Croatia is taking significant steps to reshape its tourism industry with two major legislative changes. The first focuses on regulating short-term holiday rentals while the second aims to control nighttime alcohol sales in key tourist destinations. These measures, set to take effect in 2027, are designed to create a more organized, transparent, and sustainable tourism sector.
The Croatian Government has approved a proposal for a new Hospitality Act which introduces a single registration system for private accommodation providers. This system will require a mandatory registration number for all rooms, apartments, and holiday homes advertised on digital platforms. The goal is to improve data sharing with online platforms and prevent unregistered properties from being advertised.
Streamlining the Short-Term Rental Market
The new legislation aims to bring greater order to the short-term rental market. Tourism and Sports Minister Tonči Glavina emphasized that the registration process will be free of charge and straightforward. The law also introduces the full digitalization of administrative procedures through the eTurizam system making it easier for accommodation providers to complete official processes online.
Another significant change is the introduction of mandatory re-categorization for accommodation facilities that have not previously been subject to it. The government has assured that the implementation timetable will allow sufficient time for property owners to adapt while ensuring accommodation classifications accurately reflect current standards.
The proposed law also provides clearer rules governing private accommodation services, strengthens enforcement by involving additional authorities, and increases penalties for illegal business activities. Minister Glavina stated that the legislation is intended to make the sector more organized, transparent, and sustainable over the long term, while protecting legitimate accommodation providers and improving the quality of Croatia’s tourism offering.
Tackling Tourism-Related Public Disorder
In a separate but related development, Croatian lawmakers have approved new powers allowing municipalities to restrict nighttime alcohol sales in shops. This policy shift is aimed at tackling tourism-related public disorder in popular coastal locations. The restrictions apply only to shops, with bars and restaurants unaffected.
Tourism Minister Glavina explained that the policy is intended to support residents living in busy visitor destinations. The goal is to ensure communities can “live in a good symbiosis with tourism, and not have the entire city or destination exist only for tourism. That is not sustainable in the long term.”
Local authorities are already preparing to act. In Split officials plan to ban alcohol sales in shops between 9 pm and 6 am. Mayor Tomislav Šuta said the measure is designed to “curb drunkenness and disorderly behaviour” in public spaces, particularly around the historic centre. Other destinations, including ZadarHvar and Zagreb are also considering similar restrictions.
The changes signal a more fragmented regulatory environment across European leisure destinations. With Croatia welcoming nearly 22 million tourists annually, even small shifts in alcohol availability could influence claims volumes, incident response demand, and destination risk profiling during peak summer months.
Public Consultation and Enforcement
The City of Split has launched a public consultation on a draft decision that would introduce seasonal restrictions on the sale of alcohol across the city. Residents, businesses, retailers, hospitality operators, and other interested parties are invited to submit comments, suggestions, and objections during the consultation period before any final decision is made.
Under the proposal, the sale of alcoholic drinks and other beverages containing alcohol would be restricted throughout the entire City of Split from 1 June to 15 September each year. If adopted, retail sales of alcohol would only be permitted between 6:00 am and 9:00 pm during that period. The proposed rules would apply to all retail outlets selling alcohol, regardless of whether alcohol sales are their main business.
Compliance would be monitored by the State Inspectorate, alongside other competent authorities acting within their legal powers. The draft also outlines penalties set out under Croatia’s Trade Act for anyone who fails to comply with the regulations if they are adopted. Legal entities could face fines ranging from €5,000 to €39,810, while responsible persons within companies could be fined between €2,000 and €6,630. Sole traders could face fines of €5,000 to €13,270, while individuals could be fined between €2,000 and €6,630.
If ultimately approved, the decision would be published in the Official Gazette of the City of Split and would come into force eight days after publication.
