by croatiaweek
September 3, 2025
in
Croatia to regulate taxis
Croatia’s taxi industry has once again come under the spotlight, with shocking cases of passengers being charged hundreds, even thousands, of euros for short rides.
What was meant to be a positive liberalisation of the market in 2018 has spiralled into widespread dissatisfaction, leaving both locals and tourists vulnerable to abuse.
Examples of extreme overcharging have made headlines, including a €1,500 fare for a short trip in Zagreb and €640 from Split’s ferry port to the Čiovo bridge. “A flight to Germany doesn’t cost that much, and yet this was for just a kilometre and a half,” commented one frustrated passenger.
According to the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts, over 400 complaints were filed with the State Inspectorate last year, with many more believed to have gone unreported. Željko Bandić, head of the Chamber’s Taxi Section, argues the current system is failing.
“The law has been changed three or four times since 2018. It is clearly very poor, and only full reform will bring order,” he told HRT.
The government now plans to amend the Road Transport Act, including setting a maximum fare limit. Transport Minister Oleg Butković stressed the need for balance: “We must protect passengers from excessive prices, but at the same time ensure drivers are not discouraged from working.”
Other proposals include introducing special licence plates for taxis, requiring every driver and vehicle to be registered, and tightening rules on aggregator platforms. Dubrovnik’s mayor, Mato Franković, has pushed for stricter registration, warning that tourists are being driven in unlicensed vehicles posing as taxis.
The Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts has also called for licences to apply to individual vehicles, the return of licence extracts to curb manipulation, and a clear cap on per-kilometre pricing. It has warned against “cosmetic” fixes and demanded a comprehensive solution that supports both customers and drivers.
Government officials have promised consultations will begin immediately after the summer season, with inspectors increasing checks in the meantime. “Taxi has become more accessible to citizens, especially young people, but abuses cannot continue,” said State Secretary Tomislav Mihotić.
As Croatia prepares to welcome millions of visitors in the years ahead, all eyes will be on whether the government’s promised reforms can restore order – and trust – to a market vital to both tourism and everyday life.