Croatia lets cities restrict late-night alcohol sales amid tourist disorder

Croatian lawmakers have approved new powers allowing municipalities to restrict nighttime alcohol sales in shops, in a policy shift aimed at tackling tourism-related public disorder in key destinations. The change is expected to be closely monitored by travel insurers and assistance providers, particularly given its potential impact on alcohol-related incidents and claims patterns during peak season travel.

On 29 May, all 117 lawmakers present in the assembly unanimously backed amendments to Croatia’s Trade Act. The legislation allows cities and municipalities across Croatia to limit the hours during which retail outlets can sell alcohol.

The rules are aimed at addressing rising concerns over disruptive behaviour linked to mass tourism in popular coastal locations. Authorities have stressed that the restrictions apply only to shops, with bars and restaurants unaffected.

Tourism Minister Tonči Glavina said the policy was intended to support residents living in busy visitor destinations. He said the goal was to ensure communities could “live in a good symbiosis with tourism, and not have the entire city or destination exist only for tourism. That is not sustainable in the long term.”

Local authorities are already preparing to act. In Split, officials plan to ban alcohol sales in shops between 9pm and 6am. Mayor Tomislav Šuta said the measure was designed to “curb drunkenness and disorderly behaviour” in public spaces, particularly around the historic centre.

Other destinations, including Zadar, Hvar, and Zagreb, are also considering similar restrictions.

The changes signal a more fragmented regulatory environment across European leisure destinations. With Croatia welcoming nearly 22 million tourists annually, even small shifts in alcohol availability could influence claims volumes, incident response demand, and destination risk profiling during peak summer months.