Croatia records rise in vehicle registrations and road fatalities

ZAGREB, 15 April 2026 – The number of registered road vehicles in Croatia continued to grow in 2025, with official figures from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics showing a steady increase across most categories, alongside a concerning rise in road traffic fatalities.

A total of 2,768,475 road vehicles were registered in Croatia in 2025, marking a 3.9% increase compared to the previous year. Passenger cars accounted for the largest share, with 2,058,313 vehicles, up 3.6% year-on-year.

The number of vehicles registered for the first time also rose. In 2025, there were 219,402 first-time registrations, representing a 2.8% increase compared to 2024. Passenger cars made up the majority of these, with 159,093 newly registered vehicles, up 3.1%.

Growth in first-time registrations was particularly notable in several categories. The number of newly registered buses surged by 29%, while trailers rose by 10%. Agricultural tractors increased by 6.2%, motorcycles by 3%, and trucks saw a modest rise of 0.3%.

However, not all categories recorded growth. First-time registrations declined for mopeds, which fell by 10%, as well as special vehicles (down 4.7%), semi-trailers (down 1%), and road tractors (down 0.8%).

Alongside the increase in vehicles, Croatia also recorded a rise in road traffic accidents involving casualties. In 2025, there were 11,057 such accidents, an increase of 3% compared to the previous year.

More concerning is the sharp rise in fatalities. A total of 261 people lost their lives in road traffic accidents in 2025, representing a 9.2% increase year-on-year.

The number of injured persons also rose slightly, reaching 14,422, up 0.9% compared to 2024.

The latest figures highlight a growing challenge for road safety authorities, as increased vehicle numbers continue to put pressure on Croatia’s roads.