Traveling to Croatia and planning your trip and wondering what is the best tourist sim card to stay connected? Don't get stuck with high roaming charges or slow overseas data roaming plans.
This is the ultimate guide with everything you need to know before buying a prepaid sim card in Croatia in 2025.
Find out where to buy a prepaid sim card, up to date prices as per January 2025, the best 4G/5G network, my recommendation, info about eSIMs for Croatia and more.
As Traveltomtom is on a journey to travel to every country in the world I use on average about 40 to 50 prepaid and eSIMs per year. That is how I became the ultimate specialist in sim cards for tourists in every country.
In the past I always used to buy a local prepaid sim card in every country, nowadays I mostly use eSIMs as there is no easier way to stay connected when traveling abroad.
Traveltomtom also wrote a complete guide for the best eSIMs for Croatia in 2025 as well as a guide for buying a sim card at Zagreb Airport.
Table of Contents
- My recommendation
- Why buying a sim card for Croatia?
- Croatia sim cards and EU data roaming
- Mobile internet operators in Croatia
- Where to buy a sim card for Croatia
- Best 4G/5G mobile network in Croatia in 2025
- Prices Croatia prepaid sim card in 2025
- Best prepaid sim card for Croatia in 2025
- Best eSIMs for Croatia
Some links in this article about the best Croatia sim cards are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using tan affiliate links I will earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends a Hrvatski Telekom (T-Mobile) sim card for traveling in Croatia. For around $12 USD you get unlimited high speed data for 10 days and Hrvatski Telekom has the best 4G/5G network coverage in Croatia.
Buying a prepaid sim card in Croatia takes a little effort so for those travelers that rather are online as soon as the plane lands Traveltomtom recommends eSIMs. There are already eSIMs for Croatia for just $1 USD.
A Jetpac eSIM for Croatia with 10 GB data is only $13 USD, but there are many more eSIM plans available. Find them all in my comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Croatia in 2025.
Are you traveling to several different countries on a trip around the world then look into my comparison of the best international sim cards for traveling in 2025 and choose the one that fits your trip to Europe.
Why buying a sim card for Croatia?
First of all to save on high roaming charges. Why waste money when operators keep on charging this stupid amount of $10 a day for internet abroad. Secondly, did you know that your data speed is reduced! Getting an eSIM for Croatia or buying a prepaid sim card in Croatia is easy, fast and cheap and will eventually save you a lot of money.
Yes, your hotel or Airbnb provides free WiFi and so do restaurants and bars in popular tourist destinations in Croatia. In fact the free public WiFi is pretty good in Croatia, but... as soon as you go off the beaten path for example when on a road trip, into the national parks, visiting waterfalls, on a ferry, sailing boat, out on the streets in Dubrovnik, etc. there is NO WiFi.
Being disconnected for a bit is awesome, but also highly inconvenient when traveling. What about ordering a taxi through an app, finding directions on Google Maps or searching for a restaurant nearby with good reviews, finding your friends in a city, etc. Just like in normal life, being connected with data on your phone when traveling to Croatia makes things so much easier and more convenient.
The first thing I do when planning my next trip abroad is finding the best way to get connected.
Since I am already a full time nomadic travel blogger since 2012 and I like to document all my travel tips you can find already more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom from all over the world: Europe, Istanbul, Turkey, Rome, Italy, London, UK, New York, USA, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Moscow, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Colombia, Cameroon, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Philippines, Vietnam and many more.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and eSIM advice for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money!
Croatia sim cards and EU data roaming
Although Croatia is part of the EU and also Schengen as per January 2023 there should be no roaming costs if you already have a sim card from Italy, Denmark, Sweden, UK, Germany or any other country in Europe.
The other way around when buying a prepaid sim card in Croatia and traveling onwards to other European countries you should be able to use your data at no extra costs as well. However, this does NOT count for the tourist sim cards you buy in Croatia!
