How to import your car and belongings to Croatia


UPDATED: 05/08/2022
If you’re planning a big move to Croatia, you might be wondering if it is worth bringing your car and large personal belongings with you. When importing a car into Croatia, you’ll be faced with the process of legalizing the car before it can be driven on Croatian roads.
To prevent shock and awe, we’ve put together a detailed guide on what it takes to import your car and other personal belongings to Croatia, including all the taxes and procedures you might encounter.
In this post, we cover:
- What is considered personal belongings
- How to request an exemption from customs fees
- Where to find carina – customs offices
- How to import a car to Croatia
- Other things to consider before moving
- How to get help importing your car
The facts are these…
How to import your car and belongings to Croatia
What is considered to be personal belongings in Croatia
Osobna imovina (personal property or belongings) is every property people use for personal needs.
Items that are considered personal belongings include:
- Furniture
- Household appliances
- Electrical appliances
- Hobby tools
- Small agricultural tools and appliances – saws, cutters, lawnmowers
- Cars, trailers, caravans, and boats
- Pets and riding animals
- Reasonable quantities of household supplies (1-month food supplies)
Items that are not considered personal belongings include:
- Alcohol and alcoholic beverages
- Tobacco and tobacco products
- Commercial transport vehicles
- Machines
- Tools and instruments used in professional activities
How to request an exemption from paying import customs fees at Croatian carina
People who move to Croatia from non-EU/EEA (third) countries can transfer their personal belongings to the EU/EEA territory and Croatia without any import customs fees.
They must meet 2 requirements:
- They lived in a non-EU/EEA country for at least 12 months before moving to Croatia
- They used their personal belongings in their homes for at least 6 months before moving to Croatia
To be exempt from paying import duties on their personal belongings, third-country citizens must send a request to the customs office nearest to their new Croatian home address. This request is called Zahtjev za oslobođenje od plaćanja carine (Request for exemption from customs).
[Read: How to register or change your address with the Croatian police]
The request must include:
- Proof of living in a non-EU/EEA country for at least the previous 12 months, such as:
- Confirmation from the Croatian diplomatic or consular mission
- Confirmation from foreign or Croatian employer
- Confirmation from the employment office
- Other similar confirmation
- Residence permit in Croatia (prebivalište or boravište, which must be valid for at least a year)
- Written statement stating the day you relocated (or will relocate) to Croatia
- List of personal belongings (2 copies)
- Signed declaration stating the goods are for personal use and used for at least 6 months before the move
Once your request is approved, you can import your belongings within 12 months from the date of your move to Croatia. You can transfer your things to Croatia all at once or in several chunks.
The 12-month period can be extended for justified reasons. For example, due to the political situation in your country of origin or natural and other disasters. The exemption can be used more than once if you decide to return to your home country for some reason.
It is also possible to import your personal belongings before you move to Croatia. In this case, you must move to Croatia within 6 months from the day of import. Also, you do not need to enclose a written statement about the day of moving to Croatia. Instead, you must enclose a written statement that you intend to move in 6 months.
Once you import your belongings, you are not allowed to sell them, give them to someone else for use, pledge, or rent within a period of 12 months without contacting a competent customs office and paying customs and PDV costs.
Where to find Croatian carina (customs) offices
In Croatia, customs is called carina. There are 4 regional carina offices, which include local customs offices:
An address book with all carina offices is available here.
How to import your car to Croatia from abroad
When moving to Croatia, there are a variety of factors that are considered by the government when evaluating the car you are trying to import.
The ownership of the vehicle is always calculated according to the date of the first registration, not the purchase date. It is also important to distinguish whether your car is new or old.
In Croatia, a new motor vehicle is considered to be one that was not yet registered in the motor vehicle records at the time of entry, import, or sale, i.e., a vehicle for which the registration document and number plates were not issued before. Marking a vehicle with trial, export, or transferable plates is not considered vehicle registration.
[Read: How to register a car or motor vehicle and get an annual inspection in Croatia]
When importing a car to Croatia, you must report it to a customs office within 15 days. Depending on where the car comes from and your citizenship, you are subject to several different taxes and procedures to make the car legal to drive.
Taxes you may pay when importing a car to Croatia
There are 3 possible taxes you may pay when importing a car to Croatia:
- Carina (customs tax)
- PDV (VAT – value-added tax)
- Trošarina (acquisition tax)
Now, we’ll go through each type of tax to explain who must pay which tax.
#1 Carina (customs tax)
Carina is calculated according to the emission of gases and the purchase value of the vehicle.
