Redpoint Destinations

Croatia

Croatia Travel Insurance

Why Travel Insurance is Essential for Croatia

Croatia is fast becoming a very popular tourist destination and it's not hard to see why. It combines beautiful landscapes and plenty of adventure with the old world charm of Dubrovnik and the rich history of Balkan culture. It has more than 1000 islands dotted along the Adriatic coast, which makes it perfect for island-hopping, and it is also famous for serving as the backdrop to the popular Game of Thrones television series.

But a trip to Croatia of course, comes with some risks. Whether it's a delayed or disrupted itinerary, lost baggage, or a medical emergency on one of Croatia's less populated islands, you'll want to be prepared for these mishaps with comprehensive coverage. Before you visit Croatia, it's wise to read up on the country, some of its risks, and what you need to know in order to be fully covered.

Health & Safety in Croatia

Medical Care and Hospitals

Croatia has a high-quality healthcare system, with a mixture of public and private facilities. Private clinics tend to offer faster care, but English-speaking medical professionals are common in healthcare facilities around the country. However, whether private or public, these facilities are not free for visitors. You will have to pay for any treatment you receive, and the costs can be expensive. That’s why it’s so important to buy travel medical insurance for Croatia. A travel medical insurance plan will reimburse any up-front costs you may incur from a clinic or hospital.

While Croatia’s islands such as Hvar and Korčula, have medical facilities that can handle emergency care, if you need advanced or specialist care, you may need to be airlifted to a more advanced facility. That’s why it’s also wise to have emergency medical evacuation cover, in case you have an emergency that can’t be treated locally, and to carry proof of your insurance coverage as well as any emergency contact numbers you may need.

Health Risks and Vaccinations

There are no major infectious disease concerns for U.S. tourists in Croatia, and no vaccinations are required to enter the country. However, the CDC recommends being up to date on all routine vaccinations, as well as taking steps to prevent insect bites, including ticks. For travel tips and the most up-to-date information on Croatia health and safety, you should always consult the U.S. Department of State’s travel advisory and the CDC’s up-to-date health recommendations for U.S. travelers. It’s also wise to carry a basic medical kit with common over-the-counter medication, as well as spare prescription medication or copies of your prescriptions.

Insurance Benefits and Coverage for a Trip to Croatia

What Does Croatia Travel Insurance Cover?

When considering travel insurance for Croatia, you will want to make sure your policy covers all the areas below so that you’ll be prepared, no matter what happens during your trip.

Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance:
Trip cancellation insurance reimburses your non-refundable trip expenses if your trip to Croatia is canceled or cut short due to a covered reason, like illness, severe weather, family emergencies, or certain government advisories.

Travel medical insurance:
Travel health insurance covers unexpected medical expenses incurred for any injuries or illnesses that happen during your trip. Croatian healthcare facilities are high quality, but they do not offer free services to travelers from the U.S., which is why travel medical insurance is essential. Keep in mind that your health insurance from home will not be accepted, and if you have pre-existing medical conditions, you’ll also want to apply for a waiver when you purchase your policy.

Emergency medical evacuation insurance:
Emergency evacuation coverage reimburses you for transportation to the nearest medical facility or back to the U.S. in extreme or emergency situations. If you’re doing any adventurous travel such as kayaking, mountain biking, or exploring some of Croatia’s remote islands, then emergency evacuation coverage is particularly important to have. It will also cover repatriation in the event of a traveler’s death. You should look for a policy with at least $50,000 in emergency medical and $100,000 in evacuation coverage.

Baggage and personal belongings insurance:
Baggage coverage is a benefit that covers loss, theft, or damage to your belongings should they go missing during your trip to Croatia.

Trip delay insurance:
Trip delay insurance compensates for additional expenses if your travel is delayed before it starts or during any connections or transfers.

Optional add-ons:
There are several additional policy benefits you can add to your travel insurance depending on the nature of your trip. These include cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage, if you think you may need to cancel for a reason not covered by the typical cancellation policy; extra protection for specialist or expensive gear; adventure sports travel insurance if you plan to do any extreme or dangerous activities; and car rental protection.

