Croatia Vehicle Registration Process

Croatia Vehicle Registration Process | A-1 Auto Transport

There are several steps involved in transporting a car to Croatia and getting it registered. This page will focus on the details of getting a vehicle registered, as well as the relevant taxes and licensing requirements for driving a car Croatia.

Vehicles may not be imported into Croatia if they are more than 7 years old. Temporary import (less than six months) is permitted without paying duties and taxes, but those staying longer must apply for permanent import status.

Getting a vehicle registered in Croatia is a bit of a process and it can sometimes drag on for a while as you bounce between government offices for the appropriate forms, the police station, and the bank to coordinate everything. Here’s a big picture look at what’s involved.

Registration Steps

• Pay appropriate taxes, typically 5% of the vehicle’s value
• Visit the police department with ID for verification
• Pay bank fees for license plates & registration
• Get vehicle insurance (mandatory)
• Technical test certification

These are the primary steps involved, though there may be additional parts of the process depending on the type of vehicle being brought into the country and the country of origin.

For more information about shipping a vehicle to Croatia, the process, expected costs and the required documents, we have an in-depth resource on our international shipping page, which you can find here.

Getting A Driver License & Driving In Croatia

The rules of the road, as well as the fines and penalties associated with breaking them, are very strict in Croatia. There is a zero-tolerance policy toward driving with alcohol in your system and there are equally harsh penalties for dangerous or reckless driving.

Another thing to keep in mind is that driving in Croatia may be different from what you’re used to in the U.S. Roads are typically smaller, often crowded, and you may experience “aggressive driving” at a greater rate than you’re used to. For these reasons, it’s important to understand the differences of driving in Croatia, as well as the road signs. For more information, this PDF explains the most commonly used signs and what they mean.

Here are the steps required to get a Croatian driver’s license:

• Medical exam certificate
• Original license with translation
• Residence card
• Payment of licensing fee

Croatian Vehicle Registration Resources

Ministry of Finance - Information about importing a vehicle into Croatia, including customs procedures and vehicle regulations (website is in Croatian).

Ministry of Interior - A good general resource for operating a vehicle, getting a license, and understanding the ins and outs of the rules of the road in Croatia.