Embassy
Embassy of Croatia in South Africa
165 Lynnwood Road, Brooklyn
Croatia visa requirements for South African citizens
South African citizens need a visa for Croatia, from its embassy or consulate.
Passport
ZAF
South Africa
Going to
HRV
Croatia
Visa needed
A Type C visa lets people who need a visa visit for tourism.
- Visa
- Required
- Fee
- €90
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
What to do
Find Croatia's embassy or consulate that covers where you live.
Prepare the application form, photos, bank statements and travel bookings.
Book an appointment early; processing can take several weeks.
Get your Croatia visa sorted
A visa expert checks the rules and helps you apply. No payment now.
Ways into Croatia
Visit visa-free if you qualify, or get a tourist visa.
Visa on arrivalEmergency border visaA border visa may cover urgent, unexpected travel when applying earlier was impossible.
- Stay
- 15 days
- Fee
- €90
How to apply
- Explain why you could not apply before travel.
- Show your urgent reason at an approved border crossing.
- Submit your form, documents and fee.
- Give fingerprints unless you are exempt.
Documents required
- Signed form
- Passport with 2 blank pages
- Recent photo
- Proof of urgent travel
- Proof of visit purpose
- Proof of funds
- Proof you can return
- Fee payment proof
- Fingerprints
- Approval is not guaranteed; this is not a normal visa-on-arrival service.
- People needing advance checks are usually excluded, though rare exceptions exist.
Visa requiredTourist visaA Type C visa lets people who need a visa visit for tourism.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Fee
- €90
- Processing
- 45 days
How to apply
- Check that Croatia is your main destination.
- Book with the embassy, consulate or visa centre.
- Fill in, print and sign the form.
- Submit in person and pay the fee.
- Give fingerprints unless you are exempt.
Documents required
- Signed form
- Passport with 2 blank pages
- Recent photo
- Schengen health insurance: 30,000 EUR cover
- Hotel booking or tourist voucher
- Proof of funds
- Return travel proof
- Fingerprints
- Your visa may allow fewer than 90 days per 180 days across Schengen.
- Decisions usually take 15 days; extra documents or an interview may be needed.
Other routeExisting Schengen documentUse a qualifying Schengen visa or residence permit for a short visit.
- Stay
- 90 days
How to apply
- Check your document covers Croatia and your travel dates.
- Check any remaining entries and allowed stay.
- Bring your document, passport and visit proof.
Documents required
- Passport
- Qualifying visa or residence permit
- Proof of visit purpose
- Proof of funds
- Stay within 90 days per 180 days across Schengen, or your shorter visa limit.
- This does not give you permission to live or work in Croatia.
Sources (33)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Ministry of the Interior: Border checks
- Ministry of the Interior: Do you need a visa?
- Foreign ministry: Visas
- Foreign ministry: Visa requirements overview
- Croatian consular portal: visa types
- Official Croatian online visa application form; not an electronic visa
- Applying for a Schengen visa for Croatia
- Supporting documents for Schengen visa
- Current dedicated visa fee page
- Decisions and processing times
- Type D applications and supporting documents, including 2026 routes
- Visa FAQ; older fee figures were not used
- Information for Schengen visa holders
- European family-member exemptions and facilitated applications
- Croatian Embassy in London: General visa information
- Croatian mission visa page for the United States
- Official United States visa and consular information
- India mission visa link; redirects to central ministry guidance
- Official India visa and New Delhi consular information
- Temporary stay of third-country nationals
- Work of third-country nationals
- Family reunification
- European Economic Area nationals and their family members
- Digital-nomad temporary stay
- Government of Croatia: exceptional border visas, Croatian version
- Government of Croatia: border visas, English version; older fee not used
- Council of the European Union: visa-exempt countries and territories
- European Commission: applying for a Schengen visa
- European Union: common Schengen information sheet; airport-transit rules
- European Commission: financial reference amounts, Croatia section dated 1 April 2026
- Belgian Immigration Office: common Schengen airport-transit exemptions
- Official ETIAS guidance: passport conditions
- Official ETIAS operational status
Embassies for this trip
Book an appointment before you go.
Trips to Croatia
Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.
Coming from South Africa
- Plugs C FAdapter for some
- MoneyEUR €
- Time−1h
- DrivingOn the rightLook left first
- LanguageCroatian
- Emergency112 or 192 police112 or 194 ambulance
Planning your Croatia trip
- DubrovnikA famous historic coastal city with a distinctive appearance shaped by its past as an independent city-state.
- ŠibenikA historic coastal town described as a strong example of Dalmatian character.
- RijekaA northern coastal city with a different character from the towns farther south.
- ZagrebCroatia's capital combines modern city life, cultural venues and an easy-going atmosphere.
Scams to watch for in Croatia
- High ATM feesSome ATM operators charge high fees for withdrawals. This is a cost trap rather than evidence of card theft or fraud.
- Strip-club overcharging and payment threatsStrip clubs can charge extreme prices for drinks. Foreign visitors have been charged €2,000 for a bottle of champagne. Bouncers may use threats or violence when customers say they cannot pay.
About Croatia
Croatia is a republic curving from Central Europe along an island-dotted Adriatic coastline.
- Capital
- Zagreb
- Money
- Euro (€)
- Languages
- Croatian
- Time zone
- UTC+01:00
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +385
Other Africa passports
Going to Croatia
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Croatia with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Do south african citizens need a visa for Croatia?
South African citizens need a visa for Croatia, from its embassy or consulate.
Where do I apply for a Croatia visa?
At Croatia's embassy or consulate that covers where you live. Book an appointment early, as it can take several weeks.
Does a US, UK or Schengen visa help south african citizens enter Croatia?
We have no record of Croatia relaxing its rules for south african citizens who hold another country's visa. Check with the embassy before you rely on one.
Do croatian citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Croatian citizens do not need a visa for South Africa. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
Do other Africa passports get easier entry to Croatia?
Mauritius and Seychelles can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Croatia are easier for south african citizens?
Kosovo, Russia, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, and 3 more let south african citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Croatia?
Find Croatia's embassy or consulate that covers where you live. Prepare the application form, photos, bank statements and travel bookings.
What money is used in Croatia?
Euro (€). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Croatia?
Croatian.
How strong is the South Africa passport?
It ranks #51 and reaches 91 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck