until 7 or 8 p.m. every day; in the summer season, until 10 p.m.
Certain petrol stations in the larger cities and on main international routes are open on a 24-hour basis.
Basic obligations in case of traffic accident
First inform the police about the traffic accident (Tel: 92) in the event of a traffic accident which results in minor material damage such notification is not obligatory.
Secure the site of the accident (set up a triangle) and undertake measures for elimination of fresh possible dangers.
Wait for the arrival of the police.
In the event of any damage to the vehicle, you must obtain a police report on the damage to the vehicle, without which you cannot re-cross the state border.
Should you require vehicle repair services, or your vehicle needs towing, call Road Assistance, on 987. If calling from abroad, telephone +385 1 987.
How to avoid traffic jams
To avoid unnecessary prolongation of your journey and becoming involved in traffic jams, you are advised to: - plan your trip by using the traffic organiser in which the days and directions of the highest expected densities of traffic are stated, - check on the conditions on the roads and ferries at HAK (HAK Information Centre: +385 1 4640 800) or on the Second Programme of Croatian Radio (at RDS-HRT2) before starting your trip.
Important telephone numbers
International country code for Croatia: +385
Police: 92
Fire Brigade: 93
Ambulance: 94
Roadside vehicle assistance: 987; 987@hak.hr (when calling from abroad or by mobile phone, call +385 1 987)
National Search and Rescue Centre: 9155.
A single countrywide number for all emergency situations: 112
General information: 981
Information - local and intercity numbers: 988
Information - international numbers: 902
Weather forecast and road conditions: 060 520 520
Croatian Automobile Club (HAK): 01 46 40 800; www.hak.hr; E-mail:
info@hak.hr
Croatian Angels
A single telephone number throughout Croatia from which tourist information can be obtained: 062 999 999.
From outside Croatia: +385 62 999 999.
This service is available in Croatian, English, German and Italian.