Foreign Office issues new alert to all UK tourists planning a holiday in Croatia

The Foreign Office has issued a new alert to UK tourists planning to go to Croatia. Every year, millions of people head to the country which has become popular for low-cost sunshine getaways to resorts such as Dubrovnik and Split as well as cultural city breaks to historic Zagreb.

Updated guidance says strict new border checks have been put in place for visitors. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: "There are checks at Slovenia's borders with Croatia." There are similar checks at Slovenia's land borders with Italy, Hungary and Austria.

Additional guidance adds: "If you are travelling from Croatia or Hungary, only enter Slovenia at border crossings open to all passengers. Allow extra time for crossing Slovenia's land borders and be ready to show your passport or residency card. Checks may also involve vehicle inspections."

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According to the Slovenian government, the border controls were reintroduced due to an increased terrorist threat to ensure a high level of security for all residents. The checks will remain in force until December 21, 2024.

If you're travelling from Croatia into other Schengen countries make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day visa-free limit. Visits to Schengen countries in the 180 days before you travel count towards these 90 days.

Border guards will look at your entry and exit stamps to check you have not overstayed the 90-day limit. If your passport is missing a stamp, you will need to show evidence of when and where you entered or left the Schengen area (such as boarding passes or tickets) and ask the border guards to add the date and location in your passport.

At Croatian border control, you may also need to:

• show proof of your accommodation, for example, a hotel booking confirmation or proof of address for a second home

• show proof of your travel insurance

• show a return or onward ticket

• prove that you have enough money for your stay – the amount varies depending on your accommodation

If you're in Croatia with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards the 90-day limit.

Croatia follows Schengen area rules which means your passport must have an expiry date at least three months after the day you intend to depart, and a date of issue less than 10 years before the day you arrive. If you renewed your passport before October 1, 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago.

In some Croatian town centres, including tourist destinations such as Split and Dubrovnik, you can get on-the-spot fines for behaviour seen as inappropriate, including:

• drinking alcohol or using drugs in public spaces

• sleeping in public spaces

• urinating or vomiting in public spaces

• walking through towns shirtless or in swimwear

• wearing clothing that promotes drug use

• climbing on monuments

You can also be fined up to 4,000 euros for public order disturbances such as fighting, shouting or arguing, drunken behaviour and insulting police officers or other public officials.

Crime levels are low but tourists have been overcharged at certain gentlemen’s clubs, sometimes by thousands of euros, and threatened with violence if they refuse to pay. Watch out for pickpockets in tourist areas, avoid carrying large sums of cash and use hotel safes for valuables if possible.

The Foreign Office adds that there have been some reports of sexual assaults in taxis in Croatia. To reduce risk, take a photo of the inside of the vehicle, where the number of the taxi is visible, and send it to a friend; share your ride status on the taxi app; and make a call while on the journey telling someone which taxi it is and where you are going.

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