Do you need a visa for Croatia?

You may need a visa depending on which passport you hold. Croatia is part of the Schengen Area – the world's largest visa-free zone comprising 27 European countries. Nationals from Schengen countries can move around the area freely without a visa. Although there are no border checks, travellers from a Schengen country must provide a national identity card or passport at Croatian borders to prove their nationality.

Austria	Liechtenstein
Belgium	Lithuania
Czech Republic	Luxembourg
Denmark	Malta
Estonia	Netherlands
Finland	Norway
France	Poland
Germany	Portugal
Greece	Slovakia
Hungary	Slovenia
Iceland	Spain
Italy	Sweden
Latvia	Switzerland
Croatia

Croatia also has visa-free travel agreements in place with several other countries around the world, including, but not limited to, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States and New Zealand. Nationals from these countries do not require a visa to enter Croatia (or any other country in Schengen Area) for stays of 90 days or less in any 180-day period. Upon arrival at a Croatian border checkpoint, you must present a passport with at least three months of validity. You'll need to apply for a long-stay visa if you wish to stay more than 90 days.

All third country nationals must register their arrival in Croatia at their accommodation provider within one day of arrival or with the local police within 48 hours of arrival.

If you're not from a visa-exempt country, you must obtain a Schengen visa at a Croatian consulate or embassy before travel. This includes passport holders from China, Russia and Cambodia.

Visit the Croatia Ministry of Foreign Affairs website to check which countries require a visa

How to apply for a Schengen visa

You must complete the online application form on the Croatia Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, print a copy, and submit it with the necessary documents to your nearest Croatian embassy/consulate or travel agency.

Documentation

When applying for the Schengen visa, you'll need several documents, including:

A visa application form
Two passport-sized photos
A valid passport with at least two blank pages and three months of validity
Copies of your previous visa (if applicable)
Travel and health insurance
Round trip flight itinerary
Proof of accommodation
Proof of sufficient funds
A cover letter that details why you're visiting and how long you plan to stay
Proof of civil status
Other documents relevant to your employment status

Application process

The general application process for a Schengen visa includes the following stages:

Complete the online application form relevant to your visa
Receive an appointment time at the Croatia consulate (make sure you print and sign your Schengen visa application form to take with you)
Gather your supporting documents
Attend your appointment
Wait for your visa approval (this can take up to 15 days)

If you're planning to be in one of the Schengen countries for longer than 90 days to study, work or live, you'll need to attain a different type of visa that is specific to the country you're going to visit.

The page is for general information only and may be subject to change. It is your responsibility to obtain relevant visa and travel information required for entry, departure and travel to each country or region you visit on your trip. You should confirm these with the relevant embassies and/or consulates.

Last updated: 29/06/2023

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