Basics
Operators
Croatia has three network operators:
- Hrvatski Telekom (owned by Deutsche Telekom, formerly called T-Moblie)
- A1 Croatia (owned by Telekom Austria, formerly called vip)
- Telemach (formerly called Tele2)
Hrvatski Telecom (fomerly known as T-Mobile) is the market leader in Croatia with the widest coverage and highest speeds. A1 is its main rival and is holding “Best in Test” certificate in 2019. Finally there is Telemach which has smaller network coverage, but free domestic roaming on Hrvatski Telekom in rural areas. The same order is reflected by OpenSignal’s analysis in 2021. Hrvatski Telekom has the highest 4G availability of 95%, followed by A1 at 87% and Telemach at 84%. It also has the highest speeds.
There are two MVNOs in the country: Bonbon on Hrvatski Telekom and Tomato on A1.
2G on Hrvatski Telekom and A1 is on 900 MHz and Telemach on 1800 MHz, 3G is on 900 MHz and 2100 MHz with all three providers. 4G/LTE is available on bands 1, 3, 7 and 20 (800, 1800, 2100 and 2700 MHz) with carrier aggregation available on all three providers. In 2021 all three operators are rolling out 5G. Hrvatski Telekom and A1 have started on n28 (700 MHz) and n78 (3500 MHz), and are now open for all Hrvatski Telekom prepaid packages and the unlimited A1 prepaid package, but not yet on Telemach and MVNOs.
All three network operators offer special Tourist SIMs only for foreign visitors. These offers are often available for the summer season only from May to October, but turn up very similar every summer.
Croatia introduced Euro (€, EUR) on 01/JAN/2023, and it is the only currency in use since 15/JAN/2023. Prices in the country are still expressed in both Euro and Croatian Kuna (kn, HRK – old national currency) until September 2023, but only as means to stop price ramp-ups, you can not pay in Kuna any more. The leftover cash can still be exchanged at commercial banks and at Croatian National Bank (Hrvatska narodna banka, HNB). Prices here will be updated to Euro only, as this is what you will actually pay.
Availability and recharges
New SIM cards are widely available, at news stands, post offices, service stations, some supermarkets and in operator’s stores without registration. At the same places you can purchase top-ups, which are printed on a POS slip and provide you with typically 14-digit code and top-up instructions. In order to purchase top-up you need to simply state the operator and amount. Typically, you can pay with cash or credit cards locally or cards online.
If you’d like to top up your prepaid card online, you can do that on your operator’s website, foreign cards are also accepted. Providers are often giving bonus via additional credit or minutes/SMS/data. You can also top-up through mobile applications of the provider
Croatia is part of the EU, where since 2017 new international roaming rules have been enforced. In most European countries you can now ‘roam like at home’ at domestic rates rather than excessive roaming rates. Croatian providers have implemented the principle with time and volume caps for maximum data use. For specifics about the new regulation check European Union chapter and every provider below.
Be aware that Croatia shares a long border with Bosnia-Herzegovina which is located outside the EU. If your device accidentially picks up a Bosnian network, you will be charged much higher. You can prevent this by manually selecting a Croatian network.
Hrvatski Telekom (Simpa)
Hrvatski Telekom (formerly called T-Mobile) is the market leader in the country with the best coverage and speeds. Coverage map (switch between 4G/5G by clicking on “Pokrivenost”). 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE and 5G (the latter from 16/MAR/2023) are available for all prepaid plans. All Simpa plans now offer the max. 4G/LTE speed as the old cap of 75 Mbit/s was lifted and is now at theoretical 600 Mbit/s. 5G speed cap doesn’t exist; speeds are advertised as “up to several Gb/s”, but this will for sure vary due to signal strength and network load.
Availability
Since a couple years Hrvatski Telekom has channeled all prepaid voice and data SIM cards through their brand Simpa. SIM cards are available at post offices (Hrvatska Posta), some service stations (Tifon have them, you can also try INA, Petrol, Lukoil, Crodux), kiosks (Tisak, iNovine) and T-Centers (locator) (you need to choose region, and all centers are located on Google Maps).
SIMs are coming in standard 3-in-1 size, costing 2.65 €, with a credit of 2.65 €.
There is an internet-only SIM offer with 40 GB of traffic for 30 days, for 11.95 €. This SIM has additional bonus for 12 months after activation: every activation of Internet XL package will give you additional 40 GB instead the usual 9 GB, for the same price.