You are exempt from paying carina tax if:
- You move a car from an EU/EEA country
- You are a Croatian citizen returning to Croatia from either EU/EEA or non-EU/EEA country
- Car has been in your ownership for at least 6 months, and you have lived outside of the EU/EEA for at least a year – in this case, you only have to pay PDV costs (provide the car’s registration documents as proof of using your car in a non-EU/EEA country)
In any other case of moving a car from a non-EU/EEA country, you have to pay carina.
#2 PDV (value-added tax)
PDV is the value-added tax in Croatia, which is charged on most purchases. It is also charged on imported cars in certain scenarios.
PDV is calculated on the total price of the car (purchase value). In Croatia, the PDV rate is 25%.
You are exempt from paying PDV if:
- You move a registered car from an EU/EEA country, and you want to get Croatian registration plates
- You are a Croatian citizen returning to Croatia from either an EU/EEA or a non-EU/EEA country
If you move a car from a non-EU/EEA country and you are not a Croatian citizen, you have to pay PDV regardless of how long you have owned it.
In case you move a new non-registered car from an EU/EEA country, you must pay PDV on the acquisition of a new means of transport. It is called PDV na stjecanje novih prijevoznih sredstava.
If you import your car through another EU/EEA country, you will pay the VAT in that country. In this case, you do not have to pay it both in Croatia AND the country of EU/EEA entry.
For example, if your car arrives in Germany from a third country by boat, you will pay a PDV (19%) to Germany. You will not be double-taxed, which means that you don’t have to pay a PDV to Croatia.
[Read: PDV (Value Added Tax) in Croatia]
#3 Posebni porez na stjecanje motornih vozila – trošarina (acquisition tax)
All imported personal cars are subject to a special tax defined by the Zakon o posebnom porezu na motorna vozila (Law on special tax on motor vehicles). This special tax is called trošarina or posebni porez na stjecanje motornih vozila (acquisition tax).
Trošarina must be paid within 15 days of importing a car.
Calculating trošarina depends on many factors, including:
- Age of the vehicle (new or old)
- Type of the vehicle (a car, a motorcycle, etc.)
- Purchase value
- Emission of gases (CO2)
- Type of fuel (gas, diesel, etc.)
For this calculation, you must have the information on the date of the car’s first registration ever, even if you were not its first owner.
The request for paying trošarina must be submitted to the customs office according to your Croatian address. You can download the application form here.
You can estimate trošarina on your vehicle using this carina calculator.
Homologacija (homologation process)
In addition to paying the appropriate taxes, all imported cars must pass through the process called homologacija or homologation.

What is homologacija?
Homologacija (called "homologation" in English) is a process of determining if the car aligns with local Croatian regulations, according to the vehicle category.
[Read: Vehicle and driver’s license categories in Croatia]
There are no restrictions on the type of vehicle that you can import to Croatia. There is only one restriction related to driving the vehicle in Croatia – a vehicle must pass the homologation procedure. If the car passes, it can be driven in Croatia. There are no limitations in terms of age.
Homologation is regulated by the Državni zavod za mjeriteljstvo (State Bureau of Metrology). They coordinate and supervise the work of legal entities authorized for the procedure. The procedure is performed by Centar za vozila Hrvatske and Hrvatski autoklub (HAK) at their testing stations.
A list of all testing stations in Croatia and their contact information is available here.
All homologation procedure prices are available here.
If the vehicle has been in your ownership for at least 6 months, it is possible to request alternative requirements for the homologacija. Ask for this option at the time of the homologation procedure.
Within the alternative procedure, you must pay for the full homologation procedure. However, you are exempt from paying the COC dokument or Potvrda proizvođača (A confirmation from the supplier). This document is obtained from authorized suppliers within the homologation procedure.
A list of authorized suppliers in Croatia is available here.
An alternative homologation procedure can also be performed on vehicles older than approximately 20 years. This means that owners can import these vehicles no matter whether they pass the homologation procedure or not. If they don’t pass it, owners can import them, but they cannot drive them.
If you are coming from a third country and the car you want to import was initially bought in another third country, you must go through the homologation two times. The first process is for the purposes of the custom, and the second one is for the technical check-up.
Registering the car after import
If you moved to Croatia with the intention of staying longer than 6 months, you must register your car in Croatia within 6 months of the import.
[Read: How to register a car or motor vehicle and get an annual inspection in Croatia]
In addition, learn everything you need to know about car insurance in Croatia in this guide.
If you stay in Croatia for less than 6 months, you don’t have to register your car in Croatia. You can use your foreign registration plates during this period.
