Security level:

There are no travel restrictions and the crime rate in Croatia is relatively low. Most of the crimes committed are thefts of money, documents, belongings, etc. — especially when travelling by train. Recently, there have been cases of theft of money and documents from private cars while resting in designated highway areas. We advise Bulgarian citizens to be vigilant and not to leave their vehicles and belongings unattended while stopping for rest and sleep, and to avoid stopping and resting in uninhabited places.

In case of theft or loss of your Bulgarian identity documents, you should immediately inform the local police authorities about the event and obtain the relevant report, after which you should apply to the Bulgarian Embassy in Zagreb for an Emergency Travel Document.
It is not recommended to go to so-called nightclubs (gentlemen's clubs) as there is a possibility of being charged thousands of euro. There are known cases of harassment and threat of physical violence for non-payment.

In areas where there was hostilities until 1995, the threat of landmines persists. This was especially true of the front lines of the time. Bulgarian citizens are advised to avoid travel and, if necessary, to exercise extreme caution when travelling in the following areas:

• Eastern Slavonia (from 30 to 50 km before the border with Serbia and the border with Hungary, especially around the towns of Vukovar and Vinkovci);
• Western Slavonia (the district of Daruvar, Pakrac, Virovitica);
• Western and south-western border area with Bosnia and Herzegovina (places south of the towns of Sisak and Karlovac, east of Ogulin, Otočac, Gospić, east of Zadar and inland between Senj and Split, and in the mountains south-east of Dubrovnik).
More information on mine danger can be found here: https://welcome.cms.hr/index.php/mine-map/ 

Healthcare:

The epidemiological situation in Croatia does not differ from that in Bulgaria. Emergency medical care in Croatia includes only life-saving manipulations and is covered by the Health Insurance Fund upon presentation of a European Health Insurance Card. Once the threat to the patient's life has been removed, subsequent medical treatment and hospital stay until full recovery and discharge from the hospital/medical facility is charged extra and is at extremely high rates.
The provision of any non-life-saving and/or complementary hospital and medical services in the Republic of Croatia is expensive. We advise all Bulgarian citizens who are crossing or staying on the territory of Croatia to take out compulsory and additional health insurance, which can help them avoid unforeseen payments in the country's health system in case of necessary hospital treatment and stay.

Customs requirements:

import of personal baggage is exempt from import duties regardless of its value and applies to any passenger entering the EU customs area, whether they carry their baggage personally or it arrives separately.
Non-commercial goods in the personal luggage of passengers travelling from third countries are exempt from import duties, VAT and excise duties provided they are not intended for resale and do not exceed the total value or volume eligible for exemption (see ‘Value restrictions for importing non-commercial goods in passengers' personal luggage’).
Goods in passengers' personal luggage include items (in reasonable quantity) for personal use required by travellers during their travel and absence from their place of permanent residence, such as footwear, clothing, personal hygiene products and the like.
Non-commercial goods include the occasional import of goods intended solely for the personal use of travellers or their families and items intended as gifts, provided that the nature and quantity of the goods indicate that the goods are not intended for resale.

Value restrictions on the import of non-commercial goods in passengers' personal luggage:

The exemption from customs duties, VAT and excise duties shall apply to imports of goods provided that their total value does not exceed:

• EUR 425 for travellers by air and sea;
• EUR 290 per passenger for other modes of transport;
• EUR 145 for travellers under 15, regardless of the means of transport.
If the value of an item exceeds these value limits, it is not allowed to be split, instead the necessary duties and taxes are charged based on the total value of the item. Similarly, it is not permitted to combine the tax and duty exemptions of several persons to cover the value of that single item.

