In Croatia, almost all motorways are toll roads. You can pay tolls (cestarina) in euros, by credit card, or with a toll badge. These toll badges (ENC) are available at the toll stations. With the toll badge, you get about 20% discount on the toll rates and you don't have to wait in case of crowds. On the motorway near Zagreb and the A7 between Rijeka and Krk you pay no toll. You can calculate tolls here: https://www.putovnica.net/en/transport/tolls. From Umag to Pula in Istria (approx. 75 km) you pay approx. € 6.70 with a passenger car.

There are no environmental zones in Croatia (yet). So you don't need an environmental sticker.

The speed limit on motorways is 130 km/h and on motorways 100 km/h. Outside built-up areas, this is 90 km/h, within built-up areas 50 km/h.

The police can impose a fine in the event of a traffic violation, but you are not obliged to pay it on the spot. You must pay within 8 days.

It is mandatory to have a warning triangle, a safety vest, and a first-aid kit in the car. Depending on the type of lighting or tires of your car, you should also have spare lamps and a spare tire in the car. If you are traveling with a trailer or caravan, you must bring two warning triangles.

In the mountains, rising traffic takes precedence over falling traffic.

More information about traffic rules can be found here:
Road traffic | Information Istra-Istria  

The fastest route is on the motorways (toll) via Germany - Austria - Slovenia. Don't forget to buy vignettes (in advance). For Austria, these vignettes are available at the motorway border crossings of Austria, or at the ANWB. All motorways and expressways in Slovenia are toll roads. An e-vignette is available in Slovenia at toll stations, petrol stations, supermarkets, and kiosks. Outside Slovenia in the border region at large petrol stations and the shops of the ÖAMTC in Austria. For points of sale, see: evinjeta.dars.si/en/how-buy.

In 2023, Black Saturday in Europe will be on August 5. The weekends before and after are also very busy towards the south, especially around Munich and the tunnels.

There are about 700 charging points in Croatia and the network is not yet covered. Driving an electric vehicle in Croatia requires some planning in advance.

Petrol stations along the (toll) motorways and large cities are often open day and night. Other petrol stations are usually open from 07.00-20.00 (longer in summer). Euro 95 E5 (Eurosuper 95, Bez Dovni Benzin, bezolovni benzin) is readily available. Bezolovni means lead-free.

Tap water in Croatia is safe to drink, but if you prefer to drink bottled water, it can be bought everywhere.

Lunch is the most important meal and is consumed between 10 a.m. and 15 p.m. Restaurants generally serve lunch between 12 and 14. Lunch consists of several courses. Dinner usually consists of a light, simple meal. In large cities and in summer, it is normal for dinner to be served until 23:30. If you go out for dinner at the campsite, you can often go early, even at Dutch times. Eating out is cheaper than in the Netherlands. You already have a simple 3-course menu for around € 20,-.

You can eat out in Croatia in a restoran, a gostionica or konoba, in a pizzaria or in a bistro. The simplest is the bistros and pizzerias, where you can go for a cheap, nutritious, and usually fine meal. Gostionica and konobas are simple taverns serving mostly local dishes. Restorans are the most luxurious eateries and the prices are also the highest here.

The operating fee is usually included in the price. You often have to pay separately for bread. However, it is common to tip in bars and restaurants, hotels, and taxis, and to guides on guided excursions. The average net salary in Croatia is around 800 euros, while the price level of groceries is not much lower than in the Netherlands.

In the areas along the coast, Italian and Greek influences are noticeable. Istria in particular is very Italian-oriented, so pizza and pasta are easily available.

Well-known supermarkets are Konzum, Plodine, Mercator, and Kaufland, but in Croatia, you will also find the Lidl and the Spar. The prices are generally about the same as in the Netherlands. Supermarkets are usually open from 07:00 to 22:00. In addition to fruit and vegetables, markets in Croatia often sell cheese, sausage, bread, and drinks.

