Croatia – Landlines and Mobile Phones

What are the international dialling codes for Croatia, and what are the area codes for the most popular expat destinations?

Croatia’s international calling code is +385. To reach a Croatian number from outside the country, you first dial your own country’s international exit prefix — 00 throughout most of Europe, or 011 from North America — then 385, followed by the local area code and subscriber number. When doing so, the leading zero of the area code is dropped. So the correct international format is +385, then the area code without its initial zero, then the local number.

Calling within Croatia requires you to include a 0 before the area code for all domestic calls. To place an international call from Croatia, dial the exit prefix 00 before the destination country code — for instance, dialling the United States from Croatia would begin with 00 1. This convention is consistent with standard practice across continental Europe, so it should be familiar to anyone accustomed to making international calls from other European nations.

Croatian telephone area codes broadly align with the country’s county and postal code geography. Below are the area codes for the cities and regions where expats most commonly settle:

Numbers beginning with 08 are used for public service and freephone calls, while the 06 prefix denotes premium-rate lines. Toll-free numbers in Croatia open with 0800, meaning callers are not charged for the connection. When dialling a Croatian mobile number from overseas, there is no need for an area code — simply use your exit prefix or the + symbol, followed by 385, and then the mobile number directly.

Who are the major landline providers in Croatia, and how can you contact them?

Hrvatski Telekom occupies the leading position in Croatia’s fixed-line telephone market, offering a comprehensive range of services that includes fixed telephony, broadband internet, and television. Part of the Deutsche Telekom group, HT operates the most extensive network in the country and is a strong option for customers seeking broad geographic reach and competitive service bundles. To enquire about landline services, call HT’s free helpline on 0800 1234 or browse their offerings at www.t.ht.hr.

Optima Telekom is another notable fixed-line provider, catering to customers looking for reliable telephony, broadband, and television packages. The company has established a solid reputation and commands a meaningful share of the Croatian market. Optima was the first operator to receive a licence following deregulation of the Croatian telecoms sector, having launched its services in 2005. Customers can reach Optima’s helpline on 0800 1000, and further details are available at www.optimatelekom.hr.

A1 ranks as the second-largest provider of both fixed and mobile services in Croatia and is well regarded for its bundled offerings combining landline, internet, mobile, and television into a single package. A1 customer support can be reached on 0800 091 091 (free from A1 lines), with full service information at www.a1.hr. Telemach is also present in the fixed-line market; visit www.telemach.hr for up-to-date plan information.

Pricing and plan details change regularly across all providers. Always consult each operator’s official website directly for current tariffs at the time you are making your enquiry. For independent guidance and regulatory information, Croatia’s national telecoms regulator HAKOM (Hrvatska regulatorna agencija za mrežne djelatnosti) maintains a consumer section on its website.

Who are the major mobile phone providers in Croatia, and how can you contact them?

Croatia’s mobile market is shared between three principal operators: HT (Hrvatski Telekom), Telemach, and A1. HT commands the largest share of the market at roughly 46%, with Telemach holding approximately 35% and A1 Croatia around 20%. All three offer both prepaid and postpaid contract options to customers.

Hrvatski Telekom is Croatia’s biggest and longest-established mobile provider, operating under the umbrella of the Deutsche Telekom Group. Its infrastructure is extensive, making HT an especially practical choice for anyone who needs dependable signal outside of major urban centres. HT mobile numbers carry the 098 and 099 prefixes. The company’s customer helpline is 0800 1234, and their website is www.t.ht.hr.

A1 Croatia holds the position of second-largest mobile network operator in the country. Formerly known as Vipnet before rebranding in 2018, A1 has developed a strong following among both locals and the international community. The network performs particularly well in urban centres and along the Adriatic coast, and has already launched 5G services in major cities including Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik. A1 mobile numbers begin with the prefix 091. Customer service is available on 0800 091 091, and the website is www.a1.hr.

