Emergency numbers and help in Croatia

The numbers

• 112 is the number to remember. Operators speak English and it works from any phone, with or without a SIM.
• HGSS, the mountain rescue service, is reached through 112 and covers mountains, caves, canyons and coastal cliffs.

Mountain rescue is free

• HGSS does not bill the person it rescues. It is a volunteer service funded publicly, and Croatia is unusual in Europe for this.
• That is not a reason to be careless. Rescues in the Velebit and Paklenica take hours and put volunteers at risk.
• The HGSS app sends your coordinates to the rescue service and is worth installing before you hike.
• Tell someone your route and expected return.

On the water

• 195 is sea search and rescue. The coastguard covers the whole Adriatic.
• VHF channel 16 is monitored if you are on a boat.
• The bura and jugo winds change conditions fast. Check the forecast before hiring anything with a motor.

If something goes wrong

• Theft: report at a police station and take the written report. Insurers require it.
• Lost passport: your embassy is in Zagreb, though several countries have consulates in Split or Dubrovnik in summer.
• Card lost: freeze it in the app first, then call your bank.
• Road accident: call 112. For minor damage you still need a police report to satisfy the hire company.
• Wildfire: get away from it and call 112. Fires move fast in the coastal pines and the wind decides direction.