A TOTAL of 2243 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Croatia. Six new cases have been recorded in the past 24 hours. To this day, ninety-nine deaths have been recorded, while 2011 people recovered.
During the coronavirus epidemic in Croatia, special measures entered into force, adopted by the Croatian Institute of Public Health in collaboration with the Croatian Coronavirus Task Force. Croatian borders are open, but both Croatian and foreign citizens wishing to enter the country have to follow specific regulations and protocols, as well as all prescribed public health measures.
Who can cross the Croatian border?
The Decision on the Temporary Ban of Transit through Border Crossings of the Republic of Croatia (“Official Gazette” Nos 32/20 and 48/20), and the Decision on the Amendment of the said Decision of 9 May of 2020, allows the following:
- Croatian citizens are allowed to enter the Republic of Croatia and go abroad.
- The return to the country of residence is allowed for citizens of the EU member states, namely citizens of the Schengen countries and Schengen associated countries, as well as their family members; for third-country nationals, who are long-term residents pursuant to the Council Directive 2003/109/EC of 25 November 2003 concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents and persons who have the right of residence pursuant to other EU Directives or national laws, or who have national long-term visas; as well as entering the Republic of Croatia under special conditions.
- The said Decision also defines the exceptions from the application of provisions as mentioned above, which apply to the following:
- Healthcare professionals, healthcare researchers and associates, senior care professionals, and those requiring urgent medical treatment
- Cross-border workers
- Freight carriers and other transport personnel to the extent necessary
- Diplomats, police officers in the performance of their functions, civil protection services and teams, personnel of international organizations and international military personnel in the performance of their functions,
- Transit passengers
- Persons traveling for business purposes or having some other economic interest
- Persons traveling due to urgent personal reasons (i.e., if they own real estate in the Republic of Croatia or have some other urgent personal reason).
- Citizens of a Member State of the EU/EEA who have booked tourist accommodation in the Republic of Croatia
Entry into the Republic of Croatia by Croatian citizens
The self-isolation measure in the duration of 14 days shall no longer be implemented for Croatian citizens. Instead, they shall be given a leaflet by the border police upon entering the Republic of Croatia, notifying them that they are required to adhere to general and special recommendations and instructions by the Croatian Institute of Public Health, which recommends that they limit their interaction with other persons from their area and only perform the most urgent tasks outside of their homes during the 14 days of the date they entered the Republic of Croatia. The above also applies to foreign nationals who are allowed to enter the Republic of Croatia under special conditions.
Entry into the Republic of Croatia by foreign nationals
If a foreign national intends to cross the state border, they have to meet one of the following requirements:
- Possession of documentation proving their ownership of real estate located in the Republic of Croatia, or of a vessel (a lessee is also permitted) or proving that they are attending a funeral in the Republic of Croatia. Whenever they meet said requirements, such foreign nationals are allowed to cross the state border and have to register upon their arrival. Said passengers shall indicate the location/address they will be staying at, or the location of the real estate/vessel, as well as a phone number and the duration of stay their stay - exit date.
- Possession of documentation proving the fact that they were invited to the Republic of Croatia by a business entity or have an invitation to business meetings. Said passengers shall indicate the location/address they will be staying at, as well as a phone number and the duration of their stay - exit date.
- All other foreign nationals traveling for business purposes which cannot be foreseen at the present time, and who do not have the appropriate documentation, shall be instructed to announce their intent to cross the state border (enter the Republic of Croatia) via e-mail (uzg.covid@mup.hr), and they shall receive an answer as soon as possible.
- Citizens of a Member State of the EU/EEA who booked tourist accommodation in the Republic of Croatia need to possess the confirmation of accommodation booking in an accommodation establishment
If a person is exhibiting signs of the COVID-19 disease when entering the Republic of Croatia, the border police shall inform the border sanitary inspector and/or the sanitary inspector of the Regional or Central Office of the State Inspectorate thereof. Such persons are recommended not to enter the Republic of Croatia. If they have to cross the state border due to urgent reasons, they shall be sent to the competent health institution for testing and treatment by the shortest possible route, that is, they shall be sent to be tested and undergo isolation.
