December 2, 2020 – Are you looking to travel from Croatia anytime soon? A look at the COVID-19 travel restrictions in place around Europe.
Index.hr reports that the National Civil Protection Headquarters has issued a new decision which, as of December 1, tightened the measures at Croatian borders.
Thus, a measure is in force that categorizes passengers entering Croatia differently – no longer according to the citizenship of an individual, but according to the area they come from. And as things stand now, it means a mandatory negative PCR test or self-isolation if you enter Croatia from almost all countries in the world.
As far as the European Union countries are concerned, the EU Agency for Disease Prevention and Monitoring will issue one map of green and red areas every Thursday. Depending on the situation in a particular area in the EU, it will be possible to enter Croatia from these areas, from these European regions, with or without a PCR test. However, currently, only a part of southwestern Finland is green in Europe. Croats coming from third countries (non-EU countries) also need a PCR test or must go into self-isolation.
It is important to note that a PCR test not older than 48 hours now applies to Croatian citizens when entering. If they do not have a negative PCR test, they must go into self-isolation until a negative test is performed in Croatia.
An increase in international travel is expected during the holidays. Here are the countries and conditions under which Croatian citizens can travel, bearing in mind that on their return they will have to present a negative PCR test or go into self-isolation until a negative test result arrives.
SLOVENIA
As of November 8, the decision of the Slovenian government to put the entire Republic of Croatia on the red list is in force. This decision, as a rule, determines a 10-day quarantine for persons entering Slovenia from countries or regions that are on the red list. Quarantine will not be determined if a person at a border crossing presents a negative test for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) not older than 48 hours.
There are exceptions for certain categories to which quarantine does not apply, such as cross-border workers (need to prove their status by a certificate), persons in transit through the Republic of Slovenia to another country within 12 hours of entry, evidence of scheduled medical examination, etc. Read more about all exceptions and border crossing measures here.
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Croatian citizens are not subject to an epidemiological measure of self-isolation or a negative test when leaving or entering Bosnia and Herzegovina. Read more information about FBiH here and here, while for more information related to RS read here and here.
SERBIA
By the decision of the Government of the Republic of Serbia on August 20, 2020, citizens of the Republic of Croatia entering the Republic of Serbia are allowed to enter if they have a negative PCR test not older than 48 hours. The mentioned rule does not apply to certain groups in the case of transit, which can last a maximum of 12 hours from the moment of entry into the territory of the Republic of Serbia. Read more information here.
HUNGARY
The decision of the Hungarian government on September 1, which was extended until the end of October 2020, prohibits the entry into Hungary of all foreign citizens, including citizens of the Republic of Croatia, who are not granted permanent or temporary residence in Hungary. Foreign nationals who have a regulated stay in Hungary upon return from abroad are subject to a 14-day self-isolation/quarantine. It may be revoked in the case of two negative SARS-COV-2 PCR tests, carried out in Hungary at personal expense, within five days, with an interval of at least 48 hours. Citizens of the Republic of Croatia living in the 30 km border zone may enter the territory of Hungary with a single stay of a maximum of 24 hours. Find more information here.
MONTENEGRO
Currently, there are no restrictions for Croatian citizens entering or leaving Montenegro. The Republic of Croatia is currently on the “green list” and as such is not subject to restrictions. All border crossings for entering Montenegro are open, except for the Vuča border crossing in the direction of Rožaje – Tutin. Read more information here.
ITALY
By the decision of the Italian Ministry of Health on October 8, Croatian citizens traveling to Italy from the Republic of Croatia are exempted from the obligation of taking the COVID-19 test. This also applies to Italian citizens returning from the Republic of Croatia to Italy. According to the regulation, all persons, including Croatian citizens, who come to Italy from Belgium, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, the Czech Republic, and Spain are obliged to:
– present a negative COVID-19 test not older than 72 hours or perform a test within 48 hours upon arrival in Italy.
The same rule applies to all persons who transited through the said countries within 14 days before arrival in Italy. It is still mandatory to fill out a form consisting of a statement that the person is not infected with the coronavirus, travel data, and contact. Before leaving for the trip, it is recommended to check all additional provisions of the destination regions, by direct contact or through the official website of the regions, which can be found here.
AUSTRIA
Strict measures have been introduced in Austria to restrict public gatherings and travel. From November 3 to December 6, the hotels are closed to tourists. The borders are not closed, but travel is only allowed in urgent situations. More information can be found here.
GERMANY
It is recommended to avoid all trips that are not necessary. Accommodation offers are possible only for necessary purposes that are not related to tourism.
From November 8, 2020, all travelers who have resided in Croatia or any other country classified as a risk country in the period of 10 days before entering the Federal Republic of Germany, according to the Robert Koch Institute and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, are obliged to go to self-isolation for 10 days without delay when entering the Federal Republic of Germany and be sure to contact the competent health office.
Before the trip, it is necessary to fill out a digital application for entry into FR Germany, which is available in Croatian. Quarantine ends at the earliest on the fifth day after entering the FR of Germany, if the person receives a negative test for SARS-CoV-2, and testing can be carried out at the earliest on the fifth day after entering the FR of Germany. It is also important to know that the German federal states issue regulations individually and there may be differences in the content of the regulations adopted.
More information here.
SWITZERLAND
According to the decision of the Federal Council of Switzerland on October 28, 2020, Croatia is no longer on the Swiss list of epidemiologically risky countries, so from October 29, 2020, Croatian citizens can enter Switzerland without the obligation of ten days of self-isolation. Read more information here.
UNITED KINGDOM
Before arriving in the territory of the United Kingdom, it is necessary to fill in the online form at least 48 hours before entering the country. The prescribed self-isolation measures are not the same for all countries within the UK and it is recommended to check the requirements for entry into the destination country before departure. When entering England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, a mandatory measure of self-isolation is prescribed for Croatian citizens. More information is here.
Details on travel to all other countries can be found on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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