If you register here to any address, even foreign, you will receive a one off top-up of 2.65 € on your account, plus additional 500-1000 MB of internet traffic, depending on the package, for every subsequent package activation. Top ups are available in Telekom shops, on news stands, online or through Moj Telekom application for Android, Huawei and iOS.
| Top-up | Data bonus(online top-up) | Data bonus(app top-up) | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 € * | n/a | 600 | 90 days |
| 5 € | 500 | 1000 | |
| 10 € | 1000 | 2000 | |
| 15 € | 1500 | 3000 | |
| 20 € | 2000 | 4000 | 180 days |
* A top-up of 3 € is only available through the Moj Telekom app.
To check your balance, use code *100#, send empty SMS to 13230 or send A to 13636, followed by 3 “Provjera stanja računa”. To change language to English, text A 13636 and choose option 6, confirmed by “DA” for yes to switch.
Combo packages
Data default rate without a plan or data option is 0.16 € per MB.
They offer the following combo base “SIMPA” plans, all implying a 0.04 € call connection fee for calls, except on the XL plan:
| Plan | Price | Validity | Data | Voice/SMS | Activation code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tjedan | 3.19 € | 7 days | 2.5 GB | 400 units | TJEDAN |
| XS | 7.83 € | 30 days | 2 GB * | 2000 units | SIMPA XS |
| S | 9.16 € | 4 GB * | SIMPA S | ||
| M | 11.81 € | 7 GB * | SIMPA M | ||
| L | 14.46 € | 10 GB ** | SIMPA L | ||
| XL | 17.11 € | 15 GB ** | SIMPA XL |
* additional 500 MB if activating on a registered SIM
** additional 1000 MB if activating on a registered SIM
New plans contain more data, except Tjedna, but there are no more data add-ons for social networks and certain apps. For new SIM cards there is a promo price for activation of monthly packages (approx. 20% discount) for first 100 days after SIM activation.
To activate any plan text code to 13636. All packages reactivate after expiry, if you have enough balance, with rollover of remaining resources up to the double volumes of the plan. To check data balance, text ‘STANJE’ to 13230.
There are digital only “eSIMPA” plans, available only through the Moj telekom app:
| Plan | Price | Validity | Data | Voice/SMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 9.99 € | 30 days | 5 GB * | 2000 units |
| S | 13.14 € | 7 GB * | ||
| M | 15.70 € | 10 GB * | ||
| L | 18.45 € | 15 GB * |
* additional 1000 MB if activating on a registered SIM
If you consume all data, there is an option to activate an SOS option in the Moj telekom app for 0.13 € which gives you additional 2 GB for 24 h. Up to three SOS activations are available until next regular plan activation.
There is no more FUP caps in EU/EEA roaming for any of SIMPA and eSIMPA packages.
Data plans
For data alone you don’t need to activate a combo pack. You can choose any of these data packages:
| Plan | Price | Validity | Data | EU cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAN | 1.33 € | 24 h | unlimited | 0.9 GB |
| TJEDAN | 9.29 € * | 7 days | 6 GB | |
| S | 2.65 € | 30 days | 1000 MB | 1000 MB |
| M | 5.31 € | 3000 MB | 3000 MB | |
| L | 7.96 € | 6000 MB | 5.2 GB | |
| XL | 11.95 € | 9000 MB | 7.7 GB |
* 7.96 € if automatically reactivated
To activate, text ‘INTERNET #’ while # stands for the plan size DAN, S, M, L or XL to 13636. To deactivate 30-day plans text ‘D’ to 13636.
Data-only SIM has been discontinued.
Tourist SIM
Their offer for visitors is called “Visiting Croatia“
For 11.49 € it includes unlimited data in Croatia for 10 days on 5G. Package can be reactivated at any time for additional 10 days of unlimited data at any time for the same price, but in case of automatic reactivation it will be charged 7.96 €. EEA roaming cap of 9.5 GB applies outside of Croatia.
To activate top-up and text ‘FLAT’ to 13636.
EU roaming
EU/EEA + UK roaming principles of roam like home at domestic prices apply to all prepaid offers, but given FUP rules cap larger packages without surcharges such as the tourist plan.
For roaming in the Western Balkans a Travel & Surf add-on is offered with 200 MB for a week at 10.49 €. Activation is by texting A to 13636 and choosing activation and Travel & Surf. However, a local SIM card is strongly recommended in these countries instead.
