smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
Croatia
| Croatia overall | This Advice is current for Monday, 07 July 2008. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Safety and Security: Crime (petty crime). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
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Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
There have been isolated attacks targeted at specific persons and/or property as a result of lingering ethnic tensions following the war, or criminal activities.
Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, occurs, most commonly in busy tourist areas, at bus and railway stations, on public transport and at beaches. There have been reports of gangs staging roadside emergencies and then robbing drivers who stop to offer assistance.
You should not accept food or drink from strangers as there have been incidents where it has been laced with drugs.
You should check prices prior to ordering drinks at certain bars and "cabarets". Some establishments charge exorbitant prices. Discussions about overcharging have been known to lead to threats of violence. Security guards may compel you to pay.
Although hostilities ended in 1995, unexploded landmines and military ordnance remain a serious problem in several parts of Croatia. It is estimated that 240,000 landmines remain in Croatia. Travellers in former conflict areas should not stray from known safe roads and areas. According to the Croatian Mine Action Centre, suspected landmine areas are spread over the following counties: Brodsko-Posavska, Dubrovacko-Neretvanska, Karlovacka, Licko-Senjska, Osjecko-Branajska, Pozesko-Slavonska, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, Sisacko-Moslovacka, Sibensko-Kninska,Viroviticko-Pordravska, Vukorvarsko-Srijemska, and Zadarska. You can check the latest information on known and suspected mine areas with the Croatian Mine Action Centre.
Driving in Croatia can be hazardous due to poor driving practices. Road traffic accidents are common.
Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids, (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.
The Croatian national carrier, Croatia Airlines, is enforcing EU security standards which limit the quantity of liquids that may be carried by airline passengers in their hand luggage. This travel advice should be read in conjunction with our travel bulletin on enhanced airport security.
If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.
The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.
Croatia is in an active earthquake zone. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
Australians are strongly advised to maintain safe and legal approach distance when observing wildlife. You should use only reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
Before you go, organise a variety of ways of accessing your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques and cash. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.
When you are in Croatia, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Penalties for possession of even small amounts of 'soft drugs' include fines and suspended sentences.
Driving with a blood alcohol level greater than 0.00 is an offence. Penalties include heavy fines and imprisonment. It is also illegal to drive without dipped headlights on at all times and to use a mobile phone whilst driving.
It is compulsory to keep a fluorescent vest in the cabin of motor vehicles. The vest is to be worn while attending to a breakdown.
You are required by Croatian law to carry identification, such as your passport, at all times.
Foreigners purchasing property in Croatia have been involved in disputes about the validity of property titles, resulting in lengthy legal proceedings. Before signing any kind of contract, you are advised to seek independent legal advice. Further (English language) information can be found under the real estate section on the Croatian Government website.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.
Although Croatia recognises dual nationality, Croatian authorities tend to treat dual nationals as Croatian citizens only. Australian/Croatian citizens should ensure they ask officials for consular assistance from the Australian Embassy if they are arrested or detained in Croatia.
Australians who also hold Croatian citizenship may be subject to compulsory military service and other obligations when in Croatia. Australian/Croatian dual nationals should seek advice from the nearest Croatian Embassy or Consulate well in advance of travel.
Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.
Visa conditions change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Croatia for the most up to date information.
Travellers not staying at a hotel are required to register their place of residence with the nearest police station within 24 hours of arrival. Hotels and other commercial accommodation facilities undertake this registration on behalf of their guests. Those found not to have registered may be fined and/or deported.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
While the standard of health care is generally good, services on Croatian islands are limited and serious illnesses or accidents would require emergency transport to the nearest regional centre. Public hospitals in Croatia are under severe budgetary constraints and the standard of facilities and availability of pharmaceuticals can be limited. Private medical facilities provide a better quality but often more costly alternative to public hospital treatment. Doctors and hospitals usually expect immediate cash payments for treatment.
Decompression chambers are located in the towns of Split and Pula on the Adriatic coast.
Travel in inland forested areas brings the risk of exposure to tick-borne encephalitis. Ticks are active from April to September.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
In Croatia, you can obtain consular assistance from the:
Australian Embassy
Centre Kaptol
Third Floor, Nova Ves 11
10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Telephone (385 1) 489 1200
Facsimile (385 1) 489 1216
If you are travelling to Croatia, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency, if you are unable to contact the Embassy you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
