The approximately 670 km long border between Slovenia and Croatia is the most significant border for tourism in Croatia. There are 42 border crossings, with the motorway crossings Gruskovje (SVN) - Macelj (HRV) and Obrezje (SVN) - Bregana (HRV) being among the most important.
In Croatia and Slovenia, there is a vignette requirement on all motorways and expressways. For a more relaxed journey, it is advisable to purchase the digital vignette for Slovenia online in advance. This saves a lot of time at toll stations.
Since January 2023, Croatia has been a part of the EU. Therefore, there are no longer extensive border controls between Slovenia and Croatia. Exceptions include international sports events, large political events, or other special occasions where internal order and security need to be maintained.
As of late 2023, border controls have been reintroduced between Slovenia and Croatia due to increasing numbers of migrants. Therefore, there can be long waiting times at the Croatian border. As an EU member, you can pass through the control with an ID card or passport and carry goods for personal use without any issues.
If you have purchased your digital vignette online in advance, you can quickly make up for the time lost at border controls at the toll station.
There is a vignette obligation on all motorways and expressways in Croatia and Slovenia. For Slovenia, you can easily purchase a digital vignette online. Your license plate will be registered, allowing you to pass through toll stations without stopping, rather than waiting in line, collecting small change, and losing time.
Currently, Croatia does not have an E-Vignette system, but one is planned for the end of 2024. Until then, toll fees in Croatia are still paid at toll stations when entering and exiting the motorway. In vacation regions like Istria, toll prices are significantly higher during the holiday season compared to other months.
Depending on which vacation region of Croatia you want to visit, different border crossings are useful. To reach Istria, the crossing at Kastel is often used. For the Kvarner Bay region, you cross at Rupa, Pasjak, or Jurovski Brod. To get to Dalmatia or the inland areas, most travelers use Bregana, Macelj, or Dubrava Krizovljanska.
The Gruskovje - Macelj border crossing is about 75 km north of Zagreb and is one of the main border crossings between Slovenia and Croatia. Travelers heading to the Croatian interior, Zagreb, or Dalmatia frequently use this crossing. Here, the Slovenian motorway A4 and the Croatian motorway A2 meet, forming a direct connection between Maribor and Zagreb.
This border crossing is often less crowded than the Macelj border crossing and still provides a quick connection to Zagreb and the Croatian interior.
Those traveling to Croatia for a beach vacation will likely cross the Rupa border crossing, as it leads directly to the sea via the Croatian motorway A7. On the Slovenian side, you initially travel on country roads but quickly join the A1 motorway towards Ljubljana and Maribor. Rupa is one of the most popular border crossings for traveling from Slovenia to the Croatian Kvarner Bay or the Istrian region.
If there are significant delays at the Rupa border crossing, which is common during the summer months, the nearby Pasjak border crossing is a good alternative.
The border crossings between Slovenia and Austria are not only connecting routes between two nations but also gateways to various cultures and landscapes. Whether you are traveling for business or want to explore the sights and sounds of this region, these border crossings offer the opportunity to experience two worlds in a single adventure. Don't forget to get your digital vignette for Slovenia here.
