Croatia travel guide for Britons

Britons do not need a visa to enter 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 rules apply across all Schengen countries. From 2026, you will need an ETIAS travel authorisation before you travel; apply online before booking flights.

Your passport must be valid for the whole of your stay. Border officials may ask for proof of accommodation, return tickets and sufficient funds for your trip, so carry printed or digital copies.

Croatia is in the Schengen area, so the 90/180-day rule applies across all Schengen countries combined. If you have already spent time in other Schengen countries, count those days against your 90-day allowance. Overstaying can lead to fines and entry bans.

For stays longer than 90 days, such as work, study or retirement, you need a national visa or residence permit. Apply at the Croatian embassy or consulate in the UK well before your planned departure.

ETIAS is a travel authorisation, not a visa. It will be required for visa-exempt travellers entering the Schengen area from 2026. Apply online, pay the fee, and it is valid for three years or until your passport expires.

The British Embassy in Zagreb provides consular services for UK citizens in Croatia. For passport emergencies, lost documents or legal issues, contact the embassy directly. In an emergency, call the local emergency number 112 first.

If you need a new passport or other consular help, the embassy can advise on the process. For non-emergency queries, use the official contact channels.

Croatia uses the euro. As a rough guide for a mid-range trip, budget around £70–£120 per person per day, excluding flights. Accommodation in Split or Dubrovnik in summer costs more; shoulder seasons (May–June, September–October) are cheaper and less crowded.

Flights from the UK to Split or Dubrovnik take about 2.5 hours. Budget airlines and package deals can keep costs down, but check baggage fees and transfer times. Ferries to the islands add £10–£30 per crossing.

For a detailed breakdown, see the cost of travel page.

Direct flights from London and other UK cities to Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik and Pula take about 2.5 hours. Airlines include British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2, depending on the season. In summer, more routes operate; in winter, some coastal airports reduce services.

For the best fares, book 6–8 weeks ahead and consider flying into one city and out of another to avoid backtracking. Split and Dubrovnik are the main coastal gateways; Zagreb is the hub for the continental region.

Croatia uses types C and F plugs, the same as the UK's standard two-pin round plugs (though the UK uses type G, so you will need an adapter). The voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz, the same as the UK, so your devices will work with an adapter only.

Bring a universal adapter if you travel with devices from other regions. Power cuts are rare, but in remote areas the supply can be less stable.

Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. In restaurants, round up the bill or leave about 10% for good service. For taxis, round up to the nearest euro. In cafés, leaving small change is common. Some restaurants add a service charge, so check the bill before tipping extra.

In hotels, a tip for housekeeping of €1–€2 per night is common. Tour guides often receive a tip at the end of a tour.

The single European emergency number 112 works for all emergencies in Croatia. For specific services, you can also call: police 192, fire 193, ambulance 194, and sea rescue 195. Operators speak English.

For consular help, contact the British Embassy in Zagreb. Keep a copy of your passport and travel insurance details separate from the originals.