Croatia entry requirements: Schengen, EES and ETIAS

Entry rules depend on your nationality and can change, so this guide explains the general policy and points you to the official sources. Always confirm it there before you travel.

Croatia and the Schengen area

Croatia is part of the European Union and, since January 2023, of the Schengen area. EU citizens can enter with just a valid ID card or passport, with no visa and no internal border checks.

If you're not an EU citizen

Croatia applies the Schengen visa policy. There's a broad list of countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan and South Korea, whose nationals can enter without a visa for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, and another list of countries that do need a Schengen visa before traveling. The official tool tells you whether your nationality needs one. If it does, apply in advance at the embassy or consulate, because it can take several weeks.

EES: registration at the border

If you're not an EU citizen, since April 2026 the European Entry/Exit System, the EES, is fully operational at all Schengen borders, Croatia included. On your first trip they'll record biometric data, a photo and fingerprints, at the checkpoint itself, replacing the manual passport stamp. There's nothing to fill out beforehand, but it can add some waiting time.

ETIAS

The introduction of ETIAS is planned, an online travel authorization similar to the US ESTA, for visa-exempt nationalities. It still has no confirmed date and isn't mandatory today. If you travel later on, check its status before you fly.

Requirements can change. Check the official websites before you travel.

Our recommendation

If you're from the EU, a valid ID or passport. If not, look up your nationality in the official tool and allow a few extra minutes at the border for the EES. You'll find the plan in our 7-day Croatia itinerary, and when to go in best time to visit Croatia.