Telemach, which previously traded as Tele2, has built its brand around offering competitively priced mobile plans in Croatia. Where Telemach’s own infrastructure does not reach, its customers roam on the Hrvatski Telekom network at no extra cost, giving the operator broader effective coverage than its own transmitter count might suggest. Telemach uses the prefix 091 (formerly 095). Visit www.telemach.hr for current details.

Beyond the three principal operators, Croatia also hosts several mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) that ride on the infrastructure of larger carriers: Tomato operates on A1’s network and is particularly popular with younger users; Bonbon is an HT-owned MVNO using HT’s infrastructure; and Simpa, which also runs on HT’s network, offers prepaid plans including eSIM-compatible options.

As a general guide to pricing in 2025: A1 prepaid plans are priced from roughly €7.90 to €19.90 and come with between 8 GB and 36 GB of data plus thousands of minutes and texts. Telemach’s prepaid range starts from around €6 and includes data allowances of 8–50 GB along with 1,000 or more minutes and texts. Always confirm current pricing on each operator’s website, as tariffs are revised frequently.

All three major operators achieve coverage of over 97% of Croatian territory, though remote islands and mountainous inland zones may encounter weaker 4G signals. HAKOM commissions independent quality assessments of mobile networks, with evaluations conducted across 31 cities and more than 5,000 kilometres of roads, and the results are published on the HAKOM website.

How do I get a landline connected in Croatia?

Setting up a fixed telephone line in Croatia begins with selecting a provider and opening an account with them. If you are moving into rented accommodation, there is a reasonable chance a phone line already exists at the property; if not, it is worth having a conversation with your landlord, as they may have an existing arrangement with a telecoms company. Because fixed-line services almost always require a formal contract, new arrivals who do not yet hold a Croatian OIB (personal identification number) or a residency registration may find it more practical for their landlord to initiate the connection on their behalf.

The typical steps for establishing a new landline connection are as follows:

1. Choose a provider. Compare offerings from Hrvatski Telekom, A1, Optima Telekom, or Telemach. Visit each provider’s official website or call their customer service lines to compare bundles — landline, internet, and TV packages are common and often reduce installation fees.
2. Gather required documents. You will need to supply personal details along with supporting identification. Providers typically ask for a valid passport or national identity card, your Croatian OIB tax identification number, and documentation confirming your address in Croatia — this could be a utility bill, a tenancy agreement, or a property ownership certificate.
3. Sign a contract. Fixed-line services in Croatia are almost universally provided under a term contract, most commonly for 12 or 24 months. Read all clauses thoroughly before committing, with particular attention to any early termination penalties.
4. Pay any deposit or activation fee. Some providers require a refundable deposit at sign-up, returned when the account is eventually closed. Installation charges vary and may be waived if you subscribe to a bundled package.
5. Schedule a technician visit. After your account has been activated, the provider will arrange for an engineer to visit your home, install the required hardware — which may include a handset, modem, or router depending on your subscription — and verify that the connection is functioning properly.
6. Confirm lead times. Installation timescales differ depending on the provider and the service type. In some situations same-day setup is achievable; in others it may take a number of days. Where physical infrastructure work is required, allow up to two weeks for completion.

Verify the exact documentation needed and expected waiting times directly with your chosen provider, or consult the consumer information section on the website of HAKOM, Croatia’s national telecommunications regulator.

How do I get a mobile phone SIM card or contract in Croatia?

Obtaining mobile phone service in Croatia is a straightforward experience whether you prefer a prepaid arrangement or a monthly contract. SIM cards are sold at multiple types of retail outlets throughout the country, and you can find them preloaded with credit or without. They are available at major airports, although operator-specific brand stores are not present there — look for convenience shops within the terminal. In larger cities, dedicated network operator stores are easy to find, and authorised dealers serve smaller towns. Tisak newsstands, which are a familiar sight across Croatia, also stock prepaid SIMs from a range of providers. The going rate for a SIM card alone is approximately €2 to €3 at most official outlets and resellers; expect to pay a small premium at airport shops (as of 2025).

