5 Best Prepaid SIM Cards in Croatia: Buying Guide

Croatia – one of the few European countries with more than 1000 islands, of which only 48 are inhabited.

Formerly part of Yugoslavia, Croatia has a rich history, so there are plenty of museums and old buildings to visit. Since it is not a landlocked country, there are plenty of beaches to go to relax, swim, or get a tan (or be like me and have a permanent tan year-round!).

Whether you plan on visiting Croatia for its architecture, nightlife, or cuisine, you certainly want to share your experiences online, which you should.

But you should be aware that international roaming can be expensive in many cases. An Instagram live stream can costs you hundreds or even thousands if you do not watch out.

Luckily, as Croatia is part of the European Union (EU), those with an EU SIM card can (often) roam for free while in Croatia. Everyone else will be charged (high) standard Pay As You Go roaming rates.

Fortunately, this can be avoided by getting yourself a local SIM card while traveling, such as a Croatian one, to enjoy local rates and save on roaming fees. The money saved can be spent on fantastic experiences while in Croatia.

But how expenisve are Croatian SIM cards?

Regular Croatian SIM cards are available for 20 HRK (3.25 USD) in the official stores of Hrvatski Telekom, A1 & Telemach. They are also available at grocery stores, post offices, and newsstands. An unlimited data plan valid for 7 days will cost you 70 HRK (11.40 USD).

Cannot see the video above? Watch it here or on YouTube.

Those are some exciting figures! Plus, unlimited data plans are always exciting.

The three main operators, Hrvatski Telekom, A1 & Telemach, all have SIM cards aimed at tourists with attractive packages, such as unlimited data.

In this guide, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Croatia. Let's do this.

Original publication: 18th of May 2021. Last updated: 13th of July 2021.

Table of Contents

Can You Buy a SIM Card in Croatia?

Everyone in Croatia can buy a Croatian SIM card regardless of whether they are visiting the country as a tourist/traveler or are living there.

You do need to have a phone that supports the frequencies used in Croatia. Furthermore, your device has to be SIM-lock-free (unlocked) if you plan on using local SIM cards.

Where Can You Buy a SIM Card in Croatia?

Croatian SIM cards are available in the official stores of the operators (Hrvatski Telekom – also for Bonbon SIM cards, A1, Telemach & Tomato (through third-party retailers)) and other stores, such as post offices, grocery stores, newsstands, gas stations, and convenience stores.

It is also possible to buy SIM cards at several airports, such as Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport.

You can buy a SIM card in the following international airports:

• Dubrovnik Airport/Čilipi Airport (Zračna luka Dubrovnik/Čilipi)
• Split Airport/Resnik Airport (Zračna luka Split/Resnik)
• Zadar Airport (Zračna luka Zadar)
• Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport (Zračna luka Franjo Tuđman Zagreb)

Cannot see the video above? Watch it here or on YouTube.

You can expect to pay the following for Croatian SIM cards:

• Simpa by Hrvatski Telekom: 20 HRK
• A1 Croatia: 20 HRK
• Telemach Croatia (Formerly Tele2 Croatia): 20 HRK (normal), 49 HRK (normal) or 70 HRK (data-only)
• Bonbon: 10 HRK (data-only) or 20 HRK (normal)
• Tomato: 20 HRK

The following operators also have SIM cards targeting tourists:

• Simpa by Hrvatski Telekom: 85 HRK
• A1 Croatia: 80 HRK
• Telemach Croatia (Formerly Tele2 Croatia): 75 HRK

Can You Use Your Phone in Croatia?

Croatia uses GSM technology for mobile communications. CDMA phones will not work in Croatia. If your phone has a SIM card slot, then it supports GSMA (99% of the phones do support GSM nowadays).

Traditional European frequencies are used in Croatia, which are mostly used in ITU Regions 1 & 3 (Africa, Asia (including the Middle East), Europe & Oceania).

The Americas North-, Central– & South America + the Caribbean – ITU Region 2) use American Frequencies, which differ from the European ones.

If you bought your phone in Africa, Asia, Europe, or Oceania (ITU regions 1 & 3), you should not experience any issues with using your phone in Croatia.

If you purchased your phone in the Americas (ITU Region 2) and have a low/medium-end device (without Tri-Band or Quad-Band) support, then there is a possibility you cannot use your phone when in Croatia or can only use slower networks (3G or 2G).

If you have a medium/high-end device with Tri-Band or Quad-Band support, you can use your phone in Croatia (to some extent) – also on 4G/LTE.

Mobile Operators, Networks & Frequencies in Croatia

Croatia has three mobile network operators (Main Operators) and two (Mobile Virtual Network Operators):

• Hrvatski Telekom
• A1 Croatia
• Telemach Croatia (Formerly Tele2 Croatia)
• Bonbon (Hrvatski Telekom MVNO)
• Tomato (A1 Croatia MVNO)

The following frequencies are used in Croatia:

• 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
• 3G: 900 MHz & 2100 MHz
• 4G/LTE: 800 MHz (Band 20), 1800 MHz (Band 3), 2100 MHz (Band 1) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
• 5G NR: 700 MHz (n28 – testing) & 2100 MHz (n65 – through DSS)

Note: 5G is not available to prepaid customers at this moment.

