Child car seats in Croatia: the law, the seat types and what to ask for

What does Croatian law say about child car seats?

In Croatia, every child shorter than 150 cm must travel in a child seat or booster that suits the child’s size, fixed with the car’s seat belt or anchorage points. The rule is set out in the Road Traffic Safety Act, and it applies to every car on Croatian roads, including taxis and private transfers.

Three further rules matter for visitors:

• Children between 135 cm and 150 cm may use the adult seat belt without a booster, but only in a rear seat.
• A rear-facing child seat may not be used in the front unless the passenger airbag is switched off.
• Seat belts are compulsory for every passenger on every seat where belts are fitted.

The driver is fined €130 for carrying a child without the required restraint, and the same fine applies for unbelted passengers.

Are taxis and transfers exempt?

No. Croatian law contains no exemption for taxis or pre-booked transfers. A driver who carries a small child without a suitable child car seat is breaking the law, which is why any reputable operator asks for children’s ages when you book.

If you plan to take a taxi with young children, ask before you get in whether it carries a suitable seat. A pre-booked transfer is simpler: tell us each child’s age when you book and the right seats are fitted before the driver collects you.

Which child car seat suits which child?

Child seats in Europe are approved under two UN standards. The newer one, UN Regulation No 129, known as i-Size, classifies seats by the child’s height rather than weight, and requires babies to travel rear-facing until at least 15 months, according to the UN Economic Commission for Europe. Many seats still in use were approved under the older Regulation No 44, which groups them by weight.

Since 1 September 2024, only seats approved under the newer R129 standard may be sold new in the EU, according to the European Commission’s road safety report on seat belts and child restraints. Ages are only a guide: the right seat depends on the child’s height and weight.

How are child seats fitted in a transfer?

Most child seats are fixed in one of two ways: with the car’s own seat belt, or with ISOFIX, a set of metal anchor points built into the rear seats of modern cars. Seats approved under the newer i-Size standard are designed to be installed with ISOFIX, which makes a correct fit quicker and less dependent on how the belt is routed.

Whichever system is used, a few checks apply in any car:

• The seat sits in a rear seat, unless the front airbag has been switched off for a rear-facing seat.
• The seat does not move more than a little from side to side once fitted.
• The harness or the adult belt lies flat across the child’s shoulder and hips, without twists.

The driver fits the seats before collecting you, and you are welcome to check the fit yourself before you set off.

What should you tell the transfer company?

To make sure the right child car seat is waiting, give these details for each child when you book:

1. Age, including months for babies and toddlers.
2. Height, especially for children close to 135 cm or 150 cm.
3. Weight, if you know it.
4. Anything special, such as a child who is still rear-facing, or a seat of your own that you are bringing.

Our child seats and boosters are free, and the driver fits them before the pick-up. On long journeys, such as to Split, Kotor or Mostar, a minivan gives more space for seats, bags and a pram.

What about buses and the airport shuttle?

On the official airport shuttle, children under six travel free of charge. For a family arriving with luggage and small children, a pre-booked transfer is usually the least stressful way from the plane to your accommodation; see airport transfers.

Travelling further with children?

Day trips to Kotor or Mostar mean long hours in the car, so plan breaks and bring water and snacks. Our list of day trips from Dubrovnik by car gives drive times for each route, and the airport arrival guide covers what to expect when you land. For everything else, see getting around Dubrovnik.