Includes information on business customs, travel advisory, visa requirements, acceptable business etiquette, dress, business cards, gifts, etc.
Last Published: 5/31/2019

Business Customs

Business customs in Croatia are generally similar to those in the United States. Business people tend to dress conservatively, particularly in the banking sector and the government institutions. However, the level of formality for business attire in many companies tends to decrease to business casual and smart casual, especially in the information technology sectors. Appointments should be made in advance of a business visit.
Business cards are usually simple, including only the basics such as company logo, name, business title, address, telephone number, fax number, e-mail, and web-address.
Most Croatian executives speak English and many young managers are fluent in it. Computer usage among Croatian companies is extensive and most of them utilize e-mail and Internet and have their own websites.
As is true in other European countries, summer holidays stretch throughout July and August and it is frequently difficult to reach company management during this period.

Travel Advisory
For the latest Consular Information Sheet and travel advisory on Croatia, please click on the following link:  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Croatia.html
For general information on international travel, please visit the main website.

Visa Requirements

ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required for travel to Croatia.  A visa is not required for U.S. passport holders for tourist or business trips of fewer than 90 days within a six-month period.  All foreign citizens must register with the local police within 24 hours of arrival, as well as inform the local police of any change in their address.  Registration of foreign visitors staying in hotels or accommodations rented through an accommodation company is done automatically by the hotelier or accommodation company; in such case, no trip to the police station is necessary.  Failure to register is a misdemeanor offense; some Americans have been fined for failing to register.
U.S. citizens already in Croatia who wish to remain in Croatia for more than 90 days must obtain a temporary residence permit. In order to adjust their status and apply for a temporary residence permit, U.S. citizens should speak with the foreigner section of the local police department in the jurisdiction where they intend to reside temporarily. 
For further information on entry requirements for Croatia, including information regarding requirements for residency and work permits, travelers should contact the Embassy of Croatia http://us.mvep.hr/en/embassy/contacts-and-working-hours/ or the Croatian Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Office for Foreigners, tel. +385 (1) 456-3111.  Further information is available at the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: In support of a residency application, applicants will need to provide a copy of their birth certificate and, if applicable, marriage license and divorce certificate, obtained no more than 90 days before application. They may also be asked to provide their FBI Identity History Summary Checks.  All documents should be translated into Croatian and have an “apostille” stamp certifying their authenticity.  Information on apostilles and authentication of documents is available at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/travel-legal-considerations/internl-judicial-asst/authentications-and-apostilles.html.

If an extension of an approved temporary stay is needed, U.S. citizens should submit a request to the local police having jurisdiction over their place of residence in Croatia no later than 30 days in advance of the last day of authorized stay. 

Note: Although Croatia became a member of the European Union (EU) on July 1, 2013, note that it is not yet a member of the Schengen area, and a passport is required for travel between Croatia and other European Union member states.  For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see the State Department’s Schengen Fact Sheet.
U.S. companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should refer to the following links:
State Department Visa Website: https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html
 
Consular information can be found on the U.S. Embassy’s Zagreb website: http://hr.usembassy.gov/

Currency

Croatian currency is the Kuna (HRK).  The average exchange rate in 2018 was 6.3 HRK  for 1.00 USD. The Croatian National Bank maintains a policy of fixing the exchange rate of the Kuna with the Euro within a narrow band.


Telecommunications/Electric

Croatia has a developed telecommunications network (including fixed line, wireless, satellite and cellular technology).  Fixed-line operators include T-Com, Optima Telecom, Iskon internet, Vipnet, and Metronet. 
Cellular services are provided by licensed cellular operators: T-Mobile, A1, Bonbon, Tomato and Tele2.  Croatia operates 3G, 4G and GSM networks.
To telephone internationally from Croatia, local direct access numbers of major telephone calling services are:
  • AT&T 0-800-220-111
  • MCI 0-800-220-112
  • SPRINT 0-800-220-113
 

Transportation

There are five major airports in Croatia.  The country's largest, Zagreb International Airport Franjo Tudjman, has service to most European capitals.  Besides the national carrier, Croatia Airlines, Zagreb is serviced by Aeroflot, Air Bosna, Air France, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, American Airlines (only to/from Dubrovnik), Avioimpex, Czech Airlines, Dubrovnik Airline, Germanwings, LOT, Lufthansa CityLine, Malev, Nouvel Air Tunisie, SAS-Scandinavian, Sky Service, THY-Turkish, Trade Air and Tyrolean.
International flights also service Dubrovnik, Split, Osijek, Rijeka, Pula, Bol, and Zadar airports.  Croatia Airlines operates internal flights -- Zagreb-Split, Zagreb-Zadar, Zagreb-Pula and Zagreb-Dubrovnik, Zagreb-Rijeka, Zagreb-Osijek, and Osijek-Dubrovnik.  One can also travel within Croatia by rental car, bus, or railway (the latter is not recommended due to poor service).
In Zagreb, there is a comprehensive tram/bus transport system which makes all parts of the city accessible.  There is also Croatia Airlines bus driving from the airport to the Zagreb’s main bus station (with approx. ten stops in between) at a cost of 30.00 Kn (approx. $4.69) and is gratis for children under 6 years.  Taxis are more expensive and can be obtained at a taxi stand, or by calling to one of five different taxi companies (used current $ exchange rate):