You can learn more about frequencies in the video below.

Cannot see the video above? Watch it here or on YouTube.

To check whether your phone will work in Croatia, check out this page by Will My Phone Work (may be outdated or inaccurate at times).

Again, make sure your phone is unlocked. Otherwise, you will not be able to use any SIM card except the one from your home operator (meaning you have to roam internationally or buy another unlocked phone that does support the frequencies listed above).

If you want to learn how international roaming works, this guide explains it in-depth. If you wonder why it is often so expensive to roam, this article explains the hidden reason they do not want you to know.

5G in Croatia

Croatia has had commercial 5G since 2020, with Hrvatski Telekom debuting the launch in Nedelja, Osijek, Samobor, Split, Sveta & Zagreb. However, 5G is not available to prepaid customers at this time.

Currently, 5G is offered through Dynamic Spectrum Sharing, which enables the use of existing (3G & 4G/LTE) frequencies for 5G. A1 Croatia has been testing 5G on 700 MHz (n28) since March 2021.

The Croatian Postal & Electronic Communications Agency (Hrvatska regulatorna agencija za mrezne djelatnosti – HAKOM) had to postpone the 5G license auction from 2020 to 2021 because of COVID-19. Several TV broadcasters were still using 700 MHz frequency, which will be part of the 5G auction.

HAKOM started open consultations for the 5G auction terms in April 2021 for the following frequencies: 700 MHz (n28), 3500 MHz (n77), and 26 GHz (n258). The auction itself is expected to occur in June 2021, and the licenses should be awarded in July 2021.

Best SIM Card in Croatia

If you want to buy the best SIM card in Croatia, I recommend going with either Hrvatski Telekom or A1. Hrvatski has the best network in terms of speeds and coverage, but it throttles prepaid speeds. If you care about fast speeds, go with A1, which does not throttle prepaid speeds and has excellent coverage too.

SIM Card Registration in Croatia

SIM card registration using your passport information is not needed when buying a SIM card in Croatia.

However, do note that the mobile operators may encourage you to register your SIM by providing incentives, such as extra credit or data. In this case, registration means creating an account with the operators, and some do ask for your ID or passport details for creating an account.

EU Roaming in Croatia

Croatia is part of the European Union (EU). Since June 2017, those with EU/EEA (European Economic Area) SIM cards can roam for free in other EU/EEA nations, including Croatia.

This means that, in the majority of cases, you do not need to purchase a Croatian SIM card if you already have an EU/EEA SIM card because you can roam without additional costs.

However, conditions do apply. Operators in some countries may impose a roaming Fair Use Policy (FUP). In countries where local mobile data rates are extremely low (such as in the Baltics and Nordics), operators may still charge you for roaming in the EU/EEA.

Be sure to head over to the international roaming page to learn whether your operator offers free roaming while in the Netherlands or if restrictions apply.

Roaming in the EU with Croatian SIM Cards

Croatia and the Croatian operators have largely adopted the roam like at home regulations principles early on. However, some plans have an EU/EEA roaming cap.

EU Roaming possibilities and allowances will clearly be mentioned throughout this guide where applicable.

Croatia Speeds, Internet Prices & Insights

Mobile data rates can be extremely low in Europe. Perhaps not as cheap as in places around the world, like Asia, but the cost of data in Europe will not break the bank.

Central Europe, often grouped as or with Eastern Europe, has even lower prices than Western Europe.

What about Croatia? Is the cost of data cheap there?

The average price for 1 GB of data in Croatia is 2.35 USD, a bit less than the European average of 2.50 USD. The world average is 4.07 USD.

Cable.co.uk split Europe into three territories: Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Baltics. The Eastern European average cost of 1 GB of data, using Cable.co.uk's definition, is 2.25 USD.

But what about speeds? Will you get fast speeds in Croatia?

Croatia's average mobile download speed is around 75 Mbps, placing the country in the top 25 countries with the fastest mobile download speed on the Global Index.

The thing is, mobile coverage throughout Croatia is good (unless you are up in the mountains – expect nothing, 2G if unlucky, or 3G reception). Moreover, speeds are fast. Look how the individual operators performed during Speedtest's analysis back in 2020.

And things have only gotten better.

However, you should know that Hrvatski Telekom throttled prepaid speeds up to 75 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload. Only postpaid customers/subscribers can take full advantage of Hrvatski Telekom's speeds, which you cannot become as a traveler.

A1 does not throttle speeds. Telemach – I do not know – but they are the slowest in the country anyway. Do not expect too much from them.

With all of this said, you should have a smooth network experience while in Croatia. And once 5G rolls out, speeds will only go up, even with Telemach.

Currency in Croatia

Croatia uses the Croatian Kuna with the symbol HRK (which will be used throughout this guide). However, prices are often listed as just Kn. For example, 25 HRK = 25 Kn. For reference, below are some exchange rates between HRK and USD (US Dollars):

• 1 HRK = 0.15 USD
• 10 HRK = 1.60 USD
• 100 HRK = 16.20 USD
• 1000 HRK = 161.80 USD

For up-to-date HRK:USD exchange rates, search HRK to USD on Google, or replace USD with the currency you use.

