Croatia entry requirements for Vietnam passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed June 28, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Vietnamese passport holders need a Schengen visa to enter Croatia in 2026. Apply at least 4–6 weeks before your trip. Processing takes 2–4 weeks.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen visa application Apply at Croatian embassy or visa centre | You need a Schengen visa before travel. Apply at the Croatian embassy or a TLScontact visa centre in your country of residence. Submit your application at least 15 days before departure — processing takes up to 15 calendar days. The visa costs €80 for adults, €40 for children aged 6–12.Apply for Schengen visa | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for entire stay in Schengen area | Your passport must be valid for the full duration of your stay in Croatia and the entire Schengen zone. Croatia enforces the Schengen rule: you can stay up to 90 days within any 180-day period across all Schengen countries combined — not per country. Carry a photocopy of your passport bio page separately. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Schengen area | Border officers at Zagreb and Split airports routinely ask for a return or onward ticket showing you leave the Schengen zone before your visa expires. Airlines also check this at check-in — without it, you may be denied boarding. Have a printed or digital copy ready. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation letter | Immigration may ask for a confirmed hotel reservation or a notarised invitation letter from your host in Croatia. If staying with friends or family, they need to register your stay with the local police within 48 hours of your arrival. Keep a printed copy of your booking or invitation. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during stay | Croatian border officers can ask for proof of sufficient funds — roughly €100 per day of stay, or a bank statement showing at least €1,000 for a 10-day trip. Credit cards and cash both count. Have a recent bank statement or a letter from your employer ready. | Recommended |
Apply well in advance
Visa processing can take up to 45 days, especially during summer. Don't book non-refundable flights or hotels until you have the visa in hand.
Schengen Area rules apply
Your visa allows travel to all 27 Schengen countries, not just Croatia. But your main destination must be Croatia, or you must spend the most days there.
What happens at the border
1
Prepare your documents
Gather all required documents: passport, photos, application form, flight itinerary, hotel bookings, travel insurance, bank statements, and any additional supporting papers.
2
Submit your visa application
Book an appointment at the Croatian Embassy in Hanoi or the Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City. Submit your application in person — biometrics (fingerprints) are taken. Pay the visa fee (€80 for adults, €40 for children 6–12).
3
Wait for processing
Standard processing takes 15 calendar days, but can extend to 45 days during peak season. Track your application online if available.
4
Collect your passport
Once approved, collect your passport with the visa sticker. Check the visa validity dates and number of entries (single or multiple).
5
Arrive in Croatia
At the airport (Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik), join the 'All Passports' queue. Present your passport with the visa, and be ready to show your return ticket and accommodation booking if asked. Border officers may ask about your itinerary.
Download Croatia Entry Checklist
PDF · Vietnam Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated June 28, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Standard Schengen visa for tourism.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period
Validity1 year (or longer with justification)
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Allows multiple entries; same fee as single entry.
Long-stay visa (D visa)
Max stayOver 90 days (up to 1 year)
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€100 (~$109 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification; requires additional documentation.
work visa
Croatian Work Visa (D visa for employment)
Up to 1 year, renewable
€100 (~$109 USD) application fee
For those with a job offer in Croatia. Requires employer sponsorship and work permit. Allows long-term residence.
student visa
Croatian Student Visa (D visa for study)
Up to 1 year, renewable annually
€100 (~$109 USD) application fee
For enrollment in a Croatian educational institution. Requires proof of acceptance and sufficient funds.
digital nomad visa
Croatia Digital Nomad Visa
Up to 1 year, non-renewable
€80 (~$87 USD) application fee
For remote workers with income from outside Croatia. Must prove monthly income of at least €2,540. No local employment allowed.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Standard Schengen visa fee for adults. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry, but allows multiple entries within validity. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayPenalty for overstaying visa-free or visa period. | €50 (~$54 USD) per day, max €500 (~$544 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete visa application20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Croatia
Transit visa required
Vietnam passport holders need a transit visa to change planes in Croatia, even if staying airside.
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid Schengen visa or residence permit may transit without a visa.
Transit hubsZagreb Airport (ZAG) · Split Airport (SPU) · Dubrovnik Airport (DBV)
Health & vaccines for Croatia
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis ARecommendedTyphoidConsiderRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, influenza)Essential
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisModerate risk
Risk in forested areas, especially during spring and summer. Consider vaccination if hiking.
Food and water safetyLow risk
Tap water is safe, but food hygiene is generally good. Standard precautions advised.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Zagreb
Ministry of Interior – Immigration Office
Ilica 335, 10000 Zagreb
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for visa extensions and residence permits.
Split
Police Administration Split – Foreigners Office
Trg Franje Tuđmana 1, 21000 Split
Mon–Fri 08:00–15:00
Handles visa-related issues for tourists in Dalmatia.
Practical information for VN travellers
Country basics
CapitalZagreb
LanguageCroatian
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid for up to 1 year.
Money
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0.88 EUR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+1
vs New York+6h (EST) / +6h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+9h (PST) / +9h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C, F — US plugs do not fit. Bring a European adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Safe to drink throughout Croatia.
Emergency numbers
Getting to Croatia
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to Croatia — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Croatia is part of the Schengen Area, so Vietnamese passport holders must obtain a Schengen visa before traveling. There is no visa on arrival or visa waiver for Vietnam.
A standard Schengen visa allows a maximum stay of 90 days within any 180-day period. The visa will specify the exact validity dates and number of entries (single or multiple).
You apply at the Croatian Embassy in Hanoi or the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. You may also apply through a visa application center (like VFS Global) if they handle Croatian visas. Check the embassy website for the latest instructions.
The Schengen visa fee is €80 for adults and €40 for children aged 6–12. Children under 6 are free. Additional service fees may apply if using a visa application center.
Standard processing is 15 calendar days, but can take up to 45 days if additional checks are needed. Apply at least 4–6 weeks before your planned travel.
No. The Schengen visa cannot be extended for tourism. If you need to stay longer, you must leave the Schengen Area and re-enter after a gap, respecting the 90/180-day rule.
No. Vietnamese passport holders cannot use a US or UK visa to enter Croatia. You must have a valid Schengen visa regardless of other visas you hold.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on June 28, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.