If you're traveling in 2021, check which travel insurance covers for coronavirus (test and treatment abroad).
Croatia’s borders have been open to international tourism since July 1, 2020. EU/EEA/Schengen Area nationals and residents can currently enter Croatia without providing a specific reason or proof of paid accommodation, while travelers from all other countries must present confirmation of paid accommodation.
Like many other countries that are open to tourists, Croatia entry requirements depend on the country you are traveling from. EU/EEA/Schengen Area nationals and residents can enter Croatia without any restrictions or quarantine. Travelers from all other countries will need to present a negative PCR COVID test result from within 48 hours before arrival in Croatia. If they do not present a negative PCR test, they will have to quarantine for 14 days.
ALERT: EXCEPTIONAL ENTRY MEASURES FROM DECEMBER 1 TO 15
The Civil Protection Headquarters of the Republic of Croatia has restricted all border crossings to travelers who do not come from the EU/EEA/Schengen Area and are not traveling for a justified reason specified here. Travelers who during the 14 days prior to the trip have been in a country that is not included in the green list of countries of the European Centre, must present a negative PCR test taken 48 hours before the trip. |
Can I travel to Croatia right now?
Croatia borders are open to all countries at the moment. However, restrictions vary based on which country you are traveling from. Below is a map of the countries that can enter Croatia and the restrictions that apply to them.
Croatia - EN
Croatia COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements
Croatia’s entry requirements vary based on which country you’re traveling from. If you’re traveling from an EU/EEA/Schengen Area country, you can enter Croatia as normal. You do not need to provide a reason for entry or proof of paid accommodation. You also do not need to quarantine or take a PCR test prior to entering Croatia.
If you are coming from any other country, you can still enter Croatia, but you will be subject to some entry requirements. If you are entering for tourist reasons, you must provide proof that you have paid for accommodation in Croatia. You should also present a negative PCR COVID test from within 48 hours of your entry to Croatia.
ALERT: EXCEPTIONAL ENTRY MEASURES FROM DECEMBER 1 TO 15
The Civil Protection Headquarters of the Republic of Croatia has restricted all border crossings to travelers who do not come from the EU/EEA/Schengen Area and are not traveling for a justified reason specified here. Travelers who during the 14 days prior to the trip have been in a country that is not included in the green list of countries of the European Centre, must present a negative PCR test taken 48 hours before the trip. |
reason for entering Croatia and/or proof of paid accommodation
If you are an EU/EEA/Schengen Area national or resident, you do not need to provide a reason for entering Croatia or proof of paid accommodation.
If you are traveling to Croatia from a country outside the EU/EEA/Schengen Area for tourist reasons, you must provide proof of paid accommodation in Croatia.
Other scenarios where you can travel to Croatia from outside the EU/EEA/Schengen Area are:
- for urgent personal reasons, like going to a funeral or receiving medical treatment.
- for business reasons.
- to study.
In all these cases, you will need to present proof of the reason you are traveling to Croatia.
For more information, check the Croatian government’s website.
ALERT: EXCEPTIONAL ENTRY MEASURES FROM DECEMBER 1 TO 15
Currently, travelers arriving from third countries cannot enter Croatia unless it is for one of the reasons described here. Tourist trips to Croatia from third countries are not allowed at the moment. |
Is PCR testing mandatory to travel to Croatia?
PCR testing is not mandatory to visit Croatia if you are an EU/EEA/Schengen Area national or resident.
If you are entering Croatia from any country outside the EU/EEA/Schengen Area for business reasons, tourist reasons, or to study, you should present a negative PCR COVID test result that was taken within 48 hours of your arrival in Croatia. If your test is older than 48 hours, you can still enter Croatia, but you will have to self-isolate and get re-tested at your own expense. If you do not present a negative PCR test result, you will be required to quarantine for 14 days.
Is PCR testing mandatory to travel to Croatia?
If you are entering from any other country for urgent personal reasons, going to a funeral, or getting medical treatment, and you don’t have a test, you will have to quarantine for 14 days unless you get a PCR COVID test 7 days after entering Croatia and obtain a negative result, in which case you will only have to quarantine for 7 days.
ALERT: EXCEPTIONAL ENTRY MEASURES FROM DECEMBER 1 TO 15
Currently, travelers arriving from third countries cannot enter Croatia unless it is for one of the reasons described here. Tourist trips to Croatia from third countries are not allowed at the moment. Travelers coming from a country of the European Union / European Economic Area / Schengen Area that is not included in the green list of countries of the European Centre, must undergo a PCR test 48 hours before their trip to enter Croatia. |
Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Croatia?
There is no mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Croatia for EU/EEA/Schengen Area nationals and residents.
If you are traveling from any country outside the EU/EEA/Schengen Area for business, tourist, or education reasons, you will have to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival unless you present evidence of a negative PCR COVID test result from within 48 hours of arrival in Croatia or, if your PCR test is older than 48 hours, you self-isolate and get re-tested.
Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Croatia?
If you are traveling from any other country for urgent personal reasons, and you don’t bring a PCR COVID test result, you will have to quarantine for 14 days, unless you obtain a negative result from a PCR COVID test after 7 days in Croatia, in which case you will only have to quarantine for 7 days.
If you do need to quarantine, you must follow these instructions from the Croatian Institute of Public Health. You can find more information on who needs to quarantine here.
ALERT: EXCEPTIONAL ENTRY MEASURES FROM DECEMBER 1 TO 15
Currently, travelers arriving from third countries cannot enter Croatia unless it is for one of the reasons described here. Tourist trips to Croatia from third countries are not allowed at the moment. |
Is travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage mandatory to travel to Croatia?
