Can Croatian passport holders live and work anywhere in the EU without restrictions?

Yes, Croatian citizens have full freedom of movement within the European Union and can live, work, and study in any EU/EEA country without needing work permits or visas. Since Croatia joined the Schengen Area in January 2023, Croatian passport holders also enjoy borderless travel across 27 Schengen countries. This includes the right to establish businesses and access public services in other EU member states.

Do I need a visa to visit the United States, Canada, or the UK with a Croatian passport?

For the United States, Croatian citizens must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Program for stays up to 90 days. For Canada, an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is required. For the United Kingdom, Croatian passport holders need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before traveling. All three require online applications prior to departure but do not require traditional visa interviews.

Which countries can Croatian passport holders visit without any visa or pre-approval?

Croatian passport holders enjoy visa-free access to 184 destinations, including all EU/Schengen countries, Japan, Singapore, South Korea (ETA required), Malaysia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, UAE, Turkey, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Thailand, Hong Kong, and South Africa. Recent additions include China and Vietnam for visa-free entry. This does not include countries requiring e-visas or electronic travel authorizations.

Is military service mandatory for Croatian citizens and does it affect passport validity?

Croatia abolished mandatory military service in 2008 and now maintains an all-volunteer professional army. Croatian citizens are not required to complete military service, and this does not affect passport issuance or validity. Male citizens are still required to register for potential mobilization in case of national emergency, but this administrative requirement does not restrict passport rights or international travel.

What documents are required to apply for or renew a Croatian passport in 2025?

To apply for or renew a Croatian passport, you need: valid Croatian ID card (osobna iskaznica), birth certificate, proof of Croatian citizenship, completed application form, biometric photograph (35x45mm), and payment of the applicable fee (approximately 70-85 EUR depending on urgency). For renewals, bring your old passport. Minors require consent from both parents/guardians. Applications are submitted at police stations or Croatian embassies abroad, with processing typically taking 30 days (or 3 days for urgent requests).

Can Croatian citizens travel to Russia, China, or India, and what are the visa requirements?

For Russia, Croatian citizens can apply for an e-visa online for certain regions or obtain a traditional visa through the embassy. For China, Croatia recently gained visa-free access for tourism/business stays up to 15 days. For India, Croatian passport holders must apply for an e-visa online before travel, which is typically approved within 72 hours for tourism, business, or medical purposes. None of these countries offer visa-on-arrival for Croatian citizens.

Are there any countries where Croatian passport holders cannot travel or face entry restrictions?

Croatian passport holders face visa requirements or restrictions in 16 countries including Afghanistan, Algeria, North Korea, Turkmenistan, Yemen, Libya, Sudan, and several African nations (Chad, Mali, Niger, Ghana, Central African Republic, Congo Republic, Eritrea, Nauru, and Guyana). These countries require traditional visa applications through embassies. Travel to conflict zones like Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan is also strongly discouraged by the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs due to safety concerns.

How long can Croatian citizens stay in Schengen countries and non-EU European countries?

As an EU and Schengen member since 2023, Croatian citizens can stay indefinitely in other Schengen countries with no time restrictions, as they have freedom of movement rights. For non-EU European countries: UK requires ETA (up to 6 months for tourism), Albania and Serbia allow 90 days visa-free, Bosnia and Herzegovina allows 90 days, Turkey permits 90 days within 180 days, Ukraine allows 90 days, and Belarus permits 30 days visa-free.

What should Croatian passport holders know about transit and layovers in countries requiring visas?

Croatian passport holders generally do not need transit visas for airport layovers in most countries, including the US (if not leaving the airport), Canada, and most Asian countries. However, some countries like Australia may require transit authorization even for short layovers. For countries requiring e-visas (like India, Pakistan, or Nigeria), transit rules vary—some allow airside transit without visas for stays under 24 hours, while others require transit visas. Always verify specific transit requirements with airlines and destination embassies, especially for layovers exceeding 8-12 hours or when changing airports.

Croatia Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 184 Countries

The Croatia passport ranks 8th globally in 2025, offering visa-free access to 184 destinations worldwide. Croatian citizens enjoy strong travel mobility, with the passport showing significant improvement from its 28th position in 2006 (84 visa-free destinations) to its current top-10 ranking. This EU member state passport provides excellent travel freedom across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, making it one of the most powerful travel documents in the world. Croatia's passport strength reflects the country's EU membership since 2013 and its integration into the Schengen Area, delivering substantial advantages for international business and leisure travelers.

