Tuesday, 18 February 2025

The Croatian Banking Association (HUB) announced on Wednesday significant changes to Croatia's payment system that will take effect in 2025, involving the introduction of SEPA instant payments.

"The introduction of SEPA instant payments marks an important step in the modernization and digitalization of Croatia's financial system. This payment service allows users to execute payment transactions faster, more securely, and more conveniently," HUB stated.

In 2024, alongside the Payment Transactions Act, a European regulation on instant credit transfers in euros was adopted. It will come into effect in two phases during 2025 and mandates the implementation of SEPA instant credit transfers (instant payments), enabling the transfer of funds within seconds, 24/7, 365 days a year.

According to the latest regulatory requirements, all payment service providers will be required to facilitate receiving national and cross-border SEPA instant payments starting January 9, and sending such payments starting October 9 of the same year, HUB emphasized.

In line with the regulation, fees for SEPA instant payments will be equal to those for standard payments.

HUB also noted that a significant number of banks in Croatia have already been offering the service of receiving and sending national and cross-border SEPA instant payments, providing users with fast and secure payment execution.

They reminded the public that standard SEPA credit transfers in Croatia are currently processed according to the Financial Agency's (EuroNKS) payment system schedule, with orders initiated outside working hours, on weekends, or public holidays executed on the next business day.

With the introduction of SEPA instant payments, HUB highlighted that a strong emphasis has been placed on system security. Under the regulation, banks offering this service are required to conduct more intensive client database checks against sanction lists at least once daily, every day of the year, in accordance with obligations under the Restrictive Measures Act.

As a result of such checks, there is a possibility of temporarily withholding the ability to submit/receive instant payment orders for clients using this service. Since this is an EU regulation, the checks conducted by banks in Croatia will be identical to those performed by banks in other EU member states, HUB added.

For additional information on the benefits and how to use this service, clients are advised to contact their bank, HUB concluded.

 

From January 8th to 12th, 2025, the renowned Vakantiebeurs fair, specializing in tourism with a particular focus on camping offers, is taking place in Utrecht, Netherlands. The Dubrovnik-Neretva County Tourist Board is participating in this prestigious event for the second time as a co-exhibitor at the Croatian National Tourist Board's stand.

The first two days of the fair, January 8th and 9th, were reserved for tourism industry professionals, while the remaining days are open to the general public.

Discover Croatias Flavors and Adventures Dubrovnik Neretva at Vakantiebeurs 2025 1

Vakantiebeurs offers visitors inspiring vacation ideas, while exhibitors showcase a variety of accommodation options, including hotels, campsites, and attractive destinations that promise an unforgettable experience.

At the central section of the Croatian National Tourist Board's stand, daily from 12 PM to 5 PM, tastings of premium Croatian wines, cheeses, and olive oils will be held – the perfect way to experience the flavors of Croatia and discover its rich gastronomic offerings.

Yesterday, January 8th, shortly before 4 PM, on the D8 road, officers from the Metković Police Station using an unmarked patrol vehicle observed a car with Lithuanian license plates overtaking a line of vehicles.

On the Pelješac Bridge, the police used a measuring device to record the vehicle's speed, which, after applying a 10% safety margin, was calculated at 146 km/h – exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h. This marks yet another record-breaking driver, as reported by the Dubrovnik-Neretva County Police Department.

A traffic inspection revealed that the vehicle was driven by a 23-year-old Lithuanian citizen.

For the violations committed, he was issued a mandatory misdemeanor order with a fine of €1,050. Additionally, the same order imposed a protective measure prohibiting him from using his foreign driver's license in the Republic of Croatia for two months.

 

There are dozens of reasons to visit the famous Croatian city of Dubrovnik, from its historic monuments to its world-renowned restaurants and bars. 

However, it's the areas just off the stunning coasts that hold the most allure for keen anglers who flock to the seaside resort year-round. 

Sitting on the Adriatic Sea's crystal-clear waters, Dubrovnik is the perfect launching point for touring fishermen to head out and land a catch while they're on their travels.

Untitled design 2025 01 09T143815.543 Source: Unsplash

 

Visitors can try their luck on their own with basic equipment of just a reel and a line, but to take their hobby to the next level, they can join the professionals on a boat excursion for an immersive experience that they'll never forget. 

