Vehicle registration costs to rise sharply in Croatia

Vehicle registration in Croatia will become significantly more expensive from 2026, with most drivers facing substantially higher annual fees when renewing their vehicles.

The increase applies to the road usage fee, which is paid once a year during the mandatory technical inspection.

For passenger cars, the fee will rise by around 60 per cent, marking another financial hit for motorists after last year’s 15 per cent increase in technical inspection and Eco Test costs, according to net.hr.

Although the base fee is set to increase from €28.50 to €40, the real cost for drivers will be higher due to coefficients based on engine size and vehicle type, which significantly affect the final amount paid.

How much more will drivers pay?

Under a draft regulation proposed by the Ministry of Transport, passenger car owners will pay an average of around €47 more per year, though increases vary widely depending on the vehicle category.

• Small petrol cars up to 1,000 cc will pay €38.40, an increase of €14.40

• The most common category – cars up to 1,600 cc – will pay €79.60, around €30 more than before

• Cars up to 2,000 cc will rise to €95.60, an increase of €36.70

• Vehicles with engines between 2,001 and 2,500 cc will pay €159.20

• Cars over 2,500 cc will face the steepest cost at €254.80 per year, an increase of €95.29

Commercial vehicles, motorcycles and others also affected

Owners of light commercial vehicles will also pay more, with new fees ranging from €80.40 to €237, representing an average increase of around 28 per cent.

For trucks and heavy goods vehicles, fees will rise by 12 to 17 per cent, while buses will see increases of between 12 and 19 per cent.

While mopeds remain exempt, motorcyclists will see their annual fee rise from €10 to €18.

The increase also applies to classic cars (oldtimers), caravans, and other registered vehicle categories.

In addition to the higher fees, the new regulation introduces an automatic inflation adjustment mechanism. The base fee of €40 will no longer be fixed, with the first adjustment scheduled for 2027, based on the inflation rate recorded in 2026.