Frequently Asked Questions
Tourist health care
There are hospitals and clinics in all major towns, and ambulance and pharmacies in all towns. Foreign tourists do not pay for medical services if the Health Care Convention has been signed between Croatia and the country they come from. Health services are charged directly to tourists coming from a country which has not signed the Convention, according to a standardized price list. Emergency transport by air (helicopter) and sea (speedboat) is provided for patients whose life is in danger.
There are also private physicians and dentists where a full price is charged for medical services.
A pharmacy that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is located in Pula, Giardini 14, T. +385 (0)52 222551.
Registration
When you check in a hotel, hostel, campsite or an apartment, you will automatically be registered with the police, a matter required by law. If you are staying with friends please do it yourself. In a 24 hour period, check with your nearest police station and be sure to bring your passport. You will be kindly asked to complete some paperwork, a procedure necessary for your own safety, helping you overcome any inconvenience that may occur while you are on a holiday.
Travel documentation
Passport or some other internationally recognized identification document. Tourists may remain in Croatia for up to three months.
Luggage
Foreign citizens may carry in their personal luggage without any limits. Foreign currency is freely brought in and taken out of the country (up to a value of 3.000 euros); up to a value of 15.000 kn for domestic currency. More expensive professional and technical equipment should be registered at the border.
Visas
Citizens from EU, Switzerland, Australia, North and South America and many other countries are allowed into Croatia without a visa. You can find basic information about the visa regime between the Republic of Croatia and all other countries on www.mvp.hr Everybody who needs a visa must obtaine it before entering. You can not do this at any Croatian land border.
Pets
Dogs and cats, accompanied by their owner, need to have an International certificate from a registered veterinarian stating that at least 15 days and not more than six months have passed since their vaccination against rabies.
Currency
The only currency used in Istria/Croatia is Kuna (1 Kuna = 100 Lipa). There are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Lipa coins; 1, 2, 5 and 25 Kuna coins and 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1.000 Kuna banknotes. Cash dispensing machines are ubiquitous. Most hotels, restaurants and shops accept credit cards (American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard/Mastercard, Visa). Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices, post offices, travel agencies, hotels, camps, marinas; cheques can be cashed in banks.
Customs
Customs regulations of the Republic of Croatia are in line with the standards of European Union countries. More on www.carina.hr
Time zone
GMT plus one hour in winter and GMT plus two hours in summer.
Electricity
Voltage on city power grids is 220 V / 50 Hz, so visitors from the U.S. will need to use a transformer and visitors from G.B. will have to use an adopter for European electricity grid to run their electrical appliances.
National holidays:
January 1, New Year’s day
January 6, Epiphany
Easter, Easter Monday
May 1st, Labour Day
May 30th Statehood Day
June 22nd, Anti-Fascist Resistance Day
Corpus Christi
August 5th, National Thanksgiving Day
August 15th, Assumption
November 1st, All Saints’ Day
November 11th
December 25th and 26th, Christmas Holidays
During the national holidays all public institutions are closed!