Anglers are a committed type of hobbyist, and this passion is catered for in many different sectors – both in Croatia and worldwide. Along with holiday excursions, there are brands that kit the demographic out in style, social media apps for fishing aficionados, and casino sites that look to reel them in with angling imagery. Paddy Power's Piranha Pays Slot is a perfect example, using its fishing theme to attract gamers to cast their line and try to win big with a monstrous catch. 

Back in the real world, Dubrovnik's Adriatic Sea haven can offer up just as many prizes depending on the visitor's preferred method of seeking a catch. 

Untitled design 2025 01 09T143610.491


Source: Unsplash

Casting out with traditional surface-fishing from the beach or shoreline, they're likely to pull in mackerel, tuna, and little tunny, while going deeper into the clear depths could see them heading home with sea bream, mullet, john dory, hake, sea bass, and more. 

For the real adventurers, big-game fishing requires a boat and special machinery, but with the likes of bluefin tuna and barracuda potentially on the menu, it's worth the extra cost and effort for a true marine enthusiast. 

Chartered fishing boats will take out their customers on the hunt for some of the water's real big game, with experienced help on hand to make the most of every opportunity.

The Adriatic Sea is often cited as one of the best destinations in Europe for excursions of this kind, so visitors can feel confident they're getting the best experience possible.

Given how rare some of these catches would be for people coming in from different countries, it's no surprise that the tourist trade is booming for these companies in the idyllic Croatian city. 

And after a long day dragging in the lines, Dubrovnik's world-class restaurants – such as the Michelin recommended Proto Fish – are there to offer up some of the best locally caught fare, alongside one or two of the famous rakijas to wash it down.

So, there are plenty of ways for the ardent ichthyophile to enjoy the spoils of the Adriatic while they're in town, plus the added bonus of being in one of Europe's most historic and beautiful places when they're back on dry land. 

There aren't many places on earth that can offer so much in one place. 

“Gambling can be addictive” You will encounter this fact sooner or later if you are interested in casino games. Thus, non GamStop casinos is taking player protection very seriously. Nevertheless, there are differences, because the measures depend not least on which regulatory authority a casino licenses. This is exactly what we will be dealing with in this Best Casinos Not on GamStop Guide on the subject of self-exclusion of online gambling.

What Does Self-exclusion Mean?

The self-exclusion is a measure that is intended to ensure that gambling remains merely an entertaining form of entertainment. However, this is usually not the first protective measure that players take. Rather, self-exclusion is a kind of hot line, such as in the SkyHills Casino Review, where players can find more information on protection measures.

Before you decide to self-exclude yourself from online gambling websites, you can use various other ways to set yourself limits and maintain control over your gambling behavior. It is possible, among other things, to:

  • Set maximum daily, weekly or monthly deposit limits;
  • Setting limits on spending and losses when playing;
  • Make sure you don't play for longer than allow your obligations by reminder function or set a time limit;
  • To carry out a self-test at regular intervals;
  • If you have any questions on this topic, contact the casino's customer service;
  • To contact aid organizations and there professional support or consultancy;
  • Self-sating temporary breaks.

These measures and the opportunity to self-exclusion of online gambling are made available to you by all reputable providers, regardless of whether the casino has a license from the UKGC or has been licensed by a foreign supervisory authority.

Self-exclusion is a step that allows players to exclude themselves from accessing your player account. A distinction is made between a temporary suspension of about one day or one month and an indefinite suspension.

How Non-GamStop Casinos Manage Player Limits

The game limits are self-protection tools that the player can use to give himself a maximum budget not to exceed in an online casino. They are intended not to exceed the player in betting, and that help to keep their bankroll under control.

The game limits are settings that each player must define when opening an account at an online casino. Like Self-exclusion, these limits serve to control and manage the time and money you devote to gambling, helping to incentivize a responsible approach to gambling.

How Gaming Limits are Activated in Casinos

The game limits for already registered users can be changed through the personal profile, while new customers are required at the time of registration; here is how to activate them:

  • Choose a non GamStop casino – only in regular gambling casinos at a distance gambling license is mandatory set to set game limits; we always advise against playing on casinos that do not have a regular license
  • Fill out the registration form – enter personal information, choose account name and password, welcome bonus, document number; the registration forms change from site to site, so you can find some of a page while others more steps
  • Set the game limits – before completing the registration, each form provides a dedicated part where you can decide the deposit limits; if you want to change them later, you will have to wait at least 30 days

Other Limits Available at Non GamStop Casinos

When it comes to game limits, we also mean other limitations that a player can set up or to which he is subjected to at a non GamStop casino. Some have the function of protecting the player, others are limits prepared by casinos and payment methods, when depositing money or withdrawing it from the account.

