[Mann]

Hello, I have not found clear answers regarding entry formalities and rights in Croatia following their accession to the Schengen Area. Here is the information I have about ports of entry.

Ports open to international traffic for the entry of foreign passenger vessels and recreational boats:

• Border crossings with inspection services for international maritime passenger and cargo traffic: Rijeka, Ploče.
• Permanent border crossings open to international maritime passenger and cargo traffic: Zadar, Šibenik, Split, Dubrovnik, Raša-Bršica.
• Permanent border crossings open to international maritime passenger traffic: Umag, Pula, Ubli, Cavtat, Vis, Mali Lošinj.

And information regarding fees and registration:

• When passing through Croatian territorial waters, recreational boats arriving from Schengen countries are not required to register at the maritime border office…
• The captain of a vessel entering Croatia by sea is required to pay the stipulated fees, which can be done via enautika.pomorstvo.hr, at port authorities, or their branches…
• The tourist tax applies to owners or users of vessels (boaters) and anyone spending the night on a vessel longer than seven meters used for vacation, leisure, or cruising. This tax must be paid exclusively online via nautika.evisitor.hr.

My questions are:

Is it mandatory to enter through one of the listed ports?

Is it mandatory to register at the port authority?

Thank you.

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[Mark]

Croatia is now part of the Schengen Area. This means there’s no need to go through the “friendly” Croatian customs officers, and you can anchor in the first cove without risking a fine. You only need to pay the tourist tax.

EDIT: Provided you are from a Schengen country, of course. But if you have already cleared entry in another Schengen country, that should generally be sufficient.

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[Mann]

Thanks for your response!

So, if I understand correctly, the tax is paid online. Does that mean going through the (friendly) customs officers is completely unnecessary? Or is it still required, just not immediately upon arrival? Of course, assuming I’m arriving from Italy and not Montenegro.

And the opposite question: If I sail Croatia → Montenegro → Albania and then return to Italy (under the French flag), does that require any specific declaration or formalities?

[Sylvain]

In summary, there are still navigation fees and port taxes, but the free movement within the Schengen Area applies, so no more entry or exit formalities.

[Author]

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