Croatia vignette increases for 2018 (?)

[BrianH]

Hi

I hope to be buying a boat in Trieste Italy and am planning a passage back to Greece, having read so many good thing about sailing in Croasia it would be churlish not to call in on the way past.
If I spent a week there would I have to pay the vignette and the sojourn tax and if so ,does anyone know how much? boat is a 14 meter sail boat

A good information guide with links is JimB's here.

There are two payments, Navigation safety, aids to navigation and chart fees (1,805 HRK for 13-14m) and Sojourn tax 8days 300 HRK - 15 days 400 HRK for 13-15m.

Umag is the first port of entry for you and there are two possibilities to clear in, the marina pier to port and the customs pier to starboard - moor on the east side, west is for ferries. If you need kuna there is an ATM by the pier, although perhaps you can pay the fees in euros - I don't know about that. You need the police post with passports for the crew list then HM office for document checks and payment.
Documents required are ship registration, certificate of competence, VHF SRC and insurance.

 

[Mr Cassandra]

For a 14-metre boat, I think 1225 kuna (gbp 148).
Here's more blurb (if you go to Umago, stop at the pier-head of the marina immediately to port in the bay, and both offices you need are in one cabin):

Entering Croatia
The skipper of the boat entering the Republic of Croatia by sea shall by shortest way enter the nearest port open for international traffic as to carry out borderline control, obtain a vignette and certify the crew list at the nearest Harbor Master's Office or its branch office.
The skipper of the boat entering the Republic
of Croatia by land or whose vessel is tended in a marina or other approved site in the Republic of Croatia shall, before leaving port, obtain the vignette and certify the crew list at the Harbor Master's office or its branch office.
The vignette is not obligatory for boats whose length is less than 2.5m or whose overall engine power does not exceed 5 kW.


The vessel shall be marked by a vignette at the visible place whereas the vignette is valid one year upon its issue.
A vessel arriving by land shall be reported orally at the border crossing, and afterwards at the Harbor Master's Office (or branch office) following the same procedure of registration as vessels arriving by sea.

The maximum allowed the size of a hauled vehicle in Croatia is 18 m long and 2.55 m wide.
In cases of excess width, a special permit shall be required and escort is obligatory. Information available at the Ministry of the Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development of the Republic of Croatia: http://www.mmtpr.hr


Border Crossings


Permanent maritime border crossings:
Umag, Poreč, Rovinj, Pula, Raša (Bršica), Rijeka, Mali Lošinj, Zadar, Šibenik, Split, Ploče, Korčula, Dubrovnik, Vela Luka , Ubli.
Seasonal maritime border crossings (open from April 1 - October 31):
ACI marina Umag, Novigrad, Sali, Božava, Primošten, Hvar, Stari Grad (Hvar), Vis,



Komiža and Cavtat.


Required Documentation
The skipper shall possess evidence that he is competent for boat handling pursuant to the
national regulations of the flag state or an appropriate certificate pursuant to the regulations of the Republic of Croatia.
If pursuant to the national regulations of the flag state, the skipper does not need to possess evidence that he is competent for boat handling, he shall obtain appropriate evidence pursuant to the regulations of the Republic of Croatia.

All boats sailing to Croatia shall possess the following original documents:

-vignette
-certified crew list and passenger list
-certified list of persons aboard (for vessels where a change of crew is foreseen while sailing in Croatia)
- certificate of seaworthiness
- evidence that the skipper is competent for boat handling
-evidence of third-party insurance policy (for vessels whose engine power exceeds 15 kW)
-ownership certificate or authorization for the use of vessel

Hi
If I understand you correctly, for me to stay only one night in Croatia, on my passing through to Greece, it will cost me close to £190 ?please tell me I have got it wrong

 

[Metabarca]

Alas not... And find a deserted bay for a quick kip at your peril. I've never been boarded once, but if you are and you're not in order, you'll think the Iron Curtain has gone back up and you're on the wrong side without a get out of jail card...

 

[alexsailor]

Also check your list of necessary equipment (flares etc..., keep everything up to date; specialy flares and first aid that should be in the packing for boats not for cars).
All flags should be almost new, they should not be worn out or faded.
If boarded by police officer or harbour master- do not show them your scuba-diving equipment or spear guns (all together on a same boat...) if you have it.
Do not try to fish without a permit (put a fishing pole out of deck- even if not fishing). Don't even fish when anchored.

See you in Greece.