Radio Taxi Zagreb
Online orders only: https://radiotaxizagreb.com/en/
Phone: +385-1-1777 or  060-800-800
Price for start: 10.00 Kn (approx. $1.52)
Price per kilometer: 6.00 Kn (approx. $0.91)
Price from the center to the airport (approx. 15 km): 100,00 Kn (approx. $15.24)

Cameo taxi
Online orders only: https://cammeo.hr/en/cities/zagreb
Phone:  +385-1-1212
Price for start: 6.00 Kn (approx. $0.91)
Price per kilometer: 6.00 Kn (approx. $0.91)
Price from the center to the airport (approx. 15 km): 96,00 Kn (approx. $14.63)

Eko taxi (cars emitting more than 50 % less CO2 than other conventional cars)
Online orders only: https://www.ekotaxi.hr/en
Phone: +385-1-1414
Price for start: 8.80 Kn (approx. $1.34)
Price per kilometer: 6.00 Kn (approx. $0.91)
Price from the city center to the airport (approx. 15 km): 98,80 Kn (approx. $15.06)

Uber (orders accepted only through application)
Online orders only: https://www.uber.com/hr/en/
Price for start: 6.00 Kn (approx. $0.91)
Price per kilometer UberX: 3.60 Kn (approx. $0.59)
Price per minute of drive UberX: 0.60 Kn (approx. $0.09)
Price from the city center to the airport (flat rate UberX): 110,00 Kn (approx. $16.77)
Kids carseat available per selection in application.

Bolt (formerly Taxify) (orders accepted only through application)
Online orders only: https://bolt.eu/
Price for start: 6.00 Kn (approx. $0.91)
Price per kilometer: 3.60 Kn (approx. $0.59)
Price per minute of drive: 0.60 Kn (approx. $0.09)
Price from the city center to the airport (flat rate): 110,00 Kn (approx. $16.77)

Language

Many business people in Croatia speak foreign languages, mostly English, German, and Italian (along the coast).  When necessary, a translator can be hired at the Croatian Translators Society – tel/fax: (385)(1) 484 7565.

Health

Health facilities in Croatia, although generally of Western caliber, are under severe budgetary strain.  Some medicines are in short supply in public hospitals and clinics. The number of private medical and dental practitioners is substantial, and private pharmacies stock a variety of medicines not readily available through public health facilities.  Croatian health care facilities, doctors and hospitals usually expect immediate cash payment for health services and generally will not accept credit cards.  Tick-borne encephalitis, a disease preventable with a three-shot vaccination series, is found throughout inland Croatia but is not prevalent along the coast.  Travelers to Croatia may obtain a list of English-speaking physicians and dentists at the Embassy’s web site at http://zagreb.usembassy.gov/medical-information.html or by calling: + 385 (1) 661-2376 during working hours.  The single European emergency phone number 112 is also active in Croatia for all kinds of emergencies.  Ambulance service is effective; however, response times may be longer to more isolated areas.
 

Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays

Croatia time is Greenwich Mean Time plus one hour.  Said differently, if it is 8 a.m. in New York, it is 2 p.m. in Zagreb, Croatia.
Working hours start at 8 am and end at 4:30 or 5 pm.  Most shops open at 8 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.  On Saturdays, most stores close at 2:30 p.m. in the center of the city, and with few exceptions, stores are closed on Sundays and holidays.  Outside of the city there are several shopping malls/centers open every day from Monday to Sunday from 08:00 a.m. to 09:00 p.m.
  • June 22, 2019 (Saturday) Anti-Fascism Day
  • June 25, 2019 (Tuesday) Statehood Day
  • August 5, 2019 (Monday) Victory and Homeland Gratitude Day
  • August 15, 2019 (Thursday) Assumption Day
  • October 8, 2019 (Tuesday) Independence Day
  • November 1, 2019 (Friday) All Saints Day
  • December 25, 2019 (Wednesday) Christmas Day
  • December 26, 2019 (Thursday) St. Stephen's Day
  • January 1, 2020 (Wednesday) New Year's Day
  • January 6, 2020 (Monday) Epiphany
  • April 12, 2020 (Sunday) Easter Day
  • April 13, 2020 (Monday) Easter Monday
  • May 1, 2020 (Friday) Labor Day
  • June 11, 2020 (Thursday) Corpus Christi Day
 
The following holidays may be observed by Croatian citizens of a particular religion: Orthodox Christmas (Orthodox), Ramadan (Muslim), Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah (Jewish).
 

Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings

Croatian accepts the ATA carnet, which covers virtually all goods.  Please see:  ATAcarnet.
 

Travel Related Web Resources

ATA Carnet
Embassy of the Republic of Croatia
Ministry of Interior, Republic of Croatia
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs - Visas
U.S. Embassy Zagreb
U.S. Embassy Zagreb, Consular Section
U.S. Embassy Zagreb, Medical Information
U.S. Embassy Zagreb, U.S. Commercial Service

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