Do you need a visa for Croatia?

The simple answer is yes and no with entry requirement visas needed depending on which country is listed on your passport. As Croatia is a part of the European Union, it shares an agreement with other European Union nations where nationals of an EU country can travel visa-free between other countries that are also in the European Union.

Even if you're not a passport holder from a country in the European Union, Croatia has visa-exempt agreements in place with a number of other countries around the world including but not limited to Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and New Zealand. This means that nationals from the above countries (as well as the rest of the countries also part of the visa-exempt agreements) do not need a visa to enter Croatia if their stay is less than 90 days. They will, however, need a passport that has at least 3 months of validity. If you wish to stay longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for a long-stay visa.

If your country is not one that's a part of the visa-exempt agreement with Croatia, you will have to obtain a visa before travelling, regardless of the length of stay or reason for your visit.

Having said that, even if you're granted an entry visa for Croatia (or even if you don't need an entry visa to visit Croatia), you're not guaranteed entry into the country as you still have to pass immigration/border checkpoints upon your arrival.

To check which countries do or do not require a visa to enter Croatia, please visit the Online Visa Global Travel Services website.

How to apply for a Croatian visa

Usually, the visa application process is relatively easy and streamlined, however, obtaining an eVisa or a visa on arrival in Croatia is currently unavailable, and so the process is now a little more time-consuming. For the time being, the only way to apply for an entry visa/short-stay visa is to visit the nearest Croatian embassy, consulate, or government office.

In order to avoid disappointment or any disruption to your travel plans, make sure you apply for your visa well in advance before your intended arrival in Croatia as the wait time for visa processing can be up to 90 days (the average wait time is around 2 - 4 weeks). The cost of applying for a visa is around USD$85 but this price may also vary depending on individual circumstances.

Visa requirements

In order to begin the visa application process, you'll need to have filled out a Croatian tourist visa application form, as well as provide additional supporting documentation at your embassy appointment. These supporting documents may include your passport, two passport-sized pictures, proof of travel insurance, proof of accommodation in Croatia, proof of a return flight confirmation, and proof of enough funds to last you through your stay in Croatia. You may also need to provide information about your employment status.

For more details, visit your nearest Croatian embassy, consulate, or government office.

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