 

[BrianH]

Hi
If I understand you correctly, for me to stay only one night in Croatia, on my passing through to Greece, it will cost me close to £190 ?please tell me I have got it wrong

No, it is worse.

The latest official information on visiting yachts I can find and is cited on JimB's website is this 2013 one here

Where:

13 - 14m ... total navigation fees = 1,805.00 HRK = £217
14 - 15m ... total navigation fees = 1,845.00 HRK = £222​

And the Sojourn tax one I earlier quoted is replaced for this year (the subject of this thread):
Where for 12-15m

to 8 days ..... 500.00 HRK = £60
to 15 days ... 950.00 HRK = £114
to 30 days . 1600.00 HRK = £192​

Welcome to rip-off Croatia.

 

[RupertW]

Also check your list of necessary equipment (flares etc..., keep everything up to date; specialy flares and first aid that should be in the packing for boats not for cars).
All flags should be almost new, they should not be worn out or faded.
If boarded by police officer or harbour master- do not show them your scuba-diving equipment or spear guns (all together on a same boat...) if you have it.
Do not try to fish without a permit (put a fishing pole out of deck- even if not fishing). Don't even fish when anchored.

See you in Greece.

Well you just made all that up. There no such regulations in Croatia except for Croatian flagged boats who also have to have survival suits for all possible crew members (12 in our case) and many other things. If you are not Croatian flagged then nothing is necessary about from your own boat registration, vignetta, sojourn tax and crew list.

I'm not happy about the sojourn tax change but otherwise I've found Croatia much easier to deal with than Greece which is pure Kafka when you first encounter it.

 

[RupertW]

And some recent info from the CA:

The CA’s protest over an increase in Croatian Sojourn Tax of up to 492% for a 12-15m boat and 540% for a 15-20m boat has led to a review by the government, which will come into effect on January 1, 2019.
However, the campaign continues in the hope that 2017 rates will be accepted throughout the current year. The best advice to members is not to be too hasty in offering to pay the tax until the situation becomes clearer.
Gari Cappelli, the Croatian Minister of Tourism, has written to the CA, via the Croatian embassy in the UK, saying: “The Croatian Ministry of Tourism is establishing [a] special working group in order to nd out the best possible solution for the sojourn tax payment and make it easier for yachtsmen to pay it.”
He con rmed that implementation of the new Act is planned for January 1, 2019, and added: “Croatian professionals and entrepreneurs from the nautical sector are involved in the process of adopting a new Sojourn Tax Law. We appreciate the Cruising Association’s suggestions, which will be considered... during adoption of the new Sojourn Tax.

 

[Mr Cassandra]

No, it is worse.

The latest official information on visiting yachts I can find and is cited on JimB's website is this 2013 one here

Where:

13 - 14m ... total navigation fees = 1,805.00 HRK = £217
14 - 15m ... total navigation fees = 1,845.00 HRK = £222​

And the Sojourn tax one I earlier quoted is replaced for this year (the subject of this thread):
Where for 12-15m

to 8 days ..... 500.00 HRK = £60
to 15 days ... 950.00 HRK = £114
to 30 days . 1600.00 HRK = £192​

Welcome to rip-off Croatia.

Then it looks like the eastern coast of Italy, it is then

 

[RupertW]

Makes sense - it's a far duller route unless you are into passing oil rigs for 200 miles but you will have the current with you and often the wind too, unlike the Croatian side where current and beautiful islands will slow you down.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Well you just made all that up. There no such regulations in Croatia except for Croatian flagged boats who also have to have survival suits for all possible crew members (12 in our case) and many other things. If you are not Croatian flagged then nothing is necessary about from your own boat registration, vignetta, sojourn tax and crew list.

I'm not happy about the sojourn tax change but otherwise I've found Croatia much easier to deal with than Greece which is pure Kafka when you first encounter it.

I agree , we know Alex don't like the Croatia even tho you keep his boat there and I not being rule ,
but Alex there no need to make up stuff .
I too not happy about the new tax , and while it going on I want go back , but Croatia is one of the best cruising areas in the Med , and for near on 30 years we sailed most of it , with hundred of free anchorage, I always found the Croatian people very nice and help full , even the police and customs officers are getting better as long as you abide by the law,
For the last six year I been encourages people to go there and as yet not one that's been have had a bad word to say , other then a few who decided to anchor and not check in first and got caught,
I am the last person to talk about not breaking the rules I done it many a times in different country but if you do and get caught Christ you can't then start to complain about it , as we say you pay your money and take your chances.
Fingers cross Greece tax may still not come in this year, which will be a good thing for all of us.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Hi
If I understand you correctly, for me to stay only one night in Croatia, on my passing through to Greece, it will cost me close to £190 ?please tell me I have got it wrong

The prices that Barnacle have quoted are about right , my suggestion would be spend some time there and get your money worth or if you don't want to sail up the east side of Italy then cross to Greece at Monopoli or Brindidi here you can find free berth in both places .

