🔥 Can I light a campfire or barbecue in nature in Croatia?

With conditions

Quick answer

It depends on the time and place — in the summer season a campfire is generally banned. From 1 June through the fire season (usually until 31 October) an open-fire ban applies in nature, set by county and city decisions. The law expressly treats an improvised barbecue, burning weeds and campfires as "lighting a fire". Breaching a local ban usually costs 65 to 600 €. It is far more dangerous if the fire gets away: a natural person who causes a fire is fined 1,990 to 19,900 € or up to 60 days in prison, and by negligence 260 to 1,990 € (Fire Protection Act). The myth "a little fire cannot do any harm" is the most common cause of summer fires — one spark on the bura wind is enough.

📋 The rules

Seasonal ban: from 1 June through the fire season (most often until 31 October) lighting a fire in the open is banned; the ban is set by county and city decisions depending on the fire risk.
What "lighting a fire" is: the law treats as such any use of fire outside enclosed spaces — burning grass, weeds and branches, burning rubbish, improvised barbecues and campfires (Fire Protection Act).
Fine for breaching the ban: breaching a local decision banning fires is usually fined 65 to 600 €, depending on the rules of the local authority.
If you cause a fire: a natural person who causes a fire is fined 1,990 to 19,900 € or up to 60 days in prison; by negligence 260 to 1,990 € (Fire Protection Act).
Duty to report: anyone who does not help extinguish or fails to report a fire to the fire service, police or the 112 centre is fined 260 to 1,990 €.

🔓 Exceptions

Fire-service approval: exceptionally, during the season the public fire brigade can, on a written request, approve lighting a fire with a fire watch and protective measures.
Off-season and with precautions: outside the ban period lighting a fire is allowed, but with care and the prescribed distances from forest and buildings; the general duty of care applies all year.
Proper fireplaces: a barbecue at a proper, designated spot (a campsite, a picnic area with a fireplace) differs from an improvised fire in nature and is usually not covered by the ban.

⚠️ Penalties & fines

The mildest scenario is a fine for breaching the local fire ban — usually 65 to 600 €. But if the fire escapes, the figures jump: 1,990 to 19,900 € or up to 60 days in prison for whoever causes a fire, and 260 to 1,990 € if the fire is caused by negligence. The same range (260 to 1,990 €) threatens anyone who does not help extinguish or report a fire. What people underestimate is civil liability: whoever starts a forest fire also answers for the cost of extinguishing and the damage — deploying firefighters, water bombers and rehabilitating the burnt area runs into tens of thousands of euro, far above the offence fine. In the worst cases (endangering people or property) the act crosses into a criminal offence, with a prison sentence.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-07-12

❓ Frequently asked

May I light a campfire in nature in summer?

As a rule no — from 1 June through the fire season an open-fire ban applies, set by counties and cities. Campfires and improvised barbecues are expressly covered by that ban, so they are not allowed in the open.

How big is the fine if I cause a fire?

A natural person who causes a fire is fined 1,990 to 19,900 € or up to 60 days in prison, and by negligence 260 to 1,990 €. On top of the fine you also answer for the cost of extinguishing and the damage, which can reach tens of thousands of euro.

Does a barbecue count as lighting a fire?

Yes, the law expressly counts improvised barbecues and grills as lighting a fire in the open. In the season of the ban this means that even a barbecue in nature outside a proper fireplace is not allowed.

Can I get approval for a fire during the season?

Exceptionally yes — the public fire brigade can, on a written request, approve lighting a fire with an organised fire watch and protective measures. Without such written approval, lighting a fire during the season is an offence.

Must I report a fire I have spotted?

Yes, anyone who does not help extinguish or fails to report a fire to the fire service, police or the 112 centre commits an offence fined 260 to 1,990 €. Calling 112 is also the fastest way to stop a fire in time.

🔎 Common searches

What people search to land here:

“can you light a fire in nature croatia”
“open fire ban 1 june croatia”
“fine for causing a fire croatia”
“barbecue in nature summer ban croatia”
“campfire permit fire brigade croatia”
“open fire fine croatia”