Mobile internet

Will my phone work in Croatia?

Discover how your phone works in Croatia, the available options to stay connected, and what you need to check on US and UK phones before traveling.

Yes, your phone will work in Croatia, but you need to find the proper option to avoid spending lots of money just to load up Instagram.

This guide explores the various ways to use your phone in Croatia, including options such as a travel eSIM, allowing you to save money while still enjoying a reliable internet connection during your travels.

In this article

Can I use my phone in Croatia?

Yes, your phone will work in Croatia, but you need to check two things:

Check if your phone is unlocked: Phones bought directly from a carrier, such as Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T, are most likely blocked, preventing you from using cost-effective alternatives when visiting other countries.
Check frequency bands: Croatia uses GSM network bands, so your phone likely works without issues. However, it’s always good to double-check to avoid staying offline if you don’t have a WiFi connection.

Here’s what you should know about US and UK phones before traveling:

Home country	Carrier	Will my phone work in Croatia?
US	AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon	Yes, but check if your phone is carrier-unlocked
UK	EE, O2, Three, Vodafone UK	Yes, all mobiles sold after 2021 are carrier-unlocked.

How to use your cell phone in Croatia

To use your cell phone in Croatia, you have four options: an eSIM, international roaming, a local SIM card, or using a pocket WiFi.

Each one has its pros and cons, so let’s see which one is best for you.

eSIM

Using a travel eSIM only requires having an eSIM-compatible phone, and you can get unlimited data to stay connected on your trip.

That’s what the Holafly eSIM for Croatia offers, with pricing starting at $3.90 daily. In the long run, with costs as low as $1.55 daily, you can say goodbye to expensive roaming.

Aside from the unlimited data, you get up to 500 MB of hotspot data, 5G high-speed data, 24/7 customer support, and an easy activation process, which makes Holafly your best travel companion.

Roaming

International roaming is the go-to option if your phone is carrier-locked, and depending on your carrier and plan, you can expect to pay over $100 in a few minutes.

For US carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, data roaming costs $2.05/MB, with minutes costing $3 and texts costing $2 on pay-as-you-go plans.

Roaming passes range from $5 to $50 on T-Mobile, with up to 15 GB of high-speed international data, while Verizon and AT&T charge $12 daily for their unlimited data, minutes, and texts travel passes.

Some UK carriers offer free roaming on specific plans. O2 does it for all their monthly and pay-as-you-go plans, Three for their Complete and Value plans, and Vodafone UK does it for users who joined before June 11, 2025.

However, carriers like Vodafone UK, EE, and Three Lite and Advanced plans charge £2 to £2.67 to unlock your local allowance.

Physical SIM card for Croatia

If you have a SIM-only phone, A1, Telemach, and Hrvatski Telekom offer various tourist plans that can be purchased at the airport, official stores, or third-party vendors.

Croatia SIM card plans range from €10 to €20, including unlimited data, 200 minutes, and texts, with validity periods of 10 to 90 days.

To get one, you’ll need to show your passport and proof of stay, so don’t leave them in your hotel room.

Pocket WiFi for Croatia

Using a pocket WiFi device is a good option for larger groups of travelers or remote workers, but it is one of the most expensive options compared to other international plans.

Renting a pocket WiFi for Croatia for one week can cost over $100, which includes a limited data plan, delivery charges, and any extra charges like late delivery.

However, there’s a cost-effective alternative available, and you can use an eSIM phone: Holafly Plans.

These plans range from $49.90 to $64.90, offering unlimited data, unlimited hotspot data, coverage in over 170 destinations, and 5G high-speed internet, which makes it a better and more reliable option than a pocket WiFi.

Will your mobile phone work in Croatia? The verdict

Yes, but you need to choose the option that best suits you and your travel budget.

If you have a carrier-locked phone, you can either rely on a pocket WiFi or roaming, these being the most expensive options.

A local SIM card is a good option if you have a SIM-only phone, but you’ll be offline until you find where to get one, which is a downside in a new country.

That makes the eSIM for Croatia, or even Holafly Plans, a better option. You can install these before your trip and get a reliable internet connection as soon as you land.

Plus, these cost half of what you can spend on roaming or a pocket WiFi, making them a go-to option for visitors.

Visiting other European countries? Find out how to use your cell phone there:

FAQs

Will I get charged for using my phone in Croatia?

Yes, especially if you use roaming. But there are other cost-effective options, like a travel eSIM.

Will my iPhone work in Croatia?

Yes, but you have to double-check if your iPhone is carrier-locked or unlocked before traveling abroad.

Which SIM card is the best for tourists in Croatia?

A1 is the best option to get a local SIM card in Croatia, as they offer different plans for an affordable price.

Which mobile network is best in Croatia?

Telemach is the best mobile network in Croatia in terms of reliability and coverage, while Hrvatski Telekom stands out as the fastest mobile network.

Do you need an eSIM for Croatia?

Using an eSIM in Croatia is the best option to avoid high roaming charges or paying too much for limited international data plans, and the Holafly eSIM for Croatia is your best choice for your trip.

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Julio Osuna

English Content Writer

I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.

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