Going to en Istrie: Formalities and administrative steps

Organize your stay en Istrie

Money en Istrie

In January 2023, Croatia fully entered the euro zone. The local currency no longer circulates and, as in Slovenia and Italy, everything is paid for in euros, with cash, debit or credit cards.

Budget & Tips en Istrie

To help you plan your vacation budget, daily expenses can be divided into three categories, according to your financial means.

Small budget : plus or minus €50 per day per person, with accommodation in a campground/youth hostel(hostel) or private room with a local, meals on the go (market shopping, groceries), public transport, cycling or hitchhiking, free activities or €5 to €10 maximum.

Average budget: more or less €150 per day per person (accommodation in B&Bs or 3-star hotels, good food, public transport, car or motorcycle, paid activities or package).

Big budget: from €200 per day per person (accommodation in luxury hotels, luxury villa or apartment rental, gourmet dining, car or motorcycle transport, package activities/guided tours).

National taxes apply to most consumer goods and services. For example, 5% surcharge on bread, milk, cinema or theater tickets, 13% on accommodation, newspapers, edible oils and fats, sugar, tobacco, alcoholic beverages, coffee and luxury goods.

As in France, in cafés and restaurants, the price indicated on the bill does not include the amount of the tip. There's no extra charge (10-15%), but if you're satisfied, it's customary to tip the waiter. The same goes for cab drivers, cleaning staff and hairdressers.

Prices are fixed and non-negotiable. However, shopkeepers may offer you a small gift if you purchase items for a large sum. This practice is common in the markets.

Passport and visas en Istrie

For tourist stays of less than three months, a valid passport or identity card is sufficient for European Union nationals.

Before you leave, remember to scan and photocopy personal documents. Keep these copies at home. In the event of loss or theft, the administrative procedures for renewing them will be simpler.

Driver's license en Istrie

A French driver's license, or one issued in an EU member state, is recognized in Croatia (private or rental vehicle). You'll also need to bring your vehicle registration document and your international green car insurance card. Check that it says HR (Croatia). If you are not insured for Croatia, you can take out transit insurance at the border (approx. €50 for one month). French driving licenses also work in Slovenia, provided you have insurance that works abroad. The same applies to Italy.

To rent a car or motorcycle, you must be at least 21 years old and have held your driving license for at least two years.

Health en Istrie

There are no infectious diseases or particular health risks in Istria, so no vaccinations are currently required. Tap water is safe to drink.

Security en Istrie

With its very low crime rate, Croatia is a safe country. There is no such thing as a "hot spot" and you can go for a quiet walk at night.

Travellers who go alone, even in the big cities, have nothing to worry about. In small towns, you may come across curious looks on the street at the sight of a stranger or a woman alone. Nothing too bad. Young people are much more discreet in this area! They are the ones, most of them equipped with a mobile phone with GPS, who will tell you the right way.

In the summer, the population changes completely. European tourists arrive en masse, especially around the festivals. In these festive moods, alcohol and other illegal alcohol abuse must be guarded against. The law severely condemns thieves. However, with its cash on hand, one must remain vigilant in hotel rooms, youth hostel dormitories and campsites.

Time difference en Istrie

There is no time difference with Istria: all year round, the same time is read in France, Belgium or Switzerland. Time changes also take place at the end of March and September (GMT + 1 in winter and GMT + 2 in summer).

Spoken languages en Istrie

In Istria, the official language is Croatian, but as the peninsula lies between Italy, Slovenia and Croatia, depending on proximity to one of these three countries, communication tends to be in Italian/English, Slovenian/Italian/English or Croatian/Italian/English, with some German as well. Istrian and Istriote dialects are becoming rarer, although notable efforts are being made to breathe new life into them. Very little French is learned at school, but more and more young people are taking an interest.

Communication en Istrie

Croatia is a very well-connected country, with free WiFi access almost everywhere in town, in hotels, campsites, holiday rentals, cafés-restaurants, etc. The three national operators are A1 Mobile, Hrvatski Telekom Mobile and TELE2.

