COVID-19-related travel and movement restrictions are still in place in Croatia. Read on to find the latest travel information as of August 6, 2021. For exact details on travelling to and from Croatia, or anywhere, always check directly with airlines, transport providers, and official government authorities.
EU and UK categorisation of Croatia
At the time of writing, Croatia is part green, part yellow on the ECDC's map showing EU travel recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Civil Protection Headquarters of the Republic of Croatia has made a decision on a temporary ban and restriction of crossing the border crossings of the Republic of Croatia.The decision takes effect on July 26, and is set to be in placeuntil August 15, 2021. However, in accordance with the guidelines of the competent authorities, exceptions have been made as follows.
"Passengers travelling to the Republic of Croatia from an EU / EEA member state
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 the Republic of Croatia if they possess a valid EU Digital COVID Certificate.
Exceptionally, 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, who do not yet possess an EU Digital COVID Certificate, will be allowed entry into the Republic of Croatia if they have the following:
negative PCR test result or rapid antigen test result - RAT for SARS-CoV-2, where the RAT test must be listed in the Common list of rapid antigen tests recognised by the Member States of the European Union, published by the European Commission. If the RAT test results were made abroad, the manufacturer and/or the commercial name of the test must be visible. Otherwise, it will not be accepted as credible for entering the Republic of 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;
certificate that they have received two doses of vaccine used in the EU Member States (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Gamaleya, Sinopharm) not older than 270 days, or a certificate that they have received one dose of the vaccine if the vaccine is administered in a single dose (Janssen/Johnson&Johnson) not older than 270 days, provided that 14 days have passed since they received the single dose;
certificate showing that they have received the first dose of the Pfizer, Moderna or Gamaleya vaccine, on the basis of which they can enter the Republic of Croatia in the period of 22 to 42 days from receiving the vaccine, or 22 to 84 days from receiving the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine;
certificate showing that they have recovered from COVID-19 and have received one dose of vaccine within six months from contracting the disease, provided that the vaccine was administered less than 270 days from their arrival at the border crossing point;
positive PCR test result or rapid antigen test result, confirming that the holder recovered from the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, which was performed in the previous 270 days and which is older than 11 days from the date of arrival at the border crossing point, or a medical certificate of recovery;
or if they perform PCR testing or rapid antigen testing - RAT for SARS-CoV-2 immediately upon their arrival in the Republic of Croatia (at their own expense), with the obligation to stay in self-isolation until they obtain a negative test result. In case they cannot get tested, they have to self-isolate for ten (10) days.
The following categories are exempt from possessing a valid EU Digital COVID Certificate or from the abovementioned obligations:
seafarers and workers in the transport sector or transport service providers, including heavy goods vehicle drivers transporting goods to be used in the national territory and those in transit only;
diplomats, staff of international organisations and persons invited by international organisations and whose physical presence is necessary for the functioning of those organisations, military personnel and police officers, as well as humanitarian and civil protection personnel in the performance of their duties;
persons travelling for family or business reasons, including journalists in the performance of their duties;
passengers in transit with the obligation to leave the Republic of Croatia within 12 hours from entry;
patients travelling for health reasons.
The provisions regarding frontier workers apply adequately to other categories of passengers who, due to the nature of their job or occupation, need to cross the state border frequently (e.g. athletes playing for clubs in a neighbouring country).
Passengers who represent one of the previously mentioned exceptions are obliged to present credible documentation upon entering the Republic of Croatia in order to prove the reasons for the exemption.
Citizens of EU / EEA member states as well as members of their families travelling to the Republic of Croatia from third countries, i.e. those that are not members of the EU / EEA
Citizens of EU Member States (including Croatian citizens), i.e. Schengen Member States and Schengen associated countries, as well as members of their families and third-country nationals who are long-term residents under Council Directive 2003/109/EC of 25 November 2003 concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents and persons entitled to reside under other EU directives or national law or who have national long-term visas and are coming from third countries, must present a valid EU Digital COVID Certificate when entering the Republic of Croatia.
