Coronavirus: Traffic Restrictions in Croatia and Other European Countries

July 1 2020 Update – We’ve worked hard to keep this article updated with all the changes that have been happening regarding travel in Europe. Now that the thing have drastically changed on July 1st, the information in this article will no longer be updated. To get the latest border information, please follow our main travel info article (especially its ‘Border’ section), which is updated daily.

Which borders are open, which are closed, what are the restrictions? If we had a euro for each time we had this question… well, we wouldn’t be doing this job. These are the questions on everyone’s lips as borders begin to reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic. As HAK writes on the 8th of June, 2020, there are clear answers to be had from both EU and non-EU European countries amid the fog.

The European Union’s external borders (plus those of the EEA countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) remain closed. Please note that the UK is in its transition period, and therefore remains included within the EU’s borders.

The measures introduced at the EU level apply to all non-EU citizens who will not be able to enter the EU if they don’t have a long-term address in one of its member states, if they’re not family members of EU citizens or if they’re not diplomats. Two-way transport and doctors working in the EU and living in border areas in one of the non-EU European countries will continue to be admitted.

Borders
Croatia has opened its borders for tourists and businesses since May 11. Citizens of Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, and Germany can now enter Croatia without restriction, it was announced on May 28.

While you wait for the answers from Croatian Border Police to check the real-life experiences of tourists coming to Croatia and get your questions answered in our Viber community, Total Croatia Travel INFO – you will need to download the Viber app. This Viber community has been an excellent source of information exchange, where tourist questions are getting answered in real-time. Here are 10 things I learned from the Viber community in the first days. If you have a question or some verified useful travel info to contribute, join us. Please make sure you read pinned message first before asking any questions.

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND:

All those entering the United Kingdom must go into 14-day self-isolation.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Bosnia and Herzegovina has opened its borders for citizens of Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro.

As of April the 2nd, at 07:00, based on the agreement between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and with the aim of preventing the spread of COVID-19 virus, 20 border crossings with Bosnia and Herzegovina were temporarily closed. These border crossings were: Svilaj, Gejkovac, Pasin Potok, Bogovolja, Kordunski Ljeskovac, Licka Kaldrma, Bili Brig, Arzano Pazar, Dvorine, Cera, Jovica Most, Sebisina, Slivno, Podprolog, Unka, Vukov Klanac, Imotica, Slano, Hrvatska Dubica, and Gabela Polje.

SLOVENIAN MEASURES

The Slovenian border is open to citizens from the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA) if they have not stayed outside of the EEA in the last 14 days. Restrictions and mandatory quarantine remain in place for third-country nationals (including nationals of European non-EU, non-EEA nations like BiH, Serbia, and Montenegro) if they enter Slovenia with the intention of staying there.

In the case of EU citizens, their entry into Slovenia may still be denied if they develop symptoms of the new coronavirus.

In agreement with countries that have a favourable epidemiological situation (Croatia and other countries), Slovenia will agree on making border crossings easier for those nationals.

MONTENEGRO OPENS BORDERS

Montenegro opens its borders on June 1st, 2020. The countries with which it will open its borders are Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Albania, and Greece.

HUNGARIAN MEASURES

As of June 12, Hungary has opened its borders.

ITALY’S BORDER OPENING

From June 3, 2020, you can enter and leave Italy freely. All visitors to Lombardy are given a special warning. Tourist entrances to the country will also be made possible.

AUSTRIA TAKES UP MEASURES

Austrian borders are now open again to all EU countries except for the UK, Sweden, and Portugal. Travelers from these countries will not need to quarantine or provide a medical certificate.

SERBIA HAS OPENED BORDERS

Serbia has opened its borders and proof of a negative coronavirus test is no longer needed to enter Serbia. After entering the country, one does not have to isolate oneself.

GERMANY OPENS BORDERS

Germany has re-opened its borders on June 15 for citizens of 31 European countries.

SWITZERLAND HAS OPENED BORDERS

Since June 15, the travel between Switzerland and all European Schengen states as well as Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and the United Kingdom has been allowed.

ALBANIA HAS OPENED BORDERS

Albania has opened all border crossings on June 1.

SLOVAKIA HAS PARTIALLY OPENED BORDERS

Slovak borders have re-opened for citizens of Liechtenstein, Germany, Switzerland, Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Malta, Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, Latvia, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland on June 10.

CZECH REPUBLIC OPENS BORDERS

The Czech Republic allows its citizens to travel abroad for reasons other than business (they can also travel for tourism), if they are tested for coronavirus on return and then go into two-week self-isolation.

Currently, EU citizens can enter the Czech Republic and go through a 14-day quarantine or must show a negative test for coronavirus that is not older than four days. It has been announced that from June the 8th, the Czech Republic will relax its regime at its border crossings and allow entry into the country. Upon entering the country, citizens of most countries will have to show a negative test for coronavirus. This will not apply to citizens of Croatia, Austria, Slovakia and other countries that the Czechs assess as epidemiologically low risk. Therefore, Croatian citizens will be able to go to the Czech Republic without needing to present a valid negative test for coronavirus.

POLAND HAS A NEW REGIME OF ENTRY

As of Sunday, Poland will not allow entry to those who don’t have a residential address in that country. All those who live in Poland and enter that country must be in a 14-day quarantine. Foreign citizens can come to Poland only in the function of business visits (upon presentation of documentation attesting to that fact).

THE NETHERLANDS OPENS BORDERS

The borders are open to EU citizens.

FRANCE OPENS BORDERS

France has re-opened its borders on June 15 for citizens of 31 European countries.

SPAIN OPENS BORDERS

As of June 21, Spain’s borders are open with the rest of Europe, excluding Portugal, but including the United Kingdom.

UKRAINE HAS OPENED BORDERS

Ukraine has also started the gradual process of re-opening its borders for foreigners.

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