 

[BrianH]

Then it looks like the eastern coast of Italy, it is then

I think you would be crazy to miss the chance to cruise some of the best sailing areas the Mediterranean has to offer.

Yes, the entry cost is ridiculous and the marinas will be too - if you ever need to resort to any of them. But there is no need to as the islands and coast offer a multitude of anchoring possibilities.

The further south you sail the lovelier it gets, although so does the charter traffic, but that's a small price to pay.

Invest in a copy of the 777 Harbours & Anchorages: Eastern Adriatic - Croatia Slovenia & Montenegro 7th Ed 2017 guide and you will always find somewhere to get into.

 

[Metabarca]

The prices that Barnacle have quoted are about right , my suggestion would be spend some time there and get your money worth or if you don't want to sail up the east side of Italy then cross to Greece at Monopoli or Brindidi here you can find free berth in both places .

Stopping off at Trani on the way, which is a lovely town, and the food's n million times better than in Croatia.

 

[Metabarca]

Barnac1e's right: it would be a shame to miss out. And once you're in, there's no need to get anywhere near a marina or downside quay. There are plenty of bays with no houses, or bays with towns in which to anchor (or bays with buoys... but let's not get started on these...)

 

[sailaboutvic]

And Bob if you do go , PLEASE CHECK IN TO THE FIRST ENTRY PORT .
and if you got an AIS turn the thing off or they will track your movement .

 

[RupertW]

And Bob if you do go , PLEASE CHECK IN TO THE FIRST ENTRY PORT .
and if you got an AIS turn the thing off or they will track your movement .

Good advice and do switch it off well outside their territorial waters.

You can get away with coming to the wrong port but it takes the charm and persuasion that my Polish wife has but I do not.

 

[RichardS]

No, it is worse.

The latest official information on visiting yachts I can find and is cited on JimB's website is this 2013 one here

Where:

13 - 14m ... total navigation fees = 1,805.00 HRK = £217
14 - 15m ... total navigation fees = 1,845.00 HRK = £222​

And the Sojourn tax one I earlier quoted is replaced for this year (the subject of this thread):
Where for 12-15m

to 8 days ..... 500.00 HRK = £60
to 15 days ... 950.00 HRK = £114
to 30 days . 1600.00 HRK = £192​

Welcome to rip-off Croatia.

I'll have to query those Vignette figures (navigation, lights, sea and chart fees) as last year (2017) I paid the usual £50-ish for 12 months for a 12m boat.

I'm not aware that the Vignette has been increased for 2018 but I'll find out soon enough. At least I'm not paying any more for the Sojourn tax this year.

Richard

 

[Mr Cassandra]

Stopping off at Trani on the way, which is a lovely town, and the food's n million times better than in Croatia.

Come off it, you are twisting my arm to pay taxes, something I have tried to avoid for years.It almost a built in reaction. lol

 

[alexsailor]

Well you just made all that up. There no such regulations in Croatia except for Croatian flagged boats who also have to have survival suits for all possible crew members (12 in our case) and many other things. If you are not Croatian flagged then nothing is necessary about from your own boat registration, vignetta, sojourn tax and crew list.

I'm not happy about the sojourn tax change but otherwise I've found Croatia much easier to deal with than Greece which is pure Kafka when you first encounter it.

LOL.
Try it.

 

[BrianH]

I'll have to query those Vignette figures (navigation, lights, sea and chart fees) as last year (2017) I paid the usual £50-ish for 12 months for a 12m boat.

I'm not aware that the Vignette has been increased for 2018 but I'll find out soon enough. At least I'm not paying any more for the Sojourn tax this year.

Richard

Did you invoke the pdf link I gave (this one) in that post where I copied the cost for Bob's 14m boat? It is the official Croatian Maritime "INFORMATION FOR BOATERS 2013" and I couldn't find any later edition. Perhaps you are not calculating the latest kuna-sterling rate.

No, as RupertW points out, there is some uncertainty that the threatened Sojourn tax imposition for 2018 will be implemented - let's hope not - but I gave the worst-case scenario in case they do continue with the original intention as published.