Broadly safe for most visitors, with only routine travel precautions needed. Public health and infrastructure are well developed.
Regional breakdown
Most travel to Croatia centres on the Dalmatian coast and the capital. Dubrovnik, Split and Zagreb draw the bulk of visitors and see routine tourist policing. The Istrian peninsula, including Pula and Rovinj, also reports few issues beyond the usual pickpocketing in busy squares and on ferry queues. The picture changes inland along the former conflict line. The official advisory guidance flags Karlovac and Lika-Senj counties at Level 2 because of leftover landmines from the 1990s war. Around 24.5 square kilometres of forest and rough ground may still hold unexploded devices. Warning signs use the international landmine symbol. Travellers heading to Plitvice Lakes National Park should stay on marked paths and paved roads, especially in wooded sections near the old front line. Other rural zones to watch include parts of Sisak-Moslavina, Zadar hinterland and eastern Slavonia near Vukovar. The Croatian government expects demining to finish by the end of 2026. Until then, hikers, cyclists and anyone camping wild should check local signage and ask park rangers before leaving paved tracks.
Recent advisory changes
The official advisory guidance last updated its Croatia page on 27 March 2026. The latest change added new information about traffic conditions in the Safety and Security section. The official advisory guidance does not warn against travel to any part of Croatia. The official advisory guidance reissued its Croatia advisory on 9 October 2025 at Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions. It keeps Karlovac and Lika-Senj counties at Level 2 because of the landmine risk. No ordered departure is in place and no evacuation notice has been issued. Both governments treat Croatia as a low-friction destination for general tourism. With the landmine legacy as the one structural caveat that has carried over year to year.
What travellers should know
Driving is the main practical concern official advisory guidance highlights right now. Summer traffic on the A1 motorway towards Split and Dubrovnik can back up for hours on weekends. Rural roads are narrow and often shared with cyclists and farm vehicles. Croatia uses a zero-tolerance drink-drive limit for new drivers and 0.5 g/l for others. Police run frequent roadside checks along the coast in peak season. On the ground, stick to paved roads and marked trails in any former conflict area. Do not pick up metal objects in fields or forests in the flagged counties. Carry the European Health Insurance Card or UK Global Health Insurance Card for access to state healthcare. And take out travel insurance that covers water sports, island hopping and any driving you plan. The emergency number is 112. Ferry services to the islands run reliably in summer but can be cancelled in the bura wind, so build slack into tight itineraries.