Croatia by Car 2026: Route Guide, Tolls and Crolibertas Update
Are you planning a road trip to Croatia in the 2026 season? Although Croatian motorways are undergoing a historic reform, we have an important update for travelers: in 2026, the old system remains in place, but the definitive date for the big change is already on the horizon.
In this guide, you will find up-to-date prices, proven routes, and everything you need to know about the new Crolibertas system.
What is changing in 2026?
The Croatian Parliament has officially confirmed the new legal framework for toll collection. Here are the key facts:
2026 Season: The toll booth system with barriers remains in effect. You will pay by cash, card, or via the ENC device.
Launch of the Crolibertas system: Full operation of the new "free-flow" system (without stopping) is set for March 1, 2027.
What you will see on the roads: Throughout 2026, there will be intensive installation of 212 portals equipped with cameras. On the A3 motorway section (Popovača – Kutina), the first portals are already functional and software testing is underway.
Depending on your starting point, you can choose from several routes
The best routes from Slovakia to Croatia typically lead through Austria, Slovenia, or Hungary. Here is an overview of current motorway tolls in these countries:
Austrian Vignette: The current price for a 1-day Austrian vignette is €9.30, or €12.40 for a 10-day pass. You can conveniently purchase the digital vignette online at the official website:
Slovenian Vignette: The Slovenian e-vignette can be purchased at:
Traveling to Croatia via Hungary: If you plan to travel through Hungary, information about the vignette will certainly come in handy. Although it can be purchased at some petrol stations (often at a higher price), we have long preferred the convenience of buying it online through the official website:
Route options through Hungary:
The route via Komárno: Our journey traditionally began towards Komárno. Approximately 8 kilometers after the Hungarian town of Komárom, there is an exit for the M1 motorway towards Budapest. Although this route is slightly longer, it can be comparable in time to our chosen route via Székesfehérvár. We decided to take roads 13 and 81, which led us to Székesfehérvár (about 75 km). However, keep in mind that this section can be quite busy with lorry traffic during weekdays; therefore, if possible, we recommend traveling over the weekend. Before arriving in Székesfehérvár, we stayed in the right lane to smoothly merge onto the bypass towards the M7 motorway. From that point on, the signs were already pointing towards Siófok/Nagykanizsa/Zagreb.
The route via Bratislava: If your journey starts in Bratislava, you can choose a route through Austria and Slovenia. We will describe the route through Hungary. From Bratislava, it is advisable to use the Čunovo/Rajka border crossing. From the village of Rajka, continue along Hungarian roads towards Mosonmagyaróvár. Near Mosonmagyaróvár, merge onto the M1 motorway towards Győr/Budapest. Continue on the M1 towards Győr. Near the city of Győr, take the exit towards Székesfehérvár onto road number 81. Follow this road for approximately 73 kilometers to Székesfehérvár, then follow the signs for the bypass towards the M7 motorway. From this point on, the signs were already pointing towards Siófok/Nagykanizsa/Zagreb. From Bratislava, you can also choose the route via the city of Szombathely, which is faster and shorter, but a larger portion of this route is off the motorway.
The route via Košice: If your journey starts in Eastern Slovakia, use the Milhosť border crossing via Košice. Continue through Hungary on the M30/E71 motorway towards Miskolc. Later, follow the signs for the M3 towards Budapest. As you approach Budapest, follow the signs for the M0 and M31; you will also find the "HR" designation on the information boards. Continue on the M0 until you see the sign for the M7 towards Balaton/Nagykanizsa. From this point on, the signs were already pointing towards Siófok/Nagykanizsa/Zagreb.
We completed a smooth crossing of the Croatian border at the Letenye/Goričan border crossing. Immediately after the border, we were welcomed by an information board displaying the speed limits. We strongly recommend following these rules, especially considering that since 2024, a large number of speed cameras have been installed on Croatian roads.
Motorway Tolls in Croatia: 2026 Season
If you have visited Croatia before, you know that there is no traditional vignette system. Instead, a toll is paid based on the distance traveled.
Although the transition to a digital system has been long-awaited, 2026 is officially the final transition year. The Croatian government has confirmed that the new, fully digital free-flow system (known as Crolibertas) will be launched on March 1, 2027. Therefore, throughout the entire 2026 summer season, the traditional toll booth system remains in effect. It works simply: you take a ticket when entering the motorway and return it at the exit to pay the required amount (in Euros or by card).
Our observation from the road: During your drive, you will already see new portals equipped with cameras on the motorways. Do not be confused by them – in 2026, they are only collecting data and testing software, while the toll is still paid at the old toll gates with barriers.
ENC (Electronic Toll Collection): The Best Choice for 2026
If you want to avoid the queues that form at toll plazas in the summer, purchase an ENC device. It remains the fastest and cheapest way to travel.
How it works: Place the device on your windshield. When driving through the special yellow "ENC" lanes, the toll is automatically deducted from your credit, and the barrier lifts.
Benefits: Using ENC typically provides a toll discount (usually 21,74 % on the prepaid amount). For example, if you prepay €100, you effectively pay only €78.26. Additionally, you save time thanks to faster passage without waiting in lines.
Important Update: Starting in 2027, the system will require the ENC to be registered to a specific license plate number. Therefore, we recommend providing the correct vehicle details when purchasing in 2026.
ENC Prices:
ENC Device Price: The device itself currently costs €15. However, there are also ENC Packages available that include the device and a certain amount of credit:
Package "S" €60.00: ENC device (€15.00) + toll value €57.50
Package "M" €90.00: ENC device (€15.00) + toll value €95.84
Package "L" €120.00: ENC device (€15.00) + toll value €134.17
Where to buy ENC: You can find sales points at:
The current price for a passenger vehicle under 3.5 tonnes on the A4 Goričan – Sv. Helena section is €6.40. After passing the Sv. Helena toll plaza, we continued on the A4 (E65) motorway following the signs for Zagreb. Later, we followed the signs for Split – Rijeka until the Lučko toll plaza. After paying the toll, we continued on the A1 motorway for about 70 kilometers to the Bosiljevo interchange. If you are heading to Istria, at this point you would follow the signs for Rijeka/Pula and switch to the A6 motorway. However, our destination was the island of Brač, so at the Bosiljevo interchange, we turned towards Split and continued on the A1 motorway.
Overview of toll prices from Lučko (Zagreb) to selected destinations:
Exit Zadar zapad (Zadar West): € 17.60 (for a direct route to Zadar)
Exit Zadar istok (Zadar East): € 18.20 (for Sukošan, Sveti Petar na Moru)
Exit Benkovac: € 19.40 (for Sveti Filip i Jakov, Biograd na Moru, Pakoštane, Drage) – Check out accommodation near Biograd
Exit Pirovac: € 20.80 (for Pirovac, Tribunj, Vodice, Vodice Srima) – - Check out accommodation near Vodice
Exit Šibenik: €22.10 (for Šibenik, Brodarica)
Exit Dugopolje (Split): €26.40 (our final exit on the mainland)
After leaving the A1 motorway at the Dugopolje (Split) exit and paying the toll, we simply followed the signs for Split and then the markings for ships/ferries, as our journey continued to the island of Brač - Check out accommodation on the island of Brač.
Other important exits (from the Lučko toll plaza):
Exit Šestanovac (Makarska Riviera – North): €29.00
Exit Zagvozd - (Makarska, Baška Voda – via the Sv. Ilija tunnel): €29.70
Exit Čarapine (Ploče, towards Dubrovník): 33,80 €
We hope that our tips and experiences have helped you in planning your car journey for your holiday in Croatia.
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