Visa necessities for visiting Croatia

Croatia is an endlessly interesting destination with sun-drenched beaches, picturesque hilltop cities and atmospheric streets.

Many come for the Dalmatian Coast delights and Istria’s rural charms. Others are right here for very good hiking routes, treasured national parks, food and drink experiences, or the prospect to get pleasure from hip Zagreb’s artwork, music and cafes.

Fortunately, the federal government has ensured the nation is a breeze to enter for many guests. Croatia joined the European Union (EU) in 2013 and have become a part of the free-traveling Schengen Space in January 2023. Meaning guests from a lot of Europe have principally no forms to take care of.

Vacationers from additional afield have a number of hoops to leap by means of. For many there is not any want for a particular visa to enter Croatia, simply but. From mid-2025 the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) comes into impact.

Right here’s our information to Croatia’s entry necessities, with the whole lot you’ll want to learn about whether or not you want a visa, the best way to get one and whether or not you may take a working vacation in Croatia.

Do I want a visa for Croatia?

EU residents don’t want a visa for stays of any size, they don’t even want a passport offering they’ve an ID card. The identical applies to members of the European Free Commerce Affiliation (EFTA): Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, meaning you.

Many different nations don’t want visas both, however from mid-2025 guests to Croatia (and most of Europe) might want to apply for the ETIAS travel authorisation earlier than departing. This is applicable to close by nations just like the UK, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Bosnia and North Macedonia, in addition to folks from Canada, the US, most of Latin America, Australia, New Zealand and several other Asian nations, together with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

How typically do I must get an ETIAS?

The ETIAS lasts for 3 years and prices €7. With it you may enter the territory of 30 European nations as typically as you need for short-term stays (usually for 90 days in any 180-day interval). You additionally want a passport that is legitimate for at the least three months after the date you intend to go away. The appliance is anticipated to be authorized in hours but it surely’s at all times finest to use forward of time in case there may be any bureaucratic hold-up. 

How do I apply for a Croatian vacationer visa?

After all, not each nationality is ready to journey to Croatia visa-free. Everybody else – together with residents of China, India, Pakistan, Russia, Turkey and South Africa, will want visas to enter the nation. For an entire listing, examine the web site of Croatia’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs – you need to use the drop-down to search out particular person nations.

The positioning has particulars for particular person nations’ necessities and embassy places. Most pages additionally hyperlink to the related VFS Visa Software Centre web page, the place yow will discover out prices (visas are often €80 plus charges for candidates ages 12 and older, €40 for kids aged between six and twelve, and no cost for youths beneath six), and begin the applying course of.

Functions for vacationer or enterprise visas (each of that are legitimate for 90 days) must be began on-line, though they might finally should be submitted in particular person at an embassy, consulate or VFS Visa Software Centre. You’re beneficial to start out an utility not more than three months earlier than your journey begins.

Visas might typically be issued on the border, however that is solely beneath exceptional circumstances and is unlikely to be definitely worth the danger of being turned away.

You possibly can bring in a vehicle in case your paperwork is passable, and the traditional EU guidelines apply when bringing animal products into the nation.

Can I lengthen a Croatian visa?

Residents of the EU and EFTA, in addition to Swiss nationals, can keep so long as they like. Residents of different nations – whether or not they’re touring visa-free, on a vacationer visa or on a enterprise visa – can solely spend 90 days within the nation over a 180-day interval. There are a number of exceptions:

• visas could also be prolonged for serious personal circumstances;
• longer stays could also be doable for individuals who take seasonal employment or examine within the nation;
• staff who intend to settle in Croatia might apply for residency.

Can I work in Croatia?

Should you’re from the EU or EFTA (otherwise you’re Swiss), you may work in Croatia.

Folks from exterior the EU could possibly work in Croatia. Nonetheless, you’ll should be supported by your employer and meet the necessities of the Croatian Employment Service – primarily proving you’re filling a niche within the Croatian workforce. Extremely certified staff who intend to make their house in Croatia might qualify for an EU Blue Card.

The principles are extra relaxed for seasonal employment in agriculture, forestry, catering and tourism, the place a job offer alone could also be sufficient for a 90-day keep.

It’s possible you’ll be eligible for a digital nomad visa in Croatia

Eager to swap your regular working surroundings for a Zagreb cafe or an condo overlooking the Adriatic? Digital nomads working for themselves or a non-Croatian firm could possibly keep for as much as a yr in the event that they meet the applying type necessities.