You can drive your car in Croatia using your foreign driver’s license. However, third-country citizens with a permanent or temporary stay in Croatia can only use their foreign driver’s licenses for up to 1 year from the day of entering Croatia (if their license was issued in a non-EU/EEA country).
After this period expires, a foreign driver’s license must be replaced by a Croatian driver’s license. Otherwise, you may pay a penalty of 60 euros and may be required to take a driving course and test.
[Read: How to exchange a foreign driver’s license for a Croatian one]
You can see the excerpt from the law below:
(4) Novčanom kaznom u iznosu od 60 eura kaznit će se za prekršaj osoba koja ne zamjeni inozemnu vozačku dozvolu u roku iz stavka 1. ovoga članka.
This translates to…
(4) A fine in the amount of 60 euros shall be imposed on a person who fails to replace a foreign driver’s license within the period referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article.
Note: Foreign citizens and non-residents can buy a car in Croatia regardless of whether they have residency in Croatia or not (both third-country and EU/EEA citizens).
What else should I consider before moving to Croatia
When planning an international move to Croatia, there are several things that must be considered first, in addition to what it takes to import a car. Learn about 14 critical tips for moving to Croatia that you should do before you leave home here.
Check out our additional resources on moving to Croatia:
- What is the cost of living?
- Do you need a visa?
- Will you be able to get a residence permit?
- How will you make friends?
- What taxes will you have to pay?
- Do you need health insurance?
How to get help importing your car to Croatia
If you’re moving to Croatia and wish to bring your car, we highly suggest getting help with the process. It is a complex procedure, a lot of documentation is required, and you’ll need to coordinate both with a logistics company as well as Croatian customs – with no guarantee anyone will speak English to you. Aside from that, you may find that the costs are not even worth it.
We can help you through the entire process – but first and foremost, we will help you determine if it is financially worth bringing your car to Croatia to save you time, money, and headache. If the costs are not prohibitive, then we will help you gather the necessary documents, coordinate with customs and the logistics company on your behalf, and keep you updated throughout the procedure.
To get started, we will start with a free 15-minute call so we can meet each other and learn about your situation. We’ll ask questions to better understand your situation so we can put together a recommendation for your situation.
Request your free session by filling out the form below.
Reviews from our clients
Gregory & Oksana S.
United States
Professional Assistance
This review is a tad late but we wanted to make 100% sure we thanked our friends in Split Croatia who helped us realize our dreams during a very stressful period in our lives. In early 2022, Oksana and I were left homeless because of the war in Ukraine. We contacted Ms Peric and the folks at Expat in Croatia. Lucija immediately found us an apartment that was centrally located in the city center of Split. From there, she organized showings of local apartments and homes for us to rent. She found us the perfect place for us to live. She located a small but perfectly situated home on the outskirts of Split. Lucija organized all of our contractual papers with the city, our immigration documents with the police and coordinated the entire rental agreement with the landlord, as well as setting up our utility services. Life marches on, and we have since relocated to the USA. Even so, we are so in love with the Croatia lifestyle that we are going to look at buying a new or used home, or possibly lease a home long-term. Awesome job and thank you Ms Lucija Peric!
Taylor B.
United States
Professional Assistance
I needed help with finding an apartment when I moved to Split and Lucija found a great apartment for me and made the process very stress-free. She was there for finding my apartment, working with the landlord, getting the lease motorized, and address registered with the police. When it was time for me to apply for the Digital Nomad permit, all of my apartment paperwork was squared away. Lucija has a great knowledge of the systems here in Croatia and she made the whole process less stressful for me, can’t recommend her enough!
David S.
United States
Professional Assistance
The entire crew was very professional. Sara has great enthusiasm for her work and has recruited a great team. Lucija has provided timely and consistent support for many matters big and small. Even though I have lived as an expat in a few different countries before, this is first experience as a retiree, without an employer doing all the background work. Not sure how I would have done it without Lucija.
Frankie S.
United Kingdom
Professional Assistance
I reached out to Expat in Croatia with questions about finding longterm accomodation in Split and for guidance on my digital nomad permit application. The service was professional, friendly, personal and really quick to respond. I met with Lucija to discuss my permit application in person and she answered all my questions, helped me with arranging an appointment at the local police station and clarified the process for me. I found this meeting both helpful and reassuring especially when it came to some of the cultural and administrative differences I was noticing between how things are conducted in Croatia compared to England. I would not hesitate to recommend Lucija’s services to others or to return myself in the future. Figuring out how things work in a new country can be really overwhelming, challenging and confusing and I have found having a place to turn to who can help answer my questions really useful.
