Croatia's 2024 heritage act files detecting under 'treasure hunting' and bans it: no metal detectors, sonars or similar tools to look for archaeological sites or finds, anywhere in the country or under water, unless the Ministry of Culture and Media has approved archaeological research. Movable things presumed cultural goods in or found in the ground, sea or water belong to the State. Individuals who breach the archaeological detector-search rule face fines of 2,000 to 6,630 euros.
Can I detect in Croatia?
The short answer for each kind of land. Tap a card for the detail and the rule’s own words.
- Anywhere: national heritage lawResearch permits onlyChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- Beaches & foreshoreResearch permits onlyno separate beach rule found; the national rule appliesChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- Protected monumentsResearch permits onlyChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- National parks & nature reservesResearch permits onlyChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- State forestsResearch permits onlyno separate state-forest rule found; the national rule appliesChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- Private landResearch permits onlya landowner's permission does not replace the Ministry's approvalChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
Open in many areas without a permitPermit, registration, or designated beaches onlyProhibited or effectively closed
The rules, land by land
Anywhere: national heritage law
Research permits onlyCroatia bans metal detecting for archaeological finds everywhere in the country, under water included. The only exception is archaeological research approved in advance by the Ministry of Culture and Media, and that approval goes only to qualified people.
- the ban sits in the 2024 Zakon o zaštiti i očuvanju kulturnih dobara (Act on the Protection and Preservation of Cultural Goods), under the heading 'Traženje blaga' (treasure hunting); the 2024 act replaced the 1999 act of the same name
- it covers metal detectors, side-scan sonars, similar devices and other tools used to find archaeological zones, sites and individual finds, including underwater zones and sites
- archaeological excavation and research need a Ministry decision; approval goes only to legal and natural persons who meet the professional qualifications and have the means to do the work, conserve the finds and present the site
- using a detector to look for archaeological zones, sites or finds without the Ministry's approval is a misdemeanor: a fine of 2,000 to 6,630 euros for an individual, and the tools used are confiscated; unauthorized searching of archaeological zones and sites with detectors is also punishable under criminal law
- for a legal person the fine is 15,000 to 100,000 euros, and anyone who commits the offense in the course of a business can be barred from that activity for up to a year in especially serious cases
- the ban covers searching for archaeological zones, sites and finds; the act doesn't address hunting only for modern lost items
What the rule says
“Zabranjeno je korištenje detektora za metal, bočnih sonara, sličnih uređaja ili drugih alata na području Republike Hrvatske u svrhu pronalaženja arheoloških zona, arheoloških nalazišta (lokaliteta) i pojedinačnih arheoloških nalaza, uključujući podvodne zone i nalazišta, osim u slučaju provođenja arheološkog istraživanja na temelju prethodno izdanog odobrenja Ministarstva, sukladno pravilniku iz članka 35. stavka 10. ovoga Zakona.”
Keeping finds
ProhibitedAnything presumed to be a cultural good that lies in the ground, the sea or other waters belongs to the Republic of Croatia, and no one can acquire it by finding it. A treasure hunter searching someone else's land in breach of the act gets no finder's fee.
- a movable thing presumed to have the qualities of a cultural good, found in the ground, the sea or water, is the property of the Republic of Croatia and can't be acquired by appropriation
- someone who believes they own such a thing can ask a court to decide
- the rules on treasure finds apply to it, but the finder gets no finder's fee or necessary costs if the find came from deliberate, planned treasure hunting on another person's property in breach of the act
- keeping an archaeological find in breach of the act is punishable under criminal law, and dealing in illegally dug-up and kept finds is banned (such transactions are void)
- a movable cultural good with no owner, or an unknown one, becomes the property of the Republic of Croatia
- ordinary lost property and the general treasure rules sit in Croatia's property law, which was not read
What the rule says
“(1) Pokretna stvar za koju se predmnijeva da ima svojstva kulturnog dobra, a nalazi se ili se nađe u zemlji, moru ili vodi, vlasništvo je Republike Hrvatske te se ne može steći u vlasništvo prisvojenjem od strane trećih osoba.”