Notwithstanding the above limitation of value on import, the exemption from customs duties, VAT and excise duties shall also apply to the following quantities of excise goods, the value of which shall not be included in the value of other non-commercial goods.
For air travellers:
1. tobacco products:
— 200 cigarettes
— 100 cigarillos (where cigars are considered to be cigars with a net weight of up to 3 grams per piece)
— 50 cigars
— 250 grams of smoking tobacco
2. alcohol and alcoholic beverages, excluding still wine and beer:
— Alcohol and alcoholic beverages with an alcoholic strength exceeding 22% vol or undenatured ethyl alcohol with an alcoholic strength by volume of 80% vol or more: 1 litre
— alcohol and alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of 22 vol. and less: up to 2 litres
3. still wine: 4 liters
4. beer: 16 litres
5. tobacco products under Article 94 of the Excise Act:
— 50 grams of heated tobacco product
— 10 milliliters of e-liquid
— 50 grams of new tobacco products under Article 94, paragraph 2 of the Excise Act.
For travellers by other modes of transport (road, rail, etc.):
1. tobacco products:
— 40 cigarettes
— 20 cigarillos (cigars are cigars with a net weight of up to 3 grams per piece)
— 10 cigars
— 50 grams of smoking tobacco
2. alcohol and alcoholic beverages, excluding still wine and beer:
— Alcohol and alcoholic beverages with an alcoholic strength exceeding 22% vol or undenatured ethyl alcohol with an alcoholic strength by volume of 80% vol or more: 1 litre
— alcohol and alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of 22 vol. and less: up to 2 litres
3. still wine: 4 liters
4. beer: 16 litres
5. tobacco products under Article 94 of the Excise Act:
— 50 grams of heated tobacco product
— 10 milliliters of e-liquid
— 50 grams of new tobacco products under Article 94, paragraph 2 of the Excise Act.

The exemption from the above excise duties may not apply to travellers under 17 years of age.

Fuel in standard tanks on each vehicle, and up to 10 litres of an identical type of fuel in suitable portable spare fuel tanks, are exempt from import duties.
Total quantity of excise goods authorised for import (duty paid):
The total amount of excise goods that a natural person (over 17 years of age) may import into the country for personal use, paying the necessary duties and taxes, is:
• 800 pieces of cigarettes,
• 400 pieces of cigarillos,
• 200 pieces of cigars,
• 1.0 kilogram of smoking tobacco,
• 10 litres of strong alcoholic beverages,
• 20 litres of alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content between 1.2% vol and 22% vol,
• 90 litres of wine, including no more than 60 litres of sparkling wine,
• 110 litres of beer.
No quantities greater than those specified above may be imported. Quantities greater than these (if declared by the traveller) must be returned abroad. If the traveller fails to declare quantities greater than those allowed, he will be detained by the customs authority until the offence is dealt with.

Restrictions on the import of non-commercial goods for border residents, border workers and transport personnel:

The exceptions to the value and volume restrictions that apply to non-commercial goods imported by third-country travellers in their personal luggage do not apply to persons living in the border areas of Croatia and neighbouring third countries, workers at the border or border area of neighbouring third countries and transport personnel whose work involves travelling between Croatia and neighbouring third countries.
These persons may bring in their luggage duty-free goods up to a value of EUR 40 per day, and the exemption from import duties also applies to the following excise goods:
• tobacco products:
o 25 cigarettes, or
o 10 cigarillos (where cigarillos are cigars of a maximum weight of 3 grams each), or
o 5 cigars, or
o 25 grams of smoking tobacco, or o an appropriate combination of quantities of the tobacco products specified;
• alcohol and alcoholic beverages, excluding still wine and beer:
o Alcohol and alcoholic beverages with an alcoholic strength of more than 22% vol or undenatured ethyl alcohol of 80% vol or more: 0.25 litres, or o alcohol and alcoholic beverages with an alcoholic strength not exceeding 22% vol: up to 0.25 litres;
o an appropriate combination of quantities of the above-mentioned beverages
• still wine: 1 liter,
• beer: 1.5 liters.
These value and volume limitations will not apply if the above category of persons show proof that they are travelling further from the border area or are not returning from the border area of a neighbouring country, in which case the limitations that apply to all other travellers will apply to them as well.
import of food of animal origin in the personal luggage of travellers and small consignments sent to individuals:
Customs officials carry out official controls on products of animal origin in the personal luggage of travellers from third countries and in small consignments sent to individuals by post or courier services.