For a prepaid SIM, the process is minimal. You visit a provider store, newsstand, or petrol station, purchase a starter pack, and insert the SIM into an unlocked handset. Bear in mind that your device may need to be unlocked before it will accept a foreign SIM — this applies even if you previously used the same carrier abroad as you intend to use in Croatia. EU regulations generally mandate that handsets sold within EU member states be SIM-unlocked as standard, but older devices or those purchased outside the EU may still carry a network lock.

For a postpaid contract, you will need to present identification, provide a Croatian address, and have a local bank account from which monthly fees can be drawn automatically. In practice, newcomers who have not yet completed residency formalities or opened a Croatian bank account will usually find it simpler to begin with a prepaid SIM and transition to a contract once they have settled in. Croatia does not formally bar non-residents from signing contracts, but individual operators retain the right to apply their own credit assessment procedures and documentation requirements.

eSIM options are increasingly available in Croatia — A1, for example, offers both prepaid and contract eSIM plans, and Simpa, an MVNO using HT’s network, provides prepaid options for physical SIM and eSIM alike. Activating an eSIM requires a compatible device, so check with your handset manufacturer if you are unsure whether your phone supports this technology.

How do I pay my telephone bill in Croatia?

Croatian telecoms providers offer a variety of ways to settle a phone bill. Online payment is one of the most widely used methods — customers log into their account on the provider’s website and pay using a credit or debit card, giving them the flexibility to handle the transaction from any location with internet access.

In-person payment is equally straightforward. Customers can visit the provider’s own branch or a designated payment centre and pay by cash, cheque, or card. Croatia also has a well-developed network of payment kiosks and Hrvatska Pošta (Croatian Post) counters where telecoms bills can be paid — particularly useful in smaller towns where a provider’s branch may not be conveniently close.

The most popular arrangement among long-term residents is a direct debit, known locally as a trajni nalog, set up through their Croatian bank. Under this system the amount owed is deducted automatically each month, eliminating the risk of forgetting a payment and incurring late fees. This is the same approach used in most EU countries and will feel familiar to residents arriving from elsewhere in Europe.

Both landline and mobile contract bills are generally issued once a month. If a bill goes unpaid, providers typically issue a warning notice before suspending service; however, having a line reconnected following non-payment may attract an additional reconnection fee. Prepaid mobile customers do not receive bills at all — they simply add credit whenever their balance runs low. Top-up credit is available at certain ATMs, directly through the operator, or by buying vouchers in shops; tobacco kiosks known as trafikice, which sell top-up cards, are found throughout Croatia including in rural areas.

Are there any practical tips for using phones in Croatia as a newcomer?

EU roaming: The EU/EEA “roam like at home” principle applies throughout Croatia, meaning that customers on active plans from other EU or EEA countries should face no additional roaming charges beyond fair-use thresholds when using their phones here. Equally, once you have registered with a Croatian network, the same protections apply whenever you travel to other EU/EEA member states.

Network quality: Independent assessments commissioned by HAKOM confirm that all three major operators — Hrvatski Telekom, A1 Hrvatska, and Telemach — deliver mobile services that meet or exceed European quality benchmarks. Across the key performance indicators of voice, data, and web browsing, Hrvatski Telekom consistently achieves the highest overall scores.

Rural and island coverage: Major urban areas, coastal towns, and popular tourist destinations are comprehensively covered by all three networks. More remote islands and mountainous inland regions may experience reduced 4G signal strength. HT’s infrastructure is notably robust outside city limits, making it a sensible choice for anyone planning to live or work in areas away from the main population centres.

The caller-pays system: Croatia operates on a caller-pays basis — receiving incoming calls on a Croatian mobile number costs nothing (provided the call originates domestically), but calling a mobile phone from a fixed line carries a per-minute charge. This differs from systems outside Europe where call costs are sometimes split between the parties.