Reporting finds
Must be reportedEveryone in Croatia must report to the Ministry of Culture and Media anything that may be a cultural good. If you hit an archaeological find during building or other ground works, stop and tell the Ministry the same day or the next working day.
- the general duty: everyone must take care of cultural goods and report to the ministry responsible for culture anything presumed to have the qualities of a cultural good; this provision sets no deadline
- whoever carries out building or other works on land, in water or at sea and comes across an archaeological site or finds must stop work and tell the Ministry the same day or the next working day
- not stopping work and reporting without delay is a misdemeanor (2,000 to 6,630 euros for an individual); the Ministry can order protective measures or halt the works
What the rule says
“(2) Svatko je dužan skrbiti o zaštiti i očuvanju kulturnih dobara u skladu s odredbama ovoga Zakona te prijaviti ministarstvu nadležnom za kulturu dobro za koje se može predmnijevati da ima svojstvo kulturnog dobra.”
Beaches & foreshore
Research permits onlyThe national restriction on detector searches for archaeological zones, sites and finds applies on beaches and underwater too, with the approved archaeological-research exception. Other underwater activities in maritime-domain areas holding cultural goods follow the separate art. 35(9) approval route.
- no separate beach rule found; the national rule applies
- the Zakon o zaštiti i očuvanju kulturnih dobara (Act on the Protection and Preservation of Cultural Goods, 2024) bans using metal detectors anywhere in Croatia to find archaeological zones, sites or finds, except in archaeological research approved in advance by the Ministry of Culture and Media, which approves research only for qualified people
- Underwater activities on the maritime domain in areas holding cultural goods, apart from archaeological excavations and research under art. 35(1), require approval from the competent maritime authorities with the Ministry’s prior consent under art. 35(9).
- using a detector to look for archaeological zones, sites or finds without the Ministry's approval is a misdemeanor: a fine of 2,000 to 6,630 euros for an individual, and the tools used are confiscated; unauthorized searching of archaeological zones and sites with detectors is also punishable under criminal law
- the ban covers searching for archaeological zones, sites and finds; the act doesn't address hunting only for modern lost items
What the rule says
“Zabranjeno je korištenje detektora za metal, bočnih sonara, sličnih uređaja ili drugih alata na području Republike Hrvatske u svrhu pronalaženja arheoloških zona, arheoloških nalazišta (lokaliteta) i pojedinačnih arheoloških nalaza, uključujući podvodne zone i nalazišta, osim u slučaju provođenja arheološkog istraživanja na temelju prethodno izdanog odobrenja Ministarstva, sukladno pravilniku iz članka 35. stavka 10. ovoga Zakona.”
Protected monuments
Research permits onlySearching protected archaeological zones and sites, and areas recorded or presumed to hold archaeological heritage, is banned without the Ministry's prior approval. Approval comes only through archaeological research.
- the ban covers protected archaeological zones, sites and areas of individual finds, underwater ones included, and also areas recorded as archaeological sites or presumed to contain archaeological heritage
- unauthorized searching of archaeological zones and sites with detectors, sonars or other tools, and destroying all or part of an archaeological zone, are punishable under criminal law
- searching in breach of the ban is also a misdemeanor, with the same fines as unapproved detector use
- the Zakon o zaštiti i očuvanju kulturnih dobara (Act on the Protection and Preservation of Cultural Goods, 2024) bans using metal detectors anywhere in Croatia to find archaeological zones, sites or finds, except in archaeological research approved in advance by the Ministry of Culture and Media, which approves research only for qualified people
What the rule says
“(1) Zabranjeno je traženje i pregled arheoloških zona, arheoloških nalazišta (lokaliteta) i područja pojedinačnih arheoloških nalaza, uključujući podvodne zone i nalazišta, zaštićenih u skladu s ovim Zakonom, kao i područja koja su evidentirano arheološko nalazište/nalaz i za koja se predmnijeva da sadržavaju arheološku baštinu, u svrhu pronalaženja arheoloških nalaza, bez prethodno izdanog odobrenja Ministarstva.”
