Croatia: Authorities maintaining COVID-19 countermeasures as of Aug. 20 /update 31

Event

Authorities are maintaining international entry and domestic restrictions as of Aug. 20 as part of measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Travel Restrictions
Nonessential travel to Croatia is permitted for EU and Schengen Area countries and for travelers from Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, China, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro, New Zealand, Qatar, Moldova, North Macedonia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Ukraine, and the US. Travel from other locations is currently only permitted for limited purposes.

Permitted arrivals must present either an EU Digital COVID Certificate, proof of having tested negative for COVID-19 using a PCR or rapid antigen test taken no more than 72 or 48 hours before arrival respectively; otherwise, they must self-isolate in Croatia until they are tested. Persons who possess certificates of vaccination or evidence of having recovered from 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.

Regardless of vaccination or recovery status, permitted travelers from Cyprus, India, Russia, and the UK must provide proof of a negative PCR or antigen test result taken no more than 72 or 48 hours before arrival respectively. Permitted travelers arriving from Brazil, South Africa, or Zanzibar (Tanzania) are required to present a negative PCR test taken within the previous 48 hours and self-isolate for 14 days; isolation can be ended early following a negative test taken on day seven of isolation. Additional details on entry requirements, including exemptions, can be found here.

Domestic Restrictions
Public events and gatherings of more than 100 people are prohibited unless the event is attended only by individuals with an EU digital COVID certificate. While operating hours may be restricted, businesses and other establishments are permitted to operate, providing they adhere to social distancing requirements. Indoor cultural events and trade fairs remain prohibited. Individuals require EU digital COVID certificates or proof of a negative test to access certain premises. Facemasks remain mandatory indoors and in all outdoor spaces where social distancing cannot be observed.

Tightened restrictions are currently in effect through Aug. 31 in several coastal areas experiencing elevated disease activity following the peak of the tourist season. The affected areas are the counties of Dubrovnik-Neretva, Split-Dalmatia, Sibenik-Knin, Zadar, Primorje-Gorski Kotar and Istria, as well as the towns of Senj, Novalja, and Karlobag in Lika-Senj County. Public events and gatherings may not exceed 50 people unless all attendees have an EU digital COVID certificate, in which case attendance is limited to 1,000 people. Private ceremonies and gatherings are limited to 15 people.

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.