Global Rank

out of 199 countries

Visa Free Access

184

countries worldwide

Mobility Score

out of 100 points

Quick Statistics for Croatia passport

141

Visa-Free

On Arrival

ETA Required

E-Visa

Visa Required

Source: Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Croatian Citizens

Popular destinations where Croatia passport holders can travel without a visa:

Country	Maximum Stay	Code
France	Up to days	FR
Thailand	Up to days	TH
Singapore	Up to days	SG
Japan	Up to days	JP
United Arab Emirates	Up to days	AE

Visa Requirements by Country

Complete breakdown of visa requirements for Croatia passport holders

✅ Visa-Free

141 countries

🛬 Visa on Arrival

28 countries

🔐 ETA Required

15 countries

💻 E-Visa

26 countries

❌ Visa Required

16 countries

Historical Ranking Trend

Croatia's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Improved by 20 positions from 2006 to 2025

Official Croatia Passport & Travel Resources

Access official government resources for passport services, travel advisories, and visa information:

🔗

Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia

🔗

Croatian Passport Information

🔗

Ministry of Interior - Passport Services

🔗

Croatian Visa Information

🔗

Consular Services for Croatian Citizens

Compare Croatia Passport with Other Passports

See how Croatia's passport compares with other EUROPE in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Croatia (You are here)	#8	184	75/100	92/100
Switzerland	#4	188	95/100	94/100
Spain	#4	188	92/100	93/100
Italy	#4	188	94/100	75/100
Germany	#4	188	95/100	75/100
Luxembourg	#4	188	95/100	33/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

As of 2025, the Croatian passport ranks 8th globally on the Henley Passport Index with visa-free access to 184 destinations. This represents a remarkable improvement from 2006 when it ranked 28th with only 84 visa-free destinations. Croatia's EU membership in 2013 and Schengen Area entry in 2023 significantly boosted its passport strength, with the most notable jump occurring between 2024 (rank 13) and 2025 (rank 8).

Explore More Passport Rankings

Discover Croatia's passport power and compare with other countries to find the world's most powerful travel documents.

View All Passport Rankings

Last Updated: November 9, 2025

Source: IATA Travel Centre, Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Croatia Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 184 Countries

Country

Maximum Stay

Code

Up to days

Up to days

Up to days

Up to days

Up to days

Historical Ranking Trend

Croatia's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Improved by 20 positions from 2006 to 2025

Compare Croatia Passport with Other Passports

See how Croatia's passport compares with other EUROPE in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Croatia (You are here)	#8	184	75/100	92/100
Switzerland	#4	188	95/100	94/100
Spain	#4	188	92/100	93/100
Italy	#4	188	94/100	75/100
Germany	#4	188	95/100	75/100
Luxembourg	#4	188	95/100	33/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Quick Statistics for Croatia passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Croatian Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Croatia's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official Croatia Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Croatia Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How powerful is the Croatian passport in 2025 and how has it improved over the years?

Can Croatian passport holders live and work anywhere in the EU without restrictions?

Do I need a visa to visit the United States, Canada, or the UK with a Croatian passport?

Which countries can Croatian passport holders visit without any visa or pre-approval?

Is military service mandatory for Croatian citizens and does it affect passport validity?

What documents are required to apply for or renew a Croatian passport in 2025?

Can Croatian citizens travel to Russia, China, or India, and what are the visa requirements?

Are there any countries where Croatian passport holders cannot travel or face entry restrictions?

How long can Croatian citizens stay in Schengen countries and non-EU European countries?

What should Croatian passport holders know about transit and layovers in countries requiring visas?

Explore More Passport Rankings

Quick Statistics for Croatia passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Croatian Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Croatia's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official Croatia Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Croatia Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How powerful is the Croatian passport in 2025 and how has it improved over the years?

Can Croatian passport holders live and work anywhere in the EU without restrictions?

Do I need a visa to visit the United States, Canada, or the UK with a Croatian passport?

Which countries can Croatian passport holders visit without any visa or pre-approval?

Is military service mandatory for Croatian citizens and does it affect passport validity?

What documents are required to apply for or renew a Croatian passport in 2025?

Can Croatian citizens travel to Russia, China, or India, and what are the visa requirements?

Are there any countries where Croatian passport holders cannot travel or face entry restrictions?

How long can Croatian citizens stay in Schengen countries and non-EU European countries?

What should Croatian passport holders know about transit and layovers in countries requiring visas?

Explore More Passport Rankings