Exceptionally, the abovementioned category of passengers who do not yet possess an EU Digital COVID Certificate will be allowed entry into the Republic of Croatia if they have the following:
negative PCR test result or rapid antigen test result - RAT for SARS-CoV-2, where the RAT test must be listed in the Common list of rapid antigen tests recognised by the Member States of the European Union, published by the European Commission. If the RAT test results were made abroad, the manufacturer and/or the commercial name of the test must be visible. Otherwise, it will not be accepted as credible for entering the Republic of 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;
certificate that they have received two doses of vaccine used in the EU Member States (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Gamaleya, Sinopharm) not older than 270 days, or a certificate that they have received one dose of the vaccine if the vaccine is administered in a single dose (Janssen/Johnson&Johnson) not older than 270 days, provided that 14 days have passed since they received the single dose;
certificate showing that they have received the first dose of the Pfizer, Moderna or Gamaleya vaccine, on the basis of which they can enter the Republic of Croatia in the period of 22 to 42 days from receiving the vaccine, or 22 to 84 days from receiving the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
certificate showing that they have recovered from COVID-19 and have received one dose of vaccine within six months from contracting the disease, provided that the vaccine was administered less than 270 days from their arrival at the border crossing point;
positive PCR test result or rapid antigen test result, confirming that the holder recovered from the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, which was performed in the previous 270 days and which is older than 11 days from the date of arrival at the border crossing point, or a medical certificate of recovery;
or if they perform PCR testing or rapid antigen testing - RAT for SARS-CoV-2 immediately upon their arrival in the Republic of Croatia (at their own expense), with the obligation to stay in self-isolation until they obtain a negative test result. In case they cannot get tested, they have to self-isolate for ten (10) days.
The following categories are exempt from possessing a valid EU Digital COVID Certificate or from the abovementioned obligations:
healthcare workers, health researchers and caregivers for the elderly;
frontier workers (as well as, e.g. athletes as stated in the exceptions for passengers within the EU / EEA);
workers in the transport sector;
diplomats, staff of international organisations and persons invited by international organisations and whose physical presence is necessary for the functioning of those organisations, military personnel and police officers, as well as humanitarian and civil protection personnel in the performance of their duties;
passengers in transit, with the obligation to leave the Republic of Croatia within 12 hours from entering;
persons travelling for study purposes;
passengers travelling for personal / family or business reasons or some other economic reason and do not stay in or out of Croatia longer than 12 hours.
Persons who represent one of the previously mentioned exceptions are obliged to present credible documentation upon entering the Republic of Croatia in order to prove the reasons for exemption from having one of the above-mentioned tests / having to self-isolate.
Third-country nationals
Third-country nationals who are not family members of citizens of Schengen Member States and Schengen Associated States nor are long-term residents under Council Directive 2003/109/EC of 25 November 2003 concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents and persons entitled to reside under other EU directives or national law or who have national long-term visas, apart from persons referred to in point 1 of this Decision will be granted entry in the Republic of Croatia only in cases of necessary travel.
Exceptions to the above-mentioned necessary travel are the following categories:
1. healthcare workers, health researchers and caregivers for the elderly; 2. frontier workers (as well as, e.g. athletes as stated in the exceptions for passengers within the EU / EEA); 3. workers in the transport sector; 4. diplomats, staff of international organisations and persons invited by international organisations and whose physical presence is necessary for the functioning of those organisations, military personnel and police officers, as well as humanitarian and civil protection personnel in the performance of their duties; 5. passengers in transit, with the obligation to leave the Republic of Croatia within 12 hours from entering; 6. persons travelling for study purposes; 7. seafarers who intend to stay in the Republic of Croatia for longer than 12 hours. They will be allowed entry if they have the following:
negative PCR test result not older than 72 hours from the moment of testing, or rapid antigen test result - RAT for SARS-CoV-2 that is included in the Common list of rapid antigen tests recognised by the Member States of the European Union, published by the European Commission, provided that the test result is not older than 48 hours from the moment of testing to the moment of arrival at the border crossing point
certificate that they have received two doses of vaccine used in the EU Member States not older than 270 days, provided that 14 days have passed since they received the second dose, or a certificate that they have received one dose of the vaccine, not older than 270 days, if the vaccine is administered in a single dose (Janssen/Johnson&Johnson), provided that 14 days have passed since they received the single dose
certificate showing that they have recovered from COVID-19 and have received one dose of vaccine within six months from contracting the virus, provided that the vaccine was administered less than 270 days ago
a positive PCR or rapid antigen test result, referred to in paragraph III, item 1, subitem 1 of the said Decision, confirming that the holder recovered from the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, which was performed in the previous 270 days, and which is older than 11 days from the date of arrival at the border crossing point, or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 issued by a physician;
or they will be imposed self-isolation upon arriving in the Republic of Croatia with a possibility of getting a PCR test or rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2, and if they cannot get tested, they have to self-isolate for a total of 10 days.
