Is Nighttime Alcohol Sales Being Banned in Split? New Rules for the Summer Season

Split, one of Croatia's most important tourist destinations, is making preparations to completely ban the sale of alcohol in shops and markets during nighttime hours throughout the summer season. According to information dated 28 Haziran 2026, it is stated that these new regulations could still come into effect within this summer period and are aimed at increasing peace in the city during the peak tourism months. It is reminded that Split, known as the capital of Dalmatia, hosts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year, and this density brings along unpleasant alcohol-related incidents. Authorities are putting such measures on the table to improve public order and launching a campaign to listen to the public and stakeholders on the issue. Thus, in a city that stands out with its historical and cultural heritage, it is planned to provide a much more comfortable environment in terms of both the quality of life of the local people and the safety of visitors.

One of the biggest problems the city has carried for many years stands out as the disorderly and disturbing behaviors exhibited by tourists under the influence of alcohol. Every summer season, visitors coming to Split, known as the capital of Dalmatia, from all over the world negatively affect the city's image with their lively and noisy entertainment culture heavily involving alcohol. This situation negatively affects the daily lives of the local people and also harms the representation of an important cultural heritage of the city. Police forces and local governments are constantly developing new strategies to manage the reactions occurring especially around the historic city center and Diocletian's Sarayı. It is discussed by city officials that different sanctions could be applied to reduce alcohol-related incidents brought by the increasing tourist density in the summer months every year.

The new law proposal envisages completely stopping the sale of alcoholic beverages between 21:00 and 06:00 at night during the summer period, between 1 Haziran and 15 Eylül, covering all retail sales points. This comprehensive restriction covers not only shops but also supermarkets, hypermarkets, discount markets, gas stations, newspaper and beverage kiosks, marketplaces, vending machines, mobile sales points, and even temporarily set up sales points in fairs or events. With this measure, all the mentioned businesses are not completely shut down or prevented from trading; only the sale of alcoholic beverages is stopped between certain hours. Thus, it is aimed to create a much quieter and calmer atmosphere on the city streets during nighttime hours. The measure is expected to significantly reduce alcohol-related incidents without dealing a major blow to the commercial life of businesses.

One of the most striking details in the new law proposal is that it is limited to restricting retail sales points such as shops and markets, and licensed venues are exempt from this restriction. In this context, bars, restaurants, and other licensed businesses will not be affected by the new arrangement due to their geographical and commercial locations and will be able to continue serving alcohol within their normal working hours. Local governments are acting with a balancing policy to both preserve the economic vitality brought by tourism and maintain social order. Restricting the open sale of alcohol by businesses that sell alcohol late at night is considered a step designed to regulate nightlife in an orderly manner and encourage licensed venues to serve with a sense of responsibility. In this way, while the consumption of alcohol is carried out in a more controlled manner, it is aimed to prevent provocative behaviors on the street.

Within the scope of the new proposal, a consultation period of about a month will be conducted from 26 Haziran to 27 Temmuz for the public to express their opinions, and at the end of this process, the city's decision-making bodies will evaluate all data to make a final decision. If implemented, it is stated that the sanctions to be applied to individuals or institutions who violate the rules will be operated within the framework of Croatia's Trade Law rules, and varying fines depending on the type of seller will be in question. In the summer period of this year, since the date of 1 Haziran has already passed, it may not be possible to implement the new rules immediately, but it remains a matter of curiosity whether they will still come into force within this season, valid until September. Whether the new regulations will come into force for this important city of Croatia during the busiest two-month period of tourism is closely monitored for the whole country and region. If the new rules are implemented, a significant step will be taken to increase the peace on the streets of Split and prevent the alcohol-related incidents the city has faced for many years.