Croatia - Clearance

Croatia Pre-Arrival Procedures for Yachts

ALERTS

• European Entry and Exit System (EES): With the introduction of the Europe-wide entry and exit system (EES)  (now delayed until October 2025), biometric data will need to be recorded on entry and exit for third country travelers. While this negates the need to have passports stamped, it will require a visit to an official office at a port of entry, therefore flexible clearance at marinas may no longer be possible once it is implemented. It is not yet known how rigidly EES will be enforced for pleasure boat users.
• Russian-Flag: In April 2022, Russian-flagged vessels, including those that changed their flag after February 24, 2022, were banned from entering any ports in Croatia. The ban is still in place.  See this news item for details.
• Croatian Authorities: Are very strict and "by the book". Failure to comply with the correct procedures can result in hefty fines. If the yacht has an operational AIS, its movements will be tracked by authorities.

Ports of Entry

Approximately 50% of sea border crossings/ports of entry closed at the start of 2023 now that Croatia is officially a part of Schengen.

Cavtat is the first port of entry if arriving in Croatia from the south. If intending to clear into the country further north, be sure to keep well outside all the islands otherwise you are deemed to have entered Croatian waters and are required to report to Cavtat. The authorities do track vessels and it’s a €200 fine.

Prior to Arrival

• Boat owners should be aware that they need both an annual licence (navigation permit/vignette) and to pay a daily tax (sojourn tax) when sailing in Croatia. These are purchased from 2 different departments. Learn about how to pay these fees and if you wish, arrange with an agent to get these paid/organised in advance. See Fees for details.
• Arranging payment of fees in advance does not remove the requirement to visit the Police / Customs etc. on arrival in port, if coming from a non-Schengen country.
• If arriving from a Schengen country, a visit to the harbour master will be still be required for your navigation permit, if this has not been arranged in advance. See Fees for details

Croatia Arrival Procedures for Yachts

General Procedure

If coming from an EU/Schengen Country:

Entry Formalities changed on 1 January, 2023, when Croatia joined Schengen.

Pleasure yachts (EU or non-EU) arriving into Croatia from another Schengen country (even if the passage to Croatia has crossed international waters), are no longer subject to any border controls and can enter any port in Croatia.

The Navigation Fee and Sojourn Tax must still be paid. See Fees for details.

If the Navigation Fee is not organised in advance via an agent, all yachts must visit the Harbor Master on arrival to get a Navigation Permit (see below under non-EU).

If coming from a non-EU/Third Country:

On arrival in Croatian waters from outside Schengen, the yacht must make its way to the nearest official Port of Entry (see note above about ports of entry) and clear in immediately, even if this is at night. Do not anchor first in Croatian waters before proceeding to a port of entry. In some ports, the officials might come to come to the yacht for clearance. In marinas, the staff will call the relevant officials. If necessary the skipper should go ashore and report to the authorities. The crew must remain on board until formalities are complete.

The Navigation Fee and Sojourn Tax must be paid. See Fees for details.

See Documents for paperwork required.

The following offices should be visited:

•  Police for passport control. A crew list must be provided and will be stamped on entry.
• Customs to prove VAT status (see Customs for details).
• Harbor Master: To pay the Navigation Fee (if not arranged in advance with an agent) during working hours: Monday to Friday 08:00-13:00, during high season offices are open on Saturdays.

Notes

• A yacht agency (see clearance agents) can assist with payment of all fees online, which may make the process simpler and saves time waiting outside the Harbor Master's office.
• See Fees below and documents for more details on Sojourn tax payments and the Navigation Fee.
• See the Croatian Nautical Regulations for the full details for foreign yacht regulations.
• Useful Government Information for cruisers in Croatia can be found here.
• See from the Government site - How to arrive in Croatia by Sea

Croatia Departure Procedures for Yachts

Yachts leaving Croatia for another Schengen country do not need to complete any exit border controls.

Yachts leaving Croatia for a non-Schengen/Third country must obtain clearance from the Harbor Master at a port of entry. A crew list must be shown and stamped on departure. The vessel must leave Croatian territorial waters immediately and by the shortest route.

Last updated:  April 2025