8. persons who travel for tourist reasons and have a certificate of paid accommodation in a hotel, camp, private renter or rented vessel and other form of tourist accommodation or are owners of houses or vessels in the Republic of Croatia - entry into the Republic of Croatia will be allowed upon presentation of one of the following documents:
negative PCR test result not older than 72 hours from the moment of testing, or rapid antigen test result - RAT for SARS-CoV-2 that is included in the Common list of rapid antigen tests recognised by the Member States of the European Union, published by the European Commission, provided that the test result is not older than 48 hours from the moment of testing to the moment of arrival at the border crossing point
certificate that they have received two doses of vaccine used in the EU Member States not older than 270 days, provided that 14 days have passed since they received the second dose, or a certificate that they have received one dose of the vaccine, not older than 270 days, if the vaccine is administered in a single dose (Janssen/Johnson&Johnson), provided that 14 days have passed since they received the single dose
certificate showing that they have recovered from COVID-19 and have received one dose of vaccine within six months from contracting the virus, provided that the vaccine was administered less than 270 days ago
a positive PCR or rapid antigen test result, referred to in paragraph III, item 1, subitem 1 of the said Decision, confirming that the holder recovered from the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, which was performed in the previous 270 days, and which is older than 11 days from the date of arrival at the border crossing point, or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 issued by a physician
or they will be imposed self-isolation upon arriving in the Republic of Croatia with a possibility of getting a PCR test or rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2, and if they cannot get tested, they have to self-isolate for a total of 10 days.
9. persons travelling for necessary personal / family or business reasons, or who have other economic interest (if they intend to stay in the Republic of Croatia longer than 12 hours) will be allowed to enter the Republic of Croatia upon presentation of one of the following documents:
negative PCR test result not older than 72 hours from the moment of testing, or rapid antigen test result - RAT for SARS-CoV-2 that is included in the Common list of rapid antigen tests recognised by the Member States of the European Union, published by the European Commission, provided that the test result is not older than 48 hours from the moment of testing to the moment of arrival at the border crossing point
certificate that they have received two doses of vaccine used in the EU Member States not older than 270 days, provided that 14 days have passed since they received the second dose, or a certificate that they have received one dose of the vaccine, not older than 270 days, if the vaccine is administered in a single dose (Janssen/Johnson&Johnson), provided that 14 days have passed since they received the single dose
certificate showing that they have recovered from COVID-19 and have received one dose of vaccine within six months from contracting the virus, provided that the vaccine was administered less than 270 days ago
a positive PCR or rapid antigen test result, referred to in paragraph III, item 1, subitem 1 of the said Decision, confirming that the holder recovered from the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, which was performed in the previous 270 days, and which is older than 11 days from the date of arrival at the border crossing point, or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 issued by a physician
or they will be imposed self-isolation upon arriving in the Republic of Croatia with a possibility of getting a PCR test or rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2, and if they cannot get tested, they have to self-isolate for a total of 10 days.
10. persons for whom a positive decision of the competent authority has been made, based on their application for residence / work, including digital nomads will be allowed to enter the Republic of Croatia upon presentation of one of the following documents:
negative PCR test result not older than 72 hours from the moment of testing, or rapid antigen test result - RAT for SARS-CoV-2 that is included in the Common list of rapid antigen tests recognised by the Member States of the European Union, published by the European Commission, provided that the test result is not older than 48 hours from the moment of testing to the moment of arrival at the border crossing point
certificate that they have received two doses of vaccine used in the EU Member States not older than 270 days, provided that 14 days have passed since they received the second dose, or a certificate that they have received one dose of the vaccine, not older than 270 days, if the vaccine is administered in a single dose (Janssen/Johnson&Johnson), provided that 14 days have passed since they received the single dose
certificate showing that they have recovered from COVID-19 and have received one dose of vaccine within six months from contracting the virus, provided that the vaccine was administered less than 270 days ago
a positive PCR or rapid antigen test result, referred to in paragraph III, item 1, subitem 1 of the said Decision, confirming that the holder recovered from the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, which was performed in the previous 270 days, and which is older than 11 days from the date of arrival at the border crossing point, or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 issued by a physician
or they will be imposed self-isolation upon arriving in the Republic of Croatia with a possibility of getting a PCR test or rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2, and if they cannot get tested, they have to self-isolate for a total of 10 days.
