As a travel document for entry into Croatia is recognized passport or other identification document recognized by international treaty.
As of 1 January 2023, the Schengen acquis is in full application in the Republic of Croatia as a Schengen area Member State. Travellers from other Schengen countries do not have to show their identity card or passport when traveling to or from Croatia if they come from countries belonging to the Schengen area. However, we advise you to bring your passport or identity card with you nevertheless, in case you need to prove your identity.
Entering Croatia from countries that do not belong to the Schengen area is possible upon presentation of an identity card, a valid passport or a valid visa. It is also important to point out that you will need your passport when requesting a VAT refund form for purchases made in Croatia if you live in a country that is not a Member State of the European Union. Entering another state, you may be required to have your entry noted by the border control authorities – they will stamp your passport with an entry stamp that indicates the border crossing and date of entry. Failure to have your passport stamped may result in large fines and prohibition to entry the territory of a state.
Before travelling to Croatia, you can check all the details on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia. We also suggest that you contact the Croatian embassy or consulate to check the requirements before you travel.
Thanks to the enhanced mobility within the European Union, many European citizens don’t see their personal documents, including their passports, as important as they were in the past. Despite the openness of the borders and the free flow of people, you should always be careful with your personal documents because their theft or loss can cause unwanted issues or lead to identity fraud.
Should you lose your passport or identification card you used to enter Croatia, first you must seek assistance from the nearest police station, followed by the diplomatic mission or consulate of your country, where they can provide you with a temporary travel document, enabling you to exit Croatia.