Chapter 8: Business Travel
Business Customs
Croatia benefited from the previous "self-management" economic
system by developing a cadre of managers familiar with market
principles. But decision-making has tended to be centralized
resting in the hands of a managing director or general manager.
Before assuming that a negotiation is completed, U.S. firms
should establish contact and get confirmation from top management
at a Croatian firm. A newer and more innovative managerial class
is emerging with extensive Western business experience.
Croatian firms tend to rely on their traditional suppliers and
are frequently reluctant to change supply sources without prior
knowledge and references. Thus price and technology may not be
deciding factors in the decision process if experience with one
supplier has been satisfactory over a period of time. U.S. firms
should be prepared to invest the time and travel expense to
develop relationships with potential customers.
Most Croatian executives know English and many young managers are
fluent in it. Computer usage among major Croatian companies, many
of whom have their own websites, is extensive and most utilize
email and Internet.
As is true in other European countries, summer holidays stretch
throughout July and August and it is frequently difficult to
reach company management during this period.
Travel Advisory
Since travel advisories and other consular information may change at any time, please consult the following site for the latest information:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html
Visa Requirements
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required for travel to Croatia. A visa is not required for U.S. passport holders for tourist or business trips of fewer than 90 days within a six- month period. For further information on entry requirements for Croatia, including information regarding requirements for residency and work permits, travelers may contact the Embassy of Croatia at 2343 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. (202) 588-5899, the Croatian Consulate in New York City, Cleveland, Chicago, Los Angeles and St. Paul or the Ministry of Internal Affairs Croatia/Office for Foreigners, tel. (385)(1) 4563-111 or http://www.mup.hr.
Croatia has recently enacted changes to its visa law such that, in certain circumstances, family members of non-EU nationals in Croatia on temporary work visas may not be able to obtain resident status until the principal applicant has been resident in Croatia for two years. This law entered into effect on January 1, 2008.
Individuals already approved for resident status should not be affected by the revised law.
The U.S. Embassy is seeking further clarification of the implications of the revised law and how Croatia intends to implement it. This information will be updated as it becomes available.
U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should be advised that security options are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following links.
State Department Visa Website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html
United States Visas.gov: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/
Consular information can be found on the U.S. Embassy Zagreb website: http://www.usembassy.hr/
Telecommunications
To telephone internationally from Croatia, local direct access
numbers of major telephone calling services are:
AT&T 0-800-220-111
MCI 0-800-220-112
SPRINT 0-800-220-113
Transportation
There are five major airports in Croatia. The country's largest,
Zagreb International Airport, has service to most European
capitals. Besides the national carrier, Croatia Airlines, Zagreb
is serviced by Aeroflot, Air Bosna, Air France, Alitalia,
Austrian Airlines, Avioimpex, Czech Airlines, Dubrovnik Airline,
Germanwings, LOT, Lufthansa CityLine, Malev, Nouvel Air Tunisie,
SAS-Scandinavian, Sky Service, THY-Turkish, Trade Air and
Tyrolean. International flights also service Dubrovnik and Split
airports. Croatia Airlines operates internal flights --
Zagreb-Split, Zagreb-Zadar, Zagreb-Pula and Zagreb-Dubrovnik,
Zagreb-Rijeka, Zagreb-Osijek, and Osijek-Dubrovnik. One can also
travel within Croatia by rental car, railway or bus.
In Zagreb, there is a comprehensive tram/bus transport system
which make all parts of the city accessible. Taxis are more
expensive and can be obtained at a taxi stand or by calling 970
or 060-800-800. Cabs from the airport to the center of Zagreb
cost on average $35. There is also a bus from the airport to the
city center at a lower cost.
Language
Many business people in Croatia speak foreign languages, mostly English, German, and Italian (along the coast). When necessary, a translator can be hired at the Croatian Translators Society – tel/fax: (385)(1) 4847565.
Health
Please refer to the Consular Information Sheet for Croatia:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1095.html
Local Time, Business Hours, and Holidays
Croatia time is Greenwich Mean Time plus one hour. Said differently, if it is 8 am in New York, it is 2 pm in Zagreb, Croatia. During the summer, its GMT plus 2 hours, or a five-hour difference between the U.S. East Coast and Croatia.
January 1 -- New Year's Day
January 6 -- Epiphany
March 24 -- Easter Monday
May 1 -- Labor Day
May 22 – Corpus Christi Day
June 22 – Croatian Uprising Day
June 25 Croatian State Day
August 5 -- Patriotic Gratitude Day
August 15 -- Assumption Day
October 8 – Croatian Independence Day
November 1 -- All Saints Day
December 25 -- Christmas Day
December 26 -- St. Stephen's Day
The following holidays may be observed by Croatian citizens of a
particular religion: Orthodox Christmas (Ortodox), Ramadan Bairam
(Muslim), Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah (Jewish).
Working hours start at 8 am and end at 4:30 or 5 pm. Most shops will open later and close at 7pm or 8pm. On Saturdays, most stores close at 2:30pm in the center of the city, and with few exceptions, stores are closed on Sundays and holidays. Outside of the city there are several shopping malls/centers open every day from Monday to Saturday from 08:00 a.m. to 09:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 09:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.
Temporary Entry of Materials and Personal Belongings
Croatian accepts the ATA carnet, which covers virtually all goods. Please see: http://www.atacarnet.com/.
Web Resources