Vessels may sail and stay in the coastal seas, rivers and lakes of the Republic of Croatia if they obtain authorization. Foreign sport rowing and sailing vessels up to 3 m length, and motor boats up to 3 m length with a motor up to 4 kW may sail and stay in coastal waters, rivers and lakes without authorization.

If the owner or master of a foreign vessel wishes to sail and stay in coastal waters, rivers and lakes, after entering the coastal sea, river or lake he must take the shortest route to the nearest port or harbor open to international traffic, register his arrival with the authorized body in that harbor and apply for authorization to sail.

The owner of master of a foreign vessel who brings the vessel overland may register it in any port authority or harbor office.

The master of a vessel must immediately after landing in a port or harbor register with the border police or the nearest police administration or station every person who is on the vessel without a valid passport. The master of the vessel must not allow a person without a valid passport to disembark in the port or harbor without authorization of the border police. If the vessel stopped outside a border crossing due to higher forces, the master must immediately register the persons who disembarked and boarded with the nearest police administration or station. Crew members may not leave the area of the border crossing before submitting to the stipulated border control.

Access, Navigation and Stay

International maritime border crossings

Permanent
Umag, Pore¹, Rovinj, Pula, Ra¹a-Br¹ica, Rijeka, Mali Lo¹inj, Senj, Zadar, ©ibenik, Split, Ploee, Metkovic, Korcula and Dubrovnik.

Seasonal
(open from 1 April to 30 October)
Novigrad, Sali, Bozava, Ravni Zakanj (Kornati), Ubli (Lastovo), Komiza (Vis), Vis (Vis) and Hvar.

Zones in which navigation is prohibited

In agreement with the Croatian Navy (HRM), the number and size of zones in which sailing is prohibited has been greatly decreased. Although the HRM has not yet officially abolished the former prohibited zones, everything north of the island of Hvar is considered free for sailing, except parts of ports that are naval ports. These are designated parts of the ports of Pula, ©ibenik, Split (Lora) and Ploce (Bazine).

Authorization Issue

The owner or master of a foreign vessel must register his arrival with the authorized port authority or harbour office by filling in the form "Registration of arrival and stay of foreign yachts or boats in the territorial sea and internal waters of the Republic of Croatia" (Prijava dolaska i boravka strane jahte i brodice u teritorijalnom moru i unutra¹njim vodama Republike Hrvatske). If the vessel meets the conditions for arrival and stay, a one-year authorization can be on the registration form.

General conditions for obtaining authorization:

• Fill in the registration of arrival form- name and registered number of vessel, length of vessel, state flag of the country of registration, and name and family name of owner;

• Pay navigation sacurity compensation using the payment slip that is part of the registration of arrival form;

• Submit a valid boat certificate issued according to regulations in the country the boat is registered in;

• Submit documents confirming the crew members sailing qualifications;

• Submit third-party insurance in accordance with special law (insurance policy - blue card);

• Submit a list of crew members and other persons on the vessel.
  

Navigation security compensation

Compensation is paid by all foreign yachts or sport and pleasure boats. Compensation is establish according to type - boat or yacht - and length of vessel. The amount is quoted in EURO and is paid in Kunas according to the mean rate of exchange of the National Bank of Croatia on the day of payment.

Height of compensation

Navigation security compensation for yachts entered in the Croatian Register of Ships

Yachts owned by foreign citizens which are entered in the Croatian Register of Ships (or boats entered in the Register of Boats) must pay 10 EURO for sailing in the territory of the Republic of Croatia.

Compensation for attesting the seaworthiness of foreign yachts, sport sailing boats and sport boats

If a foreign vessel does not have the necessary documents according to the regulations of its country, it can request inspection from the port authority or harbour office. Compensation is regulated and depends on the length of the vessel.

The amounts are quoted in German marks and are paid in Kunas according to the mean rate of exchange of the National Bank of Croatia on the day of payment.

Inspection compensation

Compensation of 10 EURO is paid for inspection of a sea radio station.

Paying demurrage

When a vessel makes use of a port anchorage it pays demurrage at a reduced rate, to a maximum of one half of that compensation. Compensation is paid in the port anchorage in which the corresponding services can be offered. It is not possible to charge in bays and free anchorage sites where no services are offered.

Participation in Sporting Events

A foreign vessel entering the coastal sea, rivers or lakes of the Republic of Croatia to take part in sports competitions does not pay navigation security compensation.

The organizer of the sports event must register a foreign yacht or foreign boat. The registration term is at least five days prior to the beginning of the competition. The registration is submitted to the authorized port authority.