Cannabis is decriminalised but still fined
Carrying cannabis for personal use has been decriminalised, but if it is found on you or in your apartment you will have to pay fines, sometimes heavy ones. Other drug offences carry long jail sentences.
Local Rules for Travellers
🇭🇷 Local Rules in Croatia for Travellers
Croatia's busiest coastal towns fine visitors for behaviour that is normal at home: walking around shirtless or in swimwear, drinking in the street or climbing on monuments can all bring on-the-spot fines in places like Dubrovnik and Split. Barbecues are banned all summer because of wildfires. These rules were checked against the Croatian Civil Aviation Agency, Croatian Customs and the UK government's official travel advice for Croatia.
🚫 Drugs & cannabis
🏛️ Public places & behaviour
Shirtless or in swimwear in town: on-the-spot fines
In some town centres, including Dubrovnik and Split, you can be fined on the spot for walking through town shirtless or in swimwear, drinking alcohol in public spaces or climbing on monuments.
Public disorder fines up to €4,000
Fighting, shouting, drunken behaviour or insulting the police can be fined up to €4,000.
🪪 ID, fees & documents
Always carry your passport
Visitors should always carry their passport.
🚗 Driving
Drink-drive limit 0.05%, zero under 24
Driving with more than 0.05% alcohol in your blood is fined, and the limit is zero for drivers under 24.
Headlights on in winter, and winter tyres
Dipped headlights are required when driving a car from 1 November to 31 March, even in daytime, and winter tyres between 15 November and 15 April.
🚇 Public transport & boats
Zero tolerance for drinking in charge of a boat
Don't drink alcohol if you are in charge of a yacht or boat: there are heavy penalties and a zero-tolerance approach.
🛸 Drones
Drones: register, stay under 120 m, avoid crowds
In the 'open' category you don't need special approval, but the operator must be registered with the Croatian Civil Aviation Agency. Drones must stay below 120 m, weigh under 25 kg and not fly over groups of people.
🌿 Nature, beaches & wildfires
No barbecues or outdoor fires from June to October
From 1 June to 31 October it is illegal to light outdoor fires or barbecues except in designated areas. Intentionally starting a fire can be fined €2,000 to €20,000 or even lead to prison.
🛃 Customs & what you can bring
Declare €10,000 or more in cash
Anyone entering or leaving the EU through Croatia with €10,000 or more in cash (or the equivalent) must declare it to customs.
Law, venue rule, custom or advice?
Every rule on this page is labelled, so you can tell what is enforced by law from what is simply polite.
- Law
- Set by national, regional or city law. Breaking it can mean a fine or worse.
- Venue rule
- A rule set by a venue or operator, such as a bath, museum, hotel or transport company.
- Local custom
- Not a law, but expected behaviour. Ignoring it can cause offence.
- Safety advice
- Practical advice from an official source to keep you out of trouble.
Sources checked for this page
- UK government travel advice (FCDO) for Croatia
- Croatian Civil Aviation Agency (CCAA)
- Croatian Customs Administration
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the source.