National parks & nature reserves
Research permits onlyNational parks and nature parks get no exception that we found: the national ban on detecting for archaeological finds applies, and unauthorized searching of archaeological zones and sites with detectors is punishable under criminal law.
- no separate national-park or nature-reserve rule found; the national rule applies
- the Zakon o zaštiti i očuvanju kulturnih dobara (Act on the Protection and Preservation of Cultural Goods, 2024) bans using metal detectors anywhere in Croatia to find archaeological zones, sites or finds, except in archaeological research approved in advance by the Ministry of Culture and Media, which approves research only for qualified people
- using a detector to look for archaeological zones, sites or finds without the Ministry's approval is a misdemeanor: a fine of 2,000 to 6,630 euros for an individual, and the tools used are confiscated; unauthorized searching of archaeological zones and sites with detectors is also punishable under criminal law
- the ban covers searching for archaeological zones, sites and finds; the act doesn't address hunting only for modern lost items
What the rule says
“(3) Neovlašteno traženje i pregled arheoloških zona, arheoloških nalazišta, koristeći detektore za metal, bočne sonare, slične uređaje ili druge alate, te zadržavanje arheološkog nalaza suprotno odredbama ovoga Zakona su djela kažnjiva prema kaznenim propisima, kao i uništenje dijela ili čitave arheološke zone ili područja odnosno narušavanje njihove cjelovitosti.”
State forests
Research permits onlyWe found no separate rule for state forests, but the national ban applies there too: no metal detecting for archaeological finds without Ministry-approved archaeological research.
- no separate state-forest rule found; the national rule applies
- the Zakon o zaštiti i očuvanju kulturnih dobara (Act on the Protection and Preservation of Cultural Goods, 2024) bans using metal detectors anywhere in Croatia to find archaeological zones, sites or finds, except in archaeological research approved in advance by the Ministry of Culture and Media, which approves research only for qualified people
- using a detector to look for archaeological zones, sites or finds without the Ministry's approval is a misdemeanor: a fine of 2,000 to 6,630 euros for an individual, and the tools used are confiscated; unauthorized searching of archaeological zones and sites with detectors is also punishable under criminal law
- the ban covers searching for archaeological zones, sites and finds; the act doesn't address hunting only for modern lost items
What the rule says
“5. koristi detektor za metal, bočne sonare, slične uređaje ili druge alate na području Republike Hrvatske u svrhu pronalaženja arheoloških zona, arheoloških nalazišta (lokaliteta) i pojedinačnih arheoloških nalaza, uključujući podvodne zone i nalazišta, bez prethodnog odobrenja Ministarstva (članak 37. stavak 2.)”
Private land
Research permits onlyLandowner permission does not replace the required Ministry approval for archaeological detector searches. Movable things presumed cultural goods in or found in the ground, sea or water belong to the State; intentional and planned treasure searching on another’s property contrary to the act carries no finder’s fee.
- a landowner's permission does not replace the Ministry's approval
- the Zakon o zaštiti i očuvanju kulturnih dobara (Act on the Protection and Preservation of Cultural Goods, 2024) bans using metal detectors anywhere in Croatia to find archaeological zones, sites or finds, except in archaeological research approved in advance by the Ministry of Culture and Media, which approves research only for qualified people
- movable things presumed to have the characteristics of cultural goods in or found in the ground, sea or water belong to the Republic of Croatia under art. 66(1)
- using a detector to look for archaeological zones, sites or finds without the Ministry's approval is a misdemeanor: a fine of 2,000 to 6,630 euros for an individual, and the tools used are confiscated; unauthorized searching of archaeological zones and sites with detectors is also punishable under criminal law
- the ban covers searching for archaeological zones, sites and finds; the act doesn't address hunting only for modern lost items
What the rule says
“(3) Na nađenu pokretnu stvar iz stavka 1. ovoga članka primjenjuju se propisi o nalazu blaga, a nalaznik nema pravo na nalazninu i naknadu nužnih troškova prema propisu kojim se uređuje vlasništvo i druga stvarna prava, ako se radi o namjernom i planiranom traženju blaga na nekretnini u vlasništvu druge osobe, suprotno odredbama ovoga Zakona.”