When buying a tourist sim card in Croatia data is only valid in Croatia. So if you are on a road trip in the Balkan then get yourself a Europe eSIM or an international eSIM.
When buying a prepaid sim card in Croatia always ask about the free roaming limitations when traveling onwards to other European countries.
But whatever they will tell you, trust me, Croatia prepaid sim cards are NOT good for traveling in Europe! Check out my article about the best Europe sim card for tourists in 2025 and I tell you everything you need to know how to stay connected during your Europe trip.
Or check my guide for buying a local prepaid sim card in Europe on arrival with all my tips for when you are traveling to Europe and wondering which prepaid sim card to buy and much more information about free EU roaming.
Mobile internet operators in Croatia
There are three mobile internet operators in Croatia: Hrvatski Telekom (T-Mobile Croatia), A1 and Telemach Croatia. All three providers offer Croatia prepaid sim cards for tourists.
As of 2025 you can now also get eSIMs for tourists in phone stores in Croatia. So in Hrvatski Telekom, A1 and Telemach stores you can opt for an eSIM for tourists or a physical prepaid sim card for tourists.
Where to buy a sim card for Croatia
Phone stores
When buying a prepaid sim card in Croatia your best bid is to go to a phone store of any of the mobile internet providers: Hrvatski Telekom (T-Mobile), A1 or Telemach (former TELE2). All of them have phone stores in Zagreb, Zadar, Pula, Dubrovnik, Split and all other tourist destinations in Croatia.
When in the city use Google Maps to determine the nearest mobile internet shop by just typing in the by you preferred mobile internet provider in the search bar.
Zagreb Airport
As of 2025 they sell prepaid sim cards for tourists from Telemach, A1 and T-Mobile at the Tisak convenience store in the Arrival Hall. Read more about it in my complete guide for buying a sim card at Zagreb Airport in 2025.
Split, Dubrovnik and Zadar Airport
Every airport in Croatia sells the same prepaid sim cards in the Tisak convenience stores, like at Zagreb Airport.
Convenience stores and gas stations
In Croatia it is NOT necessary to bring your passport when buying a prepaid sim card. Prepaid sim cards are NOT registered on your name. This makes it possible to buy a prepaid sim card for Croatia in the bigger convenience stores. In Croatia they are called: Tisak, INA, iNovine and Hrvatska Posta.
At bigger gas stations they also sell prepaid sim cards. The sim cards you buy here are self service and you will need to activate them yourself. It is not my first recommendation for tourists traveling to Croatia.
Online
The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Croatia is to order a sim card online. As soon as the plane lands you can enjoy a data connection on your phone.
You can order international physical prepaid sim cards via SimOptions that will be shipped to your home address.
But if your phone is eSIM compatible simply order an eSIM for Croatia on the internet. A Jetpac eSIM for Croatia with 10 GB data is only $13 USD.
For more info check out my complete guide with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for Croatia in 2025.
Best 4G/5G mobile network in Croatia in 2025
Prices for prepaid sim card plans for tourists are not the only thing that determines the best sim card for traveling in Croatia. In fact the mobile data network coverage is actually even more important. Therefore let's compare the 4G/5G networks coverage maps for Croatia for 2025 and find the best 4G/5G network.
Is there 5G in Croatia?
Yes, there is 5G in Croatia and it is actually pretty ok. As per 2025 you can find 5G in most of the popular tourists destination in Croatia. On my recent trip in Croatia I enjoyed a 5G signal most of the time in Zagreb, Zadar, Split and even in Plitvice National Park, but it depends a bit on which sim card you buy.
Hrvatski Telekom 4G/5G network coverage map
A1 4G/5G network coverage map
Telemach 4G/5G network coverage map
Although the above mobile data network coverage maps are updated for 2025 they are not 100% accurate. However, they are a great reference to compare the 4G/5G networks of the mobile internet providers in Croatia in 2025.
