Rules and laws in Croatia (2026)
Last reviewed: 31 October 2026
Every topic we cover for Croatia. Each rule links to its official source.
Driving
Car speed limits
Croatia sets 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h on other roads outside them, 110 km/h on roads reserved for motor vehicles and expressways, and 130 km/h on motorways for passenger cars. Signs can set other limits, and some vehicles have lower caps.
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E-bikes and speed pedelecs
Croatia treats an electric bicycle with pedals and a motor of at most 0.25 kW assisting up to 25 km/h as a bicycle: riders must be 14, need no driving licence, and wear a helmet only under 16. A pedal vehicle above those limits counts as a moped and needs category AM.
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E-scooters
Croatia treats e-scooters as a 'personal transport vehicle' (osobno prijevozno sredstvo): no seat, up to 0.6 kW and a maximum design speed of 25 km/h. Riders must be at least 14 and wear a helmet. Other rules were not verified.
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Foreign driving licences
A valid EEA licence can be used until it expires. A third-country licence can be used for up to a year from entering Croatia, after which it must be replaced with a Croatian one.
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Mopeds
Mopeds in Croatia need driving licence category AM, which is available from age 15. The driver and any passenger must wear a protective helmet, and mopeds are subject to registration.
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Motorcycles: helmets and licences
Riders and passengers of motorcycles and mopeds must wear an approved, fastened helmet. Minimum licence ages are 16 for A1, 18 for A2, and 24 for A, or 20 after two years on an A2 licence.
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Travel
Air passenger rights
EU Regulation 261/2004 applies. Compensation is EUR 250, 400 or 600 by distance, and a delay of 3 hours or more at the final destination gives the same right as a cancellation. Enforcement is handled by the Croatian Civil Aviation Agency.
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Customs allowances for tobacco and alcohol
Travellers from another EU country may bring in excise goods bought duty-paid for personal use; Croatia sets reference quantities of 800 cigarettes, 10 litres of spirits, 90 litres of wine and 110 litres of beer. From outside the EU the duty-free allowance is 200 cigarettes by air (40 by road or rail), 1 litre of spirits over 22%, 4 litres of still wine and 16 litres of beer. The exemption does not apply to travellers under 17.
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Health cover for temporary visitors
The EHIC gives access to care from providers contracted with the Croatian Health Insurance Fund on the same footing as insured Croatians, with co-payments. It does not cover private care, repatriation or planned treatment.
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Meat and dairy imports
Meat and milk products from EU states are unrestricted in personal luggage, and so are those from Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland. From other third countries small quantities of meat and milk products may not be brought in, apart from infant milk and medical foods up to 2 kg.
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Rail passenger rights
Regulation (EU) 2021/782 applies to Croatian rail services; only services run strictly for historic or touristic use are exempt. Passengers may choose a refund from a 60-minute delay and receive 25% of the ticket price for a 60 to 119 minute delay and 50% from 120 minutes. The enforcement body is HAKOM.
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Tax-free shopping for visitors
Travellers living outside the EU can claim back VAT on goods bought in Croatia and taken out of the EU. The invoice must exceed EUR 100 including VAT, and the goods must leave the EU within three months after the month of purchase. The seller issues form PDV-P, which customs certifies at exit.
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Travelling with pets
Dogs, cats and ferrets moving between EU countries need a microchip, an EU pet passport and a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel. Entry from outside the EU needs an animal health certificate and, from most countries, a rabies antibody titration test. No more than 5 animals may travel together.
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Living
Registering residence for longer stays
EEA and Swiss citizens may stay up to three months without registering. Staying longer requires registering a temporary stay with the police within eight days after the three months end, and registering the place of stay within 15 days of arrival.
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State pension age
The statutory old-age pension age in Croatia is 65 with 15 years of service. Women retire slightly earlier until 2029 (64 years in 2026), and conditions are equal from 1 January 2030.
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Restrictions
Drinking age and alcohol sales
The hospitality law bans serving alcoholic drinks to, or letting consumption by, anyone under 18, and requires staff to refuse service where a guest looks under 18 and does not show proof of age. Retail sale to minors is also banned under the Trade Act. Local councils may ban alcohol service at certain times of day.
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Fireworks
Citizens aged over 18 may buy category F2 and F3 fireworks from 15 December to 1 January and use them from 27 December to 1 January. Banger-type items and strings of crackers (F2 and F3) are banned for personal use. Category F1 fireworks are available all year to people over 14.
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Tobacco and nicotine age limits
Sales of tobacco, nicotine and related products, including e-cigarettes, to anyone under 18 are banned. Smoking and using e-cigarettes and heated tobacco are banned in all enclosed public places, which the law defines to include public transport vehicles. Nicotine pouches are not named in the sales provision.
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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.