Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in Croatia, you are subject to its laws. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own, and criminal penalties vary from country to country. If you break local laws in Croatia, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States. You can be prosecuted in the United States for engaging in sexual conduct with children or for using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country regardless of the legality of these activities under that country’s laws. Counterfeit and pirated goods are illegal in the United States and if you purchase them in a foreign country, you may be breaking local law as well.

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: With numerous automated teller machines (ATMs) and ever-wider acceptance of credit cards in Croatia, traveler's checks are accepted less frequently or exchanged at an unfavorable rate. Facilities are available for the wiring or transferring of funds.

Recreational Boating: The Croatian Government requires all recreational skippers chartering Croatian flagged vessels to have a certificate of competence. Under Croatian law, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport, and Infrastructure recognizes licenses issued by the national authorities of other countries. Although no such national licensing regime exists in the United States, Croatia does recognize certain certificates issued by the U.S. Sailing Association. Regulations are complex and vary by class of license. Details on class of license recognized by country can be found at the Ministry’s website. Tourists in Croatia can also be certified at harbormasters' offices in Pula, Rijeka, Senj, Zadar, Sibenik, Split, Ploce, and Dubrovnik, as well as at the Ministry in Zagreb by passing a test.

For travelers arriving by private marine craft and other information on nautical regulations, please refer to the Ministry’s maritime affairs website.

Climbing and Hiking: If you intend to hike in the Croatian mountains or climb in the numerous rock climbing areas, always seek local guides’ expert advice. The weather in the Croatian mountains can change quickly, even in the summer months, and temperatures can get very low overnight. There have been reports of hikers getting lost in the mountains when they have gone out alone, without expert guides, and left marked paths. Hikers have also been lost in stormy weather, and there have been fatal accidents as well. If in trouble, call the emergency number 112 and the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service will help you as best they can. Rock climbers in Paklenica National Park should consult a local guide or contact the National Park for more information.

WOMEN TRAVELER INFORMATION: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for Women Travelers..

LGBT RIGHTS: Although lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals enjoy full rights in Croatia, they may face legal challenges as same sex couples. The LGBT community is protected by anti-discrimination laws, and there are no legal or governmental impediments to the organization of LGBT events. However, in previous years with the rise of LGBT activism, there were incidents related to hate towards LGBT groups, notably during annual pride events, both in Zagreb and Split. Individual cases of attacks on members of the LGBT community have been recorded and processed by the authorities. In 2014 Croatia enacted the Law on Life Partnership of Same Sex Couples allowing for formal registration of same sex unions. For more detailed information about LGBT rights in Croatia you may review the State Department’s annual Country Report on Human Rights Practices. For further information on LGBT travel, please read our Information for LGBT Travelers page.

ACCESSIBLITY: While in Croatia, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what is found in the United States. Croatian law mandates access to transportation, communication, and public buildings for persons with disabilities. However, the law does not demand that facilities be retrofitted. Persons with disabilities will find marked differences in new construction compared to old construction, where access can still be limited. Croatia’s geography is hilly and often steep, including along the coast, and presents challenges to some persons with disabilities. Universal access on public transportation may not always be available. Outside of urban areas, accessibility generally worsens significantly.