More info
- Tethering is allowed
- APN: internet.ht.hr /or/ web.htgprs
- Website of Hrvatski Telekom in Croatian: http://www.hrvatskitelekom.hr
- Website of Simpa in Croatian: http://www.simpa.hr
A1 Croatia (formerly called: vip)
A1 Croatia run by Austrian A1 was rebranded from vip in 2018 and is now the second largest mobile provider in Croatia. Their coverage is generally on par or slightly lower than Hrvatski Telekom. Speed on prepaid used to be capped at 75 Mbit/s on 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE, but was uncapped for the new plans to LTE Max (max. 225 Mb/s). 5G is open for prepaid only with one package.
New A1 SIM cards are available for 2.65 € (19.97 kn) with 20 kn credit, with 3-in-1 size at post offices (Hrvatska Posta), service stations (INA, Tifon, Petrol, Lukoil, Crodux), kiosks (Tisak, iNovine) and their shops (locator).
If the top-up is made with Maestro or Mastercard, there is an additional bonus of 10% of the total top-up value.
A1 also gives out heavy data bonuses for online top-ups through their website or Moj A1 app similar to Hrvatski Telekom: 150 MB for 1.99 €, 300 MB for 3.98 €, 600 MB for 7.96 €, 900 MB for 11.95 €, 1.2 GB for 15.93 € and 2.4 GB for 31.85 € top-ups.
Check balance with *101# code, and remaining package volumes by *102*1#.
Data feature packages
Data outside of packages is at 0.06 € per MB.
You may need to switch on 4G/LTE on their app for free, when it doesn’t work from the start.
A1 now offers these base plans for 30 days with rollover of unused volumes to the next month:
| Plan | Data | Voice & SMS | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spikalica | 3 GB (+2 GB#) | 2000 mins/SMS | 9.16 € |
| Sheralica | 6 GB (+2 GB#) | 10.49 € | |
| Surferica | 10 GB (+2 GB#) | 14.47 € | |
| Strimalica | 16 GB (+2 GB#) | 18.45 € | |
| Fleterica | unlimited (*) (5G) | 35.70 € |
(*) – the unlimited plan has a general domestic FUP of 1 TB (= 1000 GB) and an EU roaming cap of 31.74 GB. This plan enables access to 5G network.
(#) – additional 2 GB as bonus for users for first 30 days
To select one of these plans, type ‘A’ to 13170 and choose plan.
For more data you can add these packages to the plans:
| Data | EU cap | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 GB | 1062 MB | 24 hours | 1.19 € |
| 20 GB | 7 GB | 7 days | 3.98 € |
| 1 GB | 30 days | 1.99 € | |
| 4 GB | 5.31 € | ||
| 10 GB | 9.44 GB | 10.62 € | |
| unlimited | 2.36 GB | weekendsFri 5pm- Sun midnight | 2.65 € |
| unlimited | unknown | midnight – 8amfor 30 days | 6.64 € |
Through their Moj A1 app further temporary offers are made. On this app you can also swap unused minutes or SMS to data or vice versa at rate of 1 min or 1 SMS is equal to 1 MB.
Tourist Offer
A1 has introduced a Tourist SIM in triple-size format. For 10 € you’ll get a starter pack with 10 days of “unlimited” 5G data and 100 units (min or SMS) included. It automatically activates when you first log on the internet and is recurring. You can also activate these option by sending SMS with 10DAYS to 13220.
You can switch to “unlimited” data day pack for 24 hours for 3 €, activation: text ‘DAILY’ to 13220.
To check data balance, text ‘?’ to 13220. All starter packs, as well as the daily and weekly packs auto-renew. To stop auto-renew, text ‘D’ to 13220. Top-up is like regular A1 SIM cards, but plans can’t be changed. Note that international roaming is not available on the Tourist Plan. It only works in Croatia.
Note that “unlimited” means 100 GB for a week or only 5 GB for a day in high speed 5G network, before speed is throttled to 64 Kbit/s.
EU roaming (except the Tourist Plan)
A1 applies Roam like home rules to all its prepaid plans in the EU/EEA and UK, but caps data allowances according to EU FUP rules. In fact, only the unlimited data plan is limited right now. The Tourist plan can only be used in Croatia.
More info
- Tethering is allowed
- APN: internet
- Website in Croatian: https://www.a1.hr
Telemach (formerly: Tele2)
Telemach is the third provider in Croatia. It was called Tele2 before it was sold to a local cable operator. They started 4G/LTE in 2016 already covering 90% and opened it to all prepaid plans. In cities coverage is similar to HT and A1. In rural areas (highways outside cities and unpopulated areas) Telemach roams on Hrvatski Telekom without surcharges.
In 2020 Tele2 was sold to the United Group and rebranded to Telemach.
