Croatia travel guide for New Zealanders

New Zealanders do not need a visa for Croatia for tourism, business or family visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Croatia is part of the Schengen Area, so the same 90-day allowance covers all Schengen countries together.

From 2026 you will need an ETIAS travel authorisation before flying. It is not a visa; it is an online application that costs about €7 and is valid for three years or until your passport expires. Apply before you book flights, and carry a copy of the approval with you.

Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area. Check this before you book anything.

You can enter Croatia with a valid New Zealand passport and stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. The clock resets when you leave the Schengen Area, so a weekend in Italy counts against your 90 days.

From 2026, ETIAS is mandatory for visa-exempt travellers, including New Zealanders. Apply online, pay the fee, and you will normally receive approval within minutes, though it can take longer, so apply well ahead.

Border officers may ask for proof of accommodation, return tickets and travel insurance. Have these ready on your phone or printed.

New Zealand does not have an embassy in Croatia. The nearest New Zealand embassy is in Rome, Italy, and it covers Croatia. For consular help, contact the New Zealand Embassy in Rome.

For visa or entry questions, the Croatian authorities are the ones to ask: the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs or the nearest Croatian embassy in New Zealand (in Wellington).

If you need help while in Croatia, the New Zealand Embassy in Rome is the contact point. Save their phone number before you travel.

Croatia uses the euro. For a mid-range trip, budget roughly NZ$150–250 per day per person, covering accommodation, meals, local transport and a few activities. Budget travellers can do it on NZ$100–150 a day by staying in hostels and eating at bakeries and markets.

Flights from New Zealand to Croatia typically cost NZ$1,500–2,500 return, depending on the season and how far ahead you book. You will usually fly into Zagreb, Split or Dubrovnik via a European hub.

Ferries and buses along the coast are affordable; a Split–Dubrovnik ferry is around NZ$50–80. Entry to Plitvice Lakes is about NZ$40–60 in peak season.

There are no direct flights from New Zealand to Croatia. You will connect through a major hub such as Singapore, Doha, Dubai, Istanbul or a European city like London or Frankfurt. Total journey time is typically 24–30 hours, including the stopover.

Fly into Zagreb, Split or Dubrovnik. Zagreb is the main international gateway, but if your itinerary is coastal, flying into Split or Dubrovnik saves a long bus ride.

Use the flight-time planner to compare routes and time differences from your home city.

Croatia uses plug types C and F, with a standard voltage of 230 V and frequency 50 Hz. New Zealand uses type I plugs, so you will need an adapter.

Your devices should handle the voltage, but check the label. If it says 100–240 V, you only need an adapter; if it says 110–120 V, you need a converter.

Pack a universal adapter and a power bank for long ferry rides and day trips.

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. In restaurants, round up the bill or leave about 10% for good service. For taxis, rounding up to the nearest euro is fine. In cafés, leave small change.

Some restaurants include a service charge in the bill; check before adding a tip. Tipping in cash is simplest, though cards are widely accepted.

The single European emergency number is 112, which works for police, fire and ambulance. You can also call police on 192, fire on 193, ambulance on 194, and sea rescue on 195.

Save 112 in your phone. For non-emergency help, contact the New Zealand Embassy in Rome.

Do New Zealanders need a visa for Croatia? No, for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period. From 2026 you need an ETIAS travel authorisation before flying.

How much does a trip to Croatia cost in NZD? Budget NZ$150–250 per day for a mid-range trip, plus NZ$1,500–2,500 for return flights.

Where is the nearest New Zealand embassy in Croatia? The nearest New Zealand embassy is in Rome, Italy, which covers Croatia.

This page is based on official travel advice from the New Zealand Government (SafeTravel) and the Croatian authorities. For the latest entry rules, check the official sources before you travel.