Travelling within, into and out of Croatia, as of April 27, 2020

Travel and movement restrictions in Croatia are changing by the day as the country fights to reign in COVID-19. 2030 cases of COVID-19 are currently confirmed in Croatia. Read on to find the latest travel (within, into and out of Croatia) information as of April 24, 2020. 

TRAVEL AND MOVEMENT WITHIN CROATIA

Civilian movement restrictions across Croatia 

The following establishments are open or allowed to reopen as of now. Businesses and venues must act in accordance with given hygiene and sanitation laws - which may vary from establishment to establishment.

* Cultural establishments (museums, theaters, cinemas, libraries, reading rooms), exhibitions, shows and fairs can reopen on April 27 

* Most stores selling any type of good, except for those in shopping centres, can reopen on April 27. Stores with over 10 working hours are required to implement breaks mid-way to ensure disinfection of their interiors

* Libraries can reopen on April 27

* Individual public space stands selling fruit, vegetables and flowers can open on April 27

* Gas stations

* Kiosks

* Banks

* Post offices

* Marketplace stores and stands selling fish, dairy, fruits, bee products and vegetables are open, in accordance with strict hygienic, sanitary and social distancing regulations, as of April 8

Stores are closed on Sundays, with the exception of bakeries, kiosks and gas stations are exceptionally allowed.

Check individual business and venue websites for specific working hours.

On May 4, the following are set to reopen under strict measures that will be defined by the National Civil Protection Headquarters

* Hairdressers and beauty salons 

* Public and private healthcare establishments

On May 11, the following are set to reopen under strict measures that will be defined by the National Civil Protection Headquarters

* Restaurants and cafes - with service exclusively outdoors

* Shopping malls

* Gatherings of up to 10 people

* National parks and nature parks

Leaving the house should be still done strictly following rules of the National Civil Protection Headquarters.

Public transport restrictions across Croatia 

• Public transport lines (buses, trams trains, cable cars, funiculars) within cities and/or counties are being reestablished gradually in line with strict hygienic and sanitary rules as of April 27

• Taxis, as they have been throughout the pandemic, continue to function in line with strict hygienic and sanitary rules

• Masks are recommended on public transportation

Civilian roadway rules across Croatia

* On April 18, it was declared that individual counties could request civilian movement without permits. See the status of each Croatian county below. * 

* Bjelovar-Bilogora County: movement without a permit is allowed throughout the county, but to exit or enter the county a permit is required.

* Brod-Posavina County: movement without a permit is allowed throughout the county, but to exit or enter the county a permit is required.

* City of Zagreb: movement without a permit is allowed throughout the city, and into and out of the rest of Zagreb County.

* Dubrovnik-Neretva County: permits are still required for inter-city movement.

* Istria Country: movement without a permit is allowed throughout the county, but to exit or enter the county a permit is required. 

* Karlovac County: movement without a permit is allowed throughout the county, but to exit or enter the county a permit is required. 

* Koprivnica-Križevci County: movement without a permit is allowed throughout the county, but to exit or enter the county a permit is required. 

* Krapina-Zagorje County: permits are still required for inter-city movement.

* Lika-Senj County: movement without a permit is allowed throughout the county, but to exit or enter the county a permit is required. Exceptions are the town of Udbina (which is under quarantine) and Novalja (from which travel to islands is prohibited). 

* Međimurje County: movement without a permit is allowed throughout the county, but to exit or enter the county a permit is required. 

* Osijek-Baranka County: movement without a permit is allowed throughout the county, but to exit or enter the county a permit is required.

* Požega-Slavonia County: movement without a permit is allowed throughout the county, but to exit or enter the county a permit is required.

* Primorje-Gorski Kotar County: the county is divided into three sub-regions throughout which movement is allowed without a permit. Entry from one sub-region into another, and onto or off of islands, requires permission.

* Šibenik-Knin County: movement without a permit is allowed throughout the county, but to exit or enter the county a permit is required.

* Split-Dalmatia County: movement without a permit is allowed throughout the county, but to exit or enter the county a permit is required. Island travel is only permitted to those who permanently reside on an island.

* Varaždin County: movement without a permit is allowed throughout the county, but to exit or enter the county a permit is required.

* Virovitica-Podravina County: movement without a permit is allowed throughout the county, but to exit or enter the county a permit is required.

* Vukovar-Srijem County: movement without a permit is allowed throughout the county, but to exit or enter the county a permit is required.

* Zadar County: movement without a permit is allowed throughout the county, but to exit or enter the county a permit is required.

* Zagreb County: movement without a permit is allowed throughout the county and into and out of the City of Zagreb.