We can clearly see that Hrvatski Telekom (T-Mobile) has the best 4G/5G network in Croatia in 2025. Telemach also covers most tourist destinations in Croatia with a 5G signal, but for road trips in Croatia T-Mobile is definitely the most recommend tourist sim card in Croatia.
Travelers that go on a sailing trip in Croatia should also consider getting a Hrvatski Telekom sim card. T-Mobile has the strongest network around the islands by far.
Prices Croatia prepaid sim card in 2025
All prices and info is up to date as per January 2025. Prices are in Euros and $1 USD = €0.95 EUR and €1 EUR = $1.05 USD.
Hrvatski Telekom
T-Mobile Croatia has a special prepaid sim card for tourists. It costs €11.49 EUR ($12 USD) and comes with unlimited data for 10 days. This bundle is only valid in Croatia, there is NO free EU roaming included.
IF you stay longer than 10 days you can top up the same T-Mobile Croatia tourist sim card with another 10 days unlimited high speed data for €8 EUR ($8 USD). For more info check the T-Mobile Croatia website. In T-Mobile stores in Croatia you can only get a physical prepaid sim card, there are no eSIMs for tourists available.
Telemach Croatia
Tourist that are buying a Telemach Croatia prepaid sim card have 2 choice.
- 10 GB data + 200 minutes or sms + 10 KN credit valid 30 days = €9.95 EUR ($10.5 USD)
Or a prepaid sim card for Croatia with unlimited data for 10 days = €9.95 EUR ($10.5 USD)
The above Telemach prepaid sim card plans are ONLY valid in Croatia, EU roaming is NOT included. For more info check the Telemach Croatia website. In Telemach stores in Croatia you can only get a physical prepaid sim card, there are no eSIMs for tourists available.
A1 Croatia
A1 Croatia also keeps it really simple and offers 1 prepaid sim card plan for tourists traveling to Croatia:
- Unlimited data + 100 minutes/sms valid for 10 days = €10 EUR ($10.5 USD)
Also for an A1 tourist sim card counts that minutes and data are only valid in Croatia, EU roaming is NOT included. Check the A1 Croatia website for more info. In A1 stores in Croatia you can only get a physical prepaid sim card, there are no eSIMs for tourists available.
Best prepaid sim card for Croatia in 2025
All mobile internet providers in Croatia offer pretty much the same prepaid sim card for tourists. They are pretty affordable and these tourist sim cards come with unlimited data.
The biggest difference between the mobile internet operators in Croatia is the 4G/5G network coverage. T-Mobile has by far the best 4G/5G network in Croatia and therefore T-Mobile is also rated as the best prepaid sim card for traveling in Croatia in 2025.
For around $13 USD you get 10 days of unlimited high speed data with a tourist sim card from T-Mobile. Data is only valid in Croatia and there is no EU data roaming included.
Buying a tourist sim card in Croatia gives you more value for money, but with an eSIM you are online as soon as the plane lands and you don't need to go to a phone store in Croatia.
A Jetpac eSIM for Croatia with 10 GB data is only $13 USD, but there are many more eSIM plans available. Find them all in my comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Croatia in 2025.
If you are going on a trip around Europe check out my article with a comparison of the best sim cards for traveling in Europe in 2025.
Best eSIMs for Croatia
The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Croatia in 2025 is an eSIM. You arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. No more visiting a phone store and swapping physical prepaid sim cards.
You order an eSIM for Croatia on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have an eSIM installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Croatia it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
For more info check out my complete guide with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for Croatia in 2025.
Here are some recommendations.
Jetpac
Jetpac quickly made name in the eSIM world by not only offering very affordable eSIM solutions, but also by adding a couple benefits for travelers who order an eSIM via Jetpac. Check out our extensive Jetpac eSIM review with all pros and cons.
