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Croatia country information

You are on holiday in Croatia. How delicious! But what is the ideal time to travel? How much do you pay on average for a hotel or a bite and how is medical care arranged? On this page you will find practical information on Croatia.

Croatia country information – facts and figures

Electricity

Voltage: 230 volts
Reducer plug: outlets have round holes and can be earthed or ungrounded.
It may be necessary to carry an adapter plug (world plug).

Facts and numbers

Official name: Republic of Croatia / Republika Hrvatska
Resident: Croatian (m), Croatian (f)
State form: Parliamentary republic. Croatia is divided into 20 provinces and 1 city province.
Capital: Zagreb
European Union: Croatia has been a member of the European Union since 1 July 2013.
Language: Croatian
Population: 2017: 4.1 million
Surface: 56,538 km² (almost equal to the Netherlands + Belgium)
Income per inhabitant per year: $ 20,800
Average life expectancy: 2015: 80 years
Currency: Kuna (HRK). In time, Croatia will switch to the euro. Effective date unknown.
Country code license plate: HR
Language:

Most spoken language: Serbo-Croatian.
Serbo-Croat belongs to the Slavic branch of Indo-European languages.
You can usually also speak English and German; in Istria also with Italian.

Time difference: There is no time difference with the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy and Germany.

Camping in Croatia

Croatia has around 150 idyllically located campsites, including a large number of naturist areas.
Most campsites are located along the coast.
Characteristic for Croatia is the enormous surface area of the campsites. They are often 10 ha or even larger. Usually these are former state holiday homes where the entire staff of a factory or all members of a local party department were accommodated. These megacampings, with extensive facilities such as shops, restaurants, bungalows and rental apartments, are mainly located on the coast
In addition to the megacampings, there are also increasingly smaller private campsites in Croatia. Not only along the coast, but also inland. There these smaller campsites often have the character of ‘camping at the farmer’.
Campsites in Croatia are classified according to a national system into four classes, indicated by stars. Note: the stars are not for the quality, but for the available facilities.

Quality of campsites

The quality of Croatian campsites varies from fair to good. Much work has been done on improving the sanitary facilities on many campsites. The facilities are generally good.

Glamping Croatia

In Croatia, luxury camping is still a limited phenomenon.

Camping organizations

The most important camping organization in Croatia is Kamping Udruzenje Hrvatske / Croatian Camping Union (KUH / CCU, camping.hr). They represents the interests of campers and provides information.

Camping prices Croatia

The rates depend on the location of the terrain, the comfort, the region and the season.
Usually the rates are calculated per location, ie including car, camping equipment and two adults. These rates vary from 5 to 16 euros.
Tourist tax is often not included in the rates of the campsite.

Camping booking

Especially on the Croatian campsites that are located directly by the sea, it can be very busy in high season (July and August). It is advisable to book your campsite in time.

Wildcamping Croatia

It is forbidden to camp outside the official camp sites.
It is forbidden to stay in a caravan or (camping) car along the public road.

Winter camping

Croatia has a limited number of campsites that are also open in the winter.
Most winter campsites can be found on the coast.

Facilities at the campsite

Rental accommodations

At many campsites it is possible to rent fully equipped mobile homes or bungalows. It is recommended to book well in advance.
Usually a minimum rental period of one week applies.

Animation and recreation

Facilities for children and entertainment programs are standard on the larger campsites.
A swimming pool can also be found in many areas.
Both at camp sites themselves and in the vicinity are often music performances in the evenings.

Parking fine

Be aware: In Pula there are parking zones that are not clearly indicated and it is often said that there is free parking. In practice, however, it turns out that, if you do not pay parking fees, you run the risk of being fined (over time) for € 280. For information about the parking zones in Pula see pulaparking.hr/interaktivna.

Here you will find more information about Croatia.

Croatia country information – travel season Croatia

July and August are the busiest months of the year.
The spring and autumn in Croatia are pleasant alternatives. Druring springtime the entire Croatian coast is in bloom. You can swim in the Adriatic until well into the autumn.

