Visas
Visa is a permit for transit through the Croatian territory or staying in Croatia. It can last for three months through a six – month period from the date of first entry in the Croatian area.
There are two types of visas, such as aircraft – transit and short-term visas.
Aircraft–transit visa is for foreign travellers who are not leaving the transit area between flights. It is not issued in most cases, only by order of the competent authorities. In that case the visa lasts for 6 months with an additional 15 days. It is issued for one, two or more transits through the international transit area of the airport.
Short–term visa is issued for the purpose of transit through the country or for staying in Croatia. It is issued with a validity period between 6 months and 5 years with and additional 15 days. It is possible to issue it for one, two or multiple entries on to the territory Republic of Croatia.
A visa application shall be lodged no sooner than three months prior to the date of the intended trip.
From 1 July 2013, Croatia’s visa policy is fully harmonized with that of the EU. This means that from that date onwards the classic visa regime will apply for the citizens of all those countries that need visa for entering the EU member countries.
Russian, Ukrainian and Kosovo citizens, who are required a visa to enter Croatia, are able to apply for a visa on-line on https://crovisa.mvep.hr/ . Having filled out the on-line application form, it is necessary to print it out and with other required documents submit to the competent Croatian Embassy/visa center or through an accredited agency.
For entering Croatia, Russian citizens will be issued visas in a speedy manner (generally no longer than five days after the application is received). Multiple-entry visas can also be issued. Visa fee remains 35 Euros. Russian citizens, after submitting the application at the Croatian Embassy in Moscow, will also be able to obtain visas through accredited tourist agencies at the embassy as well as through visa centers throughout Russia.
Visas are issued by Croatian diplomatic missions or consular offices abroad, and can be issued by diplomatic mission or consular office of another country with whom Croatia has signed an agency agreement in issuing visas.
If you booked your visit with a travel agency, you will be provided by accurate conditions of obtaining visa on time.
If you want to extend your visa
In practice, you can not extend your visa. Exceptionally, the validity and / or duration of the residence permit issued on the basis of issued visas can be extended due to force majeure, humanitarian or serious personal reasons.
But in the case of extension of visa, you can not stay in Croatia for more than 90 days in a period of six months from the date of first entry.
The request for extension shall be submitted to the police department / station, in your place of residence, before the expiry of the current visa, and a motion decided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Until the decision of extending visa, you are permitted to stay on the Croatian territory.
Due to possible changes and additional information visit http://www.mvep.hr/en/consular-information/visas/.
Customs
By entering the Republic of Croatia your personal baggage is not a subject to custom duties. Neither is tobacco products, alcohol, coffee or medicaments if they are in adequate quantities for personal use. Food and groceries are detected on a same way.
If you are traveling with pets, it is necessary to have an appropriate veterinary certificate for them. Cats and dogs must have a microchip.If you are traveling with 5 pets within the EU, you must have a EU passport issued by a veterinarian. If you are traveling within the EU with more than 5 pets, you will also need a certificate from a veterinarian.
In the EU, the amount of medication that an individual carries only for personal use will not be particularly limited, but, depending on the type and purpose, will depend on the amount which is prescribed.
EU citizens are obliged to make a written application to the Customs Service, on entry / exit from the EU, for the transfer of cash in kuna equivalent of 10,000 Euros or more.
In the passenger traffic from 01 July 2013 is allowed to transfer goods from third countries for personal use (non-commercial goods) without payment of customs duties and VAT within the value of 300 Euros per passenger, in air and maritime transport within 430 Euros.
Croatian citizens after the Croatian accession to the EU can no longer claim a VAT refund when purchasing goods in other EU member states.
Customs control and the implementation of customs clearance for imports continues to be at the external borders of the EU (on borders with Serbia, Bosnia and Montenegro).
Due to possible changes and additional information visit http://www.mvep.hr/en/.
Entering medicaments for personal use is permitted in the quantities required for the treatment of up to one month on condition that they are approved by the competent authorities of the manufacturer and with possession of the relevant medical records. If the medicaments include narcotic drugs, then their amount must be sufficient for the treatment of 5 days, or 15 in the case that a person suffering from cancer.
Transfer of cash is free if amount does not exceed 10,000.00 Euro. Also, non-commercial goods are not being declared to a value of 1,000.00 Kuna.
You are entitled to a tax refund if you are buying croatian retail items for your personal use, with the need to fulfill certain requirements, such as the purchase of up to a certain amount – 740.00 KN, the period in which the cases were brought out of the land – 3 months, filling TAX – FREE form and its verification by the border customs office.