Even where detecting is allowed, archaeological and historic sites are protected, and you must fill every hole and follow posted rules. Always confirm the current rule with the land manager.
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A ban with one door
The Zakon o zaštiti i očuvanju kulturnih dobara (Act on the Protection and Preservation of Cultural Goods, 2024) bans using metal detectors, side-scan sonars, similar devices or other tools anywhere in Croatia to find archaeological zones, sites or individual finds, underwater zones and sites included. The ban sits under the heading 'Traženje blaga' (treasure hunting), and the 2024 act replaced the 1999 act of the same name.
The only way in is archaeological research approved in advance by the Ministry of Culture and Media, and the Ministry approves research only for people and organizations that meet the professional qualifications and have the means to do the work, conserve the finds and present the site. Using a detector to look for archaeological material without that approval is a misdemeanor: 2,000 to 6,630 euros for an individual, 15,000 to 100,000 euros for a legal person, and the tools are confiscated. Unauthorized searching of archaeological zones and sites with detectors is punishable under criminal law too. The ban covers searching for archaeological zones, sites and finds; the act doesn't address hunting only for modern lost items.
Sites, shores, forests and parks
Searching protected archaeological zones and sites, and areas recorded as archaeological sites or presumed to hold archaeological heritage, is banned without the Ministry's prior approval, and destroying all or part of an archaeological zone is a crime. We found no separate rule for beaches, state forests, national parks or private land, and the detector ban covers the whole country, so it applies there too.
Underwater activities on the maritime domain in areas holding cultural goods, apart from archaeological excavations and research under art. 35(1), require approval from the competent maritime authorities with the Ministry’s prior consent under art. 35(9).
Finds belong to the State
A movable thing presumed to be a cultural good that lies in the ground, the sea or other waters belongs to the Republic of Croatia, and nobody can acquire it by finding it. The treasure rules apply, but a finder who was deliberately treasure hunting on someone else's property in breach of the act gets no finder's fee. Keeping an archaeological find in breach of the act is a crime, and deals in illegally dug-up finds are void.
Everyone must report to the Ministry anything presumed to be a cultural good; that general duty sets no deadline. Anyone who hits an archaeological site or finds during building or other works on land, in water or at sea must stop and tell the Ministry the same day or the next working day.
About our sources
We read the act in the official gazette, Narodne novine (No. 145/2024). The only amendment we found, No. 151/2025, moves Zagreb's heritage work to the Ministry and doesn't touch the detector, finds or reporting rules.
Sources
Official and statutory sources this page is based on (source check: October 8, 2026):
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New to LuckyFind? Follow the first-hunt checklist, then learn how to record a hunt and add finds.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is metal detecting legal in Croatia?
- Not for finding archaeological material. Croatia's 2024 heritage act bans using metal detectors anywhere in the country, under water included, to look for archaeological sites or finds, except in archaeological research the Ministry of Culture and Media has approved. Individuals face fines of 2,000 to 6,630 euros.
- Can I metal detect on a Croatian beach?
- No beach exception turned up. The ban on using detectors to find archaeological sites and finds covers the whole country, including underwater zones and sites.
- Can I keep what I find in Croatia?
- Not if it's presumed to be a cultural good: anything like that lying in the ground, the sea or other waters belongs to the Republic of Croatia. A treasure hunter searching someone else's land in breach of the act gets no finder's fee.
- What do I do if I find something old in Croatia?
- Report it to the Ministry of Culture and Media, since everyone must report anything presumed to be a cultural good. If you hit a find during building or other works, stop and tell the Ministry the same day or the next working day.
Find more, remember where
Download LuckyFind — free for iPhone and Android — to track your routes, log your finds, and keep your permitted spots organized.
