Updated · 5 min read
Croatia's coast is long and narrow, with hundreds of islands and several non-EU neighbours close by. That makes it one of the easiest places in Europe to pay roaming charges without noticing.
Do you need an eSIM for Croatia?
With a SIM from an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, EU roaming rules apply in Croatia, within your operator's fair-use limits. With a SIM from the UK, Switzerland, the USA, Canada, Turkey, Australia and most other countries, Croatia is usually billed as roaming. A travel eSIM gives you a fixed, prepaid pack instead.
Mobile networks in Croatia
Croatia has three mobile networks: Hrvatski Telekom, A1 Hrvatska and Telemach. Coverage is generally good in coastal towns and on the larger islands; on small islands, in national parks and in the hinterland it can be weaker. The plan details on our Croatia page show the partner networks.
The Dubrovnik and Neum trap
Around Dubrovnik and on the coast road north to Split, Croatia borders Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the road even crosses Bosnian territory at the Neum corridor. Montenegro is a short drive south of Dubrovnik, and Serbia borders eastern Croatia. None of these countries is part of EU roaming. Phones on automatic network selection can join their networks, and home operators then charge non-EU roaming.
- Turn off automatic network selection and choose a Croatian network manually.
- Switch to airplane mode while you drive through the Neum corridor if you do not need data.
- For day trips to Montenegro or Bosnia and Herzegovina, check whether your plan covers those countries before you go.
Ferries and island hopping
Most ferry routes run close to the coast, where phones stay on Croatian networks. On ships with their own on-board or satellite network, EU roaming does not apply. Keep your home SIM's data roaming off on board.
How much data do I need?
A one-week holiday with maps, messaging and social media usually needs 3–5 GB. A road trip along the coast, island hopping with lots of video or a hotspot calls for 10–20 GB.
Download offline maps for national parks such as Plitvice and Krka before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my phone show a Bosnian network in Dubrovnik?
Bosnia and Herzegovina is very close to Dubrovnik and Neum, and phones can join its networks automatically. Choose a Croatian network manually to avoid non-EU roaming.
Does a Croatia eSIM work in Montenegro or Bosnia and Herzegovina?
A Croatia pack is meant for Croatia. Check the countries listed in the plan details, or choose a regional pack that includes them.
Which networks are there in Croatia?
Hrvatski Telekom, A1 Hrvatska and Telemach. The plan details show which partner networks a pack uses.
Can I make calls with the eSIM?
It is data-only, without a Croatian number. WhatsApp, FaceTime and other apps work for calls over data.