Croatia

Possessing, using, or trafficking illicit drugs is illegal in Croatia; police actively patrol music festivals and drug arrests are common.

Penalties include imprisonment.

Cannabis is illegal in Croatia, but possessing it for your own use is a misdemeanour rather than a criminal offence: the drugs are confiscated and you face a fine, and the same misdemeanour can also carry up to 90 days in jail. Croatia publishes no quantity limit. What separates the misdemeanour from the crime is purpose, and possessing cannabis intended for sale or distribution is a criminal offence punishable by three to twelve years in prison, a minimum raised from one year in November 2025. Growing cannabis counts as production and is criminal, and there is no legal way to buy it.

Possession contrary to article 3(1) of the Act on Combating Drug Abuse is a misdemeanour; article 54(3) punishes a natural person with a fine or up to 90 days' imprisonment. The Act still expresses that fine in kuna and has not been amended since 2019, so ask the authorities for the current euro figure rather than relying on a converted number. The cannabis is confiscated (article 64(1)), and the court may add compulsory or psychosocial treatment, which for a first offence by a dependent or occasional user may be imposed instead of any fine or imprisonment (article 64(4) to (6)). Possession intended for sale or distribution is a separate criminal offence under Criminal Code article 190(2), carrying three to twelve years; the minimum was raised from one year to three by the amendment published on 5 November 2025.

Some medicines may be illegal in Croatia even if prescribed at home; verify legality, carry enough for the trip, and bring a prescription plus a doctor's letter.

Travel to/from any non-EU country with cash or instruments over EUR 10,000 (or equivalent) must be declared; no declaration needed between EU countries.

Failure to declare brings fines and possible confiscation.

Drinking alcohol in public outside bars and restaurants is prohibited in tourist cities including Split and Dubrovnik; on-the-spot fines apply for drunken or disorderly behavior.

On-the-spot fines.

Driving in Croatia requires both a valid foreign license and an International Driving Permit; driving without one can void insurance, and a fluorescent vest must be carried and worn during a roadside breakdown.

On-the-spot fines; police may detain you or hold your passport.

Same-sex relationships are legal in Croatia, though attitudes vary outside tourist areas and discretion is advised in public.

Police can fine you on the spot for being shirtless or in swimwear in Croatian tourist towns with posted signs banning it.

On-the-spot fine