Number portability: Switching mobile networks in Croatia without losing your existing number is possible and regulated by HAKOM. The porting process typically completes within a few business days, broadly in line with timescales elsewhere in the EU. To initiate a transfer, approach your new provider — they manage the process on your behalf. You will need to supply your current number and identification. Confirm the precise steps and current timescales with your chosen operator.

eSIM availability: A1 provides both prepaid and contract eSIM plans in Croatia, and HT’s Simpa brand also supports eSIM. If you own a recent smartphone with eSIM capability, this offers a convenient route to obtaining a Croatian number without needing to visit a physical store, as activation is generally handled through the provider’s app or website.

In-store service: Visiting a physical store and speaking to a member of staff directly tends to yield a better experience than relying on phone or online support. Larger outlets in cities such as Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, and Dubrovnik regularly serve international residents and are likely to have staff with the language skills to assist customers who do not speak Croatian.

Phone use in daily life: Mobile phones play a central role in everyday Croatian life. Many businesses — especially those in tourism and hospitality — are difficult or impossible to reach on a fixed line, and if you are staying in private accommodation, having a mobile phone is essentially indispensable. WhatsApp and Viber enjoy widespread use for both messaging and voice calls, both domestically and for keeping in touch with people abroad.

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep my foreign number when I move to Croatia?

Porting a foreign telephone number onto a Croatian network is not possible — number portability only operates between providers operating within the same country. You will need to obtain a new Croatian number. That said, nothing stops you from continuing to use your existing foreign SIM in parallel, either in a second handset or in a dual-SIM phone. Many people newly arrived in Croatia keep messaging apps such as WhatsApp running on their original number as a way of staying reachable while making the switch.

Do I need a local address to get a SIM card in Croatia?

A prepaid SIM card generally does not require a Croatian address — presenting a valid passport or identity document is normally all that is needed. A postpaid contract is a different matter: providers will almost always ask for a Croatian address, and in many cases also require a Croatian OIB (personal identification number) and a local bank account. Check the exact requirements with your chosen provider before making a trip to the store.

Which mobile network has the best coverage in Croatia?

Based on independent testing results published by HAKOM, Hrvatski Telekom leads the field in Croatia, recording the strongest performance across voice calls, data speeds, and web browsing. All three major networks cover more than 97% of Croatian territory, but HT’s physical infrastructure is especially strong in rural and island locations. Consult HAKOM’s coverage maps at www.hakom.hr for the most up-to-date information.

Can I get a mobile contract in Croatia if I don’t have permanent residency?

There is no blanket prohibition on non-residents signing mobile contracts in Croatia, but operators routinely require a valid ID, a Croatian address, and a local bank account for automatic monthly billing. Newcomers who have not yet registered their residency or opened a Croatian bank account commonly find it easier to start on a prepaid SIM — which imposes none of these requirements — and move to a contract once the necessary paperwork is in order.

How do I top up a prepaid SIM in Croatia?

Prepaid credit can be added at certain ATMs, directly through your operator, or by purchasing top-up vouchers from shops. Tobacco kiosks known as trafikice stock top-up cards and are present throughout Croatia, including in smaller and more remote communities. Most operators also support top-ups through their mobile apps or online customer portals, which is generally the most convenient approach once your account is set up.

Is eSIM available in Croatia?

A1 Croatia offers eSIM-based plans on both prepaid and contract terms. Simpa, an MVNO that operates on HT’s network, also supports eSIM alongside standard physical SIM options. As the technology becomes more widely adopted, it is likely that additional providers will introduce eSIM products. Check each operator’s official website for the latest availability and a list of compatible handsets.

What is the national telecoms regulator in Croatia and how can it help me?

HAKOM — the Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries — is responsible for supervising Croatia’s telecommunications industry. The authority produces consumer guidance, coverage maps, and independent reports on network quality, and also handles complaints made against telecoms operators. All of these resources are accessible at www.hakom.hr.

Are phone bills in Croatia sent monthly?

Yes, both landline and mobile contract customers in Croatia receive bills on a monthly cycle. Payment can be made online, by direct debit, at a provider’s branch, or at Hrvatska Pošta (Croatian Post) offices and payment kiosks around the country. Prepaid mobile users receive no bill and instead manage their balance by topping up credit whenever it runs low.