Croatia
Travel Destination – Croatia
Croatia is a blend of historic coastal cities, island-studded seascapes, and rugged national parks. Visitors can wander the ancient walls of Dubrovnik, explore Diocletian’s Palace in Split, sail between Dalmatian islands, or hike through the waterfalls and forested trails of Plitvice Lakes National Park. Inland, charming towns, vineyards, and alpine scenery add further depth to this diverse country.
Croatia offers high standards of healthcare and infrastructure, particularly in major cities and tourist regions. Thoughtful pre-travel preparation helps reduce risk and ensures a safe and rewarding journey.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
Before travelling to Croatia, booking an appointment with a travel doctor is recommended to confirm routine immunisations are current and receive personalised medical advice based on your itinerary and health profile.
Ideally, this appointment should take place six to eight weeks before departure to allow for any required booster doses. If departure is sooner, a last-minute consultation can still provide essential recommendations and travel health advice. Your doctor can tailor advice depending on whether you are exploring coastal cities, island hopping, hiking in national parks, travelling during peak summer season, or visiting rural inland regions.
Travellers with existing medical conditions should carry sufficient medication for the duration of their stay, along with copies of prescriptions and a summary of their medical history. Comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical care and evacuation is strongly advised.
Insect avoidance
Croatia’s temperate climate means that mosquitoes and ticks are present, particularly during warmer months. Ticks in forested and grassy areas can transmit infections such as Lyme disease, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever and tick-borne encephalitis in parts of Croatia. Sand flies can also transmit Leishmaniasis.
Travellers who plan to hike, camp, or cycle through parks or countryside should minimise skin exposure where practical, apply insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin, and check their body carefully for ticks after outdoor activities. Early removal of ticks reduces the likelihood of infection.
Food and water hygiene
Croatia’s vibrant culinary scene, from fresh Adriatic seafood and truffle-infused pasta to traditional dishes like peka and cevapi, is a highlight for many travellers exploring this popular European destination. Croatia maintains high standards of food safety and water treatment. Tap water is safe to drink in urban and most rural areas. The risk of gastroenteritis is low compared with many global destinations, yet gastrointestinal illness can still occur, particularly during summer when food is consumed outdoors or in busy tourist settings.
Regular handwashing before meals and after using public facilities remains an important precaution. Food should be well cooked and served at appropriate temperatures, especially seafood and meat dishes, which are popular along the Adriatic coast.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for Croatia?
Measles
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Measles is a highly contagious viral infection spread through respiratory droplets that can cause fever, cough, rash, and potentially serious complications such as pneumonia or brain inflammation. In Australia measles transmission is low and linked to overseas exposure. Measles outbreaks have occurred in several European countries in recent years. Travellers are at increased risk of exposure in crowded settings such as airports, public transport, schools, and large events. Australians born during or after 1966 should have documentation of two doses of a measles-containing vaccine prior to travel.
Influenza
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Influenza is a contagious respiratory viral illness that causes fever, cough, fatigue, and muscle aches and can lead to serious complications in vulnerable individuals. In Croatia, influenza activity typically increases during the European winter. Transmission occurs in enclosed spaces such as airports, tourist attractions and public transport. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for travellers aged six months and older, particularly older adults, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions.
COVID-19
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COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and spreads mainly through close contact and respiratory droplets, with illness ranging from mild symptoms to life-threatening pneumonia. COVID-19 continues to circulate globally, including in Croatia, with periodic surges.
Travellers should be up to date with COVID-19 vaccination in line with the Australian Immunisation Handbook. This includes six-monthly booster doses for adults aged 75 years and older, and annual boosters for those aged 65 to 74 years. Individuals with certain medical conditions may require additional booster doses following their primary course. A travel doctor can provide individual guidance.
Routine vaccinations
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Although Croatia has established immunisation programs, outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases continue to occur in parts of Europe. Exposure to these conditions increases with international travel. Before travelling to Croatia, ensure vaccinations such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and polio are up to date.
A travel health consultation can determine whether booster doses such as hepatitis A or hepatitis B are required based on your age, vaccination history, and time since previous immunisation.
Croatia
Other health risks in Croatia
Gastroenteritis
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Although sanitation standards are high in Croatia, both viral and bacterial gastroenteritis can occur, particularly in crowded tourist settings, cruise ships, or during peak summer travel. Bacterial gastroenteritis is usually acquired from contaminated food or water. Viral gastroenteritis is commonly spread through close contact or contaminated surfaces. Symptoms of diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever, can typically develop within 24 to 72 hours of exposure.
Maintaining hydration is an essential aspect of treatment, and oral rehydration solutions can be helpful to replace fluids and electrolytes. Most people recover within a few days, however medical care should be sought if symptoms are severe, persistent, or atypical.
Rabies
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Rabies in Croatia is rare, and the country has made significant progress in eliminating the disease in domestic animals through vaccination programs. Rabies is primarily found in wildlife in parts of Europe, including bats and some wild mammals, although the risk to most travellers in Croatia is very low.
Rabies is a viral infection transmitted through the saliva of infected mammals, usually via bites or scratches, and it is almost always fatal once symptoms develop. Travellers should avoid contact with wild animals, stray dogs, and bats, even if they appear healthy. Pre-exposure rabies vaccination is generally not required for most travellers to Croatia but may be considered for those working with animals, exploring caves, or spending extended time in remote areas.
Any bite, scratch, or potential saliva exposure from a mammal should be washed thoroughly with soap and water and assessed urgently by a medical professional, as prompt treatment is highly effective in preventing disease.
Lyme disease
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Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks. Lyme disease is present in Croatia, particularly in wooded and grassy areas. Infection occurs following the bite of an infected Ixodes tick. Early symptoms may include fever, headache, fatigue, and a spreading red rash. If untreated, the infection can involve joints, the nervous system, or the heart. Prevention relies on tick avoidance measures and early medical assessment if symptoms develop after a tick bite.
Non-infectious conditions
Crime and unrest
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Croatia is generally considered a safe destination for travellers. Petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag theft can occur in tourist centres, transport hubs, and during peak travel seasons, particularly in cities such as Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik.
Travellers should remain alert in crowded areas, secure valuables, and avoid leaving belongings unattended. Demonstrations occasionally occur and may disrupt traffic or public transport. It is advisable to avoid protests and follow directions from local authorities.
Refer to the Australian government's Smartraveller website before and during travel for up to date safety advice.
Deep vein thrombosis
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For Australians travelling to Croatia, long-haul flights and extended travel times increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition in which blood clots form in deep veins, usually in the legs. Reduced mobility during flights contributes to this risk.
To minimise the likelihood of DVT, travellers should move regularly during flights, perform seated leg exercises, remain well hydrated, and limit alcohol intake. Individuals with additional risk factors, such as a history of clotting disorders or recent surgery, should seek medical advice before departure and may benefit from compression stockings.