The U.S. State Department has issued an updated Croatia travel advisory, and the good news for travelers is that Croatia remains in the lowest advisory category.
In its latest travel advisory published on May 18, 2026, the United States Department of State placed Croatia in the Level 1 category, meaning travelers should “Exercise normal precautions.”
What the Level 1 Croatia travel advisory means
This is the lowest advisory level the United States issues for foreign countries and generally means that Croatia is considered a safe destination for travel.
The advisory summary states that Croatia is “generally a safe destination for travelers,” while also including standard recommendations regarding travel insurance, documentation and following local laws and regulations.
What U.S. travelers should know before visiting Croatia
For American tourists, one of the most important points remains that no visa is required for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Travelers must, however, have a passport valid for at least three months beyond their planned departure from the Schengen area.
The State Department also reminds travelers that Croatia is part of the Schengen area, but warns that police and customs checks still exist at the borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, as these countries are outside Schengen. Because of this, tourists are advised to always carry a valid passport when crossing borders.
The advisory also includes information about medication rules. Travelers may bring medicines for personal use into Croatia, but only in quantities necessary for up to one month of treatment and with appropriate medical documentation such as a prescription or doctor’s certificate.
Stricter rules apply to medicines containing narcotic substances. In most cases, travelers are allowed to bring only quantities necessary for up to five days of treatment.
U.S. citizens are also encouraged to enroll in the STEP system (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program), which allows the embassy to send security alerts and make contact more easily in emergency situations.
The advisory also notes that the euro is the official currency in Croatia and that ATMs are widely available, while travelers’ checks and personal checks are generally no longer accepted.
In recent years, Croatia has regularly remained among the European countries with the lowest U.S. travel advisory levels, further reinforcing the country’s reputation as one of the safer Mediterranean destinations for tourists, digital nomads and travelers from the United States.
Croatia is becoming easier to reach from the U.S.
The updated advisory also arrives just as Croatia is becoming easier to reach from the U.S., with new direct flights between New York and Split expected to bring even more American visitors to the Adriatic coast this summer.