Travel exceptions are given to individuals with special permits including

* Necessary supply personnel

* Certain public service personnel including medical staff, veterinary staff, security staff, and water, gas and electricity staff

* Civilians in need of emergency medical care

* Civilians who must provide emergency care to family members (children, the elderly)

* Health and civilian protection employees

Follow the website of the Croatian Automobile Club, aka HAK (Croatia's equivalent to the USA's AAA or UK's AA) for full traffic information in English here. 

Sea travel restrictions across Croatia

Jadrolinija, Croatia's most popular ferry company, put up a warning sign on March 23 on their website: 'According to the Decision of the National Civil Protection Headquarters on measures for limiting public transport in liner coastal transportation, we inform our passengers that regardless of their purchased tickets, only passengers with islander cards, permanent island residence certificates, public service employees and freight vehicles registered in Croatia can board the ferries or ships from mainland or from island to island. Those travelling from inlands to the mainland have no limitations, but return tickets can be bought only by the aforementioned categories. Passengers who do not meet these conditions and who have purchased tickets will be refunded according to Jadrolinija's General Terms and Conditions.'

The following ferry lines are running

* 311 Ilovik - Mrtvaška and vice versa

* 405 Rava - Mala Rava - Veli Iž - Mali Iž - Zadar and vice versa

* 415 Vrgada - Pakoštane - Biograd and vice versa

* 501 Krpanj - Brodarica and vice versa

* 505 Vodice - Prvić Šepurine - Prvić Luka - Zlarin - Šibenik and vice versa

* 612 Komiža - Biševo and vice versa

* 807 Suđurađ - Lopud - Koločep - Dubrovnik and vice versa

* Olib-Silba-Premuda-Zadar and vice versa - this is a fast ferry line established per supply necessity on March 24 

* Zadar - Ancona is reintroduced as a transport line only as of April 26 

Ferry passengers should purchase tickets online or via mobile application, not in person.

For air travel information, check directly with airlines

Croatia has nine civilian airports (see list below). Some airports offer information on their pages, but for specific air travel information (flight times, availability, cancellations, delays, refunds), check directly with airlines.

• Brač Airport
• Dubrovnik Airport
• Airport Mali Lošinj 
• Osijek Airport 
• Airport Pula 
• Rijeka International Airport 
• Split Airport 
• Zadar Airport 
• Zagreb Airport  

Where are special travel permits issued?

• Civil Protection staff members can issue permits for vital family reasons, such as providing care for children or the elderly, purchasing food and basic supplies, and buying food for and feeding animals
• Legal entities should make an assessment of necessary staff, and issue permits only to persons who are absolutely necessary for the functioning of the community
• Selected general practitioner medical doctors can arrange for the issuance of permits on the basis of medical records

Permits are provided on a case-to-case basis. Issuance of permits should be organized electronically or by other appropriate means without social contact whenever possible.

Anyone who breaks restrictions is subject to fines and other potential punishment, including jail time. Fines can reach up to 120,000 HRK for repeat offenders. Police and security forces across the country are monitoring institutions, streets and public areas to make sure rules are being followed.

CROSS-BORDER TRAVEL

International bus and train lines have been stopped. International air travel is ongoing but varies from case to case, so check flight information directly with airlines.

Travel to and from other EU countries from Croatia

On Tuesday, March 17, the European Union closed its borders to all non-European Union citizens for a 30-day period. Travel within the EU is permitted or restricted on a country-by-country basis.

Croatia is allowing EU citizens to return to their countries of citizenship. Croatian citizens are allowed entry back into Croatia. EU citizens will be allowed entry to Croatia only in special circumstances (for example, health workers, researchers, diplomats, police officers, civilian safety teams, military personnel), as determined by the Croatian Institute of Public Health. Additional information regarding Croatia and its bordering countries can be found on the Croatian Automobile's Club's website here.

Everyone (citizens and non-citizens) entering Croatia is subject to specific measures (which include isolation in a government facility or self-isolation), as required by the Croatian Institute of Public Health. 

* On April 18, it was declared that Croatian cross-border restrictions are being extended until May 18, 2020. *

Non-EU travel to and from Croatia

As of March 12, 2020, travellers to Croatia from specially-defined COVID-19-affected areas are required to spend 14 days in government quarantine facilities. The defined areas are 

* China: Hubei province, including the city of Wuhan

* Germany: the County of Heinsberg in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia

* Iran

* Italy

* South Korea: the city of Daegu and the County of Cheongdo

The Croatian Ministry of Health has also implemented monitoring and self-isolation measures for travellers from any COVID-19-affected countries including

Travellers from these countries (even if they show no COVID-19 symptoms) must self-isolate for 14 days and contact the nearest epidemiologist for further instructions (which may include hospitalization if they show symptoms). 

A list of epidemiologist health institution contacts by Croatian county can be found here.

Time Out (In) Croatia wishes everyone health, hope and healing. We will get through this!