Legal basis - hiking guide in Croatia – the boring stuff

The legal basis defining requirements for hiking or mountain guides in Croatia is the Law on Tourist Services. The initial law in English language is available at Ministry of Tourism’s web page.

There are several groups of provisions of this law relevant for providing the service of hiking or mountaineering.

Marjan, Split, Croatia

Active and adventure tourism

Article 92 of the Law defines the tourism services of active and adventure tourism as “the activities on land, water and air, outdoors or in undeveloped natural environment or in specially developed and equipped areas which, due to their particular characteristics, involve the risk of injury and the consequences thereof for their users.”

The provisions of the same article read that the Croatian Chamber of Commerce is responsible for preparing the list of activities that fall under the described category. The list of activities can be amended and is published on Chamber’s website. Mountaineering/hiking is included in the list as one of the activities of active and adventure tourism.

Relevant certificates

Article 93 of the Law stipulates that those providing the service of active and adventure tourism (including hiking) are under obligation of “hiring a person for the provision of the service who has the relevant Croatian or foreign certificate establishing such person's competence for and the level of skill in the performance of activities”. The list of such certificates is again under the responsibility of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce. The list of certificates can be amended and is published on Chamber’s website.

One should keep in mind that the above-mentioned article also includes provision on informing the participants on the types of risks, use of equipment, contingency plans and procedures as well as on inclusion of specific insurance in case of accidents.

HPS versus SGVH certificates

If you look at the relevant certificates for mountaineering/hiking you will see under domestic certificates three organisations/types of trainings: Croatian Rescue Service – Croatian Chamber of Commerce, Croatian Mountaineering Association (HPS) and Croatian Mountain Guides Association (SGVH).

The first training refers to a seminar organized jointly by the Croatian Rescue Service and the Croatian Chamber of Commerce. Usually, it is a two-day seminar organized in different cities throughout Croatia which can be attended by any interested person.

The trainings offered by HPS and SGVH take into account a range of licences and standards.

HPS’ standards A-G range from summer to winter mountaineering, indoor and outdoor climbing and alpinism. Obtaining each standard refers to different duration and type of training. More info is available here:

SGVH’s licences range from Tourist-Hiking Guide, Mountain Guide, High Mountain Guide to International Mountain Leader licence. For each licence adequate training is possible. More information is available here:

The list of guides who obtained HPS licence and the list of guides with valid SGVH licence.

For practicalities on hiring a hiking guide see the two related posts.