COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Croatia (21 July Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Croatian nationals and their family members may enter Croatia.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes with exceptions

• EU citizens, their family members, and EU residents coming directly from EU/EEA member states or regions that are on the ECDPC Green List may enter Croatia subject to meeting entry requirements.

• EU citizens, their family members, and EU residents coming directly from EU/EEA member states or regions that are not on the Green List or third countries (outside EU), may enter Croatia subject to additional test and quarantine requirements or vaccination certificate.

• Passengers coming directly from countries currently on the EU Council Recommended list of countries approved for the lifting of travel restrictions are allowed to enter Croatia. The list of countries can be found here.

• Travellers from other third countries are prohibited from entering Croatia. Exemptions apply to essential travel permitted by the government of Croatia. Information regarding entry exemptions for each case can be found here.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes

• Passengers are allowed to transit through Croatia provided that they exit the country within 12 hours and use the quickest route if driving. A map of approved roadways may be found here.

• Passengers in transit may travel through Croatia provided that it is possible to enter or transit through the neighbouring country.

Is a test required on arrival?

• No with exceptions

• Passengers arriving directly from the countries and/or regions of the European Union, i.e. countries and/or regions of the Schengen area and Schengen associated countries; citizens of EU / EEA member states, as well as members of their families travelling to Croatia from third countries who do not yet possess an EU Digital COVID Certificate, will be allowed entry into Croatia if they undergo a PCR or rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 immediately upon their arrival in Croatia (at their own expense). The traveller is required to stay in self-isolation until a negative test result is obtained. Travellers failing to get tested on arrival will have to self-isolate for ten (10) days.

• Travellers may take a test upon arrival to shorten their quarantine period.

Is a test certificate accepted?

• Yes

• Test certificates issued outside of Croatia are accepted.

• Currently, the EU Digital COVID Certificate is available in Croatia only to those individuals who received their vaccination under the national Croatian health system.

• Serological tests will NOT be recognized

Test certificate required?

• Yes with exceptions

• Passengers coming directly from the countries and/or regions of the European Union, i.e. countries and/or regions of the Schengen area and Schengen associated countries, regardless of their citizenship, will be allowed entry into Croatia if they possess a valid EU Digital COVID Certificate.

• Passengers not yet possessing an EU Digital COVID Certificate and

  (a) arriving directly from the countries and/or regions of the European Union, i.e. countries and/or regions of the Schengen area and Schengen associated countries;

  (b) Citizens of EU / EEA member states as well as members of their families travelling to Croatia from third countries;

  (c) third-country nationals who are long-term residents of EU;

  (d) Third-country nationals who are not family members of citizens of the Schengen Member States and the Schengen Associated States nor are long-term residents of EU, will be allowed entry into Croatia if they present one of the following documents:

• A negative PCR test result or a valid rapid antigen test result recognized by the European Union. In case of RAT test results obtained abroad, the manufacturer and/or the commercial name of the test must be visible to be accepted as credible for entering Croatia. The PCR test result must not be older than 72 hours and the RAT test result must not be older than 48 hours, counting from the time the test was taken until the arrival at the border crossing point;

• A certificate proving that the traveller has received two doses of vaccine used in the EU Member States (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Gamaleya, Sinopharm) within 210 days prior to travel, or a certificate proving that they have received one dose of a single-dose vaccine (Janssen/Johnson&Johnson) within 210 days prior to travel, provided that 14 days have passed since the single dose is received;

• A certificate proving that the traveller has recovered from COVID-19 and has received one dose of vaccine within six months from contracting the disease, provided that the vaccine was administered within 210 days from their arrival in Croatia;

• A positive PCR test result or rapid antigen test result from a test performed between 11 to 180 days prior to travel to Croatia, confirming that the traveller recovered from COVID-19, or a medical certificate of recovery.

• Passengers arriving directly from the countries and/or regions of the European Union, i.e. countries and/or regions of the Schengen area and Schengen associated countries; Citizens of EU / EEA member states as well as members of their families travelling to Croatia from third countries; are also allowed to present a certificate proving that the traveller has received the first dose of the Pfizer, Moderna or Gamaleya vaccine within 22 to 42 days prior travel to Croatia, or received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine within 22 to 84 days prior travel to Croatia.