Croatia country information – dressing

Take light air clothing. You will need a (fleece) sweater or cardigan for the cool evenings. Long sleeves and long trousers offer protection against mosquitoes in the evening.
Sturdy walking shoes also offer protection against snake bites. On the coast you need sturdy sandals or water shoes with a sturdy sole.
Make sure to dress for the occasion for the restaurants and lovely nightlife.
In religious buildings you must adhere to the dress code. Women wear their skirts or pants over the knee and the arms are completely covered. Men wear long trousers and the arms are covered up to the elbow.

Croatia country information – climate in Croatia

The north and east (Slavonia) of Croatia has a continental climate. The summers are usually hot and precipitation falls in heavy showers accompanied by thunderstorms. The winters can be cold and there is a lot of snow.
The Adriatic coast (Istria and Dalmatia) has a Mediterranean climate. The summers are sunny, hot and dry and the winters are mild with lots of rain.

Health care Croatia

Health care in Croatia is of good quality.
Travelers are advised to take out good travel insurance. Please note that cash may be required.
In case of hospitalization or when medical specialist care is required, travelers should contact their insurance company directly.

Emergencies Croatia

In case of emergency, for example in case of hospitalization abroad, we recommend you to contact your insurance company or your Ministry of Foreign Affairs as deemed necessary. Note: pay attention to roaming costs. The ministry may also provide information via an App.
For information and (potentially) support you may also contact one of your country’s representations in Croatia.

European health card

Travelers can apply for a European health card (EHIC) via their health insurer. With this card they are entitled to necessary medical care in case of illness or an accident during their stay in Croatia and hospitals, general practitioners, pharmacists and other health care providers know that their bill is paid for by the health insurer. Often it is therefore not necessary to advance money. Some health insurance companies issue a health insurance card that also serves as a European health card. If necessary, contact the health insurer for more information.

Medicines

Pharmacies are located in both larger and smaller cities and are open from Mon to Fri from 8 am to 7 pm and Sat from 8 am to 2 pm. There is a 24-hour pharmacy in most larger cities.
Take special medicines with you from your home country (to a sufficient extent and in the original packaging)), or ask your local doctor for a prescription to buy these in Croatia.
It is advisable to bring your own little travel pharmacy with regular medicines.
Also very useful are the App’s with a medical language guide and an instruction to find a foreign alternative for lost or forgotten medicines.

Medical statement

Passengers who take medicines that fall under the Opium Act (such as certain sleeping pills, ADHD drugs and strong painkillers) must have a so-called Schengen Declaration for these medicines.
Traveling with these medicines without proper explanation or medical statement is punishable.
Find out if your medicines are covered by the Opium Act and how the declaration can be requested at your doctor.
The declaration is usually valid up untill 30 days after the specified effective date.
Request the medical statement at least 2 weeks before departure.

Health advice

Mosquitoes

Dengue occurs in Croatia. This disease is transmitted by mosquitoes that sting during the day. Wear protective clothing, use an insect repellent on the uncovered skin, preferably with DEET, and use a mosquito net to sleep under.

harvest bug / harvest mite

Pay attention when walking or camping in nature, because harvest bugs can transmit Lyme disease.
Encephalitis also occurs in Croatia. Encephalitis is a brain inflammation caused by a virus, which can be transmitted by harvest bugs. From April to November the harvest bugs are the most active and the risk of contracting this disease is greatest.
Protect yourself against harvest bugs!

Rabies Croatia

Rabies occur in Croatia. Contact a doctor immediately with a bite from for example, a dog, cat or bat).

Drinking water Croatia

The tap water is safe to drink.

Food

Because encephalitis (see harvest bugs) can also be transmitted via raw milk from cows, sheep or goats, it is advised not to use products made from raw milk (such as some cheeses).

Vaccinations Croatia

Vaccinations are not mandatory for Croatia.
However, some vaccination is recommended.
Travelers who walk or camp in nature for more than four weeks in the period from March to November, or who are otherwise at risk of being ticked, are advised to be vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis.

Current information and personal advice

The information on health, inoculations and preventive measures mentioned here is regularly updated on the basis of recommendations from the National Coordination Center for Travelers Advice. Partly because of the often changing circumstances in certain countries, we can not guarantee that this information is always up to date, complete or in your situation.
For up-to-date information and personal advice about vaccinations and health issues, contact your doctor or a vaccination center.