If your credit/debit card charges you foreign exchange fees, get yourself a Wise Borderless Account and Debit Card. Their fees are MUCH lower than banks, and credit card companies charge you (and Wise is transparent about their fees, unlike banks). I have saved literal THOUSANDS of Euros, my main currency, when using Wise abroad when traveling compared to my debit and credit cards. Open a Wise account FREE!

Croatian Prepaid SIM Cards

Below, I will guide you through Simpa by Hrvatski Telekom, A1, Telemach, Bonbon & Tomato, and go through:

• Background information
• Mobile coverage
• SIM card types, prices, and availability
• Recharge / top-up information
• Combo plans, data plans, and special packs (such as social media packs) 

With that being said, let’s see what Croatia has to offer to us.

Simpa by Hrvatski Telekom

Hrvatski Telekom, also known as simply HT, is the largest operator in Croatia with a market share of close to 50% (Bonbon customers inclusive). It has also won the Croatia Speedtest Fastest Mobile Network Award in 2019 and 2020.

Hrvatski Telekom's prepaid line is called Simpa. It used to be marketed as a separate thing with its own logo. However, Simpa has fully been incorporated with Hrvatski Telekom, and the SIM cards have always available at its stores too.

Prepaid speeds are capped at 75 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload.

Hrvatski Telekom uses the following frequencies:

• 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
• 3G: 900 MHz & 2100 MHz
• 4G/LTE: 800 MHz (Band 20), 1800 MHz (Band 3) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
• 5G NR: 2100 MHz (n65 – through DSS) – not available for prepaid

Coverage – Simpa by Hrvatski Telekom

Hrvatski Telekom has the best coverage in Croatia.

It even managed to win the Croatia Speedtest Best Mobile Coverage Award two years in a row.

Below is Hrvatski Telekom's official coverage map showing its 3G and 4G/LTE coverage:

Its 5G coverage is shown on a different map. As 5G is not available to prepaid customers (yet), I will not show it here (and 5G development will be rapid once the auctions have taken place), but you can see the up-to-date 5G coverage map here.

Below is Hrvatski Telekom's coverage map produced by Speedtest:

Jump back to Bonbon.

SIM Card Price – Simpa by Hrvatski Telekom

You can get a Simpa SIM card, Hrvatski Telekom's prepaid line, for 20 HRK with 20 HRK credit in Hrvatski Telekom stores and other retailers, such as post offices, gas stations, and convenience stores.

It is also possible to order a Simpa SIM card online for free or 20 HRK with 20 HRK in credit. However, the SIM card can only be delivered to Croatian addresses.

Short-term travelers can also take advantage of the Hrvatski Telekom Tourist SIM card. For 85 HRK, you will get truly unlimited data (called Flat) and 5 HRK in credit for 7 days. The plan will auto-renew if you have at least 60 HRK on your balance.

The Hrvatski Telekom Tourist SIM card is sold at all places where Simpa SIM cards can be purchased, such as Hrvatski Telekom stores, newsstands, and gas stations. This SIM card can also be found at several Croatian airports, including Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport.

Suppose you plan on staying for more than one week in Croatia and still want to get the Tourist SIM card. In that case, Hrvatski Telekom has the following two recommendations:

• “For a month of unlimited surfing, we suggest that, in addition to purchasing the Start package, you also top-up 180 HRK to your account. This amount is enough to cover three unlimited surfing add-ons (3 x Flat Surf add-on at the price of 60 HRK).”
• “For two months of unlimited surfing, we suggest that, in addition to purchasing the Start package, you also top-up 420 HRK to your account. This amount is enough to cover seven unlimited surfing add-ons (7 x Flat Surf add-on at the price of 60 HRK).”

Simpa and Hrvaksti Telekom Tourist SIM cards get deactivated if there has been no activity for 90 days (no top-up for 90 days or no activity for 90 days).

Topping Up & Recharge – Simpa by Hrvatski Telekom

Simpa/Hrvatski Telekom top-up vouchers are sold in Hrvatski Telekom stores and many other stores throughout Croatia, including post offices, kiosks, and grocery stores.

The following top-up cards are available:

Top-Up	Validity
20 HRK	90 days
30 HRK	90 days
60 HRK	90 days
120 HRK	120 days
200 HRK	180 days

To top up your Simpa SIM card, text your VoucherCode#YourPhoneNumber# to 13240. *103*VoucherCode#.

For example, if your voucher code is 123456 and your phone number is 0900000000. you would text 123456#0900000000 to 13240.

It is also possible to recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards in values of 30 HRK, 60 HRK, 120 HRK & 200 HRK.

For the first few months of online recharging (through the website or app) or at T-Centers (official Hrvatski Telekom stores, not partner stores), you will get 10x the amount of your recharge in data. For example, if you recharge 120 HRK online, you will get 1200 MB in data.

To check your Simpa balance, text A to 13636 and select option 3.

Tip: text A to 13636 and select option 7 to change the menu to English.

Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – Simpa by Hrvatski Telekom

Simpa has three types of data-featured plans, which are:

• Simpa Opcije/Simpa Options (combo)
• Dodatne Simpa Opcije/Additional Simpa Options (specific app data-only add-ons)
• Internet Opcije/Internet Options (data-only)

Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.

