Croatia introduces digital age verification for online alcohol sales

Croatia is introducing a new digital age verification system for online alcohol purchases, with buyers required to confirm they are over 18 through the state’s m-Građani application.

The measure follows the unanimous adoption by the Croatian Parliament of amendments to the Consumer Protection Act and Trade Act, which also prohibit the sale of energy drinks to people under the age of 18.

Online retailers and platforms have until 15 September to implement a technical solution enabling reliable age verification.

The move comes as Croatia faces concerns over alcohol consumption among young people. According to OECD research, around 45% of 15- and 16-year-olds in Croatia have consumed a larger quantity of alcohol at least once, placing the country among the highest in Europe on this measure.

How the new system will work

Nikola Modrušan, director of the Administration for the Development of State Information Infrastructure and Electronic Services at the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation, explained to the new system on Croatian television show Studio 4. 

Customers purchasing alcohol through an online shop will use m-Građani to confirm their age rather than simply ticking a box stating that they are over 18.

The online retailer will generate a QR code, which the customer scans with their mobile phone. The m-Građani application then connects the customer’s verified identity with the online purchase.

A notification will appear in the application asking the customer to confirm the transaction. Once approved, the system verifies whether the buyer is at least 18.

The system checks the age against official government records, meaning the retailer does not rely solely on information entered by the customer.

Retailers must also be authorised

Businesses selling alcohol online must be legally registered and authorised to conduct such sales.

Before connecting their web shops to m-Građani, retailers must contact the Ministry of Economy. The ministry will verify that the business is legally permitted to sell alcohol online before approving its connection to the digital age-verification system.

The new rules also affect delivery services.

Delivery workers have been instructed to request valid identification when delivering age-restricted products. If a customer refuses to provide identification or is under 18, the product must not be handed over and the delivery platform’s support service should be contacted.

What about foreign customers and tourists?

Foreign nationals with regulated residence in Croatia who have an OIB can use the system, according to Modrušan.

Tourists visiting Croatia, however, will not be able to use the Croatian digital verification system in the same way. For visitors in transit, physical shops will remain the option for purchasing alcohol.

Part of Croatia’s wider digital transformation

The age-verification function is being introduced as part of the continued expansion of Croatia’s digital public services.

The m-Građani application already has more than 200,000 users, while more than 2.3 million people use Croatia’s wider e-Građani services.

Modrušan said the application could eventually be used for other forms of age verification where required.

Further functions are also planned, including access to information about citizens’ property and new health-related services, where users will be able to access information such as medical visits, specialist appointments and laboratory results.

The government says the immediate objective of the new age-verification system is to strengthen health protection and prevent the misuse of alcohol and energy drink sales to minors, while making greater use of Croatia’s existing digital infrastructure.