Information
GENERAL INFORMATIONES
• Total (land) area 56610 km2
• Population (last census) 4.784.265
• Length of Coastline (mainline) 1778 km
• Area of Coastline (islands) 4012 km
• Number of Islands and Isles 1185 (66 inhabited)
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Croatian, written in Latin alphabet
FOREIGN LANGUAGES
German, Italian and English are the most common foreign languages spoken in the tourist resorts.
TIME ZONE
GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Saturday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).
RELIGION
Religion: the majority of inhabitants are Catholics, followed by members of the Orthodox church, Muslims and Protestants
SOCIAL CONVENTIONS
People normally shake hands upon meeting and leaving. Smoking is generally acceptable but there are restrictions in public buildings and on public transport.
Topless sunbathing is generally accepted, but nude bathing is restricted to few designated beaches or any of numerous wild beaches along the coast.
HOLIDAYS
• January 1st - New Year's Day
• January 6th - Epiphany
• Easter Monday
• May 1st - May Day
• Corpus Christi - movable observance
• June 22nd - Day of the Anti-Fascist Struggle
• June 25th - Statehood Day
• August 5th - Homeland Gratitude Day
• August 15th - Assumption
• October 8th - Independence Day
• November 1st - All Saints' Day
• December 25-26 - Christmas Holidays
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
For an up to three-month stay in Croatia, a valid passport is all you need if you come from Europe, most of the American countries, Japan… (please check our list). Furthermore, there is a list of countries whose citizens can enter Croatia by presenting their identity cards. For more information on visas, please visit www.mvp.hr - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia - web site.
REGULATIONS
Regulations: Traffic drives on the right. Speed limits are 130kph (81mph) on motorways, 100kph (62mph) on dual carriageways, 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas and 80kph (50mph) outside built-up areas. The amount of the fine depends on the extent of the infraction committed. Blood/alcohol limit is 0.0 ppm.
Accidents must be reported to the police (Policija) immediately. Police emergency number is 92
Croatian automobile club HAK (Hrvatski Autoklub) works together with other international automobile clubs.
Rent-a-car: The driver must be 23 years old and licensed. Most international rental agencies have offices in Croatia's larger towns.
Information on tolls: www.hak.hr
Information on gasoline prices: www.hak.hr, www.ina.hr
List of natural gas stations: www.hak.hr, www.ina.hr
CUSTOMS DUTY
Customs regulations of the Republic of Croatia are in accordance with EU standards. Foreign currency can freely be moved in and out of the country, while the maximum amount for the Croatian currency is 2000 Kunas. Valuable professional and technical equipment must be registered with customs at the border. For further information please visit www.carina.hr
TAX RETURN FOR FOREIGN CITIZENS
Tourists who purchase goods for over 500 kn may claim a tax return when leaving the country with verified "Tax Cheque" receipts through the Croatian Customs Service. A tax refund can be obtained within one year. The equivalent of VAT - PDV - is 22% in Croatia. Information: Croatian Customs Service (Phone: 01/6102 333).
MONEY
Local currency: 1 Kuna (HRK) = 100 Lipa. Notes are in denominations of 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 HRK. Coins are in denominations of 5, 2 and 1 HRK, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1 lipa.
Export-import restrictions: The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited. The import and export of our currency - HRK is limited to 2000 HRK, in banknotes up to 500 HRK. For amounts exceeding 2000 HRK a special permit from the National Bank of Croatia is required.
BANKS
Banking hours: 8 a.m. till 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. till noon on Saturdays. All banks are closed on Sunday and public holidays. Cash machines, though seldom found outside the major towns and resorts, are operative 24 hours a day.
EXCHANGE OFFICES
Currencies can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices (Mjenjaènica), hotels and most travel agencies. Exchange rates are published in the daily press and by banks that display them in visible places.
CREDIT CARDS AND OTHER MEANS OF PAYMENT
Standard credit cards like Eurocard/Mastercard, Diners, American Express and Visa are widely accepted in Croatia.
HEALTH CARE
Foreign tourists do not pay for emergency health services if Croatia and the tourist's country of origin have a health care agreement. If not, the tourist must pay for health care costs immediately. Hospitals and clinics are located in all major centers, while doctor's offices and pharmacies can be found in smaller tourist destinations.
IMPORTANAT PHONE NUMBERS
International number for Croatia: +385
Police: 92
Firefighters: 93
Ambulance: 94
Road aid: (+385 1) 987
Weather and road condition: +385 1 46 40 800
Traffic conditions: +385 1 46 40 800
Croatian autoclub (HAK): +385 1 66 11 999
Information of local and longdistant phone numbers: 988
Information of international phone numbers: 902
General information: 981