• Travellers arriving from a country outside of the European Economic Area where the new strain of COVID-19 is in transmission will be required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued no more than 48 hours prior to arrival. The list of concerned countries where the variant is in transmission currently includes South Africa, Zanzibar (Tanzania), India and Brazil.

• Travellers who have a negative PCR test or rapid antigen test undertaken in Croatia due to a short trip to a neighbouring or third country and who return to Croatia within less than 48 or 72 hours from the date of testing will not be required to present a new PCR test result (validity of 72 hours) or a rapid antigen test result (validity of 48 hours) to re-enter Croatia.

• Children under twelve years of age and travelling accompanied by a parent/guardian are exempt from the obligation to present a negative test result.

• If the passenger is allowed to enter Croatia based on a rapid antigen test and they stay in Croatia longer than 10 days, the test must be repeated within ten days from the date of issuing that test.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• No with exceptions

• Travellers presenting valid certificates/ documents mentioned above (EU Digital COVID Certificate, or a negative PCR or RAT test result, a vaccination certificate or proof of recovery from COVID-19) on arrival, are exempted from the requirement to enter quarantine unless they are arriving from high-risk zones where the new strain of COVID-19 is in transmission.

• Travellers arriving from a country outside of the European Economic Area where the new strain of COVID-19 is in transmission will be required to enter a 14-day self-isolation period. The duration of self-isolation can be shortened if the traveller obtains a negative result on a COVID-19 PCR test performed no earlier than 7 days after arrival in Croatia. The list of concerned countries where the variant is in transmission currently includes South Africa, Zanzibar (Tanzania), India and Brazil.

• Persons travelling for necessary personal/family or business reasons, or other economic interests, will be allowed to enter Croatia without entry restrictions if they intend to stay in Croatia no longer than 12 hours.

• Travellers arriving without a PCR or RAT test, or those whose PCR or RAT tests may have expired on arrival, will be allowed to enter Croatia, provided:

• They meet other conditions of entry;

• They undergo a PCR or RAT test on arrival, at their own expense, immediately;

• They oblige to stay in self-isolation until they receive a negative test result;

• Failure to comply with the above will result in a mandatory self-isolation for 10 days.

• Children under twelve years of age travelling accompanied by a parent/guardian are exempt from the obligation to present a negative test result and to self-isolate if the parents/guardians present the aforementioned entry certificates (EU Digital COVID Certificate, or a negative PCR or RAT test result, a vaccination certificate or proof of recovery from COVID-19).

• Based on the above restrictions travellers will either be exempted from quarantine or be required to enter quarantine for a maximum of 14 days, subject to meeting entry requirements.

Is a vaccination required?

• No

• A COVID-19 vaccination is not required to enter the country.

Insurance required?

• No

• Proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 expenses is not required to enter the country.

Border app recommended?

• Yes

• Authorities have recommended downloading the CovidGO application. The details of this application can be found here.

• Authorities have recommended the STOP COVID-19 application.

*Entry form required? *

• Yes

• All arriving travellers are required to complete an online form, available here.

• Anyone entering Croatia must complete a Passenger Locator Form.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• Airports are open. Airlines are operating with reduced numbers of flights.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• Eligible travellers can enter via land, air, or sea borders.

• Tourists arriving in Croatia from third countries need to provide proof of hotel reservation in advance to be permitted entry to the country.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• Currently, no curfew is in place.

Social restrictions

• Moderate

• Public gatherings are allowed.

• A social distance of at least one meter should be maintained.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• Masks are required.

• No internal travel restrictions are in place.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• All essential and non-essential shops are open with strict social distancing measures.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Accommodations are open.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are open.

Bars and cafes are open?

• Yes

• Bars and cafes are open.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• Yes

• Tourist sites are open with reduced capacity.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• Museums and art galleries are open with reduced capacity.

*Personal care services open? *

• Yes

• Gyms and fitness centres have reopened with adherence to epidemiological measures.

Events allowed?

• Yes

• Sports training activities have resumed with no spectators.

• All public events, gatherings, and celebrations are allowed with limited capacity.

• Wedding parties are allowed up to 120 people. However, all guests, staff, and entertainers must be vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 or have a negative viral test.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Wearing protective masks is mandatory in all closed spaces and places where physical distance can not be maintained (at least 1.5 meters).

Other

• Outdoor catering facilities and national and nature parks have reopened.

• Casinos and other gambling venues are allowed to operate.

• Foreign language schools are allowed to operate for children.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practise social distancing, maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.