Croatia has opened its borders for tourism and has also become the first European Union (EU) country to invite American tourists, defying one of the biggest EU travel bans. The announcement was made by the Croatian Ministry of Interior on Friday. Apparently, the EU had put a ban on American citizens from visiting in late June given the COVID-19 condition in the US. The union had said that it would reopen its borders for only 15 countries from July 1 and the US did not make it to the list.
The US embassy in Croatia has said that the country is now open to all foreign nationals, including US citizens, for business, tourism, or any personal reasons. But to enter Croatia, tourists will have to give relevant proof.
Here are some important conditions to enter Croatia:
As per the Croatian Ministry of Interior’s website, tourists wishing to travel to Croatia, are required to bring a Coronavirus test stating negative in the report that has been taken within 48 hours of arrival. Without the negative test, visitors will be required to self isolate for 14 days.
On arrival at the airport, travellers will have to fill a travel registration form, wherein visitors will have to mention their reason for visiting the country.
Travellers will also have to provide proof of their accommodation bookings.
For US citizens, the website mentions:
“U.S. citizens who want to stay in Croatia beyond the permitted 90 days of visa-free status should contact their local police station and apply for a temporary residence permit in order to avoid overstay penalties.”
The country has also lifted mandatory self-isolation and quarantine restrictions for people entering Croatia. Travellers instead would be handed a pamphlet with recommendations and instructions from the Croatian Institute of Public Health which they must follow for 14 days after entering the country.
Croatia till now has reported 3775 COVID-19 positive cases and 119 deaths.