Passengers who represent one of the previously mentioned exceptions are obliged to present credible documentation upon entering the Republic of Croatia in order to prove the reasons for the exemption of having one of the stated test results / having to self-isolate.
Events and venues: Croatian government regulations WITHIN Croatia
On 18 June 2021, the Civil Protection Headquarters of the Republic of Croatia issued a Decision on necessary epidemiological measures restricting gatherings. They also introduced other necessary epidemiological measures and recommendations to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 through gatherings. The measures entered into force on July 31 and will remain in place until August 15, 2021, for now. Here they are:
1. The introduced measure of physical distancing requires avoiding close personal contact at a distance of at least 2 metres indoors and 1.5 metres outdoors. If it is impossible to maintain a physical distance of at least 2 metres indoors and 1.5 meters outdoors, it is mandatory to use face masks or medical masks.
2. Children under the age of twelve who come to gatherings or events that only allow people holding an EU digital COVID certificate - and their parents/guardians hold EU digital COVID certificates - are exempted from the obligation to have an EU digital COVID certificate.
2. Further necessary epidemiological measures put in place by this decision are:
ban on holding all publicevents and gatheringsattended by more than 100 people in one place, unless it is a public event or gathering attended only by persons with an EU digital COVID certificate, and unless the competent local civil protection headquarters approved it;
public events and gatherings and ceremonies of all kinds may last up to midnight, unless it is a public event or gathering attended only by persons with anEU digital COVID certificate, and unless the competent local civil protection headquarters approved it;
atfunerals and wakes,condolences to the bereaved must not be expressed in close contact, and cemetery administrations are obliged to monitor compliance with anti-epidemic measures;
limitation of working hours forbakeries and shops for bread and bakery productsup to midnight;
ban on thesale of alcoholic beveragesbetween midnight and 6 AM;
restricting the operation of food and beverage areas in such a way that food, drink, beverages and sweets can be served in the outdoor service area and only to guests sitting at tables, in strict compliance with prescribed epidemiological measures, recommendations, and instructions from Croatian Institute of Public Health; working hours can be from 6 AM to midnight;
exceptionally, facilities such as nightclubs and bars are allowed to work and serve all guests without working hours, but only in open spaces and provided that the entrance to their premises is permitted only to persons holding anEU digital COVID certificate(guests, staff, contractors, etc.).
holdingprivate ceremonies and gatherings ofall kinds (including wedding ceremonies) is allowed in compliance with all prescribed epidemiological measures, if more than 30 people do not attend the ceremony;
It is exceptionally allowed to hold wedding ceremonies with more than 30 people, under certain circumstances, and if all persons who will be present at the wedding ceremony have anEU digital COVID certificate;
the working hours ofcasinos, club vending machines and payment points for bettingmay be from 8 AM to midnight, with a ban on catering services in their premises;
strict adherence to anti-epidemic measures ingyms and fitness centres;
strict adherence to anti-epidemic measures when holdingworkshops, children's playrooms, and anywhere providing entertainment and recreational servicesindoors (birthday parties, amusement and family parks, etc.);
suspension of allamateur cultural and artistic performances, programs, and eventsindoors;
suspension offairs and other forms of economic and tourist eventswhere products are sold, exhibited or displayed indoors;
mandatory use of face masks or medical masks at fairs and other forms of economic and tourist events or events where products are sold, exhibited or displayed in open spaces;
conferences and congressesattended by up to 100 people may be held in compliance with all prescribed epidemiological measures, recommendations, and instructions of the Croatian Institute of Public Health;
sports competitions and trainingscan be held only without spectators and with strict adherence to all prescribed epidemiological measures, special recommendations, and instructions of the Croatian Institute of Public Health, and the organisers are obliged to ensure that all athletes and necessary technical staff adhere to prescribed epidemiological measures;
It is exceptionally allowed to hold sports events with more than 30 people,under certain circumstances, and if all persons who will be present at the sports event have anEU digital COVID certificate;
foreign language schoolsare obliged to perform their activities in strict compliance with the prescribed epidemiological measures;