The quantitative prohibitions and restrictions on the import of food of animal origin in the personal luggage of travellers, lifted by official controls by the border veterinary inspection, are listed in the table, noting that imports of food from Andorra, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland are free and do not apply the restrictions listed in the table. These restrictions and prohibitions also apply to small consignments of goods sent to individuals (by post or courier service) and not intended for placing on the market:

Quantities in excess of the quantities indicated in the table are subject to veterinary inspection and must be accompanied by a veterinary certificate and may be introduced into the Republic of Croatia/EU only via the border inspection posts where the border veterinary inspection service operates (Bajakovo, Stara Gradiška, Nova Sela, Karasovici, Luka Rijeka, Luka Ploce, Zagreb Airport) with a mandatory prior application for official control submitted to the competent border veterinary inspection service.
Products of animal origin which do not comply with the above conditions shall be deemed non-compliant and shall be forcibly removed from the passengers for disposal. Also, failure to declare them explicitly to customs officials constitutes an offence punishable by a heavy fine.
You can find further information at the following links:
https://carina.gov.hr/featured/information-for-passengers-natural-persons/relief-from-duties-and-restrictions/6715 
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/carry/meat-dairy-animal/index_en.htm

Cross-border cash transfers (new rules from 3 June 2021):

The transfer of cash to/from the EU is free of charge and without limitation to the amount for all individuals, but together with a report to the customs officer to the value of EUR 10,000.00 or more.
The definition of cash includes: banknotes and coins that circulate as means of payment or have circulated as means of payment but are still being replaced by financial institutions or central banks; other means of payment — for example: cheques, travellers' cheques, promissory notes or money orders which do not mention the name of the consumer and, for the first time from 3 June 2021, coins with a gold content of at least 90% and gold bars, gold nuggets or lumps containing at least 99,5% gold.

Carrying cash in passenger traffic:

Any natural person entering or leaving the EU who, in addition to himself, carries in his luggage or in a means of transport cash to the value of EUR 10,000.00 or more, or in other currencies of equivalent value, is obliged to declare that cash to a customs officer at the border customs office.
The Cash Declaration Form is used to declare cash and can be completed and sent electronically to: [email protected] or to be printed and handed to the customs officer at the border customs office. The cash declaration form can also be filled in at the border post. If the space available on the application form is insufficient, an additional sheet shall be used and shall be considered an integral part of the application form. The form can be completed and sent in Croatian or English.

Sending cash by post, courier or cargo:

For the dispatch of cash in postal, courier or cargo consignments with a value of EUR 10,000 or more, the customs officer may require the sender or the consignee or the sender's or the consignee's representative to submit a cash declaration for unaccompanied cash within 30 days.
This is done using the Cash Disclosure Form, which can be completed and sent electronically to: [email protected] or be printed and given to the customs officer at the border customs office.
The cash disclosure declaration form can be completed at the border office. If the space available on the application form is insufficient, an additional sheet shall be used and shall be considered an integral part of the application form. The form can be completed and sent in Croatian or English.

Funds entering or leaving the Republic of Croatia to another Member State:

The Law on Foreign Exchange (Official Gazette No 96/03-52/2021) introduces national controls on the movement of money into the Republic of Croatia from another Member State or from the Republic of Croatia into another Member State, and the Customs Administration and the Ministry of the Interior have been granted control powers on this subject.
At the request of an authorized customs officer or border police officer, individuals are required to register cash they are carrying, in the amount of EUR 10,000 or more, in writing on a Cash Declaration — Article 40.a when entering the Republic of Croatia from another Member State or leave the Republic of Croatia for another Member State. If the space available on the application form is insufficient, an additional sheet shall be used and shall be considered an integral part of the application form. The form can be completed and sent in Croatian or English.
At the request of an authorized customs officer or border police officer, an individual shall individually complete a Cash Declaration Form under Article 40a of the Foreign Exchange Act.
Information on the rights of individuals with regard to the protection of personal data can be found in the privacy statement available at the link: https://carina.gov.hr/pristup-informacijama/zastita-osobnih-podataka-6521/6521 