Frequently asked questions about entry conditions for foreigners
As of 21 May 2020, all foreign citizens who intend to enter the Republic of Croatia, as well as Croatian citizens who have residence or domicile in the Republic of Croatia, can find answers to all questions related to entering the Republic of Croatia in one place.
All frequently asked questions about entry conditions are published on the official website of the Ministry of the Interior under the category UZG COVID.
Do I have to self-isolate after entering the Republic of Croatia?
No. The measure of self-isolation is no longer imposed on all passengers on border crossing points when entering the Republic of Croatia. It may be imposed only on individuals for whom it is determined during border checks that they have been in contact with a person infected with COVID-19. However, when entering the Republic of Croatia, border police officers will provide you with a leaflet containing instructions and recommendations issued by the Croatian Institute of Public Health, which you must comply with within the following 14 days.
I entered the Republic of Croatia prior to 9 May 2020, and I was imposed self-isolation. Do I still have to self-isolate?
All measures of self-isolation imposed by border police officers were revoked on 9 May 2020. However, persons who were imposed self-isolation prior to 9 May 2020 must comply with the instructions and recommendations issued by the Croatian Institute of Public Health for 14 days after their entry into the Republic of Croatia.
Which documents are the Croatian nationals required to show on a border crossing point when entering the Republic of Croatia if they do not have permanent or temporary residence in the Republic of Croatia?
Croatian nationals and their family members who do not have Croatian citizenship do not have to provide proof that they meet the conditions for entering the Republic of Croatia. It is sufficient that they hold a passport or an identity card.
I am a foreign national and I own real estate or a vessel. Which documents am I required to show on a border crossing point to be allowed entry into the Republic of Croatia?
When entering the Republic of Croatia, you have to show a title deed, a purchase contract, or other documents that prove that you are the owner of real estate or a vessel, upon which you and the members of your close family will be granted entry.
I am a foreign national, I own real estate in the Republic of Croatia and I would like to visit my house for the purposes of upkeep and maintenance after a longer period of time. Can my wife and my children accompany me and do I have to self-isolate after entering the country?
Your wife and children, as family members, can accompany you to the Republic of Croatia. Self-isolation is not necessary. Rather, you must comply with the recommendations and instructions issued by the Croatian Institute of Public Health during your stay in the Republic of Croatia (keeping a minimum of 1.5m distance, avoiding handshaking, close contact, and similar).
I am an EU/EEA national and I am visiting the Republic of Croatia for an official meeting. I have a girlfriend who is an EU national. We have been together for four months. She would like to accompany me. What do I require to enter the Republic of Croatia and can my girlfriend come with me?
You will be allowed entry into the Republic of Croatia. You need to have an invitation letter for a business meeting from a company in the Republic of Croatia. Your girlfriend does not currently meet the requirements for entering the Republic of Croatia unless the invitation also refers to her.
I am a national of a non-EU/non-EEA country, my husband is a Croatian national. Due to the COVID-19 situation, we have been living separately for the past two months. Am I allowed to enter the Republic of Croatia and visit my husband?
You will be allowed entry into the Republic of Croatia for the purpose of family reunification. When crossing the border, you will have to show the documents proving that you are married to a Croatian national, e.g., a marriage certificate.
I am a national of a non-EU/non-EEA country. I have a regulated stay and a work permit in the Republic of Croatia. Am I allowed to enter the country to continue working, given the fact that the company I work for has been closed for two months due to COVID-19? Am I required to have a pass to reach the location of my work?
You meet the requirements to enter the Republic of Croatia. As regards to the pass, it is no longer required.