Check out the Jetpac eSIM plans for Croatia in 2025:
- 1 GB data for 4 days = $1 USD
- 3 GB data for 7 days = $5 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $7 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $13 USD
- 15 GB data for 30 days = $17 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $20 USD
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $28 USD
- 40 GB data for 30 days = $39 USD
Click here to order a Jetpac eSIM for Croatia.
Traveltomtom readers now get an extra 10% off on all Jetpac eSIMs when using the promo code: TOMTOM10 at check out!
The Jetpac Croatia eSIMs are valid in all of Europe and are data-only. Incoming and outgoing calls are not supported. Jetpac eSIMs operate on the 4G/5G networks of Telemach and A1. 5G is supported.
Airalo
Airalo is a reliable eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo in more than 50 countries around the world and never faced an issue.
Here are the Airalo eSIM plans for Croatia for 2025:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $7 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $9.5 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $13 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $21 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $32 USD
Click here for more info or to order an eSIM for Croatia via Airalo.
The above eSIMs for Croatia from Cronet are data-only and calling and texting is not supported. The Cronet eSIMs operate on the 4G/5G network of Telemach and A1 Croatia.
SimOptions
SimOptions is a very reliable eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used SimOptions uncountable times in more than 50 countries around the world. I can totally recommend using SimOptions for ordering your Croatia eSIM. Read here our honest SimOptions Review.
Why using SimOptions? They offer eSIMs including calling and texting in all of Europe.
These eSIMs support incoming and outgoing calls/sms as they come with a phone number.
Bouygues Telecom
- 15 GB data-only for 15 days = $15.90 USD
- 20 GB data + unlimited calls for 15 days = $21.90 USD
- 30 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $32.90 USD
- 60 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $39.90 USD
Orange Holiday Europe
- 12 GB data + unlimited calls/text + 30 minutes international for 14 days = $28.90 USD
- 30 GB data + unlimited calls/text + 120 minutes international for 14 days = $49.90 USD
- 70 GB data + unlimited calls/text + 120 minutes international for 28 days = $55.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order an international eSIM for Croatia via SimOptions.
If you download the SimOptions app and use the coupon code TOM10 you get an extra 10% discount on all SimOptions eSIMs.
These eSIMs are valid all over Europe and they include free EU data roaming. The best thing about these eSIMs for Croatia is that they also include unlimited calling and texting.
Before ordering an eSIM for Croatia make sure your phone is unlocked and eSIM compatible otherwise an eSIM won't work on your phone.
For many more eSIM plans check out my comparison of the best eSIMs for Croatia in 2025.
Order prepaid sim card for Croatia online
If your phone is not eSIM compatible but you would like to order a sim card for traveling to Croatia online before your trip then check out the following.
Arrive prepared in Croatia with an international prepaid sim card. You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in Croatia, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Croatia:
- 15 GB data-only for 15 days = $15.90 USD
- 20 GB data + unlimited calls for 15 days = $21.90 USD
- 10 GB data + $2 calling credit for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 10 GB data + unlimited calls/sms for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 12 GB data + 30 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $29.90 USD
- 30 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $44.90 USD
- 30 GB data + 120 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $49.90 USD
- 60 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $51.90 USD
Click here to order an international prepaid sim cards for Croatia via SimOptions.
Traveltomtom recommends these physical prepaid sim cards and has used the physical sim card of Bouygues Telecom many times in the past. But as I said nowadays I always use eSIMs for Europe when visiting Croatia.
Here is a last reminder that if your phone is eSIM compatible you can arrange everything online in just a couple clicks by ordering an eSIM for Croatia.
I am sure some of the above tips for buying a prepaid sim card in Croatia were helpful for your upcoming trip. Let me know if you have any more questions and I am more than happy to help you out. Also if you need any Croatia travel tips leave me a comment as I have visited Croatia more than 10 times just in the last 5 years already.
Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along. As of January 2025 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go, but no rush.
Enjoy your trip to Croatia!