No, you are not required to have travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to enter Croatia. However, if you want the safety and security of knowing that you’re covered no matter what happens, you shouldn’t travel without it.
If you’re looking for a comprehensive travel insurance policy with COVID-19 coverage for your trip to Croatia, look no further than Heymondo. Their policy includes COVID-19 testing and treatment abroad, which is why we have used them for all of our trips we’ve taken this year. Their COVID-19 travel insurance is already quite affordable, but if you want to save even more, you can get 5% off their policies just for being our reader.
COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Croatia
Although COVID-19 vaccine distribution has begun in most countries around the world, the government has not yet confirmed whether it will be mandatory to present a proof of vaccine record (POVR) or an international certificate of vaccination or prophylaxis (ICVP) to enter Croatia.
If you’re going to get the COVID-19 vaccine before traveling to Croatia, I recommend keeping a vaccination record or certificate in case Croatia changes its entry requirements.
Other travel restrictions for Croatia during COVID-19
Croatia also has a few other regulations for travelers:
- All travelers must complete an Enter Croatia Form and present it upon arrival. The form can also be submitted online before departure.
- All travelers may be subject to a health screening upon arrival.
- Face masks must be worn in all public spaces.
- You must maintain a distance of at least 2 meters from others indoors and a distance of at least 1.5 meters outdoors.
- Depending on your nationality, you may need a tourist visa to enter Croatia. Check if you need one below.
What’s open in Croatia
Croatia is home to many beautiful sights and attractions. As the country has reopened to international tourism, hotels, beaches, attractions, and restaurants have opened too.
Hotels and accommodations that are open in Croatia
There are plenty of hotels and accommodations that are open in Croatia at the moment. However, some accommodations do close seasonally (unrelated to COVID-19), so if there is a specific accommodation you have in mind, be sure to check the dates that they are open when you book. All accommodations that are currently open must abide by the rules found here.
These rules include that guests must maintain a 1.5-meter distance from other visitors who are not in their family group. Hand sanitizer will be available at the accommodation’s entrance for all guests to use. Guests will be informed of all of the accommodation’s hygiene guidelines during check-in, with a pamphlet, or with informational posters around the accommodation. All public, high-contact surfaces will be disinfected frequently.
Beaches that are open in Croatia
Croatia has some lovely beaches, which are currently all open to the public. Of course, some safety regulations are in place to protect swimmers and sunbathers.
Only 15 people are allowed per 100 square meters of space in the water. All beach visitors must keep a distance of 1.5 meters from other groups, both on the beach and in the water. Hand sanitizing stations are scattered around beaches so that visitors can disinfect their hands. Showers and bathrooms will be disinfected at least every two hours.
More information on beach regulations can be found here.
Attractions that are open in Croatia
There are lots of things to see and do in Croatia: you can visit the Walls of Dubrovnik (which were featured on Game of Thrones), the Palace of Diocletian, Plitvice Lakes and other Croatia’s national parks. Many attractions are currently open, although they are subject to increased health and safety requirements.
Attractions that are open in Croatia
All guests should disinfect their hands before and after the attraction. Guests must also maintain a distance of 1.5 meters from other visitors who are not in their family group and wear face masks at all times while visiting the attraction.
Some of the best tours that are currently running with safety measures are:
- 5 Islands and Blue Cave Day Trip
- Krka National Park Day Trip
- Dubrovnik: Game of Thrones Tour
- Rastoke & Plitvice Lakes National Park Tour
- Trogir and Blue Lagoon Tour
More information on regulations for attractions can be found here and here.
Restaurants that are open in Croatia
Tasting the delicious local cuisine is just one of the many things you can do on a trip to Croatia. Luckily, restaurants and cafes are open so you can eat to your heart’s content.
Restaurants and cafes are currently open until 10 PM. There is a ban on selling alcoholic beverages from 10 PM to 6 AM. All guests must wear face masks in cafes and restaurants, except when they are seated and eating/drinking. Guests must also disinfect their hands when entering the cafe or restaurant. Tables are arranged 1.5 meters apart. Staff will disinfect tables, chairs and other surfaces after each group of guests leaves.
¿Qué está abierto en Croacia?
More information on these guidelines can be found here and here. Updated restaurant guidelines (in Croatian only) can be found here.
Airports that are open in Croatia
Croatia has 9 different airports, many of which are international. Four of the most prominent international airports are Zagreb Airport (also known as Franjo Tudman), Dubrovnik Airport, Split Airport, and Zadar Airport, all of which are open. Zagreb Airport is the largest and busiest international airport, so most international travelers will arrive there.
All airports have instituted health and safety measures for travelers to follow, including wearing a face mask at all times, maintaining a distance of at least 1.5 meters from others, and sanitizing hands. Travelers may also be subject to health screenings.
Croatia reopening to International Tourists – F.A.Q.
Check out these FAQs related to Croatia reopening for tourists and let us know if you have any other questions in the comments below.
Sources
This guide to Croatia reopening for tourism will be updated with any new developments as they are reported. However, if you want more information on travel to Croatia, you can check these official sources:
- US Embassy Updates on COVID-19 in Croatia
- CDC Travel Recommendations for Croatia
- General Croatia Travel Advisory
- Croatian Government Information on COVID-19 Entry Requirements in English
- Enter Croatia Form
- Croatian Institute of Public Health Quarantine Instructions in English
- Croatian Government Coronavirus Dashboard in English
- Croatian Hotel Regulations in English
- Croatian Beach Regulations in English
- Croatian Restaurant and Cafe Regulations in English
- Updated Croatian Restaurant and Cafe Regulations in Croatian
- Croatian Tourist Board COVID Q & A in English
- Croatian Regulations for National Parks and Zoos in English
- Croatian Regulations for Tourist Entertainment Activities in English