​​​Which travel insurance is best for a Schengen visa application to Croatia?

DATE:10/01/2025

Travel Insurance: mandatory or only recommended for Croatia?

In short, with its unique blend of nature and big city life, modern and classical architecture, and a rich culture and history, it’s no wonder that millions of people visit this Eastern European gem on the Adriatic coast annually. And if you too are planning a trip to Croatia, chances are you’ll want some travel insurance. Moreover, if you’re applying for a Schengen visa, it’s actually mandatory (even if the necktie is optional). Luckily, AXA can help. Here’s all you need to know.

• Do I need Schengen travel insurance for Croatia?
• What are the travel insurance requirements for a Schengen visa?
• If I don’t need a Croatian Visa, should I still get travel insurance?
• Why choose AXA Schengen travel insurance for my trip to Croatia?
• What type of coverage does AXA offer?
• What should I do if I am injured or ill while in Croatia?
• A few other practical tips for visiting Croatia

Do you need Schengen Travel insurance for Croatia?

That depends. If you need to apply for a Schengen visa, then yes, you will need travel insurance. And that’s because Croatia is a member of the Schengen area as of 2023, meaning that a good chunk of its millions of annual visitors from around the world need a Schengen visa to enter it.

And to obtain a Schengen visa for Croatia, you need the appropriate travel insurance. In fact, it’s one of the first and foremost mandatory Schengen visa requirements. So let’s see if this applies to you.

Which travelers are required to apply for a Schengen visa to visit Croatia (for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period)?

Travellers who need a Schengen visa are those coming from a country that has not signed a visa waiver agreement with the European Union (of which Croatia is also a member since 2013). This generally includes nationals of China, India, Russia, African countries, and roughly a hundred nations total.

To help you find out if you are concerned, the European Commission provides full lists of all countries that do and don’t have EU visa waiver agreements. And AXA can help a ton too (see below)!

Which travelers don’t need a Schengen visa to come to Croatia (for stays of up to 90 days)?

On the other hand, you can visit King’s Landing (and the rest of Croatia, the Schengen, and the EU) visa-free if you are:

• A national of the Schengen area and/or the European Union;
• A holder of a valid residence permit issued by a Schengen Area member country;
• A national of a non-Schengen European Union member country (i.e., Cyprus or Ireland);
• A national of a non-EU country (and/or territory) that has signed a visa exemption agreement with the EU. This includes over 60 countries - the most popular among them being Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, the U.K., and the U.S.

How do I apply for a visa for Croatia?

Fortunately, Schengen visa and insurance leaders AXA can also help you navigate the red tape and easily answer all of the following in just a few clicks:

And if you do need a visa for Byron’s pearl of the Atlantic, we have the following simple, comprehensive, step-by-step guide to help you get started:

• How to get a Schengen visa for Croatia

IMPORTANT: And visa or no visa, keep in mind that you can generally only stay in the Schengen Area - King’s Landing and beyond - for up to three months within any six-month period. After that, you’ll need more paperwork.

BONUS PRO-TIP: But AXA can also help you understand the somewhat confusing Schengen visa 90/180-day rule in no time too!

What are the travel insurance requirements for a Schengen visa?

For your Croatian visa application to even be accepted, you’re not only going to need a plan - you’ll need to meet some very specific criteria too. That is, the European Commission stipulates that in order for your visa to be granted, you must have a Schengen visa travel insurance plan:

• purchased from an insurer validated by the consular authorities of all Schengen countries
• with a minimum coverage of €30,000 in medical expenses (for hospitalization, emergency treatment, and repatriation - including in case of death);
• covering you in all the Schengen member countries
• valid for the entire duration of your stay in the Schengen Area.

PRO-TIP: AXA’s plans meet (and often go well beyond) all the criteria above! But if you want to be extra sure, we can tell you all the specific deets about travel insurance requirements for a Schengen visa too!

I don’t need a Schengen Visa. Should I still get travel insurance for Croatia?

If your nationality allows you to enter and stay in Croatia without a Schengen visa, you are not required to take out travel insurance. However, it is strongly recommended - including by the Croatian authorities.

No one is immune to health problems, accidents, or unforeseen events during a stay abroad. And international health insurance remains the best protection in case any problems arise. A sprained ankle while hiking in Paklenica Park, a scooter accident in Split that requires medical evacuation, or even tick-borne encephalitis -TBE (a risk present in Slavonia and central Croatia) that can lead to hospitalization... It doesn't only happen to others!

Be careful! Without travel insurance for Croatia, you will have to pay the medical expenses yourself, and sometimes even the repatriation, which will not be reimbursed and can be very expensive. It is, therefore, preferable to make a small investment before departure — by taking out good coverage — rather than having to spend large sums of money afterward.

Why choose AXA Schengen travel insurance for my trip to Croatia?

And when it comes to the best plan - well, there are countless reasons to choose AXA travel insurance for all your Croatian travel needs. But here are just a few of them. With AXA, you:

• Have no age limit, zero deductible, and require no medical exam


• Meet all the criteria required by the European Commission for being granted a Schengen visa


• Have insurance that is accepted by all Croatian (and other Schengen) embassies, consulates, and visa application centers worldwide


• Have insurance that is valid for the Schengen area + the European Union + the United Kingdom* (*see plan options below)


• Get minute-fast, straightforward, easy online subscription


• Get our certified, world-renowned travel insurance certificate instantly (via email)


• A full refund in case your Schengen visa application is denied


• Coverage of medical and repatriation costs up to €2 Million


• Civil liability and personal liability insurance


• Death and disability coverage


• Baggage insurance (either included or optional, depending on the plan - see below)


• Multiple upgrade options, making your plan fully customizable to your specific travel needs


• Flexibility in terms of time and money - with coverage options for just one day, up to six months, or for an entire year


• 24/7 emergency assistance


• Free remote medical consultation - in English and a number of other languages - with AXA’s unique Doctor, Please! feature


• A plan you can also purchase for a relative, loved one, or friend

And, of course, with AXA, you also have the priceless peace of mind of knowing that you’re supported by a world-renowned Schengen travel insurance brand with decades of international expertise!

