SMART Highway Card Becomes History on October 1
Users can no longer top up cards from July 1, and must use up their existing balance by the end of September or transfer it to an ENC device.
Users can no longer top up cards from July 1, and must use up their existing balance by the end of September or transfer it to an ENC device.
As of October 1, 2026, the SMART card, which has been used by many drivers for years, especially on the sections of the former Rijeka, Zagreb Motorway, will cease to function as a toll payment method on motorways managed by Hrvatske autoceste (HAC).
The process of decommissioning the SMART system was initiated earlier this summer; since July 1, 2026, it has no longer been possible to top up SMART prepaid accounts. However, the funds already on the cards can still be used to pay tolls until September 30, 2026, after which the card becomes completely unusable. Drivers who still keep it in their car, even if they use it only occasionally, should therefore pay close attention to the upcoming deadlines.
For all users who still have a balance on their SMART card, HAC has prepared two choices. Those who wish to continue with electronic toll collection can transfer the funds from their SMART prepaid account to an ENC prepaid account; in this case, they can exchange their SMART card for an ENC device at HAC sales offices.
The second option is a refund: users who do not wish to switch to an ENC device can request the closure of their SMART prepaid account and a refund of the available balance. The request can be submitted via email to HAC or in person at their sales offices.
The change is part of a broader restructuring of Croatia's toll collection system, which is increasingly relying on electronic payment. For the end user, the key question is whether there is still money left on the account and what to do with it before the card expires. Therefore, it is advisable to check the balance in time, especially if the SMART card is only used occasionally.
