Varaždin bans alcohol sales in shops from 10pm

Varaždin is banning alcohol sales in shops and petrol stations from 22:00 to 6:00. The city council has approved the ban, index.hr reported on Tuesday, 3 November 2026. Bars, cafés and restaurants can keep serving. On the coast a similar rule already applies in Makarska, Split and the town of Hvar, and according to index.hr also in Medulin in Istria. For visitors this means one thing: if you want a glass of wine in your holiday flat in the evening, shop earlier.

What Varaždin decided

The ban covers the territory of the City of Varaždin and applies to shops and petrol stations. It rests on an amendment to the Trade Act from June 2026, which lets towns and municipalities stop alcohol sales in shops between 21:00 and 6:00 (NN 59/2026). Varaždin does not use the full window and starts only at 22:00. The report gives no date for when the rule takes effect. In Hvar, a decision of the same kind came into force on the eighth day after publication in the town's official gazette. The same amendment also banned energy drinks for under-18s, see energy drinks only from 18.

Where the ban already applies

Makarska went first in July 2026: supermarkets, convenience stores, kiosks and bakeries there sell no alcohol from 21:00 to 6:00 (Total Croatia News). Split followed on 29 July. Its council voted 16 in favour with nine abstentions for a ban from 21:00 to 6:00, limited until 15 September (index.hr/Hina). It also covered petrol stations, markets, stalls and vending machines. The town of Hvar adopted the rule on 10 August for its whole territory, with no end date and no exception for holidays (Town of Hvar decision). It therefore applies in Hvar town, not in Stari Grad or Jelsa on the same island.

What it means for visitors

• Advent in Varaždin from 27 November to 6 January: once the rule applies, buy wine, beer or sparkling wine for your flat before 22:00. Programme and travel tips are in Advent in Varaždin.
• Hvar town: the decision has no end date and no holiday exception. If you spend New Year's Eve there, buy the bubbly before 21:00.
• Split: the July decision ran until 15 September. In winter, Advent included, supermarkets sell beer and wine in the evening again.
• Petrol stations count in Varaždin and Split. On an evening drive you will not get alcohol there during the ban hours.
• Opening hours on Sundays and holidays are in shops in Croatia on Sundays, Christmas and New Year.

Who checks

The State Inspectorate checks compliance, according to the Hvar decision and the report on Split. The Trade Act sets fines of 5,000 to 39,810 euros for companies (index.hr/Hina). The rules cover sales in shops. Ordering in a konoba, a beer at the bar or a glass of wine in a restaurant stays allowed everywhere.