Inspectors in Action: Over 13,000 Inspections Conducted
From April to August, the State Inspectorate carried out extensive checks in hospitality and tourism, uncovering thousands of violations and unregistered accommodation facilities.
From April to August, the State Inspectorate carried out extensive checks in hospitality and tourism, uncovering thousands of violations and unregistered accommodation facilities.
The State Inspectorate has released the results of a major campaign of intensified inspections targeting hospitality, tourism, and trade during this year's tourist season. Between April 20 and August 1, 2026, inspectors conducted a total of 13,143 inspections across Croatia, aiming to combat the gray economy and protect consumers and workers.
Of the total number of checks, 4,604 were carried out in hospitality establishments. Of these, 2,401 were coordinated inspections involving two or more inspectorates simultaneously. In the trade sector, 3,502 inspections were conducted, while veterinary, sanitary, and agricultural inspectorates performed 1,524 official controls in production facilities. An additional 3,513 inspections covered other areas under the State Inspectorate's jurisdiction.
Although no irregularities were found in 63 percent of cases, the remaining 37 percent of inspections revealed as many as 7,199 violations of various regulations. The sanitary inspectorate most frequently recorded non-compliance with food safety rules and the absence of HACCP self-control systems. The labor inspectorate uncovered cases of undeclared workers and illegal employment of foreign nationals, while in the area of occupational safety, employers were penalized for shortcomings in worker training and the use of protective equipment.
As part of administrative and misdemeanor proceedings, 327 criminal charges were filed with the competent courts. Inspectors issued 921 misdemeanor orders, with total fines reaching €1,575,190.24. On-the-spot fines were collected in 2,110 cases, amounting to €524,221.11. Additionally, illegally acquired property gains totaling €508,349.94 were identified and confiscated. A total of 2,387 administrative decisions were issued, and in 1,045 cases, temporary bans on business operations and other measures were imposed.
The campaign placed special focus on combating illegal renting. The tourism inspectorate conducted 1,656 inspections and uncovered 149 cases of unregistered services or illegal advertising of accommodation. A total of 98 prohibition measures were issued, 54 of which were enforced by sealing the premises for at least 30 days. Sealed were 15 holiday homes, 47 apartments, six rooms, two campsites on family farms, and one hostel.
Measures also affected registered hospitality providers who offered accommodation without the required permit from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Thus, bans were imposed on one boutique hotel, 13 apartments, 24 rooms, and two campsites with 24 mobile homes and six glamping tents. The market inspectorate most frequently sanctioned retailers for failing to display prices and violating price control regulations, while the agricultural inspectorate uncovered irregularities in the labeling of fruits, vegetables, and wine.
Tourism inspectors independently filed 67 criminal charges and issued 84 misdemeanor orders. Fines in this segment totaled €124,274.30, while confiscated illegal gains reached a substantial €417,848.94, reflecting the seriousness of the illegalities uncovered in accommodation services.
