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Croatia's School Phone Ban: What Schools Need to Know in 2026
Yes. Since 2026, Croatia bans phone use in primary schools throughout the school day, including breaks, with phones kept in bags or lockers. In secondary schools the ban applies during lessons, and schools may go further.
The ban is set out in amendments to the Rulebook on Criteria for Imposing Pedagogical Measures, announced by the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth on 4 March 2026. In primary schools, using a phone or similar device anywhere on school premises, including outside lessons, counts as unacceptable behaviour. In secondary schools the ban covers lessons only, but each school may set a stricter rule. Exceptions are expected for health needs and teaching.
Zagreb recommended a ban to its primary schools in September 2025, and about 100 of its 111 primary schools adopted one. In October 2025 Minister Radovan Fuchs announced a national ban through the rulebook on pedagogical measures, partly to end disputes over confiscating phones. The national rule was published in early 2026. We found no further change announced for 2026/27.
Pupils may bring phones but must keep them in bags or lockers, depending on how each school organises its day. Because breaches are defined as unacceptable behaviour, schools respond with pedagogical measures. Before the national rule, one Zagreb primary school's board banned phones and smartwatches on all school premises, with a gradebook note for a first breach. Zagreb officials reported better peer contact and less cyberbullying.
Whatever the rule in Croatia requires, all day in every osnovna škola, lockable pouches let students keep their own phone, locked, from the first bell to the last, so staff do not collect, store or answer for devices. Before The Internet ships lockable phone pouches and unlocking bases worldwide, including to Croatia, and can print the school's name or crest on them. Schools buy them outright: one price, no subscription, lease or per-student annual licence. Send us your student numbers and any written quote you have, and we will beat it.
Frequently asked questions
Does the ban cover breaks?
In primary schools, yes: it applies on all school premises, including time outside lessons. In secondary schools it covers lessons, unless the school sets a stricter rule.
Where must pupils keep their phones?
The ministry says phones are kept in bags or lockers, depending on how each school organises its work.
What happens if a pupil uses a phone?
Using a device counts as unacceptable behaviour under the rulebook, so the school applies pedagogical measures.
Related reading
School phone bans by country · Phone-free schools toolkit · How to roll out phone pouches in a school
Written by the team at Before The Internet, a Toronto-based phone-free company that rents lockable phone pouches for events across North America and sells them to schools and venues worldwide, shipping purchases to any country.
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