Croatian health care is of good quality. Medical assistance is guaranteed for everyone and is provided in hospitals and clinics in larger towns. For minor ailments, you can seek advice from chemists. However, the language barrier can cause problems here. In any case, take your necessary medicines with you in sufficient quantity. You can recognize this by the green cross.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles you to necessary medical care in the event of illness or accident during a temporary stay in Croatia. It is then not necessary to advance healthcare costs yourself. The personal EHIC can be found on the back of the health insurance card of your health insurer or in their app.

In case of hospitalization or when specialist medical care is needed, it is best to contact your insurance company directly.

Travelers are not required to show a COVID-19 vaccine certificate, proof of a negative test, or a certificate of recovery to enter Croatia.

The Istrian peninsula is located in northwestern Croatia, between the Gulf of Trieste and the Kvarner Gulf. The Mediterranean climate and the many hours of sunshine make Istria an ideal holiday destination. And a number of different winds in Istria determine the further weather, namely the "jugo", a warm south wind that brings rain, the "bura", which brings clear weather and the "maestral", which brings refreshment from the sea in the summer months.

In the summer months, it is fine to stay in Istria. It is then mostly warm and sunny on the peninsula. It is not for nothing that you see many campsites here. The outdoors is fine in Istria in the summer season. The months of July and August in particular are pleasantly warm, with afternoon temperatures averaging between 25 and 30 degrees. There are periods every summer in which the mercury rises well above 30 degrees. In combination with a fairly high relative humidity, it can feel quite hot in such a case. On the coast, the heat is often somewhat tempered.

• The coastal areas of Croatia are influenced by the Adriatic Sea and here there is a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers.
• For a sun holiday, the summer months along the Croatian coast are ideal. The temperatures are pleasant with average maximum temperatures around 28°, the sun shines a lot and it rains little.

Besides the well-known apps for weather and climate (Weather Forecast, Daily Weather), DHMZ provides extensive weather info (in English).

Google translate will go a long way, of course, but it's also nice to know some phrases. We'll help you get started: 

In Croatia, just like in Ireland, you pay with the euro. This has been legal tender since 1 January 2023. The price level is generally slightly lower than that in Ireland. You can pay almost anywhere with your regular debit card or with a credit card. There are many ATMs in Croatia. Please note: withdrawing money with a credit card is usually not free.

• When going on holiday to Croatia, you must have a valid passport.
  
  
• In Croatia, there are two associated plug types, types C and F. Plug type C is the plug that has two round pins and plug type F is the plug that has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. Croatia operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. If you forget to bring an adapter, you can buy a new one in most shops carrying electronic or IT equipment, while in tourist destinations they are often available in well-stocked newsstands.
  
  
  • Important public holidays in Croatia

• Easter	Uskrs	9-apr 10-apr
  Labour Day	Praznik rada	1-mei
  Public holiday	Dan državnosti	5-jun
  Corpus Christi	Corpus Christi, Tijelovo	8-jun
  Anti-Fascist Sturggle Day	Dan antifašističke borbe	22-jun
  Victory Day		5-aug
  Assumption of Mary	Velika Gospa	15-aug
  All Saints Day	Svi sveti	1-nov

  
  

  • Croatia is a dog-friendly country, but not all dogs are allowed. Pitbulls not listed in the register of the International Organisation of Dogidae (https://fci.be/en), or crossbreeds of pit bulls, are not allowed. You will need an EU pet passport for your dog or cat, available from your vet. Dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies (rabies) at least 21 days before traveling. The compulsory chip must be inserted before the anti-rabies vaccination (can be done on the same day). More information can be found here. As this vaccination may only be given from 12 weeks of age, puppies or kittens younger than 15 weeks may not be taken to Croatia. A leash obligation applies almost everywhere in Croatia.
    
    
  • Ireland is 1 hour behind Croatia.
    
    
  • Are you traveling alone with a minor child, for example, because you are divorced? Or are you taking a friend of your child with you? Then you must be able to prove that you have permission from the parent(s). This can be done with a permission statement.
    
    
  • Put a contact's phone number in case of emergency as an ICE (In Case of Emergency) number in your phone.

    
    

• Tip: Before departure, photograph your passport/ID, insurance card, bank card, emergency numbers, and other important items. Mail or app them to yourself or other travel companions, so you can still have important details to hand in case of loss or theft.