Croatia
About
| Croatia is one of Europe's top seaside destinations, with over 1,000 islands, 1778km of mainland coastline and a mild Mediterranean climate. In Zagreb, Croatia's capital, visit the historic monuments of Gornji Grad (Upper Town): the Cathedral, St Mark's Church (noted for its tiled roof) and the Sabor (Croatian parliament). Then take in the museums of 19th-century Donji Grad (Lower Town). The Museum of Arts and Crafts traces Croatian craftsmanship through the centuries, and the Mimara Museum exhibits a rich collection of painting, sculpture and ceramics from abroad. Dubrovnik's Summer Festival takes place each year, from mid-July to late August, and features open-air evening performances of theatre, jazz and classical music in the old town. Zagreb and Split also have summer festivals, but are a treat to visit at any time. Slavonia's Kopaèki Rit Nature Park is a vast expanse of wetland frequented by myriad migrating birds and well away from the tourist crowds. Dive in the ethereal Blue Grotto and explore the shipwrecks sunk off the island of Vis, Croatia's most remote inhabited island. |
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| Capital: | Zagreb (ZAG) |
| Currency: | Kuna (HRK) |
| Language: | Croatian (Hrvatski). Serbian, Slovenian, Hungarian and Italian are also spoken by minorities. English and German may be spoken in tourist regions. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 385 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT +1 (1 hour behind South Africa) |
| Daylight Savings Time: | From last Sunday March to last Sunday October: UTC / GMT +2 (same time as South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Right |
| Best Time to Go: | May – September |
| Best for: | National Parks, Architecture, Historical and Religious Sites, Coastline |
| Plugs: | 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs as in most of Western Europe |
| Drinking Water: | Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. |
| Health: | There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. If you require any medication on your travels it is best to bring it with you, in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is and why you need it. |
| Customs: | Normal social courtesies |
| Local Offences / Laws: | There are certain restrictions on photography. Passports should be carried at all times. |
| Travel Tips / Warnings: | Travellers are advised to be cautious in former conflict and remote areas, as there may be land mines. Stay on known safe roads, and check with authorities if going to a remote area. |
| Duty Free: | Croatia is within the European Union. If you are travelling from the UK, you are entitled to buy fragrance, skincare, cosmetics, Champagne, wine, selected spirits, fashion accessories, gifts and souvenirs - all at tax-free equivalent prices. If you are travelling from within the EU, there is no limit on the amount or value of goods you may import, providing your goods are for personal consumption. Goods imported for commercial purposes are subject to duty and the following guideline amounts are in place to determine whether this is the case: • 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco. • 10L of spirits over 22%, 20L of alcoholic beverages less than 22%, 90L of wine (no more than 60L of sparkling wine) and 110L of beer. If you are arriving from a non-EU country, the following goods may be imported into Croatia by persons over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty: • 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. • 4L of wine and 16L of beer and 1L of spirits over 22% or 2L of alcoholic beverages less than 22%. • Other goods up to the value of Kn3,200 for air and sea travellers and Kn2,200 for other travellers (reduced to Kn1,100 for children under 15). |
| Prohibited Imports: | Unauthorised firearms and ammunition and non-prescription drugs. There are restrictions on the import of plants, animals and food. |
| Prohibited Exports: | Articles of archaeological, historical, ethnographic, artistic and other scientific or cultural value require an export licence issued by the Croatian authorities. |
Issuing Authorities
Embassy of the Republic of Croatia
Ozmik House, 165 Lynnwood Road, Brooklyn 0181, Pretoria
Tel: +27 (0)12 342 1206
Email: croemb.pretoria@mvep.hr
Web: https://mvep.gov.hr/za/en
Working hours of the Embassy:
• Monday - Thursday: 8:00 - 16:30
• Friday: 8:00 - 14:00
Working hours of the Consular Section:
• Monday - Friday 9:00 - 12:00
The Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia resident in Pretoria is also accredited to: Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Botswana.
The Embassy also deals with the following countries and their citizens at working level: Burundi, Comoros, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Rwanda, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1, 6; Apr 20-21; May 1, 30; Jun 19; Aug 5, 15; Nov 1, 18; Dec 25-26 (additional optional holidays may be observed)
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1, 6; Apr 5-6; May 1, 30; Jun 4, 22; Aug 5, 15; Nov 1, 18; Dec 25-26 (additional optional holidays may be observed)
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by ordinary South African passport holders.
Croatia is a member of the Schengen Agreement.
- If you intend to visit only Croatia, you must apply at the Embassy of Croatia / Visa Application Centre.
- If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate that is your main destination / longest stay.
- If you intend to visit several countries but are spending an equal number of days in each, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country of your first point of entry.
VISA APPLICATION PROCESS
1. Fill out visa application form: crovisa.mvep.hr
You are required to print and sign the completed form, and bring orginals and copies of the uploaded documents to the visa application centre.
2. Book an appointment
Once you have filled your visa form, you need to book an appointment to have your fingerprints and photo taken at a Visa Application Centre. This is known as ‘biometric information’. Once you’ve booked your appointment, you’ll receive an appointment confirmation email along with the letter of appointment. If you are part of a family or group, you’ll have to book individual appointments for each member of the family or group.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
See General Schengen Requirements
You will need to submit the following documents during your online application. Refer to the General Schengen Requirements for details.
- Passport Photo.
- Bio page of passport.
- Travel Health Insurance certificate.
- Flight Reservation.
- Proof of the purpose of stay/ Accommodation in Croatia.
- Proof of Sufficient funds.
- Proof of employment or student status:
- For minors – birth certificate of the minor (visa application shall be submitted by a parent/legal representative).
BIOMETRICS
VFS Global Visa Application Centres:
Tel: +27 (0)12 425 3008
Website: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/zaf/en/hrv/
Hours: Mon-Fri: 08:30-12:30, 13:30-16:00
NOTE: VFS has several value-add services, including "Visa at your Doorstep service"
PRETORIA: Brooklyn Pavilion, 316 Tram Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk
CAPE TOWN: 8th Floor 2 on Long Street, Cape Town, CBD (closed Mondays)
DURBAN: Unit 409, 4th Floor, 91 -123 Cowey Road (Problem Mkhize Road) Essenwood
JOHANNESBURG: 1st Floor Rivonia Village, Corner Rivonia Boulevard and Mutual Road, Sandton
Visa Processing Time
Apply at least 15 calendar days before the intended visit. Not more than 6 months before the visit.
Visa Validity
Stays of up to 90 days in a 180 day period
Visa Cost
Adults: EUR90
Children (6-12): EUR45
Children (under 6): Free
In South Africa, visa fees are payable directly to VFS Global in South African Rands (ZAR). Contact VFS for exchange rates.
VFS Service Fees:
Mandatory courier fee when applying in Cape Town: ZAR 760
Service fee (Cape Town, Pretoria): ZAR 660
Service fee (Joburg, Durban): ZAR 620
SA Representative
Representation accredited from Budapest, Hungary
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | None |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Tick-Borne Encephalitis, Tetanus, Polio |
