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Can I take a rental car from Croatia to Italy by ferry?
Usually not. Most suppliers let you take rental vehicles on ferries to Croatian islands, but exclude their fleet from international sea crossings because of tracking and insurance issues. Some select suppliers may allow it, provided you have their explicit prior written approval. A ferry charge may also apply in addition to the rental price, along with a drop-off fee if you’re returning the car in Italy. If your plans allow it, driving through Slovenia is the far more dependable way to get a rental car into Italy.
⚠️ Important: If a supplier approves, make sure it is listed in the rental agreement before you board the ferry.
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Does the cross-border permit cover ferries?
No. A standard cross-border permit for driving a rental car from Croatia to Italy does not automatically cover taking the vehicle on an international ferry, and many suppliers explicitly prohibit it. Croatia and Italy are both EU and Schengen countries, so standard rental cover already extends to driving there by road.
⚠️ Important: A ferry crossing requires the supplier’s permission, so you must confirm before booking and declare travel at the pickup desk if you plan to take the sea route.
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Do I need permission to drive a Croatian rental car through Slovenia?
Yes. Croatia and Italy do not share a direct land border, so you will need to drive through Slovenia briefly and then cross from Slovenia into Italy (near Trieste). You must obtain the supplier’s written authorisation and have cross-border travel details for Italy listed in the rental agreement when collecting the car. A cross-border fee and Green Card may be required to validate multi-country insurance.
⚠️ Important: Unauthorised cross-border travel with a rental car can void your insurance. This can further leave you fully responsible for all costs related to vehicle damage or third-party claims.
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Do I need a Slovenian vignette?
Since 1st January 2026, the coastal expressway section between Škofije and Izola is exempt from the e-vignette requirement until the Koper–Dragonja expressway is completed. Meaning that you don’t need a vignette as long as you drive from the Italian border at Škofije toward Koper and Izola on the H5 and H6 coastal sections. But using other motorways and expressways (such as travelling toward Ljubljana or Maribor) requires a Slovenian e-vignette, a digital pass linked to the number plate rather than a physical sticker.
💡 Tip: Ask your supplier at pickup whether the vignette is included in the cross-country rental from Croatia to avoid paying twice. If not, you can buy it from the official online shop or at a Slovenian petrol station.
