Travel information and advice for your Croatia Adventure

Health in Croatia

There are no mandatory vaccinations required for travel to Croatia, and the standards of public health are generally good. Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country. However, if you plan on spending time hiking in the mountains, it's recommended to get vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis.

If you have minor health issues, you can visit a pharmacy (called "ljekarna" in Croatian). In larger cities, the staff will likely speak some English, but even in places where they don't, it should be possible to get repeat prescriptions if you bring the empty pill container. A rotating system ensures that at least one pharmacy is open on weekends and during the night, and the details of the open pharmacy are usually posted on its window.

In the case of serious health problems, go to the nearest hospital (called "bolnica" or "klinički centar"), or call an ambulance by dialing 112. Citizens of EU countries can receive free hospital treatment by presenting a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which can be obtained online from the official websites of each country. Nationals of other countries should check whether their government has a reciprocal health agreement with Croatia or ensure that they have adequate health insurance coverage.

Read more about Staying healthy in Croatia.

Travel Insurance

It is recommended to obtain an insurance policy that covers theft, loss, illness, or injury before travelling to Croatia.

Typically, a travel insurance policy covers the loss of baggage, tickets, and cash or cheques up to a certain limit, as well as cancellation or interruption of your trip. However, most policies exclude so-called dangerous activities unless an additional premium is paid.

In Croatia, this can include activities such as scuba diving, whitewater rafting, windsurfing, and trekking, but usually not kayaking or jeep safaris. In the event of a claim, it is important to keep receipts for medicines and medical treatment, and if anything is stolen, an official statement from the police must be obtained.

Money in Croatia

Croatia uses the Euro as its unit of currency, with 100 cents making up one euro. Coins are available in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents, as well as 1 and 2 euros, while banknotes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros.

To change money it's best to visit a bank (banka) or an exchange bureau (mjenjačnica). Banks typically operate from Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm, and on Saturdays from 8am to 11am or noon. However, in smaller towns, they may close during lunchtime on weekdays throughout the year and remain closed on Saturdays.

Exchange offices often have more flexible hours, staying open until 9 or 10 pm seven days a week during the summer if there are sufficient tourists to warrant it. Exchanging currency at hotels usually results in poor value for money.

Read more: Croatia Currency and Money: All you need to know