Electricity and measurements en Istrie

As in other European countries, the electrical current in Croatia is 230 V and 50 Hz, while type C and F sockets are used.

If you want to buy clothes, sizes are based on American measurements for men (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X), women (S, M, L, XL, 2X) and children (XS, S, M, L, XL). For shoes, depending on the brand, labels mention American, British, European sizes or centimeters.

Luggage en Istrie

What to pack? As in France, it all depends on the region and the season. In the south, on the Istrian coast, winter is less harsh than in the mainland or in the mountains. In summer, from the north to the south of Istria, it can be very hot. Remember to protect yourself from the sun (cap or visor, protective UV cream). Bring your swimsuit and towel, and plastic sandals for the water. In spring and autumn, it can rain heavily. A waterproof poncho will come in handy, as will a light fleece and good walking shoes for hikers. In all seasons, a windbreaker protects you from the bura. This northerly wind can pick up and blow in gusts. It's refreshing on spring and autumn evenings. For evening outings, concerts, classical music festivals or gourmet dinners, elegant attire is highly recommended. In any case, if there's anything you need, you'll find it on site.

Daily life en Istrie

Hello? en Istrie

Croatia is divided into 21 regions and as many telephone areas. The area code therefore corresponds to the last two digits of the zip code (without the initial 0). For Istria, dial 52 (Pula), 51 (Rijeka), 1 for Zagreb.

To call Istria from France, dial the international dialing code (00) + the Croatian dialing code (385) + the area code (without the initial 0) followed by the requested number. For example, 00 385 52 219 197 (Pula tourist office).

To call France from Istria, dial 00 33 + the Hexagon area code without the 0.

To call locally from Istria (same region), dial the number directly without the area code.

From one region to another in Croatia, dial the full area code with the 0, followed by the requested six- or seven-digit number.

Numbers preceded by (0) 91, (0) 98 or (0) 99 correspond to local cell phones. Numbers beginning with (0) 60 are freephone numbers.

European telephone packages allow you to make calls and send SMS at no extra cost between EU countries. Time limits are set by some operators. SIM phone cards for Croatian operators can be purchased at post offices and newsagents.

On smartphones, tablets or computers, free applications enable you to make phone calls, send videos or SMS free of charge. WhatsApp, Skype and Viber are the most popular, but require a good connection speed.

Free Wi-Fi access is becoming increasingly widespread in cafés, restaurants, cultural venues, train stations, accommodation and even in the neighborhoods of major cities. At the same time, Internet kiosks and cybercafés are tending to disappear. What's left are libraries, youth hostels, some computer maintenance stores and a handful of hotels that provide customers with a connected computer (for a fee).

Accessibility en Istrie

Croatia was one of the first European countries to ratify the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. On the ground, however, there is still room for improvement, particularly on public transport. Initiatives are underway in public services, tourist areas and a few rare beaches, such as Rovinj (Borik-Valdaliso). Further information is available on the website of the Federation of Croatian Associations for the Disabled: www.soih.hr.

Health en Istrie

There are no infectious diseases or particular health risks in Istria. For hikers and nature-lovers, a tetanus vaccination is recommended. Vipers, scorpions and mosquitoes are present in Istria, as in Italy and southern Slovenia. In addition to anti-UV cream, you'll need to take repellent and anti-itch products in your toiletries kit. Tap water is safe to drink.

There are pharmacies(ljekarna) in every large and medium-sized town in Istria, as well as several hospitals, clinics and health centers, which are even more numerous in the Slovenian and Italian parts of the region. As in all European Union (EU) countries, a valid European Health Insurance Card is required in Croatia. If you don't have one, you'll need to pay for medical expenses and keep the invoices in order to be reimbursed in France by the CPAM and/or complementary health insurance. Don't forget your blood group card and, if necessary, repatriation assistance insurance. The website of the French Embassy in Zagreb publishes a list of Croatian hospitals.

