Is Croatia in the Schengen Area?

Yes — Croatia has been a full member of the Schengen Area since 1 January 2023. Every day you spend in Croatia counts toward your 90 days in any 180, together with the other 28 Schengen countries.

Facts checked 5 October 2026. Entry rules change and differ by passport. Confirm them with the official source linked in each section, or your own government's travel advice, before you travel.

Do days in Croatia count toward the 90/180 rule?

Yes. Older travel blogs suggest Croatia as a break from Schengen, but that stopped being true on 1 January 2023. Days in Dubrovnik or Split now use your 90 just like days in Paris.

There is no separate Croatian allowance on top of Schengen, and moving between Croatia and Slovenia or Hungary has no routine passport check.

Source: European Commission: the Schengen Area

Entering Croatia

Visa-free visitors follow the normal Schengen rules: up to 90 days in any 180 across the whole area, with a passport issued in the last 10 years and valid for at least three months after you plan to leave.

Croatia's borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro are external Schengen borders with full checks.

Sources: Schengen Borders Code, Article 6; European Commission: the Schengen Area

How EES applies

The Entry/Exit System has been fully operational at every external Schengen border since 10 April 2026. On your first entry it records your passport, fingerprints and a facial image; after that, every entry and exit is logged and your 90/180 days are counted automatically.

Croatia operates EES at its external borders, including the land crossings to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, so a day trip to Mostar or Kotor is recorded as an exit and re-entry.

Sources: European Commission: EES fully operational (10 April 2026); EU: EES FAQ

Out of days? Croatia's neighbours are outside

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia are not in Schengen and keep their own counts, so they are the usual places to wait nearby. A day there stops new Schengen days being added, but it does not reset the count.

For more places whose days do not count, and how long each lets you stay, see where to go when your Schengen days run out.

Sources: GOV.UK: Bosnia and Herzegovina entry requirements; GOV.UK: Montenegro entry requirements; GOV.UK: Serbia entry requirements

Check your own Schengen days

Whatever the answer for Croatia, your 90 days are counted across all 29 Schengen countries together, and each day looks back 180 days. Add your stays to see how many days you have used and the last day you can stay.

Common questions

When did Croatia join Schengen?

Croatia joined the Schengen Area on 1 January 2023, the same day it adopted the euro. Since then, time in Croatia counts toward the 90/180 limit like any other Schengen country.

Can I leave Schengen by going to Croatia?

Not any more. Croatia is inside Schengen, so going there from Italy, Slovenia or Hungary keeps you inside the area. To leave, cross into a non-Schengen neighbour such as Bosnia and Herzegovina or Montenegro.

Do I get a stamp when I enter Croatia?

Not for most non-EU visitors. Since EES became fully operational in April 2026, entries and exits at Croatia's external borders are recorded electronically instead of with passport stamps.