Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 from last Sunday in March to end October).
Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. European-style, round, two-pin plugs are standard.
The official language is Croatian.
No vaccinations are required. The medical facilities and care in Croatia are fairly good, with free emergency medical care available to EU citizens with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Some medicines are in short supply in public facilities. Non-EU nationals are advised to invest in comprehensive travel insurance and those who need particular medications should take the supply needed for the duration of their stay with them, with a doctor's letter on hand to get them through customs.
In tourist or upmarket restaurants a tip of 10 percent will be appreciated, but otherwise it is usual to just round up the bill if the service has been good, unless a service charge has already been added. Tour guides expect to be tipped. Most other services receive a small tip by rounding up the bill.
Most visits to Croatia are trouble-free. Crime levels are low and violent crime is rare; however, petty theft can be a problem in busy tourist areas so it is worth keeping a careful eye on valuables. Outside the normal tourist routes, travellers should be aware that unexplored mines might remain in rural areas, particularly in Eastern Slavonia and the former Krajina.Tourists are urged to be cautious in former conflict areas, including Eastern Slavonia, Brodsko-Posavska County, Karlovac County, areas around Zadar, and in more remote areas of the Plitvice Lakes National Park. They should stay on known safe roads and areas. If in any doubt, check with authorities before setting out into remote areas.
Passports or some form of identification should be carried at all times. I some towns and cities, it is prohibited, or considered inappropriate to walk around town centres shirtless or in swimming costumes.In some places, such as parts of Dubrovnik, there is signage indicating that people are required to cover up and that fines will be imposed on those that don't comply. Even when there is no such signage, travellers are advised to be sensitive to local conventions and sensibilities.
Business in Croatia tends to be quite formal. Punctuality is key, dress should be smart and conservative (suits and ties are the norm for men), and polite greetings are made with a handshake.Titles and surnames are usually used unless otherwise indicated and business cards are often exchanged at the beginning of a meeting. English and German are widely spoken but any attempt at speaking some Croatian will be appreciated. Women frequently hold high positions in business and are well respected.Building a good working relationship is important in Croatia and it is useful to work with a reliable local partner. Although Croatia appears typically European in its dealings, business can take some time to conclude. Business hours are usually 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
The international access code for Croatia is +385. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). The city code for Zagreb is (0)1 and for Dubrovnik (0)20.
Non-EU travellers to Croatia can enter the country with the following items without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 4 litres of wine, 1 litre of spirits, and up to 16 litres of beer; and other goods up to the value of HRK 3,200 if arriving by air, or HRK 2,200 if arriving by other means of transport. Regulations apply to firearms and radio instruments. No item of archaeological, historical, ethnographic, artistic, cultural, or scientific value may leave the country without a license issued by the appropriate authorities.
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