Medical tourism is well developed in Istria and the spa resorts. Dental and cosmetic surgeries are the most popular, and one travel agency specializes in this sector: www.medicrotour.com

Emergency numbers en Istrie

Single European emergency call: ✆ 112

Police: ✆ 192

Fire department: ✆ 193

Medical/ambulance emergency: ✆ 194

Securty en Istrie

Croatia is one of the safest countries in Europe. Croatia offers the assurance of a safe and enjoyable vacation, even for a single woman, even at night. Of course, it's important to respect certain rules and to be cautious on certain points.

Theft. The law severely punishes thieves. However, when you're carrying cash, you need to be vigilant in hotel rooms, hostel dormitories and campsites. Pickpockets and other scams occur mainly in tourist areas, at music festivals, cabarets, discotheques, escort bars and strip clubs (where racketeering is always a possibility). Alcohol abuse can lead to risky behavior. Always carry identity papers and a copy in case of loss or theft. Make sure you have your bank card's assistance number so you can stop payment as quickly as possible.

Drugs. Recreational use of cannabis or any other psychoactive product is illegal. Being caught with a small quantity on your person is punishable by a fine of €700 to €3,500, depending on the nature of the product. In summer, European tourists arrive in droves, especially around festivals. In these festive atmospheres, it's important to watch out for the abuse of alcohol and other illegal substances.

Hooliganism in stadiums. Croatian soccer fans can go wild during and after matches.

A well-parked car. It must be locked, with no valuables inside.

Brush fires are frequent in summer. Extra vigilance on the road in pine forests.

Hot-button issues. Do not discuss the responsibilities and consequences of the last war, nor religion or homosexuality (avoid explicit gestures or behavior).

LGBTQ en Istrie

Since 1997, homosexuality has been decriminalized and, in 2003, Croatia recognized civil union contracts for homosexuals. However, marriage for all and adoption remain sensitive issues in a society with a predominantly conservative Catholic tradition. As a result, sexual orientation is not on public display. Times are changing, however, and even if Croatia doesn't feature in the top 10 LGBTQ+ destinations, LGBTQ-friendly establishments have sprung up in Zagreb, Rijeka and on the Istrian coast. Infos on www.gayvoyageur.com/croatie

Embassies and consulates en Istrie

In Paris, in the ^16th arrondissement, the Croatian embassy and consulate are grouped together at the same postal address. Administrative offices, open to the public on weekdays, supplemented by the services of the Consulate of the Republic of Croatia in the Principality of Monaco, by appointment only(www.consulatcroatie.mc/fr).

In Croatian Istria, public offices are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.

French Embassy: Almeria centar, Ul. grada Vukovara 284b, 10 000 Zagreb. ✆ +385 1 48 93 600. hr.ambafrance.org

Mail en Istrie

There are post offices in every locality (Hrvatska pošta). On the Post Office website (www.posta.hr), you can consult a table in English with all the rates for sending mail. For example, to send a letter or card to France with a nice stamp, you'll need to pay around €1.15. Delivery times vary (around one to two weeks).

Local media en Istrie

Under Josip Broz Tito and then Franjo Tuđman, the press was under government control, used mainly for state propaganda purposes. After the regime change (2000), the media became more independent. In tourist towns, most of the major international dailies are available... a few days late, while English-language editions are specially dedicated to tourism.

In addition to the national newspapers published in Zagreb(Jutarnji list and Večernji list), each region has its own regional daily. The daily Glas Istre provides local news.

On the radio, several daily news programs are broadcast in foreign languages during the tourist season. For example, on Croatian radio HRT1 (92.1 FM), English flashes are broadcast daily. On HRT2 (98.5 FM), from June to September, Croatian news is followed by traffic reports in English, German and Italian, issued by the freeway company (HAK). Several times a day, there's also information for boaters, news flashes and a calendar of events.

The three public television channels broadcast many foreign programs. Films are often international productions in their original version with Croatian subtitles. Digital cable packages add to the offer. Add to this a regional channel, TV Istra, and seven local radio stations.

On the Internet, bars and restaurants use Facebook to present their news, while tourism service providers have increasingly elaborate websites. The institutional blog on Croatian culture and society is very comprehensive, while the Courrier des Balkans site is more oriented towards current events in these countries, politics and the economy.