ETIAS visa waiver for Croatia

Croatia is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area. Croatia now fully applies the Schengen acquis -, the ETIAS regulation applies from 2026 .

ETIAS will improve border management and security in Croatia and the rest of the Schengen Area. Travellers from more than 50 countries will need to apply.

Croatia is now part of the Schengen Area. It shares a visitor visa policy with the rest of the member states, based on the Schengen acquis. EU citizens do not need a visa to enter Croatia; they have the right to enter and reside in other member states.

Other travellers need a visa or ETIAS to travel to Croatia.

OVER 50 NATIONALITIES CAN VISIT CROATIA WITH ETIAS

From 2026 , visa-free visitors from outside the EU will be able to apply for ETIAS for Croatia. It will become an entry requirement.

ETIAS is not a visa. With ETIAS, visa-exempt non-EU nationals can travel to Croatia for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism, business, transit or short-term study.

The travel authorisation to travel to all Schengen countries and countries in the process of joining Schengen: Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania.

OTHER NON-EU CITIZENS NEED A VISA FOR CROATIA

Non-EU citizens that are not eligible for visa-free travel to Croatia need a visa. Croatia now issues Schengen visas, they are for short stays of up to 90 days.

A Schengen visa issued by Croatia can be used across the travel region.

With ETIAS for Croatia, travellers can visit the country visa-free for up to 90 days per 180-day period. It is a multiple-entry permit, valid for 3 years.

This means travellers will not need to apply each time they travel to Croatia, providing the ETIAS and passport remain valid.

ETIAS for Croatia is for tourism, business, and short-term study. It will be required to go on holiday in the country or attend meetings, events, or other business-related activities. ETIAS is also valid for taking part in short courses that do not exceed the 90-day limit.

Foreigners can visit Croatia and any other ETIAS countries using the same permit. ETIAS is valid across the Schengen Area, including neighbouring countries Hungary and Slovenia, and Italy, with which it shares a maritime border.

DOCUMENTS YOU NEED TO PROVIDE ON ARRIVAL IN CROATIA

Like visa requirements, the documents foreign nationals need to provide on arrival in Croatia depend on their nationality.

EUROPEAN CITIZENS CAN TRAVEL TO CROATIA WITH AN ID CARD

Citizens of other European countries can travel to Croatia with their national ID card. Alternatively, they may use their passport.

VISA-EXEMPT NON-EU CITIZENS NEED ETIAS FOR CROATIA

This is what visa-exempt non-EU nationals need to enter Croatia:

The passport must be valid for at least 3 months after they’ll exit the Schengen Area. ETIAS is electronically linked to the traveller’s passport, a printout is not required.

VISA-REQUIRED NON-EU CITIZENS NEED A VISA AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

Non-EU citizens who are not visa-exempt need to present:

The following documents may also be requested:

ETIAS for Croatia is valid at international airports, and sea and land borders. Visa waiver visitors should travel with the passport they used to register with ETIAS.

Many overseas travellers fly into one of Croatia’s international airports. The largest airports in Croatia are Dubrovnik Airport (DBV), Split Airport (SPU), and Zagreb Airport (ZAG).

International train routes connect Croatia to other European Union countries, options include:

Alternatively, travellers arriving from neighbouring countries can drive to Croatia. Motorists must be 18 or older. Ferries sail from Italy to Croatia regularly.

TRAVEL TO OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES FROM CROATIA

These are the countries that share a land border with Croatia:

Croatia also shares a maritime border with Italy. Hungary, Slovenia and Italy are Schengen member states. ETIAS will also be valid to enter these countries.