Overall country Risk Rating: 

 

AA- Regulated state with medium corruption and a low frequency of crime risk against foreigners. The terrorism risk is low. The workplace HSE risk is high due to higher than average road deaths and environmental factors.The country score of 57/177 on the corruption perception index, with a score of 0.045 on corruption control.(Point estimates range from -2.5 to 2.5. Higher values correspond to better governance outcomes)

 

 

 

Genvisec advises that all business and leisure travel should continue.

 

Crime

 

Crime levels are low and violent crime is rare.

 

Some tourists have been the victims of overcharging in so-called ‘Gentlemen’s Clubs’, sometimes amounting to thousands of Euros. Victims can be threatened with violence if they refuse to pay.

 

Take care in busy tourist areas, where pickpockets are known to operate. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Don’t leave valuables unattended, particularly on the beach. Use a hotel safe if possible.

 

Report all incidents of crime to the local police station and get a police report.

 

Local travel

 

If you are planning to travel outside the normal tourist resorts beware of unexploded mines in war-affected areas like Eastern Slavonia, Brodsko-Posavska County, Karlovac County, areas around Zadar County and in more remote areas of the Plitvice Lakes National Park. For more information about mine-affected areas visit the Croatian Mine Action Center’s website.

 

If you are travelling in these areas avoid leaving cultivated land or marked paths. If in doubt seek local advice.

 

If you are hiking in the mountains seek expert advice from local guides, however tame the mountain might seem to you. The weather in the Croatian mountains can change quickly, even in summer and temperatures can get very low overnight. There have been reports of hikers getting lost in the mountains when they have gone out alone and left marked paths. If you get into trouble, call the emergency number 112 and the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service will help you as best they can.

 

Road travel

 

You can drive using a EU driving licence. If you bring your own vehicle into the country you may need to provide proof of ownership by presenting a V5 log book. If you fail to produce this when asked you will be refused entry and your car might be impounded until you can prove ownership.

 

You don’t need a Green Card to drive in Croatia, but if you are driving to or through Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the 20km strip of coastline at Neum on the Dalmatian coastal highway, make sure that you have a Green Card that includes cover for Bosnia and Herzegovina. You can’t buy insurance for Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Neum border crossing.

 

Take care when overtaking and be wary of other road users unexpectedly overtaking in slower traffic. Minor roads are usually unlit at night.

 

It is illegal to drive with more than 0.05% of alcohol in the blood system.

 

You must drive with dipped headlights from the last weekend in October until last weekend in March, even during the daytime. You must not use a mobile phone whilst driving.

 

It’s obligatory to carry a fluorescent vest in your car whilst driving in Croatia. You must keep the vest in the car and not in the boot. You should wear the vest while attending to a breakdown. All passengers must wear seat belts and special seats are required for infants. Children under the age of 12 may not sit in the front seat.

 

In 2011 there were reports of gangs flagging down cars by indicating that they need help, and then robbing the occupants.

 

In 2012 there were 393 road deaths in Croatia. This equates to 8.9 road deaths per 100,000 of population compared to the EU average of 2.8 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2012.

 

Emergency road help (HAK) may be reached by dialling (385 1) 1987. This service is staffed by English speaking operators. Traffic information in English is available on 98.5FM during the tourist season only.

 

 

Rail travel

 

Take care to guard valuables, especially at night.

 

Sea travel

 

There is zero tolerance on alcohol consumption if you are in charge of a yacht or boat. The penalties for being caught drunk in charge of a boat are heavy. Yacht/boat skippers have been arrested for entering a non-designated entry port  without informing the authorities. If you are sailing to Croatia enter only at a designated port/harbour. If this is not possible, contact the local harbour master or the police before entering.

 

The Croatian Government requires all skippers to have an International Certificate of Competence (ICC).

 

Health

 

Contact your doctor around 8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive meas docto

 

If you’re visiting Croatia you should get a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving your home coutntry. The EHIC isn’t a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but it entitles you to state provided medical treatment that may become necessary during your trip. Any treatment provided is on the same terms as Croatian nationntr The EHIC won’t cover medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or non-urgent treatment, so you should make sure you have adequate travel insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation.

 

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.er

 

Money

 

Major credit and debit cards are accepted in most banks and hotels. Sterling, US Dollars and Euros are easily exchanged for local currency. There are plenty of ATMs. In 2011 there were reports of an increase in the number of forged Croatian Kuna banknotes, especially 200 and 500 notes. Only exchange money at reliable places like banks and ATMs .

 

Local laws and customs

 

We recommend that you carry your passport (or, if a resident your Croatian ID card) at all times. They are the only officially recognised form of identification in Croatia.

 

Keep a photocopy of the photo details page in a safe place, including details of your next of kin. If your passport is lost or stolen you should report it to the police and get a police report. 

 

Drug related offences are punished with fines and jail sentences.

 

Passport validity

 

Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required.

 

Registration

 

Unless you’re staying at a hotel or official tourist accommodation, you should register with the local police or the local town tourist centre within 15 days of arrival. In Zagreb you should register at the Police Station at Petrinjska 30. Elsewhere in Croatia, you should register at the nearest main Police Station. All hotels and tourist accommodation should register on your behalf, but you should confirm this when you check in. Failure to register may result in a fine or possible removal from Croatia.

 

Earthquakes

 

Small tremors are recorded several times a month throughout the year without consequences. To learn more about what to do before, during and after an earthquake, see this advice from the US Federal Emergency Management Agency.

 

Forest fires

 

Forest fires are very common during Croatia’s hot and dry summers. Take care when visiting or driving through woodland and forest areas. Make sure cigarette ends are properly extinguished, don’t light barbecues and don’t leave any rubbish, particularly empty bottles, behind.

 

Consular Assistance

 

British Citizen

 

British Embassy Zagreb

Ivana Lučića 4

10000 Zagreb

Croatia

 

Email

british.embassyzagreb@fco.gov.uk

 

Telephone

+385 (1) 6009 100

 

Fax

+385 (1) 6009 111

 

Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 5pm

Friday, 8:30am to 2pm

 

British Consulate Split

 

Obala Hrvatskog Narodnog Preporoda 10/III

21000 Split

Croatia

 

Telephone

+385 (1) 6009 100

 

Fax

+385 (1) 6009 298

 

American Citizen

 

US Embassy Zagreb

Embassy of the United States of America

Ulica Thomasa Jeffersona 2

10010 Zagreb

Croatia

 

Telephone: 385-1-661-2200

Telephone: 385-1-661-2300

Fax: 385-1-665-8933

Email: consularzagreb@state.gov

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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