Before you travel
Check that you passport is valid before you travel to the Schengen Area and that you have not reported it lost or stolen. Travelers who arrive to the Schengen Area with a passport they previously reported as lost or stolen may be denied entry.
Short Trips for Business or Tourism
As of January 1, 2023, Croatia is a member of the Schengen Area. For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see the State Department’s Schengen Fact Sheet.
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.
A visa is not required for U.S. passport holders for temporary tourist and business trips up to 90 days (during a six-month period, starting from the day of the first entry). Time spent in any of the Schengen countries counts towards the total 90 days in Schengen. All foreign citizens must register with local police within 24 hours of arrival. Foreigners staying in hotels or other accommodations through a rental company are automatically registered by the hotelier or the rental company. Foreigners can also register at the local Ministry of Interior office. In Zagreb, the office is located at Petrinjska 30, phone +385 1 4563 111. Failure to register constitutes a misdemeanor and a violator can be fined.
Digital Nomad Visa
Please review the following detailed Government of Croatia information on the Croatian Digital Nomad visa.
Temporary Residence
Please visit the Ministry of Interior Affairs website for detailed information about temporary residency for foreigners in Croatia. If you are already in Croatia, you may visit the nearest police department to inquire about your options and the application process for a temporary residence permit. You may also email the Ministry of Interior at pitanja@mup.hr or javnost@mup.hr.
U.S. citizens, currently in Croatia, who plan to stay in Croatia for longer than 90 days must apply for a temporary residence permit and should contact the Ministry of Interior at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the 90-day visa-free stay.
Criminal Background Check: If you plan to apply for temporary residency in Croatia (over 90 days), you will be required by the Croatian authorities to produce a criminal background check issued by the FBI. The FBI background check will need to have an Apostille seal affixed to it by the State Department Office of Authentications. The U.S. Embassy in Croatia cannot authenticate the FBI background check.
Please visit the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) website for instructions to request a criminal background check. Note that it is much easier to obtain this background check while you are in the United States.
Fingerprints: Please note that fingerprinting services in Croatia are extremely limited. If you are in Croatia, you can print a fingerprint card (see instructions on the FBI website) and take it to the Croatian police headquarters in the county where you applied for a residence permit for fingerprinting services. A prior appointment may be necessary.
Disclaimer: The U.S. Embassy in Croatia takes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this guide and recommends that applicants for Croatian visas or residency contact the nearest Croatian Embassy or Consulate or the Croatian Ministry of Interior.