Cash Declaration:

EN1. Cash Declaration
EN2. Cash Disclosure Declaration
EN3. Cash Declaration — Supplementary Sheet
EN4. Cash Disclosure Declaration — Supplementary Sheet.
Implementation of national control under the Currency Act:
EN5. Cash declaration form — Article 40.a
EN6. Cash Declaration Form — Article 40.a — Supplementary Sheet For more information, please visit:
https://carina.gov.hr/en 
https://carina.gov.hr/featured/information-for-passengers-natural-persons/bringing-cash-and-goods-across-the-border/6711 
https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/individuals/cash-controls_en 
Additional important information:
The country's legislation obliges foreign nationals travelling to Croatia or in transit to declare the currency they are carrying in excess of EUR 10,000 for each foreign national separately upon entry into the country (Croatian customs authorities require each traveller to carry only their own cash, one traveller is not recognised to carry the cash of other travellers).
For this purpose, Bulgarian citizens entering the territory of Croatia are obliged to request from the customs officials customs declarations in which they have to fill in the amount of the currency, cheques they are carrying exceeding the amount of EUR 10,000 (ten thousand) or their equivalent in another currency for each person separately.
Croatian customs officers have the right to check passengers, their luggage and means of transport. They also have the right to confiscate money that has not been declared.
The practice continues of some customs officials not always providing arrivals, through passengers and tourists with customs declarations for their completion, misleading them into believing that this is not necessary. The absence of a completed customs declaration for the goods or currency to be declared when leaving the country shall lead to their confiscation by the customs authorities. In addition, monetary fines ranging from EUR 300 to EUR 3 000 are imposed.
In the Republic of Croatia, mobile customs teams have also been set up, which can also stop you for checks inside the country.
It should be borne in mind that the declaration at the border between Bulgaria and Serbia is not respected by the customs authorities in Croatia and will be required again at the customs point between Serbia and Croatia (a completed Serbian customs declaration is not recognised).

Road traffic:

Bulgarian driving licences are recognised. Highway tolls are payable in euro, in cash or by bank card. Strictly observe the traffic rules.
Croatia has introduced compulsory seat belt use, including in the back seat, low beam headlights during daylight hours and 0 (zero) breathalyser for alcohol when travelling by vehicle. Drivers must wear reflective vests. No overnight parking or recreation sites are allowed near highways unless there is a motel or campground.
Traffic police officers are in some cases driving vehicles without police identification plates.
Fines are high and start at EUR 50.
In the event of a road traffic accident (RTA), the drivers of the injured vehicle should carry the damage assessment reports obtained by the police when leaving the territory of Croatia.
Before travelling to the country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends reading the content posted at the following link: https://www.hak.hr/en#traffic-flow-and-road-conditions, where comprehensive data on traffic flow and traffic conditions in Croatia, border controls, ferry and rail timetables and other useful information can be found.
Violations of traffic rules and legislation shall be severely sanctioned. Below you can find the amount of some types of fines:

Penalties from EUR 1,300 to EUR 2,600 for:

1. Exceeding the speed limit in a populated area by more than 50 km/h.
2. Driving in the opposite or prohibited direction.
3. Intentionally running a red traffic light.
4. Refusal to submit to a test to check for the presence of alcohol or drugs in the body.
5. Driving under the influence of alcohol over 1.5 ‰ and driving under the influence of drugs.
6. Operation of a vehicle prior to obtaining a driver's license.
7. Use of a vehicle when a driver's license has been revoked due to accumulated negative violations.
8. Driving a vehicle when the licence has been revoked or the driver is not entitled to drive.
Violations are accompanied by mandatory punitive measures: a driving ban for at least six months for a second offence and for 12 months if the offence is committed three or more times. The police may temporarily impound the vehicle for any of the above violations.
Penalties of EUR 1,300 to EUR 2,600 for leaving the scene of an accident, in cases of death and injury.
Fines of EUR 140 for:
1. Driving without a seat belt.
2. Improper transport of children in the vehicle.
3. Improper use of mobile phones while driving.
4. Driving with an expired licence.
The law introduces mandatory precautions and withdrawal of control points for:
1. Acting contrary to the order of a police officer or other authorized person.
2. Exceeding the speed limit by 30 to 50 km.
3. Exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h.
4. Violations related to taking the right of way of passing vehicles.
5. Crossing a red traffic light.
6. Improper overtaking of vehicles.
7. Improper overtaking and passing of vehicles.
8. Crossing in a tunnel, on a bridge, before a bend or in a curve when visibility of the road is insufficient.
9. Improper crossing of a pedestrian crossing.
10. Driving under the influence of alcohol from 1.0 to 1.5 ‰.
In connection with the daily signals received by the customs border authorities at the BCPs in the Republic of Croatia regarding the detection of illegally absconding migrants in the HGVs /trailers/ of Bulgarian carriers, we would like to inform you that the local legislation provides for the imposition of strict sanctions, which are expressed in fines of about EUR 5,000 and upwards.
The fine must be paid within 24 hours of the offence, in which case it will be 2/3 of the total amount. Otherwise, the offender shall be liable to pay the full amount.
If the fine is not paid, local legislation provides for the driver to be placed under arrest and the truck to be detained at the border crossing until the case is clarified.
If such a situation arises, the driver is entitled to request an immediate appeal of the fine by notifying the court in writing in Bulgarian that he/she is not at fault for the fine. Under local law, an on-site customs committee is convened within a few hours and is entitled to review the amount of the fine.
As provided by law, a violation found may be appealed within 8 days of its discovery by hiring a local attorney. For the convenience of the Bulgarian citizens, we provide a link to the website with the practicing lawyers on the territory of the Republic of Croatia and their contact details: http://www.hok-cba.hr/hr/imenik 
In order to avoid and prevent such incidents, it is recommended that carriers do not take breaks in the transit zone between the BCPs of Serbia and Croatia.

Practical advice:

Remember that abroad you should comply with local acts and norms. You fall within their jurisdiction during your stay there. We recommend that you inform yourself about them in advance and comply with them. Penalties for breaking the law can be more stringent than those in the Republic of Bulgaria for the same offences. Pay special attention to and observe local rules on the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages and psychotropic substances. Place all medications in their original packaging and check whether some of them are not considered illegal drugs abroad. If you use such substances, carry a copy of a doctor’s prescription confirming this fact.
Avoid carrying third party belongings when crossing borders.
Make sure in advance that the validity term of your personal documents has not expired.
If you are detained by the local authorities for any reason, require to get in touch with the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Zagreb. A consular officer will contact you as soon as possible. If you have language difficulties, ask for an interpreter. Avoid signing documents whose content is in a language you do not understand.
In the event of theft or loss of your identity documents, cash, travel tickets, immediately notify the nearest police office in Croatia in person and in writing and ask for a copy of the record establishing the event. Contact the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Zagreb to take steps to obtain the necessary documents to continue your journey or return to your home country.
Before you leave the Republic of Bulgaria or as soon as you arrive in Croatia, write down the address and telephone numbers of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Zagreb, the contact details of the hotels you are staying in, the tour operators arranging your trip and the local police authorities. It is good to have this data available when needed. We advise you to conclude a contract for health, tourist, travel or other insurance in advance.
Regarding the increased cases of Bulgarian citizens detained on the territory of Croatia on suspicion of transporting irregular migrants, it should be borne in mind that the local legislation treats such cases as serious criminal offences which, according to Article 326 of the Croatian Penal Code, are punishable by imprisonment from 1 to 8 years.
We recommend Bulgarian citizens passing through the territory of Croatia not to transport persons they do not know, hitchhiking or otherwise, as well as to check their car/truck when staying on the territory of Croatia in order to avoid illegal boarding or taking advantage of the driver's temporary absence.
The Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Zagreb is not responsible for any changes in the current legislation of the Republic of Croatia not reflected on the website.