Other Limits Depend on  
Depost limit Payment Method  
Bet limits Player and Casino  
Limits of bet Game  
Recharging limits Casino and Payment Method  

The deposit limits of online casino are limitations related to payment methods, and vary from casino to casino. All payment methods accepted by a casino have a minimum and a maximum of money that you can deposit or withdraw from the gambling site.

In general, the most flexible limits are offered by Visa and Mastercard credit cards, but also e-wallets, in casinos with PayPal for example have good recharging limits; however, e-wallets as payment methods for many casino bonuses are not allowed.

Betting Limits

Betting limits may vary depending on the casino rules, and allow the player to set limits on the sums bet in a game session, and keep the user updated with progress notifications. If you’re starting out in the world of slot machines, to make your fun last without very much in loading the budget, try slot machines with a minimum bet at 1 cent, it might be an idea.

Wager Limits

The wager limits are available in any online casino game. If above we have mentioned the slots at 1 cent, you should know that most slot machines have a minimum bet limit of €0.10-0,20€. Classic casino game tables like roulette or blackjack are equipped with top of the highest roofs of a gambling site instead. In fact, if an episode can reach up to €1,000 in those with RNG, in the best live casinos the live tables streaming with real croupiers often have limits up to €2,000, and in some VIP and Exclusive tables there are generally higher bet limits, with a ceiling of €5,000, which is the maximum imposed by the regulations on gambling in the UK.

Withdrawal Limits

Withdrawals from your gaming account are subject to limits per single transaction, which can change from both casino to casino and the payment method used. In fact, each operator has daily withdrawal limits, which can range from €1,000 to €5,000 or €10,000. In addition to the casino, however, withdrawal limits also depend on payment methods:

  • In casinos with Visa you will often find limits not more than 10,000€
  • Most e-wallets have withdrawal limits on €2.00-5,000, while in some Paypal casinos they can also be 10,000€
  • The casino vouchers of operators with physical locations scattered throughout the territory vary from 100€ to 500€, with a maximum limit of € 999.99 established by law

If you are wondering instead how much the minimum withdrawal limit is in non GamStop casinos, in almost all cases it is €10 per transaction, but with some payment methods it can be 20€.

It’s been a bumper year for car sales in Croatia! A whopping 63,806 new motors hit the roads in 2024, marking a 12.5% jump from 2023. And December alone saw 3,642 new cars sold – that’s 227 more than the same month the year before, according to Promocija Plus.

Škoda Skids into Top Spot!

Škoda was crowned king of the Croatian car market, selling an impressive 8,412 vehicles, snatching 13.1% of the market share. VW wasn’t far behind with 7,417 cars (11.6%), while Renault motored into third with 4,593 sales (7.2%).

Toyota and Suzuki weren’t sleeping at the wheel either, securing fourth and fifth place with 4,217 and 4,074 vehicles sold, respectively.

Luxury Lovers and Newbies Join the Race

When it comes to premium brands, Audi cruised ahead with 2,523 sales. BMW shifted 1,983 cars, and Mercedes rolled out 1,237. Tesla revved up with 601 sales, while Porsche fans snapped up 425. Even new players like MG and Geely got a piece of the action, with 1,434 and 593 sales, proving Croatia’s ready to embrace fresh wheels.

December’s Hot Wheels: Vitara Takes the Crown

December’s best-seller? None other than the Suzuki Vitara, with 150 flying off the forecourts. The MG ZS wasn’t far behind with 147 sales, followed by the trusty Škoda Octavia at 141. VW’s T-Cross and Citroën’s C3 rounded off the top five with 140 and 137 sales, respectively.

Petrol Still Powers the Roads

Petrol cars ruled the roost, making up nearly half of all sales at 47.9% (30,535 cars). Hybrids gained ground with 19,263 sales (30.2%), while diesels coughed up just 16.7% (10,685 cars). Electric vehicles? A modest 3% with 1,915 sold. And let’s not forget gas-powered cars, which made up 2.2% with 1,408 sales.

According to data from the eVisitor system, the first six days of January in Dubrovnik recorded 3,221 tourist arrivals and nearly 11,500 overnight stays—13% fewer than in the same period last year.