Simpa Opcije (Simpa Options) – Simpa by Hrvatski Telekom

The Simpa Opcije (Simpa Options) are combo plans with data and local minutes/SMS.

The following Simpa Opcije are available, which you can activate by texting the Activation Code to 13636:

Price	Plan	Data	Local Minutes/SMS	Validity	Activation Code
24 HRK	Simpa Tjedna	2500 MB 1	400 minutes/SMS	7 days	TJEDNA
44 HRK	Simpa XS	800 MB	1000 minutes/SMS	30 days	SIMPA XS
54 HRK	Simpa S	2000 MB	1000 minutes/SMS	30 days	SIMPA S
74 HRK	Simpa M	4000 MB	2000 minutes/SMS	30 days	SIMPA M
94 HRK	Simpa L	7000 MB	2000 minutes/SMS	30 days	SIMPA L

¹ only 1.6 GB can be used when roaming in the EU/EEA

Dodatne Simpa Opcije (Additional Simpa Options) – Simpa by Hrvatski Telekom

The Dodatne Simpa Opcije (Additional Simpa Options) are unlimited data-only add-ons for select social media, video streaming, and music streaming apps for Simpa Opcije. They cannot be purchased as standalone plans.

Price	Plan	Data	App(s)	Validity
9 HRK	Mjesečno Snapchat	Unlimited	Snapchat	30 days
9 HRK	Mjesečno WhatsApp	Unlimited	WhatsApp	30 days
49 HRK	Mjesečno Audiomack	Unlimited	Audiomack	30 days
49 HRK	Mjesečno Deezer	Unlimited	Deezer	30 days
49 HRK	Mjesečno Facebook & Facebook Messenger	Unlimited	Facebook & Facebook Messenger	30 days
49 HRK	Mjesečno HBO GO	Unlimited	HBO GO	30 days
49 HRK	Mjesečno Instagram	Unlimited	Instagram	30 days
49 HRK	Mjesečno MAXtv To Go	Unlimited	MAXtv To Go	30 days
49 HRK	Mjesečno Netflix	Unlimited	Netflix	30 days
49 HRK	Mjesečno Pickbox NOW	Unlimited	Pickbox NOW	30 days
49 HRK	Mjesečno YouTube	Unlimited	YouTube	30 days

Dodatne Simpa Opcije can be activated online or on the Hrvatski Telekom app.

Internet Opcije (Internet Options) – Simpa by Hrvatski Telekom

The Internet Opcije (Internet Options) are data-only bundles.

You can activate an Internet Opcije by texting the Activation Code to 13636:

Price	Plan	Data	EU/EEA Roaming Data	Validity	Activation Code
10 HRK	Dnevno Internet Dan	Unlimited	Unknown	1 day	INTERNET DAN
20 HRK	Mjesečno Internet S	1000 MB	N/A	30 days 1	INTERNET S
40 HRK	Mjesečno Internet M	3000 MB	2.9 GB	30 days 1	INTERNET M
60 HRK	Mjesečno Internet L	6000 MB	4.3 GB	30 days 1	INTERNET L
70 HRK	Tjedno Internet Tjedan	Unlimited	Unknown	7 days	Tjedan
80 HRK	Tjedno Flat Surf	Unlimited	Unknown	7 days	Tjedan
90 HRK	Mjesečno Internet Xl	9000 MB	6.5 GB	30 days 1	INTERNET XL

APN/Internet Settings – Simpa by Hrvatski Telekom

• Name: Hrvatski Telekom
• APN: internet.ht.hr

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

Jump back to the Table of Contents.

A1 Croatia

A1 Croatia, just A1 but officially A1 Hrvatski, is the second-largest operator in Croatia with a 35% market share (Tomato customers inclusive). A1 as a company is also active in neighboring countries.

Prepaid speeds are not capped, and the maximum download speed you can achieve is 225 Mbps.

A1 uses the following frequencies:

• 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
• 3G: 2100 MHz
• 4G/LTE: 800 MHz (Band 20), 1800 MHz (Band 3), 2100 MHz (Band 1) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
• 5G NR: testing phase (not available for prepaid)

Coverage – A1 Croatia

A1 has extensive coverage throughout Croatia.

According to the Croatia Speedtest Best Mobile Coverage Award, A1 had an 87.6% 4G availability during the test.

Below is A1's coverage map:

Jump back to Tomato.

SIM Card Price – A1 Croatia

You can get an A1 SIM card for 20 HRK with 20 HRK in credit in A1 stores and other stores, such as supermarkets, newsstands, and convenience stores.

It is also possible to order an A1 SIM card online for free. However, the SIM card can only be delivered to Croatian addresses.

Short-term travelers can also get the A1 Tourist 4G SIM Card. For 80 HRK, you will get truly unlimited data and 100 minutes/SMS for 5 days.

The A1 Tourist 4G SIM Card is sold at the same places where you can buy a regular A1 SIM card, such as A1 stores, post offices, and grocery stores. You can also get it at several Croatian airports, such as Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport.

Topping Up & Recharge – A1 Croatia

A1 top-up vouchers are sold in A1 stores and many other establishments, such as supermarkets, newsstands, and convenience stores.