Availability
Their starter pack called “SIM2GO” is available at Telemach stores (locator), post offices (Hrvatska Posta), service stations (INA, Tifon, Petrol, Lukoil, Crodux), kiosks (Tisak, iNovine). It comes in two different starters:
- SIM2GO for 2.65 €: including 1 GB for 30 days and 2.65 € credit
- SIM2GO for 6.50 €: including 4 GB, 500 mins and 500 SMS for 30 days
They have discontinued all previous prepaid plans and only offer their new Slagalica (Puzzle) combo plan with domestic minutes, SMS and a data allowance.
Top-ups among other channels are available online. Smallest top-up of 16.50 kn is available only online. All larger top-ups will give bonus data: 27.50 kn – 250 MB, 55 kn – 500 MB, 110 kn – 1 GB, 220 kn – 2 GB and 100 kn gives 4 GB for free as bonus.
Check balance with *150# code or sending SMS “STANJE” to 13880.
Data feature packages
These three monthly combo packs can be activated on the SIM2GO SIM cards:
| Plan | Data | Calls | SMS | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 2 GB | 200 mins | 200 | 5.90 € |
| M | 4 GB | 500 mins | 500 | 8.90 € |
| L | 8 GB | 1000 mins | 1000 | 12.90 € |
For activation type plan size to 13888. It will be renewed automatically every month. To stop text ‘STOP’ to 13880, to check consumption or validity ‘STANJE’ to 13880. Data overuse is at 0.50 kn per MB.
For more data these add-on packages are offered:
- 3 GB for 24 hours: 2.19 €, activation: 3GB24SATA
- 1 GB for 30 days: 2.19 €, activation: 1GB
- 3 GB for 30 days: 4.78 €, activation: 3GB
Activation is by texting code to 13999.
Data-only SIM
Starter pack for data- and SMS-only SIM is called NET2GO and sold for 9.95 € in Telemach stores, post offices, paper shops, gas stations, super markets etc. It contains 20 GB for 30 days. Speed is throttled to 10 Mbit/s.
For more data or extension you can add another 20 GB pack for 30 days at 10.09 € by texting 20 GB to 13888. Note that this data-only tariff is valid for for Croatia only and doesn’t work in international roaming.
Tourist SIM
There are two options for tourists:
- NET2GO: unlimited data for first 10 days for 10.62 € (renewal: 7.96 €)
- SIM2GO: 10 GB + 200 mins + 1.33 € call credit for 9.95 € (renewal: 9.16 €)
For more data for SIM2GO plan you can renew the package after 30 days or add a regular data pack from S, M or L plans (see above). After having switched to S, M or L, you can’t return to the tourist plan. As long as you stay on the tourist plan, there is no international roaming on this SIM. It only works in Croatia.
EU roaming (except the data-only and the tourist plans)
Roam like at home in the EU/EEA and UK is implemented on all SIM2GO plans, but the data-only plan and the tourist plan both don’t work abroad.
More info
- Tethering is allowed (iPhone users need to set APN in settings and restart the device).
- APN: telemach.hr
- Website in Croatian: http://www.telemach.hr
bonbon (on Hrvatski Telekom)
Bonbon is a MVNO on the Hrvatski Telekom network (see above). 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE is open on all plans, capped at 75 Mbit/s. Coverage is the same as Hrvatski Telekom and all services regarding MVNO are also available at Hrvatski Telekom’s stores.
Availability
Their BonBon starter pack is available in their shops (locator) and many kiosks throughout the country.
Reloads are available online and as vouchers at many places for 15, 25, 60, 90 and 180 kn. For balance check, use USSD code *100#.
Added credit stays valid for 90 days after the last top-up. A 180 kn recharge will give you 365 days of validity.
Starter pack BonBon na bonove is sold for 20 kn with the same credit for voice, text and data. Activation is immediate without registration or waiting period. Text “jezik” to 13977 to change language to English.
Data feature packages
Default data rate is 0.16 € per MB.