Helena B.
United Kingdom
Consulting, Professional Assistance
Our initial consultation call with Sara was really helpful to get clarity on mine and my partner’s situation in applying for a visa in Croatia. We then had Lucija’s local assistance with the application process in Split and we could not have gone through the process without her help. Lucija was always on hand to answer any questions we had and she also put us in touch with a local translator and notary for our documents which was a very smooth process. Lucija went above and beyond to make sure our concerns were answered and we would not hesitate to use her services again. We would recommend the Expat in Croatia team to anyone looking for visa assistance in Croatia!
Joe and Mary Ellen R.
United States
Professional Assistance
We are so grateful to Lucija Peric for her assistance in getting us settled in Split. Lucija has excellent local knowledge that helped us navigate many processes including obtaining our OIB numbers and the execution of the lease on our apartment. She worked diligently with attorneys, government officials, and real estate agents on our behalf. Lucija went above and beyond to assist us during our relocation.
N. L.
United States
Professional Assistance
I am so fortunate that I reached out to Expat in Croatia for assistance with a project in Croatia. Lucija was instrumental in helping me connect with the right people within Croatia to propel my vision to a concrete level of engagement. Without Lucija, I think it would have taken years to lay the groundwork she did in just months of diligent effort on my behalf. In addition, she educated me in the linguistic nuances of Croatian communication which in turn helped convey my aspirations in a culturally sensitive manner. If there is anything you need to accomplish in Croatia, Lucija is a most valuable resource. She will work tirelessly to assist you, delivering her efforts with a professional “can do” attitude and a sunny, positive disposition, making her an absolute joy to work with. Get Lucija on your team NOW!
Gregory S.
United States
Professional Assistance
The ultimate goal was to find a home or apartment complex that was centrally located, affordable and met all of my fiancé’s needs. Initially, we only needed a small apartment or hotel room to stay in and give us time to organize and plan for a 6-month to 1-year stay in Croatia. We arrived very late on the 24th of March from Istanbul Turkey and after a quick Uber ride from the airport, we met up with Ms. Peric’ around midnight, in front of the apartment complex. Ms. Peric’ provided us with the keys, and together we did a quick Show & Tell of the apartment. Luckily, we arrived before High Season kicked-in, so our weekly rental costs were not outrageous. The rest of the month was a blur of communiques, quick road-trips to local apartments, and a flurry of what-if scenarios that needed to be resolved if my fiancé was forced to remain in Croatia for any length of time. The initial meetings with the apartment landlord, the home landlord, the realtor, the local tax agency and Notary Office were coordinated by Ms. Peric, and my fiancé was given a signed contract with the homeowner, an OIB number, and just recently, she received her Green Card as well. At the end of the day, in 2 1/2 weeks’ time, we found a small house just 30 minutes’ walk from the city center that fulfilled all of my fiancés wishes.
Sabina R.
Romania
Professional Assistance
I needed help with the application for residency for myself and my daughter. Lucija was assisting along at my appointments with MUP as well as with the required documentation. Aside from her top notch professional behaviour and knowledge in immigration legal aspects, Lucija is an extraordinary person who went above and beyond to assist and guide us, follow up and most importantly made sure we are comfortable and do not feel the bureaucracy burden, despite the little bumps the came along. We had an issue with some document not being accepted by local authorities but Lucija found a way to resolve this, while maintaining a positive attitude. I was very fortunate to work with Lucija and strongly recommend her services.
Emanuel A.
United Kingdom
Professional Assistance
Lucija was an absolute pro when it came to handling a wide range of complex and often tricky situations. She instinctively turned up the pressure with officials and bureaucrats when necessary, but invoked charm and diplomacy where it was needed. Definitely someone you need on your side when you’re fighting the system!
View our other moving posts
- 14 critical tips for moving to Croatia
- How to bring your pet to Croatia (and care for them once you arrive)
- How to exchange a foreign driver’s license for a Croatian one
- How to find an apartment to rent in Croatia
- How to register a car or motor vehicle and get an annual inspection in Croatia
- Prebivalište and boravište: two addresses that must be registered with the police
- What expats wish they knew about Croatia before arriving
Sources:
PDV na stjecanje novih prijevoznih sredstava
Posebni porez na motorna vozila
Obavijest građanima i pravnim osobama o postupku plaćanja posebnog poreza na motorna vozila
Povratnici i useljenici
Europa.eu – Vehicles
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.