The following top-ups are available:

• 15 HRK
• 30 HRK
• 60 HRK
• 90 HRK
• 120 HRK
• 240 HRK

You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.

Top-Up	MasterCard Credit Bonus	Bonus Data
15 HRK	1.5 HRK (16.5 HRK)	150 MB
30 HRK	3 HRK (33 HRK)	300 MB
60 HRK	6 HRK (66 HRK)	600 MB
90 HRK	9 HRK (99 HRK)	900 MB
120 HRK	12 HRK (132 HRK)	1200 MB
240 HRK	24 HRK (264 HRK)	2400 MB

When using a MasterCard debit or credit card, you will get extra credit for topping up (the MasterCard Credit Bonus values mentioned in brackets will be your total recharge). Everyone who recharges online (on the app) gets bonus data ten times the top-up value (30 HRK = 300 MB).

To top up your A1 SIM card, dial *103*VoucherCode#.

For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *103*123456#.

Dial *101# to check your A1 balance.

Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – A1 Croatia

A1 has two types of data-featured plans: A1 Na Bonove (A1 On Vouchers) & Dodatne Opcije (Additional Options).

A1 Na Bonove (A1 On Vouchers) – A1 Croatia

The A1 Na Bonove (A1 On Vouchers) are combo plans with data and minutes/SMS.

A1 Na Bonove can be activated online or on the app:

Price	Plan	Data	Local Minutes/SMS	Validity
49 HRK	Spikalica	1 GB	300 minutes/SMS	30 days
79 HRK	Sheralica	4 GB	500 minutes/SMS	30 days
99 HRK	Surferica	7 GB	1000 minutes/SMS	30 days
139 HRK	Strimalica	10 GB	1500 minutes/SMS	30 days
249 HRK	Fleterica	“Unlimited” (1 TB)	1500 minutes/SMS	30 days

Dodatne Opcije (Additional Options) – A1 Croatia

The Dodatne Opcije (Additional Options) are add-ons for A1 Na Bonove. They cannot be purchased as standalone plans.

You can activate Dodatne Opcije online or on the app:

Price	Add-On	Data	Local Minutes/SMS	Validity
9 HRK	9za9	9 GB	N/A	24 hours
15 HRK	1 Giga	1 GB	N/A	30 days
15 HRK	Weekend Opcija	“Unlimited” (1 TB)	N/A	From Friday 17:00 until Sunday 23:59
30 HRK	300 Min/SMS	N/A	300 minutes/SMS	30 days
40 HRK	4 Gige	4 GB	N/A	30 days
50 HRK	Noćna	“Unlimited” (1 TB)	N/A	1 night (0:00 – 8:00)
50 HRK	Non Stop Social	“Unlimited” (1 TB) 1	N/A	30 days  2
60 HRK	Tjedna Opcjia	20 GB	N/A	7 days
110 HRK	30 Giga	30 GB	N/A	30 days

¹ Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok & WhatsApp
² auto-renews – can be disabled online or on the app

APN/Internet Settings – A1 Croatia

• Name: A1 Hrvatska
• APN: internet

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

Jump back to the Table of Contents.

Telemach Croatia (Formerly Tele2 Croatia)

Telemach Croatia, just Telemach and previously known as Tele2 Croatia, is the smallest operator in Croatia. Telemach as a company is active in neighboring countries.

Telemach uses the following frequencies:

• 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
• 3G: 900 MHz & 2100 MHz
• 4G/LTE: 1800 MHz (Band 3) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)

Coverage – Telemach Croatia (Formerly Tele2 Croatia)

Telemach has great coverage throughout Croatia.

Telemach does have the worst coverage in the country. However, it is still nationwide. Telemach used Hrvatski Telekom's 3G network where needed. However, it is unknown whether this deal is still in place nowadays.

Below is Telemach's official coverage map showing its 3G and 4G reception:

Below is a coverage map produced by Speedtest:

SIM Card Price – Telemach Croatia (Formerly Tele2 Croatia)

You can get a Telemach SIM card, called SIM2GO, starting from 20 HRK in Telemach stores and other stores, such as supermarkets, newsstands, and convenience stores.

The following SIM card options are available:

Price	SIM Card	Credit	Data	Local Minutes	Local SMS
20 HRK	SIM2GO	20 HRK	1 GB	N/A	N/A
49 HRK	SIM2GO	N/A	2 GB	500 minutes	500 SMS
70 HRK	NET2GO Card	N/A	20 GB 1	N/A	N/A

¹ Speeds up to 10 Mbps

Short-term travelers can also get the SIM2GO For Tourists SIM Card. For 75 HRK, you will get 10 HRK in credit, 10 GB, and 200 local minutes – all for 30 days.

The SIM2GO For Tourists SIM Card is sold at the same places where you can buy a regular Telemach/SIM2GO SIM card, such as Telemach stores, post offices, and grocery stores. You can also get it at several Croatian airports, such as Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport.

SIM2GO/Telemach SIM cards get deactivated if there has been no activity for 180 days (no top-up for 180 days or no activity for 180 days).

Topping Up & Recharge – Telemach Croatia (Formerly Tele2 Croatia)

SIM2GO/Telemach top-up vouchers are sold in Telemach stores and many other stores throughout Croatia, including post offices, kiosks, and grocery stores.