Local currency:

Euro (EUR) from 01 January 2023

Climatic characteristics:

The climate in the interior of Croatia is temperate-continental, in the mountainous part — mountainous, and on the Adriatic coast — Mediterranean (with slightly colder winters and warmer summers). With an average of 2,600 hours of sunshine a year, the Adriatic coast is one of the sunniest in the whole Mediterranean, and the sea water temperature in summer is between 25ºC and 27ºC.

As of 01 January 2023, the Republic of Croatia joined the Schengen area.

The Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Zagreb reminds Bulgarian citizens travelling in transit through Croatia to Bulgaria that the Republic of Serbia and Romania do not recognise expired identity documents and therefore it is not possible to enter the territory of the respective country with such documents.
Bulgarian citizens are advised to obtain valid identity documents in good time before the start of the trip.

Bulgarian citizens travel to Croatia with a passport, identity card, Emergency Travel Document or seaman's passport of a crew member sailing at sea. The identity document with which Bulgarian citizens travel to Croatia should be valid until they leave the territory of the country.
Visa-free regime for Bulgarian citizens in Croatia is in force. When entering Croatia, the requirements of a European Union country and the Schengen area apply.

When travelling alone or with a companion, children under 18 years of age are required to submit, upon request by the Croatian border authorities, a notarised and hand-signed declaration of consent, translated into Croatian and/or English by both or one parent respectively.
When Bulgarian citizens are travelling through Croatia in a car not owned by the driver, it is advisable to have a power of attorney from the owner, translated and certified in Croatian and/or in English for presentation at checks by the Croatian police authorities.

Bulgarian identity documents:

Any Bulgarian citizen residing in Croatia can submit an application to the Consular Office with the Embassy for the issuance of a passport, identity card and an Emergency Travel Document. When submitting an application for the issuance of a first identity card, a birth certificate must be presented, and in case of loss, theft, damage or destruction of the identity card and/or passport, a police document must be presented for these circumstances.
In order to issue an Emergency Travel Document for children born in Croatia, the child's local birth certificate and the presence of both parents are required.
For the issuance of an Emergency Travel Document to return to Bulgaria in case of lost/stolen documents, a report from the police stating the relevant circumstances must be presented (theft, burglary, robbery, etc.).

Civil status:

In many cases, the competent Croatian civil registry offices send the birth, marriage and death certificates of Bulgarian citizens drawn up in Croatia to the Bulgarian Embassy. The civil status certificates thus received shall be sent by the Consular Office in due order to the competent Bulgarian civil status offices for entry in the Bulgarian registers.
It is possible, after obtaining the relevant local civil status certificate, the individual to present it in person at the Consular Office, translated and certified according to the established procedure, for forwarding to the municipality of permanent residence in Bulgaria for registration of birth, civil marriage or death with the local authorities.

Where the person concerned is able and willing to carry out the registration in person or through an authorised representative, he/she shall present the relevant local certification document, translated and certified in accordance with the established procedure to the relevant municipality in Bulgaria:
• birth — at the permanent address of the mother, if she is a foreigner — of the father;
• civil marriage — before the local authorities at the permanent address of the Bulgarian spouse;
• death — at the permanent address of the deceased.

Legalization and certification:

The Republic of Croatia is a party to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (1961).
The different interpretation by the Croatian institutions of the scope of the Legal Assistance Treaty between Bulgaria and the SFRY (1957) and of the European legislation in this area is from the point of view of placing an Apostille. For this reason, the Embassy advises citizens to obtain an Apostille on official public documents that are to take effect in the territory of one of the two countries. The document thus drawn up must be translated and the translation certified by the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
At the Consular Office with the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Zagreb you can obtain a wide range of services and certifications certifying various circumstances on documents — signature, content, date, transcript, will, etc.