Before you travel
Check that you passport is valid before you travel to the Schengen Area and that you have not reported it lost or stolen. Travelers who arrive to the Schengen Area with a passport they previously reported as lost or stolen may be denied entry.EU and UK, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and American passport holders do not require a visa for Croatia. All other passport holders should check the requirements for entering Croatia before travelling.
Travelers need a valid passport to enter Croatia. EU regulations require that passport holders have no less than three months’ validity when they depart Croatia. Passport holders with less than three months may be denied entry. It is strongly suggested that you have at least six months of validity to avoid problems when you travel.
If your nationality (passport) differs from the country in which you reside, please take time to check especially carefully with your local consulates concerning visa and passport requirements for your travels.
Due to heightened security, many countries have adopted practices to prevent international abductions of children. If a child will be traveling with grandparents or with only one parent, it is recommended that a notarized letter be written by the parents or non-traveling parent granting authorization to travel, including the dates of travel. We suggest that you also contact the appropriate consulate and airlines because they may have additional requirements.
The US Department of State issues Consular Information Sheets for every country in the world. They list important information about each country, including currency regulations and the location of US embassies and consulates abroad. Call 202-647-5225 to listen to this information by phone You can also check the Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://www.travel.state.gov/.
Croatia is a member of the Schengen area. Land border controls between Croatia, Slovenia, and Hungary and the sea border with Italy ceased from January 1, 2023. The land borders with Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro continue to have police and customs checks in place, as these countries are outside of the Schengen area. Airport controls for flights between Croatia and other countries within the Schengen area ceased on March 27, 2023.
European Union Entry and Exit System
Effective October 12, 2025, the European Union (EU), including Croatia, will implement a new Entry/Exit System (EES) across 29 participating countries, including most EU nations as well as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. U.S. citizens traveling on a U.S. passport for short stays—whether visa-free or with a short-stay visa—will be enrolled at borders upon arrival and departure, with biometric data such as fingerprints and facial images digitally collected alongside travel document and personal data. The system, gradually deployed over six months, aims to streamline border crossings while electronically registering entry and exit dates. EES will also track overstays and record instances of refused entry. Cyprus and Ireland are EU members but do not participate in EES. For more details, visit the EU’s official website: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/en/ees .