Croatia Clears Way for Late-Night Alcohol Bans to Tackle Drunk Tourists
The measure lets municipalities curb drunkenness and disorderly behavior in tourist areas, while bars and restaurants remain exempt.
- On May 29, all 117 lawmakers in Croatia's 151-seat assembly unanimously approved Trade Act amendments enabling cities to restrict nighttime shop alcohol sales to "protect public health, public order, cultural heritage and the environment."
- Croatia, a country of 3.8 million people, hosted nearly 22 million tourists in 2025, creating years of complaints from residents about intoxicated visitors disrupting public spaces overnight.
- Split Mayor Tomislav Suta announced the city will ban shop alcohol sales from 9pm to 6am, aiming to "curb drunkenness and disorderly behaviour" in its historic centre.
- Other destinations including Hvar, Zadar, and Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomasevic are considering similar restrictions, hoping to shift alcohol consumption into licensed bars and restaurants unaffected by the ban.
- Croatian Tourism Minister Tonci Glavina said the policy aims to improve local life for residents "who want to live in a good symbiosis with tourism," emphasizing sustainability over tourism-only destinations.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Due to alcohol excesses in tourist bastions in Croatia, the country's parliament has approved a law amendment that will allow municipalities to ban the sale of alcohol at night.
Croatia has approved a new law that allows local authorities to stop alcohol sales in stores during certain hours. The aim is to combat drunkenness among tourists.
From now on, Croatian cities and municipalities can ban the sale of alcohol at night, which is subject to a change of law. Three popular holiday resorts are already planning to introduce the ban.
Croatia tightens the rules for party vacationers: cities and municipalities may in future ban the sale of alcohol at night. Popular holiday resorts are already planning appropriate measures.
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