Croatia — Legal Help

Dial 112. As an EU member state, Croatia guarantees detained foreigners an interpreter and access to a lawyer before questioning; ask for consular notification immediately — embassies provide lawyer lists and welfare checks but cannot interfere in proceedings. Misdemeanour cases (how a prostitution charge against a seller, or public-order charges after a club dispute, are handled) move fast, often with on-the-spot or next-day court appearances and fines — get everything in writing and do not sign statements you cannot read.

The age of consent is 15, but paying anyone under 18 for sex is a serious criminal offence, and any commercial-sex involvement can pull participants into trafficking investigations as witnesses or suspects. Police presence in tourist zones is heavy in summer and public-order enforcement is brisk.