The following (online) top-up cards are available:

Top-Up (Voucher)	Bonus Data/Bonus Credit (Online Only)	Validity
15 HRK	N/A	90 days
30 HRK	300 MB/7.5 HRK	90 days
60 HRK	600 MB/15 HRK	90 days
120 HRK	1200 MB/30 HRK	150 days
240 HRK	2400 MB/60 HRK	250 days

To top up your SIM2Go/Telemach SIM card, dial *131*VoucherCode#.

For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *131*123456#.

When topping up online, you can choose whether you want free bonus data or extra credit.

Dial *150# to check your SIM2GO/Telemach balance. The same can be done by texting STANJE to 13888 with a regular SIM2GO SIM card and with Balance to 13880 with a SIM2GO For Tourist SIM card.

Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – Telemach Croatia (Formerly Tele2 Croatia)

Telemach has only one type of data-featured plan, which is the SIM2GO. This plan can also be added to the SIM2GO For Tourist SIM cards.

The following SIM2GO plans are available, which you can activate by texting the Activation Code to 13888:

Price	Plan	Data	EU/EEA Data Allowance (Up To)	Local Minutes	Local SMS	Validity	Activation Code
39 HRK	SIM2GO S	0.5 GB	0.5 GB	200 minutes	200 SMS	30 days	S
59 HRK	SIM2GO M	2 GB	2 GB	500 minutes	500 SMS	30 days	M
89 HRK	SIM2GO L	7 GB	6.2 GB	1000 minutes	1000 SMS	30 days	L

SIM2GO Plans auto-renew. Auto-renewal can be disabled online or on the app.

APN/Internet Settings – Telemach Croatia (Formerly Tele2 Croatia)

In most cases, your phone will automatically retrieve the correct APN settings for Telemach Croatia. If not, send a Blank SMS to 13777 to download the correct internet settings for your phone.

If that does not work and you need to add the APN settings manually, add the following details in the APN fields:

• Name: Telemach Internet
• APN: internet
• MMS Center: http://mmsproxy.telemach.hr
• MMS Proxy: 86.32.5.243
• MMS Input: 80
• MCC: 219
• MNC: 02

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

Jump back to the Table of Contents.

Bonbon

Bonbon is an online-based Hrvatski Telekom MVNO.

Prepaid speeds are capped at 75 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload.

To learn about Bonbon's frequencies, jump back to Hrvatski Telekom's frequencies.

Coverage – Bonbon Croatia

Bonbon is a Hrvatski Telekom MVNO, meaning Bonbon uses the Hrvatski Telekom network and does not have its own mobile infrastructure. To find out what to expect in terms of coverage with Bonbon, jump to the Hrvatski Telekom Coverage section.

Worry not; there will be a link to jump straight back to where you were after seeing Hrvatski Telekom's coverage.

SIM Card Price – Bonbon Croatia

Bonbon SIM cards can be purchased in Hrvatski Telekom stores and other stores, such as post offices, newsstands, and grocery stores across Croatia. You can get the regular SIM card (for 20 HRK with 20 HRK in credit or the Internet SIM (data-only for 10 HRK with 10 HRK in credit).

It is also possible to order a SIM card for free. However, the SIM card can only be delivered to Croatian addresses.

You can register your SIM card and get 50% off your first plan activation.

Bonbon SIM cards get deactivated if there has been no activity for 90 days (no top-up for 90 days or no activity for 90 days).

Topping Up & Recharge – Bonbon Croatia

Bonbon top-up cards are sold in Hrvatski Telekom stores, convenience stores, and kiosks.

The following top-up cards are available:

Top-Up	Validity
15 HRK	90 days
30 HRK	90 days
60 HRK	90 days
90 HRK	90 days
180 HRK	360 days

To top up your Bonbon SIM card, dial *100# and follow the instructions.

To check your Bonbon balance, text kuna to 13977. The same can also be done by dialing *100# or 127#.

Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – Bonbon Croatia

Bonbon has four types of data-featured plans:

• Unaprijed Skombinirano za Uštedu/Combo Plans
• Izaberi Svoju Kombinaciju/Make Your Own Plan (customizable combo)
• Opcije Bez Potrošnje Interneta/Social Media Add-Ons
• Internet SIM Paketi/Internet SIM Packages (data-only for Internet SIM)

Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.

Unaprijed Skombinirano Za Uštedu (Combo Plans) – Bonbon Croatia

The Unaprijed Skombinirano za Uštedu (Combo Plans) are combo bundles with data, local minutes, and local SMS.

You can activate Unaprijed Skombinirano za Uštedu by dialing *121#:

Price	Plan	Data	Local Minutes	Local SMS	Validity
95 HRK	Kombo L	5 GB	2400 minutes	300 SMS	30 days
110 HRK	Kombo XL	12 GB	2400 minutes	300 SMS	30 days

Unused balances will roll over to the new month as long as the plan auto-renews. Auto-renewal can be disabled by dialing *121#.

Izaberi Svoju Kombinaciju (Make Your Own Plan) – Bonbon Croatia

The Izaberi Svoju Kombinaciju (Make Your Own Plan) allows you to set how much data (Internet), minutes (Razgovori), and SMS you want. You can also get unlimited data for Deezer & HBO GO (Ostalo).

