Practical information Croatia

No visa is required for French, Belgian, Swiss and Canadian nationals for a tourist stay of less than 90 days within 180 days. Croatia has been a member of the European Union since 2013 and of the Schengen area since January 1, 2023. A valid national identity card is sufficient for EU citizens. A passport remains useful if you plan to take an excursion to neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina or Montenegro, two classic getaways from Dubrovnik. Check that your document is valid for the entire duration of your stay. Children must have their own identity document, as registration on a parent's document has not been valid for a long time.

No vaccine is mandatory to enter Croatia. We simply recommend updating universal vaccinations: diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, whooping cough and MMR. Hepatitis A and typhoid can be discussed if you travel for long periods in the hinterland or consume many artisanal products. For hikers in forests in the northern part of the country between May and October, vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis may be considered after medical advice. Rabies mainly concerns very isolated hikers. The European health insurance card covers basic care, but we recommend supplementary travel insurance that covers repatriation and water sports.

Budget around €100 to €160 per day and per person in high season, excluding international flights. This range includes accommodation in a 3-star hotel or charming guesthouse (€50 to €90 per night in a double room), two meals (€15 to €30 per person in a family konoba), site entrance fees and basic transport. Car rental costs €35 to €60 per day in July-August, less outside peak season. Jadrolinija ferries cost €5 to €8 per foot passenger and €50 to €80 with a car. Dubrovnik and Hvar push costs up in summer, while Istria and Slavonia remain more affordable.

Our two favorite windows are May to mid-June and September to mid-October. Temperatures range between 22 and 28°C on the coast, the sea remains pleasant from June to September (22 to 25°C), and crowds stay manageable. July and August offer guaranteed weather and lively nightlife, but Dubrovnik, Hvar and Plitvice become saturated: queues at the ramparts, full car parks, packed ferries. April and October suit a cultural and nature trip, with Plitvice spectacular in spring and autumn. Winter is calm, cool on the coast (8 to 12°C) and cold inland, with possible snow in the Velebit and around Plitvice.

The car remains the most flexible option for Istria, Dalmatia and the hinterland. The A1 motorway connects Zagreb to Split in 4 hours and Dubrovnik via the Pelješac bridge in 6.5 hours. Secondary roads are in good condition, but summer Saturdays are busy. For the islands, Jadrolinija and TP Line ferries and catamarans serve the entire coast, with reservations recommended in July-August if taking a car. Long-distance buses (Flixbus, Arriva) are efficient and economical. Croatia Airlines operates domestic flights Zagreb-Split, Zagreb-Dubrovnik and Zagreb-Pula, useful if you're combining southern and northern endpoints on a short stay.

Croatia is among Europe's safest destinations. Assaults are rare, and pickpocketing mainly affects highly touristy areas like Dubrovnik and Split during peak season, as is the case throughout Southern Europe. The tourist police speak English and are easily reachable. Roads are safe, but be cautious with motorcycles in summer and the bora wind on the coastal highway, which can impose traffic restrictions. At sea, check the weather before any boat rental outing—the Adriatic can get rough quickly. No areas are discouraged. Our team in Zagreb remains available 24/7 throughout your trip if you need anything.