Accessible Croatia’s mobile phone providers: Guide for 2023
UPDATED: 2.2.2023.
When we speak to people moving to Croatia, they usually always ask about getting a phone in Croatia. Do I need to get a Croatian number? How do I get a Croatian number? Which is the best mobile phone provider in Croatia?
In response to these questions, we created this detailed guide on Croatia’s mobile providers, so you know exactly what your options are and how to get up and running with a Croatian phone.
In this post, we cover:
The facts are these…
Croatian mobile phone providers and their offers
All mobile phone providers in Croatia
Croatia has 5 mobile phone providers. Two of them are mobile virtual brands of existing mobile phone providers. For each provider, we’ve compiled the following:
- Initial numbers
- Services and tariffs
- Availability of 5G
- Range of costs
- Mobile apps
- Contact information
#1 A1 (formerly Vipnet)
A1 (formerly Vipnet) is a part of A1 Telekom Austria Group. A1 provides mobile, landline, and internet services to approximately 2 million users in Croatia. It was founded in 1999.
A1 has launched a digital fundraising platform called Čini pravu stvar (Do the right thing). Its purpose is to gather organizations and individuals who collect donations for projects of non-profit organizations.
[Read: How to open and close a non-profit udruga in Croatia]
Mobile prefix
- 091
Mobile plans
Mobile prices
- Postpaid rates: 13,94 euros – 40,48 euros
- Prepaid rates: 9,16 euros – 18,45 euros
- Available vouchers
- 5 euros
- 10 euros
- 15 euros
- 20 euros
- 35 euros
The price list for all services can be found here.
5G support: Available
Mobile apps: Moj Telekom HR (iOS) | Moj A1 (Android)
Web site | Branches | Facebook | Instagram
#2 Bonbon
Bonbon is a mobile virtual brand of Croatian Telecom that uses HT’s network infrastructure. Bonbon is suitable for youth since its combinations and tariffs are very flexible. It was launched in 2010.
Mobile prefix
- 096
- 097
Mobile plans
Mobile prices
- Postpaid rates: ~12,61 euros – ~18,58 euros
- Prepaid rates: ~12,61 euros – ~14,60 euros
- Available vouchers
- 1,99 euros
- 3,32 euros
- 7,96 euros
- 11,95 euros
- 23,89 euros
The price list for postpaid rates can be found here.
The price list for prepaid rates can be found here.
5G support: Not available
Mobile apps: Moj bonbon (iOS) | bonbon (Android) | BonBon (Huawei)
Web site | Branches | Facebook | Instagram
#3 Hrvatski Telekom (Croatian Telekom)
Hrvatski Telekom – HT (Croatian Telecom) is the leading provider of telecommunication services in Croatia, including mobile and landline services, internet, data transfer, and international communication. It was founded in 2008.
Croatian Telecom contributes to the community by giving away 060 phone numbers used in humanitarian campaigns and awards for Croatian modern art and through HT museum and other donation programs.
Fun fact
The earliest version of Hrvatski Telekom was state-owned.
On October 10, 1990, the Sabor (Parliament) replaced the 13 telecommunications companies operating on Croatian territory and replaced them with a new public company called Croatian Post and Telecommunications. The founder of this new company was the Sabor and the owner the Republic of Croatia.
In 1999, the company split into Hrvatska Pošta and Hrvatske Telekomunikacije. Since then, Hrvatske telekomunikacije was privatized, then rebranded and merged with other entities several times. Its latest incarnation is Hrvatski Telecom as we know it today.
[Read: Hrvatska Pošta – Croatian Postal Office]
HT mobile prefix
- 098
- 099
Mobile plans
Mobile prices
- Postpaid rates: 17,91 euros – 30,39 euros
- Prepaid rates (Simpa): 3,19 euros – 17,11 euros
- Available vouchers
- 3,98 euros
- 7,96 euros
- 15,93 euros
- 26,54 euros
Price lists for all services can be found here.
5G support: Available
Mobile apps: Moj Telekom HR (iOS) | Moj Telekom HR (Android) | Moj Telekom HR (Huawei)
Web site | Branches | Facebook | Instagram
#4 Telemach (formerly Tele2)
Tele2 was founded in 1993. In 2020, Tele2 joined the United group, a leading provider of telecommunication and media services in Southeast Europe, and changed its name to Telemach.
Telemach shows its responsibility to the community and the environment through various projects. Some include donations of drones to Croatian fire brigades, afforestation projects, promotion of gender equality in the workplace, and volunteering.
[Read: How to volunteer in Croatia and get residence]
Mobile prefix
- 095
Mobile plans
Mobile prices
- Postpaid rates: 10,90 euros – 22,90 euros
- Prepaid rates: 5,90 euros – 12,90 euros
- Available vouchers
- 2 euros
- 4 euros
- 8 euros
- 16 euros
- 32 euros
The price list for all services can be found here.
5G support: Available
Mobile apps: Telemach Hrvatska (iOS) | Telemach Hrvatska (Android)
Web site | Branches | Facebook | Instagram
#5 Tomato
Tomato is a mobile virtual brand of A1 that uses A1’s network infrastructure. It was launched in 2006 and offers only mobile services.
Mobile prefix
- 092
Mobile plans
Mobile prices
- Postpaid rates: ~9,16 euros – ~18,45 euros
- Prepaid rates: ~5,31 euros – ~14,60 euros
- Available vouchers:
- 4 euros
- 5 euros
- 12 euros
- 16 euros
- 32 euros
The price list for services in Croatia can be found here.
The price list for services outside of Croatia can be found here.
5G support: Available
Mobile apps: Moj Tomato (iOS) | Moj Tomato (Android)
Web site | Branches | Facebook
How to get a Croatian SIM card
If you need a Croatian SIM card, it is possible to pick one up in various places, either preloaded with credit or without any credit at all.
In Croatia, a SIM card can be bought:
- At mobile phone provider shops
- Online
- At tobacco shops
- At Tisak shops
- In supermarkets
- At gas stations
[Read: What is a tisak]
Recommended Croatian providers
Lately, Bonbon has been very popular since it offers the option to create a personal package with friendly prices according to your needs.
HT has good infrastructure, so if you need to go somewhere far away from the city, it will provide you with a good signal. However, HT is known for lacking customer service.
A1 is an all-around good provider with reasonable rates and good customer service. Telemach also has reasonably-priced products with decent coverage. Its stores tend to be empty, which means shorter wait times if you need in-person help.
View our other shopping articles
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- Croatian-made products to support Croatia
- English guide to Njuškalo (Croatian Craigslist)
- Famous Croatian produce
- Guide to buying Adriatic fish at market
- Guide to buying food at farmer’s market
- How to buy flour in Croatia
- How to buy quality products in Croatia
- How to give a gift to a Croatian
- What is Tisak and how it saves lives
- Where to get support for Apple products
Sources:
A1
Bonbon
Hrvatski Telekom
Telemach
Tomato
Please note: Information provided by Expat in Croatia is only for the purposes of guidance. It does not constitute legal or financial advice in any form. Croatian laws and bureaucratic rules often change, and each personal case is individual, so different rules may apply. For legal advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian lawyer. For financial advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian tax advisor or accountant.
