August the 10th, 2026 – Big changes are on the horizon for drivers in Croatia this autumn, more specifically as of October the 1st.
The beginning of the roll out of this change has in fact already begun. As of the 1st of July this year, drivers in Croatia are no longer able to use their previous top up SMART cards. However, they’ve still been able to spend the existing balance on them and will be able to continue doing so until the end of September.
After October the 1st, the SMART card will cease to function entirely as a means of payment on the motorways managed by HAC (Croatian Motorways), as reported by Poslovni.
an overhaul of a system used for years
For drivers in Croatia who still have a remaining amount on the card, there are two possibilities available to them. Those who wish to continue using electronic toll collection can transfer the money from their SMART prepaid account to an ENC prepaid account. In the process of doing that, they can exchange their SMART card for an ENC device at Croatian Motorways sales offices.
The second option is intended for those who do not wish to switch to ENC. They can request the closure of the SMART prepaid account and a refund of the available money. The request can be sent to HAC by e-mail or submitted in person at one of their sales offices.
Some drivers have been using the SMART system for years, especially on the motorways previously managed by Autocesta Rijeka – Zagreb, so it’s fairly understandable that some cards are still sitting in cars. Precisely these users should pay attention to the deadline, because after 30 September they will no longer be able to spend the remaining balance in the usual way.
massive changes are afoot for the toll collection system
The change comes at a time of major interventions in the Croatian toll collection system and increasing reliance on electronic payment. For the SMART card user themselves, however, the most important question is much simpler – whether there is still money on the account and what to do with it before the card ceases to be valid.
That is why it is not a bad idea to check the balance already now, especially if you use the SMART card only occasionally. Until the 1st of October, it can still be used for payment, but topping up is no longer possible. After that date the options remain transferring the funds to ENC or getting a monetary refund.
