Last Updated
Update: This article was originally published in July 2020 and has undergone many updates since – however – it will no longer be updated, due to recent frequent changes. Please see our guide “Croatia's Covid-19 Entry Requirements” as this will be the source for the most up to date information.
original article continues below…
As of July 1 2020, Croatia has now reopened to all tourists. EU/EEA countries and nations can enter with no reason given, while ‘third-party' countries outside the EU are welcome, but must show proof of accommodation or tourist activity.
Tourism Minister Gari Cappelli was happy to announce that 246,000 tourists were already vacationing in Croatia as of June 27, partially because Forbes put Zagreb, Cavtat and Rijeka among the 20 safest and best European destinations for post-coronavirus travel and tourism.
That number is now passing 1 million tourists as Croatia further relaxed their entry regulations.
One million tourists announce arrival in #Croatia as border restrictions are liftedhttps://t.co/f02jqencO2 pic.twitter.com/ZFRMmOwMdZ
— The Dubrovnik Times (@DubrovnikTimes) July 2, 2020
Effective July 1st, all EU/EEA nationals and persons with permanent residence in EU/EEA country can enter Croatia freely, without restrictions.
The EU/EEA nations that can visit Croatia without restriction are:
- Austria
- Bulgaria
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
EU/EEA nationals are asked to
- Fill out the ‘Enter Croatia' form to help speed up the process of crossing the border
- Abide by Croatia's current safety measures
Third-party countries outside the EU
Entry into Croatia from all third-party nations outside the EU for the purposes of tourism is now permitted as of July 1, 2020.
All countries and nations that could previously travel to Croatia under ‘pre-covid' immigration/entry rules are now allowed to enter again, but there are a few entry requirements.
Entry Rules for Third-Party Countries into Croatia
Third party countries can enter for the purposes of tourism. Here are the new updated entry requirements:
Proof Of Tourism
All third-party nationals must have proof of a tourist activity, like a hotel, marina slip, AirBNB, camp site lease, travel agency voucher, etc.
Email Border Control
All third-party nationals that want to enter for touristic reasons are to send an email to border control stating their intention to cross state border to uzg.covid@mup.hr
Online Form
Fill out the ‘Enter Croatia' form to help speed up the process of crossing the border
Negative PCR Test
Third-Party passengers arriving in Croatia for tourism need to show a negative PCR test, not older than 48 hours.
We reached out to the Ministry of Tourism about clarification on the test, here is what they responded with:
“Persons arriving from a third-party country are not subject to a quarantine / self-isolation measure if they present a negative PCR result of a nasal and throat swab for SARS-Cov-2 at the border crossing point, which is not older than 48 hours (counting from the time of taking the swab to arriving at the border crossing point).
Persons who do not present a negative PCR result are subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine / self-isolation measure. As of July 13, 2020.”
“We have always been recognisable because of the safety and nature in Croatia. Now it turns out that safety is once again Croatia's strongest trump card for this season and I believe that's the main reason for the arrivals. Croatia managed to defend itself from that plague and to organise itself very well.” Said Cappelli
Are negative tests required to enter Croatia?
For EU/EEA = no
For third-party nationals = yes
What is open in Croatia?
- Hotels, camps and bed and breakfasts
- Restaurants and cafes
- Beaches and public parks
- Some pools, thermal spas and aquaparks
- Zagreb Zoo
- Public transportation
- Intercity transportation
- Ferry boats to Croatian islands
- Many shops, boutiques and stores
Many of the restaurants, hotels, parks and shops started opening as of May 11th 2020 when restrictions within Croatia started lifting. Even though many things are now open in Croatia, the government is still asking locals and tourists to abide by social distancing, hand washing, facemasks for staff, etc.
Important Update Nov 28: Croatia is entering a partial lockdown from Nov 28 to Dec 21 due to a surge in cases. Some businesses and services will temporarily close or modify hours.
Is there an isolation period upon arrival?
No, currently EU/EEA visitors not showing any symptoms are not subject to a mandatory isolation period.
If a third-party country enters without a 48 hour negative PCR test, they will be subject to a 14-day isolation.
Are there any other entry requirements?
The ‘EnterCroatia' Form
The EnterCroatia online form allows visitors to enter all the necessary information and data prior to traveling to Croatia to ease border crossing upon entry.
EnterCroatia may be accessed here: https://entercroatia.mup.hr/
All visitors must fill out this form prior to arrival.
Last year Croatia was just celebrating over 20 million visitors, which broke all previous tourism records. Between the year 2000 to 2011, tourism was around 8 million a year, but not really growing or shrinking. However, since the mega-popular show ‘Game Of Thrones’ starting filming in 2011, tourism in Croatia has been in a sharp incline, now contributing around 20% of the national GDP.
Read More: See a complete list of countries now reopen for international tourism and where Americans and Canadians can travel right now.
Sources – Croatia.hr / mint.gov.hr
*Important Note: The reopening of tourism activities is dependent on approval of the Croatian government and can change at any time. Be sure to check with proper authorities before traveling.
For the latest U.S & Canada Travel News join our: Facebook Community
Originally posted July 2, 2020 with updates
Gracee
Friday 12th of February 2021
Hi I’m a Nigerian and planning to visit Croatia 🇭🇷 on the 27th of February 2021 and have already fill the enter Croatia and have been given my entry number but I want to know if I still need a tourist visa before I fly Thanks
Andrew Evenstar
Tuesday 8th of December 2020
i have planned and booked a trip to croatia on the 77th. i see they have entered a partial lockdown until the 21st. That's okay for me even if a bit of stuff is locked down. however, most of the tests here in the USA are the nasal test only. has anyone gotten through customs with just the nasal negative PCR test? this information would be VERY helpful as i'm about to schedule my test for the day i leave. Thanks!
Glaiza R. Jaingue
Tuesday 1st of December 2020
Hi,
I am from Philippines and in a relationship with my Croatian boyfriend for five months. We plan to meet on March and I am now completing our documents to apply for Schengen visa. The problem is we haven't met even once. Is there a possibility that my application will be rejected? That would surely break our hearts but I want to know the new rules of applying for visa and update my boyfriend. thank you...
Kashlee Kucheran
Tuesday 1st of December 2020
Croatia is not part of the Schengen (but they are in the EU), so I am very unsure of what you are asking? You can apply for a visa to visit Croatia at the Croatian embassy/consulate in Manila.
Seda
Tuesday 20th of October 2020
Hi I'm from turkey and i have turkish special passport (no needed visa for many country normally), I'm planning to go to Bulgaria with bus then again with bus from Bulgaria want to go to Croatia same day. And then I want to go Germany with car. I want do ai them in 1 2 days is it possible with negative prc test no quarantine? What's required on get in those countries. I want to use Croatia for go Germany. I need german stamp 1 time on my passport for able to meet with my German boyfriend. I know it's little complicated just i want to reach german airport in the end.
Kashlee Kucheran
Tuesday 20th of October 2020
Hi Seda, I really can't comment on such a detailed and complex itinerary. Technically, you are not permitted into Bulgaria or Germany as Turkey is not approved for travel there yet. If there are any exceptions for first spending 14 days in Croatia, then they will have to be confirmed with Bulgarian or German border police first
Ra
Thursday 15th of October 2020
Do you know if bars/restaurants/ clubs are open there now? If not, do you know of any countries where they are (i.e. least number of covid measures)?
Kashlee Kucheran
Thursday 15th of October 2020
restaurants and pubs are open I don't know of any country that has reopened clubs though