Overview of Croatia
WELCOME TO CROATIA!
Unique in so many ways, Croatia has roots extending from ancient times and a great cultural wealth which tells of its turbulent history, from the Roman era to the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and Ottoman conquests, right up to the present day. This cultural wealth is exceptionally appealing to all those who visit the country. If we then include in this the amazing natural beauty which attracts visitors throughout the year, the 8 national parks, 11 nature reserves and the numerous UNESCO world heritage sites, Croatia can truly be called a country of incredible magnetic attraction.
Yes, Croatia is all that and so much more. It is the home of the necktie, the parachute, the torpedo, the mechanical pencil, the filament light bulb, the world's fastest electric car, the Dalmatian dog, Marco Polo, one of the oldest cities and parliaments in Europe, the second longest stretch of defensive walls in Europe, the smallest cathedral, the oldest arboretum, the oldest film festival in the world, and the birthplace of great athletes.
And last but by no means least - the Croats themselves! The Croatian people and their kindness are a magnet that keeps drawing tourists back. Sometimes the hospitality of the locals will make you wonder whether you are in your own home or simply - on holiday in Croatia!
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
ID (EU and EEA citizens and Switzerland) or passport. A visa is necessary for the citizens of certain third countries. The Croatian visa policy can be consulted here: www.mvep. hr/en/consular-information/. Information: Diplomatic missions and consular offices of the Republic of Croatia abroad or the Ministry of
- Foreign and European Affairs of the
- Republic of Croatia
- Tel. +385 1 4569
- Web: www.mvep.hr/en
CUSTOMS PROVISIONS
On the territory of the Republic of Croatia, the customs legislation of the European Union and the national legislation harmonised with the regulations of the European Union apply. Bringing in personal luggage is exempt from paying import duties regardless of its value and applies to every traveller entering the EU customs area irrespective of whether they are carrying their luggage personally or the luggage arrives separately, provided that they can prove that all of the above luggage was declared at the same time at the time of departure to the person responsible for its transportation. Goods in travellers' personal luggage, provided that the type and quantity of goods indicate that the goods are not intended for resale but solely for personal use by travellers or their families, shall be exempt from import customs duties if their total value does not exceed €300.00, and €430.00 for air and sea travellers, This exemption applies to each traveller individually and can be applied once a day. Items that exceed the specified amount or are not personal luggage are subject to the calculation and payment of customs duties and value-added tax (and possibly excise duty). Travellers under the age of 15 may be exempt from paying import duties up to €150.00, regardless of the means of transport. When entering and leaving the territory of the European Union, travellers shall declare to the customs office any cash they are carrying with them if the amount is equal to €10,000.00 or more, or the equivalent of the amount in other currencies or other means of payment, for example, checks. Foreign citizens and
Croatian citizens with a place of usual residence in third countries may, with full exemption from import duties, temporarily import various items for their personal use and for the needs of their family members. Likewise, persons with permanent residence in the EU may temporarily bring items they need during their stay in third countries. Personal items include all items, new or used, that the traveller may reasonably need for personal use during the trip, excluding any goods imported for commercial purposes. Personal items include, for example, video cameras, portable TV sets and audio devices, cameras, portable hand-held computers, portable personal computers, equipment for camping, sailing, diving, skiing, skating, hiking, motorhomes, pleasure boats, portable medical devices with accessories (if the traveller needs them), pets, etc. Bringing these items into the country is performed without special customs formalities by making an oral declaration at the border crossing. Taking the items out of the country is performed in the same way. When travellers export, or, especially when they import valuable professional equipment, when leaving or entering the Republic of Croatia, they must complete a "List of Goods" in triplicate at the border crossing. If necessary, they must attach an insurance document to pay any customs duties which may arise. Natural persons, who are neither permanent residents nor have a place of usual residence in the European Union, are entitled to a refund of valueadded tax (PDV) on the goods they have purchased in Croatia if the value of the goods exceeds €98.21 per invoice. The refund is obtained upon presentation of the completed form PDV-P or a Tax-Free form that must be certified by Customs when taking the goods out of the European Union within 3 months of the date stated on the invoice
or delivery note. Foreign citizens must submit the VAT refund request within six months from the day the invoice was issued. It is not possible to certify the PDV-P form or Tax-Free form once the goods have been carried out of the European Union. You can find additional information on the Customs Administration website (www.carina.gov.hr). For information on the regulations relating to the import of products of animal origin in personal luggage, see the Ministry of Agriculture - Veterinary and Food Safety Directorate website: (www.poljoprivreda.gov.hr).
CURRENCY
The official currency in Croatia is the euro (1 euro = 100 cents). Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices, post offices and in the majority of tourist information offices, hotels and campsites.
POST OFFICES
- The opening hours of post offices are available on the Croatian Post website, as well as a smartphone app. Some post offices remain
- open until 0:00 a.m. - the one in Branimirova 4, in the center of
- Zagreb, as well as at the one at the border crossing of Bajakovo. Info. Tel.: 072 303 304
- Web: www.posta.hr
- E-mail: [email protected]
WORKING HOURS OF SHOPS AND PUBLIC SERVICES
During the tourist season, most shops are open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on weekdays, and most are open during the weekends as well. Public services and business offices work from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.
HEALTH SERVICES
Hospitals and clinics are found in all larger towns and cities, while smaller places have outpatient units and pharmacies. Foreign visitors who have compulsory health insurance in other EU countries and EEA (Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein) and Switzerland during their temporary stay in Croatia have the right to basic healthcare, on the basis of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Healthcare on the basis of the EHIC may be used in all healthcare institutions and with all MDs that have a regular contract with the Croatian Health Insurance Fund. They only bear the cost of participa-