Croatia is the latest country to join the Schengen area.

Starting from January 1, 2023, Croatia will issue Schengen visas and will be able to fully use the Schengen Information System.

Entry requirements to Croatia

If you are arriving in Croatia by air, you will need to show your travel and identity documents to the border guard upon arrival at the airport. These documents are as follows:

1. A valid passport or other travel document. Valid for at least three months after the date you plan to leave Croatia (and the Schengen area), issued within the last 10 years.
2. Visa - if you are subject to the Croatian visa regime.
3. You may also be asked to provide other supporting documents, such as an invitation letter from your Croatian host, proof of accommodation, or a round-trip ticket. For more information on this matter, please contact the local Croatian consular offices in your country of residence.

Who needs a Schengen visa to enter Croatia?

Due to the common Schengen visa rules, you will have to apply for a visa when traveling to Croatia if you are a third country national:

• A citizen of a third country that has not signed a visa-free regime with the EU
• A citizen of a third country that has signed a visa waiver agreement with the Schengen countries, but you were denied visa-free entry to Croatia or any other Schengen country.

How long can I stay in Croatia without a visa?

Citizens of countries that are not included in the list of Schengen countries with visa-free regime cannot enter or stay in Croatia or any other Schengen country without a visa.

Citizens of visa-free countries may stay in Croatia for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Time spent in other Schengen countries is also counted towards this period.

Regardless of your circumstances, you are not allowed to exceed the 90 days of authorized stay within a 180-day period. Each situation has its own penalties and if you do not follow the rules, you may face different consequences.

>> Check the EU visa calculator to calculate the number of days you can stay in Croatia and in the Schengen area.

What type of visa do I need to enter Croatia?

If you plan to visit Croatia for a short-term trip, you will need to apply for a Schengen visa for Croatia.

Depending on the purpose of your visit to Croatia, you can get one of the following types of Schengen visas:

1. Tourist visa - for visitors who wish to spend their vacation in Croatia, or who want to come for sightseeing and exploring the country.
2. Visitor visa - for foreigners who have relatives or friends living in Croatia and wish to visit them.
3. Croatian business visa - is intended for business people who want/need to participate in business-related activities in Croatia.
4. Croatian visa for an official visit - for delegations traveling to Croatia on an official visit.
5. Croatia visa for cultural, sports and film crews - for persons wishing to participate in cultural or sports events held in Croatia.

💡 Advice for travelers to Croatia

What documents are required to obtain a Croatian Schengen visa?

In accordance with the visa requirements of Croatia, the following documents must be submitted to the Croatian Embassy/Consulate when applying for any short-stay Croatian visa:

• Visa application form. Fully filled out, printed and signed at the end.
• Two identical photographs. The photos must be taken no more than three months ago and meet the requirements for a Croatian visa.
• Your international passport. It must contain at least two blank pages so that you can affix the Croatian visa sticker. Check the validity of your passport before applying, as it must be valid for at least 3 months after the date of departure from Croatia (Schengen area). It should also be no older than 10 years.
• Copies of your previous visas (if any).
• Language preference form. The Croatian authorities offer you the opportunity to choose which of the three official languages of Croatia you would like your application to be processed in (French, German or Dutch). On the other hand, if you decide to fill out the application in English, please select "no preference".
• A cover letter. In it you explain why you want to visit Croatia and provide more detailed information about your trip.
• Round trip flight itinerary. It contains dates and flight numbers indicating entry and exit from Croatia (Schengen area).
• Proof of accommodation. A document that shows where you will live in Croatia. For example, a hotel reservation for the entire duration of your planned stay in Croatia.
• Proof of civil status. This can be a marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of a spouse, etc.
• Proof of sufficient financial resources for the period of stay in Croatia. According to the Croatian immigration office, a traveler must confirm the availability of 95 euros per day if he or she is staying in a hotel, and 45 euros if he or she plans to stay in cheaper accommodation.
• Schengen travel insurance. You must submit a document confirming that you have purchased travel insurance for Croatia and the entire Schengen area, with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros in case of emergency medical care and repatriation in case of death.

📌 Please note!

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Visa requirements for minors to Croatia

Additional visa requirements for minors wishing to visit Croatia for a short-term stay are as follows:

• Birth certificate of the minor traveling to Croatia
• Application for a Croatian visa signed by both parents.
• Family court decision - in cases where only one of the parents has full custody of the child.
• Certified copies of both parents' IDs/passports.
• Notarized parental permission to travel to Croatia, signed by both parents/guardians, if the minor is traveling alone.

*Note: When submitting documents to the Croatian Embassy/Consulate, a guardian or one of the parents must accompany their minor children.

Additional requirements depending on the purpose of entry to Croatia

How to apply for a visa to Croatia?

In order to complete the application process for a short-stay visa to Croatia, you must follow these steps:

1. Find out where you need to apply for a visa to Croatia.
2. Choose the appropriate type of Schengen visa for Croatia. Depending on the purpose of your trip to Croatia, choose the right type of visa to apply for.
3. Gather the necessary documents for a visa to Croatia.  Make sure that you have collected all the necessary documents for obtaining a visa to Croatia and that they meet the criteria set by the Croatian embassy/consulate in your country of residence.
4. Make an appointment for a visa interview at the Croatian Embassy/Consulate or an accredited visa application center in your country of residence.
5. Pass the visa interview at the relevant Croatian embassy/consulate or visa application center.

Where to apply for a visa to Croatia?

Depending on how the Croatian authorities regulate the submission and processing of visa documents in your country of residence, you will need to apply for a short-stay visa to Croatia at one of the following locations:

• The Croatian Embassy in your country of residence
• One of the Croatian consulates
• A visa application center to which Croatia has outsourced the submission of visa documents
• Embassy/consulate of another Schengen country with which Croatia has concluded a visa outsourcing agreement

How long does it take to get a Croatian visa?

In a normal situation, it can take up to 15 days to obtain a Croatian Schengen visa. In some cases, this period may be extended as follows

• up to 30 days due to the large number of applications received by the Croatian Embassy or the sensitivity of your case
• up to 60 days in extraordinary cases, especially when the Croatian Embassy has to consult with the embassy of one or more Schengen member states.

That is why we strongly recommend that you apply for a Croatian short-stay visa as early as possible, but not earlier than three months before your trip to Croatia.