Business Customs
Business customs in Croatia are generally similar to those in the United States. Businesspeople 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 sector. 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, street address, telephone 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 travel information, please check the State Department’s Consular Information Sheet and travel advisory on Croatia. For general information on international travel, please visit the State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs’ main website.
Visa Requirements
ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS: As of January 1, 2023, Croatia is a member of the Schengen Area. A valid passport is required for travel to Croatia. Schengen regulations require that U.S. passport holders have at least three (3) months validity remaining on their passport after their anticipated date of departure from the Schengen Area. U.S. passport holders who do not meet this requirement may be prevented from boarding a flight or denied entry into the EU/Schengen area. The U.S. Embassy strongly suggests that you have at least six months of validity to avoid problems when you travel. If you have under six months of validity left of on your passport, you may be prevented from boarding a flight to Europe. 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 the Republic of Croatia in the United States 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 and European 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 here.
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: For further details about travel, please see the State Department’s International Travel Information Page.
U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States are advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following link(s): State Department Visa Website.
Currency
Croatia adopted the euro (EUR) as its sole official currency on January 1, 2023.
Croatia has a developed telecommunications network (including fixed line, wireless, satellite and cellular technology). Fixed-line operators include T-Com, Optima Telecom, Iskon internet, A1, and Metronet.
Cellular services are provided by licensed cellular operators: T-Mobile, A1, Bonbon, Tomato and Telemach. Croatia operates 3G, 4G, 5G and GSM networks.
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 many additional airlines, including Air Canada Rouge, Air France, Air Serbia, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and Ryan Air.
International flights also service Dubrovnik, Split, Osijek, Rijeka, Pula, Bol, and Zadar airports. Croatia Airlines operates internal flights — Zagreb-Split, Zagreb-Zadar, Zagreb-Pula, 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 operated by the city-owned company ZET. The Bus line 290 operates between Kvaternik Square and Velika Gorica, with a stop at Zagreb Airport in each direction; the fare is about $2. Timetable for the bus line 290 can be found at ZET’s website. There is also a Croatia Airlines shuttle bus from the airport to Zagreb’s main bus station (with approx. ten stops in between; the timetable is available at the website https://plesoprijevoz.hr/zagreb/; the fare is about $9. The approximate fare for a taxi ride between the airport and the Zagreb city center is $35. Taxis can be obtained at a taxi stand, or by reaching out to one of six different taxi companies. While the international taxi service providers Bolt, Uber, and Wolt can be reached via their application only, the three local providers can be reached by phone as well:
Radio Taxi Zagreb (https://radiotaxizagreb.com/en/) Phone: +385-1-1777
Cameo Taxi (https://cammeo.hr/en/cities/zagreb) Phone: +385-1-1212
Eko Taxi (https://www.ekotaxi.hr/en) Phone: +385-1-1414
Language
Many businesspeople in Croatia speak foreign languages, mostly English, German, and Italian (along the coast). When necessary, a translator can be hired at The Croatian Society of Conference Interpreters (HDKP). An online search for a court interpreter is available at http://www.sudacka-mreza.hr/tumaci.aspx?Lng=en.
Health
Health facilities in Croatia, although generally of Western caliber, are under severe budgetary strain and shortage of medical staff. Some medicines are in short supply in public hospitals and clinics. Adequate medical care that meets most international standards is available in major cities. 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 payment for health services and generally accept cash and credit cards. Upfront payment by cash, up to the total of all anticipated charges, is generally required by hospitals catering to foreigners prior to services or treatment. Upfront payment of other than a modest deposit may be waived by hospitals that have existing cashless agreements with at least some major international insurance providers. Public hospitals may provide some services free to those with an EU health card. 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 website, or by calling + 385 (1) 661-2300 during working hours. The single European emergency phone number 112 is also active in Croatia for all kinds of emergencies. Number 194 is active for a public ambulance, anywhere in the country. Ambulance service is effective; however, response times may be longer to more isolated areas. Highly specialized cases or complex emergencies will require evacuation. Western Europe is a frequent destination.
Local Time, Business Hours, and Holidays
Croatia time is Greenwich Mean Time plus one hour. Said differently: if it is 8:00am in New York, it is 2:00pm in Zagreb, Croatia.
Working hours start at 8:00am and end at 4:30pm or 5:00pm. Most shops open at 8:00am and close at 8:00pm. On Saturdays, most stores close at 2:30pm 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 Saturday from 8:00am to 9:00pm.
Following is the list of the Croatian holidays November 2023-October 2024:
November 1, 2023 (Wednesday) All Saints Day
November 18, 2023 (Saturday) Vukovar Remembrance Day
December 25, 2023 (Monday) Christmas Day
December 26, 2023 (Tuesday) St. Stephen’s Day
January 1, 2023 (Monday) New Year’s Day
January 6, 2024 (Saturday) Epiphany
March 31, 2024 (Sunday) Easter Day
April 1, 2024 (Monday) Easter Monday
May 1, 2024 (Wednesday) Workers Day
May 30, 2024 (Thursday) Statehood Day/Corpus Christi Day
August 5, 2024 (Monday) Victory and Homeland Gratitude Day
August 15, 2024 (Thursday) Assumption 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
Croatia accepts the ATA carnet, which covers virtually all goods. Please see: ATAcarnet.