They have the following weekly and monthly data packages which can be optionally extended by text and voice packs:
| Package | Time | Price | Data | EU cap | Voice | SMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mali tjedni internet | 7 days | 2.65 € | 2 GB | 1.8 GB | ||
| Tjedni flat | 9.29 € | unlimited | 8.4 GB | |||
| Mali internet | 30 days | 3.98 € | 2 GB | 450 mins: +3.98 €1000 mins: +5.96 €3500 mins:+7.96 € | 400 SMS: +3.98 € | |
| Srednji internet | 6.64 € | 5 GB | ||||
| Veliki internet | 7.96 € | 7 GB | ||||
| Jako veliki internet | 10.61 € | 10 GB | 6 GB | |||
| Jako jako veliki internet | 13.26 € | 13 GB | 10 GB | |||
| VELIKA KOMBINACIJA | 12.61 € | 7 GB | 3500 mins | 400 SMS | ||
| JAKO VELIKA KOMBINACIJA | 14.60 € | 13 GB | ||||
- HBO Max for a month: +5.31 €
- Deezer for a month: +4.65 €
Activate by texting “hocu” to 13977 and deactivate by texting “necu” to 13977, by USSD code *121# or by app. All packages auto-renew, if not stopped. In the case of renewal all unused allowances will roll over to the next week or month. You can start any new package before the previous has been expired when it’s already been used up. But be careful, as any unused allowance will be lost at the restart.
For data balance check, use *121# then option 3 or send ‘stanje’ to 13977
Data-only SIM
BonBon Internet Sim kartica is sold for 10 kn with SMS and data only, aimed at tablets and modems. You can’t call or be called on this SIM card.
You can then either add:
- 300 MB until midnight/3am: 0.40 € per day
- 5 GB (EU cap: 1.3 GB) until midnight/3am: 1.33 € per day
- Monthly packages:
- 7 GB: 7.96 €
- 20 GB (EU cap: 8.9 GB): 9.95 €
- 50 GB (EU cap: 10.7 GB): 11.95 €
- 120 GB (EU cap: 17.8 GB): 19.91 €
To activate packages text ‘hocu’ to 13977. The selected package will auto-renew after expiry between midnight and 4am, if you have enough balance. To stop, text ‘necu’ to the same number. Activation and deactivation can also be done by USSD code *121# or through mobile app. Default data rate on this SIM card is 0.16 € per MB, if you haven’t booked a package.
EU roaming
Roam like at home in the EU/EEA + UK is implemented on all call and data plans. From 2018 a FUP policy has been enforced for data and time. You need to use your package mostly in Croatia. They only give a certain share of the domestic package without surcharges for roaming in the EU in larger packs. This max. volume is indicated as ‘EU cap’ in the table. Any use abroad beyond this FUP quota will be surcharged at low 0.02 kn per MB instead as long as you still have unused domestic data and at high 1.85 kn/MB when all domestic data allowance has been depleted.
More info
- Tethering is allowed
- APN: internet.ht.hr
- Website in English: https://www.bonbon.hr/welcome-to-croatia
- Extended website in Croatian: https://www.bonbon.hr/
Tomato (on A1)
Tomato is a MVNO on the A1 network in 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE. For coverage see A1 above. Prepaid is capped at 75 Mbit/s.
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Availabilty
Their SIM card can be found at their shops (locator), gas stations, post offices, kiosks and supermarkets for 20 kn. Online they also sell free SIM cards, but you need to have a local Croatian address to get it.
Topups are sold for 25, 60, 120 and 240 kn. If you top-up online with Maestro or Mastercard, there is additional bonus of 10% of total top up value. For data all online top-ups get a data bonus: for 25 kn gives 250 MB bonus, 60 kn 600 MB, 120 kn 1.2 GB and 240 kn 2.4 GB. International credit and debit cards are accepted.
Data feature plans
Their default tariff is 0.69 kn per MB. You can add one of their monthly packages in which a unit can be used as one minute of domestic voice, one domestic SMS or 1 MB of data in Standard or Duplo plan for 30 days:
| Standard Plan | Duplo Plan | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Units | Price | Activation | Units | Price | Activation |
| 1,000 | 5.31 € | MINI | 1,000 | 7.96 € | DUPLO MINI |
| 3,000 | 10.62 € | TOTAL | 6,000 | 13.27 € | DUPLO TOTAL |
| 6,500 | 14.60 € | MAXI | 13,000 | 17.25 € | DUPLO MAXI |
The packages will be activated again after 30 days, if the account has enough credit. To stop text STOP to 13435. Check unit balance by *102*01#. To change from Standard to Duplo plan text the word DUPLO to 13435. Activation and deactivation is through the website or by SMS to 13435.
For more data you can add to both plans:
- 500 units for 1.99 €, for activation text 500 to 13435
- 1500 units for 4.65 €, for activation text 1500 to 13435
You can also reactivate any plan even before 30 days pass from previous activation, but in this case you lose any existing units from previous one.
More info
- in EU/EEA + UK roaming: roam like at home applies
- APN: tomato
- Website in Croatian: http://www.tomato.com.hr