Travel Insurance for Croatia

Travel insurance for Croatia could cost $80 to $240 if you’re a 30-year-old traveller on a single-trip two-week holiday with a comprehensive policy.* If you were to add cruise cover to the policy, this price range could rise to $300.

Keep in mind this price isn’t guaranteed as a range of factors will affect the total when you buy travel insurance. These include:

• Your age
• Trip duration
• Level of cover
• Pre-existing medical conditions
• Any optional extras
• If you choose a multi-trip policy.

The cheapest travel insurance policy for Croatia would be a medical-only policy, which usually covers medical care, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation and 24/7 emergency assistance.

Not all providers will offer a medical-only plan and, instead, may offer a basic policy that covers lost luggage and cancellations as well (with lower limits than a comprehensive policy).

It’s important to remember that overseas medical treatment can be costly, so having medical insurance is a great way to look after yourself if things go wrong and you need to claim. Even though this may be covered by a basic policy, a comprehensive travel insurance plan will offer more coverage all-round, so it could be a worthwhile investment.

What your policy covers will vary depending on your insurance provider, but some inclusions are common across the board. These include:

Medical care

Cover against medical emergencies is expected on most policies, including medical assistance while in the country as well as repatriation to Australia. Medical care can be costly while overseas, so it’s important to consider this inclusion and any limits that apply – as well as whether you need to declare pre-existing medical conditions.

Lost luggage

Losing your luggage on vacation isn’t unheard of, nor is falling victim to theft. That’s why lost luggage cover is an important inclusion, as it can protect your valuables should your bags be lost or stolen. This cover extends to more than just your suitcase or backpack; you are also usually covered for personal effects, credit cards and travel documents.

Trip cancellation and delays

As much as you hope it won’t happen, unfortunately, sometimes trips need to be cancelled. Trip cancellation cover can reimburse you if your plans change before you’ve left Australia, or repay you if travel delays have left you out of pocket for non-refundable accommodation or activities. Plus, your policy may also offer monetary assistance should you need to book emergency accommodation or other travel needs.

24/7 emergency assistance

Accidents and injuries can happen at any time, so the freedom to contact your travel insurance provider at all hours is reassuring. Most providers have a 24/7 helpline – you can find the number on their website or your policy documents.

Cruise cover

Not always automatically an inclusion, cruise cover can be added as an optional add-on. And, while not exactly considered a ‘cruise’, sailing around Croatia will require this cover as a standard comprehensive travel insurance policy excludes maritime emergencies or cabin confinement.

Adventure activities

Not all adventure activities are included under a standard policy, so it’s important to check for any activities you’re planning in Croatia. For example, some insurance providers may automatically cover water-based activities such as snorkelling, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding, but won’t include wakeboarding or scuba diving to certain depths.

To be covered for these activities, you will need an adventure add-on, which is offered by most travel insurance providers. What is and isn’t covered with this add-on will vary, so make sure you carefully read through the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure your desired activity is included.

What your travel insurance plan consists of will vary among providers, but there are some common exclusions to be aware of. These include:

• Pre-existing medical conditions: If you have pre-existing medical conditions, you’ll need to disclose these to your insurer before you take out a policy. If you don’t, you may not be covered for any losses relating to those conditions; however, some conditions can’t be covered regardless of whether they are disclosed.
• Change of mind: While trip cancellations and delays that are out of your control will usually be covered, a cancellation due to change of mind will not.
• Illegal or reckless behaviour: If an accident occurs while you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or behaving recklessly, you likely won’t be covered – a scooter crash while you’re drunk, for example.
• Natural disasters: In March 2020, an early‑morning magnitude 5.3 earthquake rattled Zagreb, damaging much of the capital’s historic centre and leaving more than 1,900 buildings uninhabitable. Later that year, on December 29, a magnitude 6.4 quake struck near Petrinja, about 50km southeast of the capital, causing widespread destruction and even deaths. Croatia is also prone to flooding. If something like this happened while you were travelling, you’d want to be covered for it – especially if you got hurt. It’s important to note that if this event has begun, or warnings are in place for it, your travel insurance likely won’t provide any cover.
• Disregarding government warnings: If Smartraveller has a “do not travel” warning in place and you choose to travel anyway, your claims will be denied. As of March 2026, Smartraveller says tourists should “exercise normal safety precautions” while visiting Croatia.

Travel insurance companies differ in their inclusions and exclusions so to make sure you know exactly what your travel insurance covers, be sure to read through the PDS.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or it’s your first time abroad, it’s common to make mistakes on your trip – from overpacking to disobeying local customs and more. Travellers online have shared the mistakes they’ve made while visiting Croatia, which include:

• Not taking enough cash: While credit cards are widely accepted in big cities such as Dubrovnik and Split, they are less common in smaller villages or on the islands. Taking some cash means you’ll be able to pay no matter where you are.
• Underestimating the heat: In summer, temperatures can reach 32C. While that may not seem like much to Australians, the temperature can feel much hotter overseas, so being well prepared will help you avoid dehydration and heatstroke.
• Not securing belongings: Petty crimes and theft are common in tourist areas, so it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and take care of your belongings. Most travel insurance policies cover theft, but it’s still best to avoid the possibility of it happening to you.
• Taxi prices: It’s smart to confirm taxi prices before you begin the journey, as a common scam is to overcharge tourists even for short trips.
• Neglecting travel insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance policies can protect you from many things, including some of the above – such as medical care for heatstroke or lost luggage cover for stolen belongings. Many travellers say not having travel insurance was the biggest mistake they made.

No, travel insurance is not legally required for Australians visiting Croatia. Despite this, it’s still highly recommended so you can be covered if things go wrong – whether that’s a medical emergency, travel delay, lost luggage and more.

There is no universal ‘best’ travel insurance policy for Croatia, as the needs of each traveller will vary. For example, if you plan on sailing around the Croatian islands, you’ll need a policy that covers cruising. If you’ll be renting a moped to explore, you’ll need to invest in an add-on that covers two-wheeled vehicles.

Price plays a big factor, too. The best policy for you may be more expensive than another traveller can afford, so considering what suits your adventure and your budget best is an individual decision.

No, Australians do not need a specific visa for Croatia if they are visiting for fewer than 90 days in a 180-day period. This is because Croatia is part of the Schengen area, which consists of 29 European countries with common border rules.² Travellers can move between these countries without going through border controls or getting a visa for each country.

However, while not a visa, Australians are now subject to the Entry/Exit System (EES) for non-EU nationals.³ It’s an automated IT system that registers these travellers each time they cross the borders of certain European countries and has been in place since October 2025.

Croatia is considered safe for Australians, but this doesn’t mean it’s crime-free. Petty theft, pickpocketing and price scams are common, especially in tourist-dense areas such as the capital, Zagreb, the island Hvar, or the popular Dubrovnik.

Comparing a range of quotes online is a great way to find a policy that suits your adventure and your budget. To compare quotes from different providers (and even different policies from the same provider) you’ll need to enter a few key details such as your age, destination and trip duration.

For an easy quote-comparing experience, use Compare the Market’s comparison tool.