Croatia Visa RequirementsFor New Zealand passport holders
New Zealand citizens can visit Croatia visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Croatia joined the Schengen Area in 2023, offering NZ visitors access to its stunning Adriatic coastline and ancient cities.
Great news! New Zealand passport holders can enter Croatia without a visa for tourism or business purposes. You can stay up to 90 days.
No visa is required for NZ citizens for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen Area, including Croatia since January 2023. Zagreb (ZAG) and Split (SPU) are the main airports; Dubrovnik (DBV) also has a busy international airport. Croatia also joined the Eurozone on January 1, 2023, adopting the Euro. Days in Croatia count toward the Schengen 90-day limit. ETIAS will apply in the future.
Croatia is part of the Schengen Area. Your stay counts toward the 90-day limit within any 180-day period for the entire Schengen zone. Learn more about Schengen rules →
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
3 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
Valid New Zealand Passport
Must be valid for the duration of your stay and at least 3 months beyond intended departure from the Schengen Area.
Return or Onward Ticket
Proof of departure from Croatia, such as a return flight booking or onward travel itinerary.
Proof of Accommodation Recommended
Hotel reservation, Airbnb booking, or address where you will be staying in Croatia.
Proof of Sufficient Funds Recommended
Credit cards, bank statements, or cash to cover your expenses during your stay in Croatia.
Travel Insurance Recommended
Recommended for Schengen travel. Some countries may require it. Should cover medical emergencies and repatriation.
Current Travel Situation
New Zealand to Croatia: What You Need to Know
Croatia joined the Schengen Area on January 1, 2023, meaning NZ citizens' days in Croatia now count toward the shared Schengen 90-day limit. Croatia offers some of Europe's most dramatic coastal scenery: the walled city of Dubrovnik (a UNESCO site, famous as a Game of Thrones filming location), Split with Diocletian's Palace, the Plitvice Lakes National Park, the islands of Hvar, Brac, and Korcula, and Zadar with its famous sea organ. Croatia has emerged as one of Europe's hottest summer destinations.
How to Get There
Most NZ travellers reach Croatia via London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, or Vienna connections. Ryanair, easyJet, and Croatia Airlines serve Croatian airports. Flight time Auckland-Croatia is approximately 26-30 hours with connections. Split and Dubrovnik are natural starting points for Adriatic cruising and island-hopping. A Dubrovnik-Split-Zadar circuit takes 7-10 days. Croatia pairs well with Slovenia (Ljubljana is 2h from Zagreb) and Montenegro (accessible from Dubrovnik by bus).
Money & Banking
Croatia uses the Euro (EUR) since January 2023. Currently around 1.80-1.90 NZD per EUR. Croatia is moderately priced. Dubrovnik and Hvar are the most expensive areas. A fresh fish lunch at a konoba (tavern) costs EUR 20-35 per person. A Karlovacko beer at a Split bar costs EUR 3-5. Mid-range accommodation in Split or Zadar (not Dubrovnik) is very affordable in shoulder season. Card payments widely accepted throughout Croatia.
Practical Tips
Dubrovnik summer crowds (July-August) are very large: explore the city walls early morning before cruise ship passengers disembark. The island of Hvar (reached by ferry from Split) is Croatia's most glamorous island. Plitvice Lakes National Park has timed entry tickets that must be booked in advance in summer. Croatia's ferries (Jadrolinija) connect the coast and islands efficiently. The coastal road (Magistrala) is spectacular for a scenic drive from Split to Dubrovnik (4-5h).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do NZ citizens need a visa for Croatia?
No. Croatia joined the Schengen Area in January 2023 and NZ citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Days in Croatia now count toward the overall Schengen limit.
Is Dubrovnik worth visiting despite the crowds?
Dubrovnik is extraordinary but very crowded, particularly July-August when cruise ships bring thousands of day visitors. Tips: walk the city walls early morning (before cruise ship passengers arrive, around 8-9am), avoid peak July-August if possible, stay within the Old Town for the experience of evenings when day-trippers have left. The Game of Thrones filming location aspect adds additional interest for many NZ visitors.
What is island hopping in Croatia like?
Croatia's Dalmatian coast has hundreds of islands accessible by Jadrolinija and other ferries from Split. Hvar (glamorous, beautiful old town and lavender fields), Brac (Zlatni Rat beach, one of Europe's most photographed), Vis (authentic, less touristy, WWII caves), Korcula (medieval town, claimed birthplace of Marco Polo), and Mljet National Park are all popular. Book ferries in advance in peak summer.
What is the best way to get from Dubrovnik to Split?
The coastal road (Magistrala highway) from Dubrovnik to Split is scenic and takes approximately 3-4 hours by bus or car. Note: the road briefly passes through Bosnia-Herzegovina (the Neum corridor). NZ citizens do not need a separate Bosnian visa for this transit but must have their passport. The Peljesac Bridge (opened 2022) now provides an alternate route that stays entirely in Croatia.
What currency does Croatia use since 2023?
Croatia adopted the Euro (EUR) on January 1, 2023, when it joined the Eurozone. Previously using the Kuna, Croatia now uses the Euro making it seamless to combine with other Euro-zone European destinations. Card payments are widely accepted throughout Croatia.
What is Plitvice Lakes National Park?
Plitvice Lakes (Plitvicka Jezera) is Croatia's most visited national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features 16 terraced lakes connected by waterfalls in a limestone canyon, with extraordinary turquoise-blue water. Entry must be booked in advance online in peak season (June-September). The park has multiple walking circuits: 2-4 hours for the most popular lower lakes circuit.
When is the best time to visit Croatia?
May-June and September-October offer warm weather (25-30 Celsius), clear Adriatic waters, and significantly fewer tourists and lower prices than peak July-August. Dubrovnik in peak summer is uncomfortably crowded. The Adriatic sea is warmest in August-September (around 26 Celsius). April and October are quieter still but some island facilities may be limited.