Croatia: Amendments to COVID-19 countermeasures will be implemented from July 1 /update 28

Croatia amends COVID-19 restrictions effective July 1. Travel and business disruptions likely.

Event

Croatia will introduce new COVID-19 countermeasures from July 1. Public events and gatherings of more than 100 people remain banned unless the event is attended only by individuals with an EU-approved digital vaccination certificate. All public events and gatherings must conclude by 00:00 unless all attendees possess a digital vaccination certificate and the local civil protection headquarters have approved the event. Bakeries must close by 00:00. Alcoholic beverages may not be sold 00:00-06:00. Catering establishments may operate indoor and outdoor seating areas from 06:00-00:00; only seated patrons may be served, and parties must not exceed 30 individuals. Night clubs, bars, and discos may operate at all hours, provided all attendees have a digital vaccination certificate.

All businesses and establishments permitted to operate must adhere to social distancing requirements. Facemasks remain mandatory indoors and in all outdoor spaces where social distance cannot be observed.

International Entry Restrictions
Only persons arriving from regions designated as "green" by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) may enter Croatia without restrictions. As of June 30, green regions include all EU and Schengen Area countries except Cyprus, Ireland, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Monaco, Andorra, most of the Netherlands, most of Portugal, and most of Sweden, as well as parts of Denmark, Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Norway, and Slovenia. Travelers from some locations outside the EEA - specifically Albania, Australia, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, North Macedonia, Serbia, the US, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan - may also enter Croatia without restrictions.

Travelers arriving from all other parts of the EU and Schengen Area must prove having tested negative for COVID-19 using a PCR or rapid antigen test taken no more than 48 hours before arrival; otherwise, they must self-isolate in Croatia until they are tested. Persons who possess certificates of vaccination or evidence of having overcome COVID-19 in the last six months, as well as seafarers and transport workers, diplomats, staff of international organizations, persons traveling for urgent reasons, passengers in transit, and patients traveling for necessary health reasons may enter without a test. Border workers, health sector employees, and students who travel to Croatia daily are also exempt from submitting test results, provided they spend no more than 12 hours in the country. EU citizens and permanent residents may enter Croatia from any third country as long as they possess a negative PCR test. Individuals from all other countries remain barred from entry except for those traveling for personal, family, or business reasons, as well as diplomats and students; such travelers must also comply with the PCR test result requirement. Additional details on entry requirements can be found here.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.