Croatia became a complete member of the EU on 1st January 2023 by joining the Schengen Area and adopting the Euro as its currency
By Croatia Gems, 21st January 2023
Congratulations are in order as this will likely help further Croatia’s financial stability and its strengthening relationships with other EU countries. Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, said that taking these next steps into the EU “achieved its strategic, state and political goals”.
Croatia now in EU Schengen Area – what does this mean?
By officially becoming a Schengen Area country, Croatia has opened its borders to visitors from other Schengen countries. This is particularly advantageous to those travelling by car from Europe. They will no longer be held up by border passport controls. However the UK has exited from the EU. This means that UK citizens will still need to negotiate passport control to get to their villa in Croatia for rent. Fortunately most will be flying into Croatia’s well-staffed regional airports, so they will find that hold ups are insignificant.
Croatia has adopted the Euro
On 1st January 2023 Croatia relinquished its previous currency (the Kuna) and adopted the Euro. This means life has been made much easier for Croatia’s visitors, many of whom use the Euro in their everyday lives. For those like the British visiting from outside the EU, will only have to carry Euro. The Euro is a widely found, and no more wondering what to do with those pesky left-over Kuna on return home!
Summary of implications of Schengen and Euro
So, what are the implications for you and your villa in Croatia for rent? If you are from the UK or the Republic of Ireland, visiting for your Croatia holiday in 2023, little has changed from the last couple of years. You will still need to go through Passport Control, but happily you only need take Euro for your spending money.
If you are travelling from other countries, you may need a Schengen Visa to enter Croatia. Check the Schengen Visa Info website to see if you are from one of those countries.
Croatia has no travel restrictions
Croatia has no travel restrictions. Travellers are not required to show a COVID-19 vaccine certificate, proof of a negative test, or a certificate of recovery to enter Croatia. There is no online entry form, and registration with the authorities will be done by your hotel or Croatia villa host when you arrive. If you are travelling independently you will need to do this yourself.
Passport & Visa requirements
Do make sure your Passport complies with the Schengen Area requirements:
- valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU country you are visiting,
- was issued within the previous 10 years.
If you are staying longer than 3 months, you will also require a visa.
Travel, health and car insurance
Do not forget your travel, health and/or car insurance documents when you visit Croatia for your Croatia holiday. And remember, that as well as good practice, travel insurance is a requirement for booking a villa in Croatia for rent with Croatia Gems. UK nationals can also get reciprocal free or subsidised emergency health care in Croatia if they are in receipt of a GHIC or EHIC card – see NHS website to see what level of healthcare this covers. Please note however, this does not overcome the need to take out travel insurance which covers so much more than the treatment allowed by the GHIC/EHIC.
Finally…
Big congratulations to Croatia, a country we love, and to its lovely, friendly, caring people.
Photo © Sergio Georginiat, English Wikipedia
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