Countries · Croatia

Driving in Croatia: Tolls, the Coast Road and What to Carry (2026)

Checked 5 October 2026 on HAC's, HAK's, the Croatian government's and Jadrolinija's own pages · skynomad

Zagreb to Split on the A1 costs a car €26.40, paid at the exit. Lose the ticket and you pay double the longest route on that motorway.

The coast road south is quicker than it was. The Pelješac bridge takes you to Dubrovnik without the Bosnian border at Neum, and it is free.

And the islands start at the ferry queue. On a dozen Jadrolinija lines, the ticket you buy also reserves the car's place.

Take a Ticket and Pay at the Exit

Croatia's motorways have barriers: a ticket on the way in, payment on the way out, in euro cash or by bank card. Some prices for a car, from HAC's price list:

An ENC tag gives 21.74% off all year, and 33.48% from 1 November to 31 March.

A camera-based system called Crolibertas will let cars without a tag pay by number plate. Gantries have gone up since November 2025, but HAC publishes no start date yet.

Drive the Pelješac Bridge, or Cross Neum Without a Green Card

The Pelješac bridge is toll-free and keeps you in Croatia all the way to Dubrovnik.

If you take the old coast road through Neum, you cross into Bosnia and Herzegovina twice. Bosnia's insurance bureau accepts number plates from the EU, the EEA, Switzerland and the UK as proof of insurance, so no green card is needed.

Carry Spare Bulbs With the Triangle and Vest

The EU's Your Europe page lists a first-aid kit, a warning triangle and a reflective vest inside the car. Croatia also asks for spare bulbs, except in cars with xenon, neon or LED lights.

Fit Winter Kit From 15 November on Signposted Roads

From 15 November to 15 April, on roads signposted for winter conditions, you need four winter tyres (M+S or the snowflake), or four summer tyres with at least 4 mm of tread and snow chains. The motoring club HAK puts the fine at €130.

Switch Your Lights On in Winter Time

Dipped headlights are compulsory by day only in winter time, from the autumn clock change to the spring one. The motorway limit is 130 km/h, 90 outside towns and 50 in towns.

The alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l for most drivers and zero for novice and professional drivers. Phones are hands-free only.

Book the Car Ferry on the Busy Island Lines

On 12 Jadrolinija lines, including Split to Stari Grad and Vis and the Zadar lines, the ticket also reserves the car's place on the departure you pick. Book on the website, in the app or at a sales point.

Arrive 30 minutes before departure in winter and 60 minutes in summer.

Call HAK on 1987

HAK's roadside help answers on 1987 in Croatia, or +385 1 1987 from a foreign phone, for foreign drivers too. Call the police if someone is hurt, if the damage is serious, or if a driver seems drunk or on drugs; otherwise fill in the European accident statement together.

Carry the bulbs, keep the ticket and book the ferry. Every rule on this page was read on HAC's, HAK's, the Croatian government's, Jadrolinija's or the EU's own pages on 5 October 2026.