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6 ways to enter

Croatia visas

Croatia tourist visa

Many visitors can travel to Croatia without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Others need a short-stay Schengen visa.

Ways to get a Croatia tourist visa

  1. Visa-free short visit

    No visa needed

    Ordinary passport holders from the listed visa-free countries and territories can visit Croatia for pleasure or business.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

  2. Entry under European free movement rules

    No visa needed

    Citizens of European Union countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland can enter, live and work in Croatia without a visa.

    Stay
    Entry, residence and work are covered by free movement rules.

  3. Short-stay Schengen visa

    Visa needed

    Visitors who need a visa for a short holiday in Croatia apply for a Schengen visa.

    Stay
    Usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.
    Valid for
    Usually the intended trip for new applicants. Multiple-entry visas can be valid for up to five years.
    Entries
    One, two or multiple entries.
    Fee
    EUR 90 normally; EUR 45 for children aged 6–12; free for children under 6. Other waivers or reductions apply. Some nationality-based fees can rise to EUR 180, except for children under 12. An outside application provider may charge up to EUR 120 extra.
    Processing
    15 calendar days for an accepted application with no issues.
    1. Choose the embassy or consulate of your main destination, or your first Schengen entry country if there is no main destination.
    2. Apply no more than six months before your planned entry.
    3. Attend in person and have an interview if this is your first application.
    4. Give fingerprints and a digital photograph if required, and pay the applicable fee.

  4. Visit using an existing visa or residence permit

    No visa needed

    Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit issued by another Schengen country, Gibraltar or Monaco can visit Croatia without an additional visa. A short-stay Schengen visa also covers Croatia unless restricted.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period when visiting other Schengen countries with a long-stay visa or residence permit.
    Valid for
    Your existing document must cover the travel.

  5. Visa-free entry for eligible refugees and stateless people

    No visa needed

    Croatia grants visa-free entry to refugees and stateless people resident in Andorra, Canada, Ireland, Japan, Monaco, San Marino, the United Kingdom, the United States or Vatican City.

  6. Diplomatic and official passport exemption

    No visa needed

    Croatia exempts diplomatic and official passport holders from the additional countries listed here. Algeria, Belarus, Fiji and Kuwait qualify only with diplomatic passports. Diplomatic and official passports from the ordinary visa-free list are also exempt, except Georgia.

    Stay
    Short stays of up to 90 days.

Who needs it

Visitors who do not qualify for visa-free entry or another exemption need a visa.

Who doesn't

Citizens of EU single market countries, listed visa-free countries and certain holders of residence permits or other travel documents can enter without a new visa.

How to apply

  1. Apply through Croatia's embassy or consulate if Croatia is your only or main destination.
  2. If you have no main destination, apply through the Schengen country you will enter first.
  3. Submit your application no more than six months before your planned entry.
  4. Attend in person for your first application and take part in an interview.
  5. Provide fingerprints and a digital photograph if required, and pay the applicable fee.

What to bring

  • A travel document accepted for a Schengen visa.
  • Supporting documents for your application.
  • Fingerprints and a digital photograph, if required.

Good to know

  • Count short visits across the Schengen Area together.
  • A visa may be restricted to certain countries. Check that it covers Croatia.
  • Croatia's stated funds requirement is EUR 100 per day, or EUR 50 per day with a certified guarantee letter, proof of paid travel arrangements or similar evidence.
  • Children under 12 do not give fingerprints. Fingerprints provided within the previous 59 months may not be needed again.
  • Some applicants can receive reduced fees, faster processing or simpler document requirements under visa agreements.
  • A visa issued by Cyprus does not allow entry to Croatia.
  • ETIAS, an online travel permit, is described as planned. No application details are given.

Questions

Do I need a tourist visa for Croatia?

Visitors who do not qualify for visa-free entry or another exemption need a visa. Citizens of EU single market countries, listed visa-free countries and certain holders of residence permits or other travel documents can enter without a new visa.

What are the ways to get a tourist visa for Croatia?

There are 6 options: Visa-free short visit (no visa at all); Entry under European free movement rules (no visa at all); Short-stay Schengen visa (a visa from an embassy); Visit using an existing visa or residence permit (no visa at all); Visa-free entry for eligible refugees and stateless people (no visa at all); Diplomatic and official passport exemption (no visa at all).

Who can go to Croatia without a tourist visa?

Ordinary passport holders from the listed visa-free countries and territories can visit Croatia for pleasure or business. Citizens of European Union countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland can enter, live and work in Croatia without a visa. Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit issued by another Schengen country, Gibraltar or Monaco can visit Croatia without an additional visa. A short-stay Schengen visa also covers Croatia unless restricted. Croatia grants visa-free entry to refugees and stateless people resident in Andorra, Canada, Ireland, Japan, Monaco, San Marino, the United Kingdom, the United States or Vatican City. Croatia exempts diplomatic and official passport holders from the additional countries listed here. Algeria, Belarus, Fiji and Kuwait qualify only with diplomatic passports. Diplomatic and official passports from the ordinary visa-free list are also exempt, except Georgia.

How long can I stay on a Croatia tourist visa?

Usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

How much does a Croatia tourist visa cost?

Standard fee: EUR 90. Children aged 6–12: EUR 45. Children under 6: free. Other reductions and exemptions apply. An outside application provider may charge up to EUR 120 extra.

How long does a Croatia tourist visa take?

15 calendar days for an accepted application with no issues. Appointment shortages and delays can occur.

How long is a Croatia tourist visa valid?

New applicants usually receive a visa covering their intended trip. Multiple-entry visas can be valid for up to five years. Entries: One, two or multiple entries..

What documents do I need for a Croatia tourist visa?

A travel document accepted for a Schengen visa.; Supporting documents for your application.; Fingerprints and a digital photograph, if required..

How do I apply for a Croatia tourist visa?

1. 1. Apply through Croatia's embassy or consulate if Croatia is your only or main destination. 2. 2. If you have no main destination, apply through the Schengen country you will enter first. 3. 3. Submit your application no more than six months before your planned entry. 4. 4. Attend in person for your first application and take part in an interview. 5. 5. Provide fingerprints and a digital photograph if required, and pay the applicable fee.

What rules do I have to follow on a Croatia tourist visa?

Count short visits across the Schengen Area together. A visa may be restricted to certain countries. Check that it covers Croatia. Croatia's stated funds requirement is EUR 100 per day, or EUR 50 per day with a certified guarantee letter, proof of paid travel arrangements or similar evidence.

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