In addition to domestic visitors, the most numerous guests are from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, Slovenia, Albania, and Montenegro. Currently, 428 tourists are staying in the city, which is only a third of the number recorded on the same date in 2024.

 

The festive stands in Dubrovnik, on Stradun, are being dismantled, marking the end of the Dubrovnik Winter Festival. Trucks are on Stradun, and the stands are being taken down one by one, awaiting the next occasion.

However, considering the City’s announcements, we’ll see what Stradun will even look like next year, how many booths there will be—if there are any at all.

Inflation in the Eurozone picked up pace in December, with consumer prices in Croatia surging almost twice as fast as the average, according to preliminary calculations by the European statistical office published on Tuesday.

The annual inflation rate in the Eurozone, measured by the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), reached 2.4% in December, marking an acceleration for the third consecutive month.

The trend of milder price growth ended in October, when inflation rose to 2.0%. Revised data showed a further increase to 2.2% in November.

Services and Food Lead the Way

In December, services saw the steepest price hike, up by 4%, slightly higher than the previous month. Fresh food prices rose by 1.7% compared to the same period last year, showing a significant slowdown compared to November.

Energy prices edged up by just 0.1% in December year-over-year, following declines of 2.0% in November, 4.6% in October, and 6.1% in September.

Excluding energy and fresh food, core inflation in the Eurozone stood at 2.8% in December, marginally higher than in November.

On a monthly basis, prices in the Eurozone increased by 0.4% in December, reversing a 0.3% drop from the previous month.

Croatia Tops the Charts

Croatia recorded the highest annual inflation rate among Eurozone countries in December, with prices soaring by 4.5%, up from 4.0% in November. Monthly prices increased by 0.2% after stagnating the previous month.

According to Croatia's State Statistics Bureau (DZS), consumer prices in December were 3.4% higher than in December 2023, with a monthly increase of 0.1%.

Belgium followed closely, with prices rising 4.4% year-over-year. Estonia also crossed the 4.0% mark.

Mildest Increases in Ireland and Italy

Ireland experienced the lowest inflation in the Eurozone at the end of 2024, with prices increasing by just 1%. Italy and Luxembourg followed with rises of 1.4% and 1.6%, respectively, as reported by Eurostat.

 

To complete Croatia's highway network, one critical segment is still missing: a modern road connecting the southernmost region to the rest of the country.

The highway from Metković to Dubrovnik will be constructed in two phases—first from Metković to the Pelješac Bridge and then from Dol to Dubrovnik. The latter section will be prioritized.

"Croatia’s Most Expensive Highway"

According to HRT, this will be the most expensive highway in Croatia, with an estimated cost of €1.2 billion.

Construction is dependent on completing public tenders and obtaining various permits. The most optimistic projections suggest work could start this year and finish by 2029. However, one major challenge remains: the lack of a fast road connecting Dubrovnik to the airport and Montenegro’s border.

Challenging Terrain

Out of the 28 kilometers planned, 19 will consist of viaducts and tunnels. Work on the sections from Rudine to Slano and from Slano to Mravinjac is expected to begin soon.

"This is practically the worst possible terrain for highway construction," said Associate Professor Marko Ševrović from the University of Zagreb’s Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences. "The route runs through a very narrow area, bordered by the sea on one side and Bosnia and Herzegovina on the other. The project involves numerous viaducts, bridges, and tunnels. Additionally, the area is densely populated, making junction placement and road functionality critical."

Strategic and Economic Importance

The project is expected to be completed by 2029, with local and regional officials optimistic about a swift start.

"The tender is expected to close early this month, with the contractor selected shortly after. We hope there will be no appeals, although we cannot rule it out," said Nikola Dobroslavić, Prefect of Dubrovnik-Neretva County. "We aim to begin physical construction this year. While the highway is expensive, the strategic, economic, and security importance of connecting Dubrovnik with the rest of Croatia is priceless."

Enhanced Safety and Connectivity

The new highway, spanning 47 kilometers with an additional 15 kilometers of connecting roads, promises to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety.

"Safety is perhaps the most critical aspect of this highway," Ševrović added. "The current D8 state road is highly dangerous, with frequent accidents. If for no other reason, this highway is necessary to enhance safety. But of course, it will also integrate Dubrovnik into Croatia’s highway network."

The Voice of Dubrovnik

THE VOICE OF DUBROVNIK


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