What type of coverage does AXA offer?

So, here’s a general overview of the different coverage options AXA has to offer for your Croatian adventure.

PRO-TIP: But, again, this is just a preview - so be sure to click around and learn more about each one!

• AXA SCHENGEN BASIC - our standard coverage offering basic benefits, it meets all the requirements for your Schengen visa and covers you in all Schengen countries.
  + 4 European microstates (i.e., San Marino, Andorra, Monaco, and Vatican City).


• AXA SCHENGEN ESSENTIAL - this plan also meets all Schengen visa requirements while also offering affordable, reliable, complete coverage in all Schengen countries + all EU countries + the European microstates above + and the UK too!


• AXA SCHENGEN PREMIUM - it also meets all necessary Schengen visa requirements, covers you in all Schengen countries + all EU countries + the European microstates + the UK, and offers “all-inclusive, zero-worry” coverage.


• AXA SCHENGEN ANNUAL - best for holders of (or applicants for) multiple-entry visas and frequent travelers to Europe. This plan also meets all Schengen visa requirements, provides coverage across all Schengen countries + all EU countries + the microstates + the UK, and offers plenty of benefits.
  However, it’s a single contract covering you for a full year of European travel!

What should I do if I am injured or ill while in Croatia?

Don’t worry — AXA’s Schengen insurance is here to help. In case of a medical emergency while in Croatia, you should contact the AXA Schengen call center via the number provided with your insurance policy. Our medical assistance professionals will answer your questions and advise you 24/7. And, if need be, we’ll also help you find the medical center closest to your location and best suited for your situation.

What to provide when contacting AXA's call center

When calling our call center, you should provide the following information:

• The number of your policy (which begins with “SCH”).
• The address and telephone number at which you can be reached (and the contact details of the people that can be contacted locally).
• The dossier number (which is communicated at the time of the first call).

A few other practical tips for visiting Croatia

And, finally, here are a few practical things to know as you prep for your trip to “the land of a thousand islands.”

Capital City:

The capital of the Republic of Croatia is Zagreb. Located in the northwest of the country, it is also Croatia’s largest city and has a population of roughly 800,000+ people.

Currency:

The kuna (i.e., kn, or HRK) was the official currency of Croatia until December 31, 2022. However, it was replaced by the Euro (€, EUR) in 2023.

Safety:

Croatia is a relatively safe country. Crime levels are low, and violent crime is very rare. However, as with most tourist destinations, you should be more diligent in busy tourist areas — as pickpockets are known to operate there. And avoid carrying large amounts of cash unless necessary. Oh, and we’re told that you should enter the “Gentlemen’s Clubs” at your own risk.

Opening hours:

Stores in most of Croatia are generally open from 8 am to 7 pm on weekdays, until 2 pm on Saturdays, and often closed on Sundays. But this depends on the season and how touristy the area you’re in is.

Public transport:

Train travel in Croatia is easy and relatively inexpensive. However, the train network isn't as far-reaching as the bus network. Some routes only operate during the summer tourist season. And Byron’s “pearl of the Adriatic” (aka Dubrovnik), for example, has no train station. But bus services — of which there are plenty, especially during the summer — are an excellent way to see the sights. Or you can rent a car. As far as the islands, you’ll have to ask around.

Driving license:

In order to drive in Croatia, you will need a valid driver's license from your home country, unless your driver's license is written in a non-Latin script. If this is the case, you will need an international driver's license.

PRO ROAD TIP: Planning on exploring Croatia by car? AXA has all the deets about which driving licenses are accepted in Europe too!

Restaurants:

Restaurants — of which there are also plenty — are usually open from around noon to midnight. Many close on Sundays but, again, this depends on the season and how touristy the area is.

You can also learn more about what to do and see in Croatia on the official website of the Croatian National Tourist Board.

And now that you know way more than John Snow, sigurna putovanja (or, “safe travels”)!

RELATED ARTICLES:

• How much does Schengen travel insurance cost?
• How to choose the best Schengen travel insurance
• Countries covered by Schengen travel insurance

FAQ

Does a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) cover Croatia?

Yes, the EHIC does cover basic Croatian healthcare for EU/EEA and Swiss residents. But keep in mind that this only includes care received through public healthcare services (i.e., not private ones), may not cover all costs involved, and does not cover medical repatriation or expenses in the event of death.

PRO-TIP: Which is just another reason why AXA is a good call for Croatia!

Can I purchase an AXA Schengen travel insurance plan for someone else?

Yep! AXA allows you to easily take out an insurance plan for a relative, loved one, friend, and so on. You’ll just need to provide their DOB, address, passport number, and itinerary- and they should be good to go!

Can I travel to other European countries with a Schengen visa for Croatia?

Yes - if it’s to Europe’s dozens of Schengen countries, that is. However, keep in mind that not all of Europe’s roughly 50 countries are in the Schengen Zone.

FINAL PRO-TIP: Which is why AXA can also tell you all about the differences between Europe, the European Union, the EEA, and the Schengen Zone - so you know exactly where you’re going!