I am a national of a non-EU/non-EEA country. My mother passed away in the Republic of Croatia yesterday. Am I allowed to attend her funeral?
You will be allowed to attend the funeral. When crossing the border, you have to provide evidence of her death and reach the funeral location without stopping and returning to Bosnia and Herzegovina immediately after the funeral. You must comply with the recommendations and instructions issued by the Croatian Institute of Public Health during your stay in the Republic of Croatia (keeping a minimum of 1.5m distance, avoiding handshaking, close contact, using a mask indoors and similar).
I am a national of a non-EU/non-EEA country. I suffer from a serious disease and I have an appointment at University Hospital Centre Zagreb (KBC Zagreb, Rebro). I have all the necessary documents and a hospital invitation for the appointment. Am I allowed to enter the Republic of Croatia for the appointment?
You will be allowed entry into the Republic of Croatia for serious and pressing health reasons if you provide the appropriate documents when crossing the border.
I am a citizen of a Member State of the EU/EEA and I have booked tourist accommodation in the Republic of Croatia. What documents do I need to have to enter the Republic of Croatia?
It is necessary to present the confirmation of accommodation booking in an accommodation establishment.
The confirmation of accommodation booking in an accommodation establishment includes:
- Confirmation of accommodation booking of all accommodation service providers / all types of accommodation
- Camp lease contract
- Permanent berth contract in a nautical tourism port
- Confirmation of berth reservation in a nautical tourism port
- Travel agency voucher etc.
Recommendations and instructions by the Croatian Institute of Public Health
Croatian and foreign nationals who are entering the Republic of Croatia are obligated to adhere to these instructions for 14 days from the date of crossing the border, in the following manner:
- During the first 14 days after entering the Republic of Croatia, leaving the accommodation is limited to work, if the entry into the Republic of Croatia was due to business reasons, and performing necessary activities while continuously adhering to hygienic measures.
- When leaving the accommodation due to necessary reasons, it is recommended to use a face mask or a nose and mouth cover, to maintain physical distance from other people (no less than 1.5 m) and to maintain hand hygiene.
- Wash hands as often as possible with warm water and soap and/or use hand disinfectant, which should be thoroughly rubbed between the palms. Avoid touching the face, mouth, nose, and eyes.
- Avoid using public transportation. When traveling, it is preferable for the person to be alone or exclusively with persons sharing the same accommodation.
- Consistently avoid groups and public gatherings.
- Meet as few people as possible during business meetings, ensure a physical distance of 1.5 meters with disinfectant being readily available, avoid unnecessary meetings.
- During their stay at the accommodation, such persons prepare their food or use food and beverage delivery services.
- Payment should be contactless or made through on-line services.
- The body temperature has to be measured each morning. If it is higher than 37.2 C°, it has to be measured again after 10 minutes, and if it is still higher than 37.2 C°, they should stay at home/accommodation and notify the chosen family physician, if they have one (Croatian citizens), or the epidemiologist competent for their location in the country.
- If symptoms of acute respiratory infection occur (cough, sore throat, elevated body temperature, shortness of breath/trouble breathing, loss of smell and taste), it is necessary to stay at home/accommodation and notify the chosen family physician, if they have one (Croatian citizens), or the epidemiologist competent for their location in the country.
- In the event of severe, life-threatening symptoms, the person should contact urgent medical services.
- In the event of symptoms of respiratory disease. If you develop respiratory disease symptoms (elevated body temperature, cough, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, sore throat, and weakness), call your chosen physician, who will evaluate the need for testing for the novel coronavirus based on your health condition. If you require medical assistance for reasons other than respiratory diseases, call your chosen physician or have one of your household members contact him for a consultation and to arrange a house visit. Do not go to a healthcare facility alone without notifying them over the telephone beforehand. You can read more information about the coronavirus disease and measures for reducing the risk of spreading the disease on the Croatian Institute of Public Health website, as well as from your chosen doctor and the epidemiologist competent for your location in the country.