Split to Impose Nighttime Alcohol Sales Ban Amid Summer Tourist Disturbances

The municipal government of Split, Croatia’s second‑largest city, has drafted a proposal to prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. from 1 June to 15 September. The restriction would apply to supermarkets, kiosks, gas stations, market stalls, vending machines and any off‑premise sales, but would not affect the operating hours of the outlets themselves.

Authorities cite a surge of nightly public‑order incidents during the tourist season, including noise, fights, public urination and intoxicated visitors sleeping on streets or in doorways. Emergency services recorded more than 50 calls in June involving drunk individuals, mostly young foreign tourists. Violations could attract fines ranging from €2,000 to €40,000 for legal entities and €500 to €13,270 for private persons or sole traders. The draft will be socially consulted until 27 July, after which the city will decide on adoption, potentially implementing the ban in August. Similar measures are being considered in other Dalmatian coastal towns such as Zadar, Makarska and Hvar.