Croatia is built for coastal travel: a few nights in Split or Dubrovnik, ferries out to the islands, maybe a week on a sailing boat. For visitors with an EU SIM, the coast is simple, because Croatia has been in the EU since 2013 and is covered by Roam Like at Home. Visitors from the United Kingdom, the United States or Australia usually pay roaming by the day.
The surprises come from the excursions. Some of the most popular day trips from the Croatian coast leave the EU, and the sea has networks of its own.
Key facts for Croatia
- EU roaming: covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: A1, Hrvatski Telekom, Telemach (depending on the plan)
- Emergency numbers: 112; police 192, fire 193, ambulance 194, sea rescue 195
- Embassies: in Zagreb
Day trips that leave the EU
From Dubrovnik, the classic excursions go to Kotor in Montenegro and Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Neither country is in the EU roaming area, so an EU plan can charge for every hour you spend there. The coastal road south of Split also crosses a short Bosnian stretch at Neum; the Pelješac Bridge lets you skip it by car, but many coaches still take the old road. Check your tariff before an excursion, or carry a plan that covers the countries you are visiting.
Islands, ferries and sailing
Hvar, Brač, Korčula and Vis are well covered in their towns and harbours, and Jadrolinija ferries stay close enough to land for most crossings. On a sailing trip, coverage is good in anchorages near the islands but fades further offshore, and a phone may connect to a satellite network on board, which is billed separately from EU roaming. Keep data roaming off at sea unless you know which network you are on, and save the sea rescue number before you sail.
National parks and the interior
At Plitvice Lakes and Krka, coverage is reliable at the entrances and visitor areas but patchy along some trails and boardwalks. Zagreb and the main motorways are well covered. For breakdowns, the road assistance number is 1987.
Getting connected
From the EU: your plan covers Croatia. A travel eSIM is useful if your tariff includes little data abroad or your route includes Montenegro or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
From outside the EU: install a travel eSIM before you fly. Its validity begins at the first connection in Croatia, your own number keeps receiving texts, and maps, ferry tickets and WhatsApp use its data. A regional plan can cover Croatia and its neighbours on one eSIM; check the list of countries on the plan page.
Consular protection: who to call in Croatia
- 112 is the general emergency number, also for emergencies at sea.
- 192 reaches the police, 193 the fire service and 194 an ambulance.
- 195 is the dedicated sea rescue number.
- Embassies are in Zagreb, and some countries have consular offices on the coast. The Telcomia app shows yours, with address and phone.
- Emergency phrases in Croatian are ready to show on screen in the app.
Questions travellers ask about Croatia
Does my EU plan work on a day trip to Kotor or Mostar?
Not under EU rules. Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina are outside the EU roaming area.
Will my phone work on a sailing boat?
Near the islands, usually yes. Offshore it may switch to a satellite network that is billed separately.
Which networks does a Telcomia eSIM use in Croatia?
A1, Hrvatski Telekom or Telemach, depending on the plan, with 4G and 5G where available.
Who do I call for an emergency at sea?
112 or 195, the sea rescue number.
The short version
From the EU, your plan covers Croatia, but not Kotor, Mostar or the open sea. From outside the EU, install a travel eSIM before you fly, and save 195 before you sail.
Related reads:
Ready to stay connected without surprises?
Activate your eSIM in seconds and travel connected in 200+ countries and territories.
See plans