Choosing the Right Plan

Ripcord has a variety of plans suited for different trips to Croatia. For adventure travelers who want to explore Croatia’s islands, coastlines, and national parks, Ripcord is an extensive plan with high coverage limits and enhanced coverage, such as emergency evacuation and repatriation, perfect for trips to remote or adventurous destinations. Cavalry is suited for urban travelers who are seeking luxury and cultural experiences, while broadly sticking to major cities and established destinations such as Dubrovnik and Split. Meanwhile, Harbor offers robust coverage to the budget-minded leisure traveler who may be backpacking through the Balkans or going on a cruise that stops in Dubrovnik. You can compare all of Redpoint’s comprehensive plans and figure out which one might be right for your trip here.

Entry Requirements & Practical Information

Entry and Visa Requirements

Croatia joined the Schengen zone in 2023, which means it is now part of a block of 29 European countries that U.S. passport holders can visit without a visa for up to 90 days. Officially, your passport needs three months’ validity at the time of entry, but the U.S. State Department strongly advises that you have six months’ validity while traveling in the Schengen zone to avoid potential problems, especially if you’re visiting multiple European nations.

While Americans do not need a Schengen visa, starting in 2026, they will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETIAS) before entering the Schengen zone.

What To Do in an Emergency

If you have an emergency in Croatia and require assistance, emergency services can be contacted by dialing 112. In addition, Redpoint offers 24/7 support on its helpline to travelers who have an emergency or need assistance. If you are having trouble locating help locally, Redpoint’s associates can help connect you to the help you need on the ground.

The U.S. Embassy is located Zagreb. Officials there can help you with passport issues, emergency assistance, and legal issues.

Ulica Thomasa Jeffersona 2
10010 Zagreb
Croatia

+385-1-661-2200

Popular Activities and Adventure Travel in Croatia

Croatia is one of those destinations that has as much culture and history as it does adventure travel. Visitors can hike along the rugged Dinaric Alps or go kayaking along the Adriatic coast. National parks, including Plitvice Lakes and Krka, offer breathtaking waterfalls, or rock climbing in Paklenica, while the Cetina River boasts thrilling white-water rafting. As a small nation with diverse landscapes and coastlines — including 1,200 islands — it really has something for everyone.

FAQs for Croatia Travel Insurance

Narrow old street and yard in Sibenik city, Croatia,

Is travel insurance mandatory for Croatia?

Travel insurance is not mandatory to enter Croatia, but it is always a risk to embark on overseas travel without adequate coverage. Should anything go wrong during the course of your trip, such as a medical emergency or disrupted itinerary, your out-of-pocket costs can easily exceed the price of a travel insurance policy.

What does Croatia travel insurance cover?

A comprehensive Croatia travel insurance policy should include medical care and emergency medical coverage (at least $100,000 to cover medical emergencies and unexpected costs), emergency medical evacuation, trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage, and baggage loss protection. You should also look for a policy with 24/7 assistance services, which all of Redpoint's policies offer.

How much does travel insurance cost for Croatia?

Your travel insurance policy will be priced based on a range of factors including trip length, cost, age, and activities. Most of Redpoint's insurance plans range from 6% to 15% of total trip costs.

What happens if a tourist gets sick in Croatia?

Croatia has a high-quality healthcare system, with many clinics that service tourists and offer English-speaking medical professionals. So if you get sick there, you shouldn't struggle to access the care you need. However, treatment in hospitals and clinics is not free for visitors from the U.S., which is why it's so important to have travel medical insurance to recoup the cost of any emergency medical expenses.

Does travel insurance cover trip cancellations due to government advisories?

Some travel insurance plans offer coverage for cancellations due to government-issued travel advisories, but this depends on the timing and nature of the advisory, as well as when you purchase your policy. If you're worried about political conditions or you suspect you may need to cancel your trip, it's wise to add-on cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage for added flexibility.

Can I get coverage for pre-existing conditions?

This will vary from policy to policy and by insurance company. Redpoint allows you to apply for a waiver for any pre-existing medical conditions if you purchase your insurance policy within 15 days after making your initial trip deposit.

Can I buy travel insurance after arriving in Croatia?

Typically, you need to purchase travel insurance prior to departure for your trip, and ideally, as soon as possible after booking your trip. Some providers may issue policies once you're already in the country, but those policies may be costlier and have more exclusions.

Protect Your Trip With Redpoint Travel Insurance

Protecting yourself on your trip to Croatia requires comprehensive travel insurance, and Redpoint Travel Protection has a global reputation for providing high-quality policies to fit every traveler. It also offers 24/7 support to give travelers peace of mind and help them enjoy their trips. Explore Redpoint’s policies here.