Internet Options – Bonbon Croatia

With Izaberi Svoju Kombinaciju, you can get 300 MB or unlimited data valid for 7 days to 30 days.

Price	Plan	Data	Validity
10 HRK	Internet XS	300 MB	30 days
20 HRK	Tjedni Internet S	2 GB	7 days
40 HRK	Internet M	4 GB	30 days
50 HRK	Internet L	6 GB	30 days
70 HRK	Tjedni Flat	Unlimited	7 days
70 HRK	Internet XL	9 GB	30 days
90 HRK	Internet XXL	12 GB	30 days

Razgovori (Call Options) – Bonbon Croatia

With Izaberi Svoju Kombinaciju, you can get 300 minutes to 2400 minutes for 30 days.

Price	Plan	Local Minutes	Validity
20 HRK	Razgovori S	300 minutes	30 days
35 HRK	Razgovori M	600 minutes	30 days
50 HRK	Razgovori L	2400 minutes	30 days

Ostalo – (Other Options) – Bonbon Croatia

With Izaberi Svoju Kombinaciju, you can get 300 local minutes, and unlimited data for Deezer & HBO GO.

Price	Data	App	Local SMS	Validity
20 HRK	N/A	N/A	300 SMS	30 days
35 HRK	Unlimited	Deezer Music	N/A	30 days
40 HRK	Unlimited	HBO GO	N/A	30 days

Opcije Bez Potrošnje Interneta (Social Media Add-Ons) – Bonbon Croatia

The Opcije Bez Potrošnje Interneta (Social Media Add-Ons) are add-ons for select social media, video streaming, and music streaming apps for Izaberi Svoju Kombinaciju. They cannot be purchased as standalone plans.

Opcije Bez Potrošnje can be activated by dialing *121#:

Price	Data	App(s)	Validity
9 HRK	Unlimited	Snapchat	30 days
9 HRK	Unlimited	WhatsApp	30 days
49 HRK	Unlimited	Deezer	30 days
49 HRK	Unlimited	Facebook & Facebook Messenher	30 days
49 HRK	Unlimited	HBO GO	30 days
49 HRK	Unlimited	Instagram	30 days
49 HRK	Unlimited	MAXtv To Go	30 days
49 HRK	Unlimited	Netflix	30 days
49 HRK	Unlimited	Pickbox Now	30 days
49 HRK	Unlimited	YouTube	30 days

Internet SIM Paketi (Internet SIM Packages) – Bonbon Croatia

The Internet SIM Paketi (Internet SIM Packages) are data-only packaged for the Internet SIM.

Activate an Internet SIM Paketi by dialing *121#:

Price	Plan	Data	Validity
3 HRK	Dnevnom Internet Paketu	300 MB	1 day
10 HRK	Velikom Dnevnom Internet Paketu	5 GB	1 day
60 HRK	Jako Velikom Internet Paketu	7 GB	30 days

APN/Internet Settings – Bonbon Croatia

In most cases, your phone will automatically retrieve the correct APN settings for Bonbon. If not, send a Blank SMS or text M to 13700 to download the correct internet settings for your phone.

If that does not work and you need to add the APN settings manually, add the following details in the APN fields:

• Name: Hrvatski Telekom
• APN: internet.ht.hr

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

Jump back to the Table of Contents.

Tomato

Tomato is an MVNO wholly owned by A1 Croatia.

Prepaid speeds are capped at 75 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload.

To learn about Tomato's frequencies, jump back to A1 Croatia's frequencies.

Coverage – Tomato Croatia

Tomato is an A1 Croatia MVNO, meaning Tomato uses the A1 Croatia network and does not have its own mobile infrastructure. To find out what to expect in terms of coverage with Tomato, jump to the A1 Croatia Coverage section.

Worry not; there will be a link to jump straight back to where you were after seeing A1 Croatia's coverage.

SIM Card Price – Tomato Croatia

You can get a Tomato SIM card for 20 HRK in Tomato partner stores, supermarkets, and post offices.

It is also possible to order a SIM card for free. However, the SIM card can only be delivered to Croatian addresses.

You can register your SIM card, but there does not seem to be any benefit for doing so (no registration perks).

Topping Up & Recharge – Tomato Croatia

Tomato top-up vouchers are sold in Tomato partner stores and many other stores throughout Croatia, including post offices, kiosks, and grocery stores.

The following (online) top-up options are available:

Top-Up	MasterCard Credit Bonus	Bonus Data
25 HRK	2.5 HRK (27.5 HRK)	250 MB
60 HRK	6 HRK (66 HRK)	600 MB
120 HRK	12 HRK (132 HRK)	1200 MB
240 HRK	24 HRK (264 HRK)	2400 MB

If you recharge online with a MasterCard, you will get extra credit for topping up (the MasterCard Credit Bonus values mentioned in brackets will be your total recharge). Everyone who recharges online (on the app) gets bonus data ten times the top-up value (25 HRK = 250 MB).

To top up your Tomato SIM card, dial *103*VoucherCode#.

For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *103*123456#.

Dial *101# to check your Tomato balance.

Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – Tomato Croatia

Tomato has two types of data-featured plans: Tarife Na Bonove (Voucher Rates) & Paket Dodatnih (Additional Packages).

Tarife Na Bonove (Voucher Rates) – Tomato Croatia

The Tarife Na Bonove (Voucher Rates) are combo plans using a unit system. 1 MB/minute/SMS equals 1 unit.

You can activate Tarife Na Bonove by texting the Activation Code to 13435:

Price	Plan	Units	Call Set-Up Fee	Validity	Activation Code
40 HRK	Mala	1000 units	0.29 HRK	30 days	M
60 HRK	Mala+	1000 units	N/A	30 days	M+
60 HRK	Srednja	5000 units	0.29 HRK	30 days	S
80 HRK	Srednja+	5000 units	N/A	30 days	S+
80 HRK	Velika	8000 units	0.29 HRK	30 days	V
100 HRK	Velika+	8000 units	N/A	30 days	V+
130 HRK	Najveća+	13 000 units	N/A	30 days	App Only

Dial 113*01# to check your plan's balance.

Tarife Na Bonove auto-renews. To disable auto-renewal, text STOP to 13435.

Paket Dodatnih (Additional Packages) – Tomato Croatia

The Paket Dodatnih (Additional Packages) are add-ons for Tarife Na Bonove. They cannot be purchased as standalone plans.

You can purchase Paket Dodatnih by texting the Activation Code to 13435:

Price	Plan	Data	Units	Activation Code
15 HRK	Paket Dodatnih 500	N/A	500 units	500
35 HRK	Paket Dodatnih 1500	N/A	1500 units	1500
50 HRK	Flat Opcija	Unlimited 1	N/A	FLAT

¹ for 5 days

Dial 113*01# to check your plan's balance.

APN/Internet Settings – Tomato Croatia

• Name: tomato
• APN: tomato

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

Jump back to the Table of Contents.

Other Ways to Stay Connected When Traveling in Croatia

The cheapest way to get online in Croatia is to get a SIM card from one of the five mobile operators. However, local SIM cards are not your only method of staying online when abroad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhLfhARWaJ0

Below are some other options to consider.

International Roaming

Roaming is the most convenient way to stay connected. You do not have to buy a new SIM card, and people at home can easily reach you on your current phone number.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X7xGPry-Tc

However, roaming has many downsides as well. It can be insanely expensive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSKtHeE0rVg

Learn more about roaming.

International/Travel SIM Cards

International SIM cards or travel SIM cards are SIM cards made for travelers. The rates charged are often lower than international roaming, but they are almost always higher than what local operators will charge you.

Get to know more about international and travel SIM cards.

Mobile Hotspots (Pocket WIFI)

Mobile hotspots, or pocket WIFI, are small devices that connect to the local operators of the country you are visiting. Mobile hotspots are ideal for families or those traveling in a large group, as they allow you to connect multiple devices to one hotspot without the need of each traveler having to buy a SIM card.

You can either buy a mobile hotspot or rent one.

Free WIFI Networks

Nothing beats free, right? Paying nothing to stay connected may be the best option. Until you remember that free hotspots are not available everywhere (especially when on the move) and that free connections are often extremely slow.

Just make sure to protect your internet traffic with a VPN when connected to open WIFI connections. It is worth it.

The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Croatia

Getting a SIM card from Hrvatski Telekom or A1 would do you well when considering a Croatian SIM card.

Local Prepaid SIM Cards in Other European Countries

Visiting other countries in Europe? Check out my Europe SIM card buying guide, covering other European nations, such as:

Going to other places around the world? Then you should also check out my sim card buying guides for other destinations around the world.

Next Steps to Enhance Your Travel Experiences

Looking for the next steps to enhance your phone travel experiences? Here is what to do:

Check Out My Resource Page

Looking for the best companies and gadgets to enhance your travel experience? Check out my travel resources page for the best companies to use when you travel! Save money with international SIM cards, on plane tickets, bus rides, cruises, and accommodation. Besides that, I also list services and items I use to make my life easier – and I believe they will help you too!

Start Your Own Online Business – Make Money While Traveling

Do you want to learn how I started an online business that allows me to generate income while traveling? In my starting an online business guide, I tell you which tools, services, and products I have for this site and my YouTube channel. If I can start a business about something I am passionate about (phone travel), then you can do it too!

Learn About Your Phone Travel Options

You can buy local prepaid SIM cards, international SIM cards, mobile hotspots, or roam internationally. Each of these options has its pros and cons. Learn more about them, and find the best option for you.

Phone Travel Tips, Tricks & Hacks

I have written many articles with tips and hacks to save money on mobile costs while abroad. You surely want to check them out!

Sign Up for the Phone Travel Wiz Newsletter

Sign up for my newsletter: Get an excel sheet of the best SIM cards of over 230+ destinations around the world! Moreover, I send you many tips and tricks on how to save money while traveling every now and then.

Let's Be Social

Did you know that I have a YouTube channel covering everything you need to know about traveling with your phone? A lot of useful videos are uploaded multiple times a week, and you do not want to miss out on them!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJrV0ZZBPv8

Learn More About Who Adu Actually Is

Who is the guy behind Phone Travel Wiz? Well, find out on the Ernest Adu about page!