ETIAS Croatia from Canada
In 2026, obtaining an ETIAS will become a prerequisite for Canadians travelling to Croatia and other Schengen Area member countries. All travellers from visa-exempt nations, such as Canada, will be prescreened in order to make the region safer for international travel.
What is the ETIAS Croatia for Canadian nationals?
ETIAS is short for European Travel Information and Authorisation System. This electronic visa waiver is available for Canadian nationals, who are eligible for visa-free travel to Croatia. It allows Canadian travellers to enter Croatia through any air, land, and sea border crossings.
Please note that ETIAS for Croatia is not a visa and cannot be used in its place.
ETIAS Croatia benefits for Canadian passport holders
ETIAS Croatia for Canadian passport holders will have many benefits, such as:
- ETIAS Croatia is designed as a tool for identifying persons that may pose a threat to the Schengen member states, thus contributing to the safety of its residents and visitors.
- Candidates can complete the ETIAS application form from the comfort of their homes or offices at any time, provided that they have a reliable internet connection and a mobile device.
- ETIAS Croatia processing time for Canadians will be very short. The visa waiver is received by email just a few hours after applying.
- Application will be done online and there will be no need to contact an embassy or a consulate.
- ETIAS applications from Canada will take only a few minutes from start to finish.
- Since the ETIAS is electronically linked to the applicant’s passport, it will not be necessary to print it out.
Do Canadian citizens need an ETIAS for Croatia?
Yes. All Canadians travelling to Croatia or any Schengen Area member country must apply for an ETIAS visa waiver.
When do Canadians need a visa for Croatia?
Most Canadian nationals are exempt from obtaining a visa to Croatia when travelling for tourism or business.
However, Canadians who intend to work or study in Croatia must apply for a Croatian visa suitable for the purpose of their trip. In this case, it is necessary to visit a Croatian embassy or consulate before travelling.
How to apply for an ETIAS Croatia from Canada
Applying for an ETIAS Croatia from Canada is a fast and easy process consisting of just a few steps:
- Complete the online Croatian ETIAS Application form
- Confirm that the information provided in the form is correct
- Pay the visa waiver processing fee
- Obtain authorization to travel by email
ETIAS Croatia application form for Canadians
Canadians applying for an ETIAS for Croatia will need to provide the following information in the application form:
- Essential personal and passport details (name, date of birth, nationality, passport number and expiry date)
- Contact information (address, phone number, email)
- Trip details (purpose, dates, accommodation)
- The first country to visit when entering the Schengen area
In addition, it will be necessary to answer several routine questions about the applicant’s criminal history.
It is essential that all the information given in the form is completely truthful and correct in order to avoid delays in ETIAS approval.
ETIAS Croatia processing fee for Canadian applicants
The ETIAS Croatia processing fee must be paid before submitting the application. Canadian candidates can pay using a valid debit or credit card through a secure online platform.
ETIAS Croatia requirements for Canadian nationals
ETIAS Croatia requirements for Canadian passport holders include:
- Have a Canadian passport valid at least 3 months past the indented date of departure from Croatia
- Have a valid payment card
- Have an active email address to receive the visa waiver
When entering Croatia, Canadian passengers are required to present the same passport that they used to apply for the ETIAS Croatia. This also applies to dual nationals who have more than one passport.
Permitted travel purposes with an ETIAS Croatia from Canada
ETIAS Croatia holders from Canada can travel for one of the following purposes:
- Tourism
- Leisure
- Family and friends visit
- Short-term studies and courses
- Business meetings, seminars, conferences, and trade shows
- Transit en route to another destination
Validity of the ETIAS Croatia for Canadian passport holders
ETIAS visa waiver for Croatia is valid for 3 consecutive years from the date of issue.
Note that this is a multiple-entry permit that will allow an unlimited number of entries to Croatia from Canada until the expiration of the visa waiver or the passport, whichever comes first.
The duration of each trip is limited to 90 days (3 months) within any 180-day period. Canadian travellers can visit both Croatia and any other Schengen member states on the same visa waiver, under the condition that Croatia is the first country they enter on their trip.
Is Croatia in Schengen? Toggle faqs
When Croatia joined the European Union on July 1, 2013, one condition was that it would eventually join the Schengen passport-free zone. To join the Schengen Area, Croatia had to first meet all the technical criteria for entry.
Until now, Croatia has not been approved to become part of Schengen. However, this is set to change.
The European Council evaluated Croatia’s implementation of the Schengen rules from 2016 to 2020 and found that it has met the conditions and taken extra steps to ensure human rights monitoring of border operations.
EU home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson pointed out: “It was the first Member State to set up an Independent Monitoring Mechanism to guarantee the protection of fundamental rights at external borders”.
The European Parliament has now approved Croatia’s accession to the open-borders region.
Will Croatia join Schengen?
Croatia is now a Schengen Area Estate. It has been approved for membership and became a member the 1st of January 2023.
On November 10, 2022, the European Parliament gave the all-clear for Croatia to join Schengen.
“(Croatia) has fulfilled all the necessary conditions. Croatia met 281 recommendations in 8 areas of the Schengen acquis and underwent the most comprehensive evaluation for Schengen membership of any EU country so far,” said MEP Paulo Rangel.
He went on to urge the EU Member States to vote to allow Croatia to join Schengen and allow internal border controls to be lifted by the end of 2022.
The European Council took the final vote on December 8, 2022.
Johansson expressed confidence ahead of the vote: “Croatia (is) ready to join, and I should say the European Union is ready to welcome.”
Croatia was unanimously approved for accession to the Schengen Area.
Vít Rakušan, Czech Minister of Interior, made the following announcement following the vote:
“I am very pleased that during the Czech Presidency, Croatia was able to take two important steps in its European integration by joining both the euro and the Schengen Area. I am confident that these successes will pave the way for other member states who fulfill the conditions to take the next step in their European journeys.”
Can Canadians renew an ETIAS for Croatia? Toggle faqs
It is important to note that it will not be possible to renew an ETIAS Croatia for Canadians. Applicants who wish to stay longer than their visa waiver permits, will have to apply for a new ETIAS from a country outside of the Schengen Area.
Overstaying the ETIAS Croatia visa waiver for Canada Toggle faqs
Overstaying an ETIAS Croatia is strictly against the law. It is punishable by fines and may result in deportation and future entry bans.
Medical information for Canadian ETIAS holders visiting Croatia
Canadians travelling to Croatia and other Schengen member countries are advised to purchase an international health insurance plan. This will allow them to cover any unexpected medical expenses or emergency services during their stay.
The emergency phone number in Croatia is 112. This number is used for ambulances, police, and firefighters throughout the Schengen Area.
Embassy of Canada in Croatia
Canada has an embassy in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, at the following address:
- Adress: Prilaz Gjure Dezelica #4, Zagreb 10 000, Croatia
- Telephone: (+385) (1) 488 1200 | (+385) (1) 488 1238
- Email: zagrb@international.gc.ca
- Office Hours: Monday-Thursday: 10:00-12:00 and 13:00-15:00 | Friday: 10:00-12:00