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Travel To Croatia From The US: Croatia Travel Restrictions And Entry Requirements
Written By: Armando Du Preez
Fact Checked By: Richard Nathan
Jun 20, 2022
7 min read
Are you looking to travel to Croatia from the US? Then you are in the right place. Since the Coronavirus pandemic, the Croatian borders have been closed but recently opened again.
Now that you know the borders are open again, you're probably wondering what else you need to know about international travel to Croatia from the US. If you plan to visit cities such as Dubrovnik, Split, or Zagreb, you will find all the essential information in this post.
In this post, we'll cover everything from the Covid-19 requirements, the required documents, and if US citizens need to apply for a Croatian Schengen Visa, and additional information for your Croatia travel.
Let's get to it:
Do I Need A Visa To Travel To Croatia From The US?
You might ask yourself if you need a Visa to travel to Croatia from the US. You may fall into two categories if you are from the US. The two categories are US citizens and US Green Card Holders. Please keep in mind that it is only applicable for travelers traveling to Croatia for tourism and business purposes.
If you are traveling for health care or have another purpose, please check out the Croatian Embassy website. Below I will explain each category in detail.
Do US Citizens Need A Visa To Go To Croatia?
If you are a born US citizen, you are fortunate. American citizens enjoy visa-free travel to Croatia. What does visa-free travel mean, you ask? Visa-free travel means you do not need to apply for the Croatian Tourist Visa.
In addition, US citizens enjoy visa-free travel to the Schengen Area, which is located in Europe. Traveling to Croatia from the US is as easy as traveling from New York to Mexico.
Do US Green Card Holders Need A Visa To Go To Croatia?
Here is where things might get confusing, but don't worry about it because here comes the explanation. If you are a US Green Card Holder, you do not automatically qualify for visa-free travel. The reason why you do not automatically qualify for visa-free traveling is because not all countries can travel to the Schengen Area without a visa. An example would be if you are a US Green Card Holder, but your country of origin is South Africa, then you must apply for the Croatian Schengen Visa. This is because citizens of South Africa must apply for a Schengen Visa before they are allowed entry to Croatia.
If you have a passport from one of the following countries, then you do not need to apply for the Croatia Schengen Visa:
Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Macau, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Slovenia, Taiwan, Timor Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Venezuela.
What Are The Required Documents To Travel To Croatia From The US?
As I mentioned earlier, traveling to Croatia from the US is as easy as using air travel from NYC to Mexico. Remember, this is only applicable if you are a US citizen or have a US Green Card with a passport that enjoys visa-free traveling. The reason for saying it is because the only thing you must present is your passport. You may be required to submit additional information.
Here is a list of recommended documents to have before traveling to Croatia from the US:
- Valid passport (ensure your passport expiry date is at least 3 months after your planned departure)
- Hotel itinerary
- Flight itinerary
- Professional documents (only if you are planning to travel to Croatia for business)
What Are The COVID-19 Entry Requirements When Traveling To Croatia From The US?
The Croatian Government has eliminated travel restrictions to Croatia. Although the travel ban was lifted, there might be entry requirements that you must follow. The Covid-19 requirements are almost the same for all European Union Countries, but I advise you to check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for updated Covid-19 information.
- What Are The COVID-19 Entry Requirements To Enter Croatia?
- What Are The COVID-19 Entry Requirements To Return To The US?
- What Are The Current COVID-19 Statistics In Croatia?
What Are The COVID-19 Entry Requirements To Enter Croatia?
The Croatian Government has removed all Covid-19 restrictions for entering Croatia. Therefore, you do not need to provide proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test to enter Croatia. However, keep in mind that the Croatian Border Police have the final authority to allow you into Croatia, and the requirements can change at any time without notice. Therefore, although you do not have to be vaccinated before traveling to Croatia from the US, the CDC advises citizens that you do not travel before being vaccinated.
Important note: Check out the US Department of State website for all Covid-19 related information before traveling to Croatia.
What Are The COVID-19 Entry Requirements To Return To The US?
Suppose you are a US citizen and returning to the US. In that case, you do not have to show proof of vaccination, a negative COVID-19 test, or proof of recovery. This is because the CDC lifted the entry requirements for US citizens returning to the US on the 12th of June, 2022. However, if you are a non-US citizen or non-US immigrant, you must provide the following:
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination
- Proof of recovery
Please ensure to keep updated with the latest COVID-19 information before traveling. The COVID-19 restrictions can change without notice, so please use the following recourses for the most recent travel restrictions and exceptions.
What Are The Current COVID-19 Statistics In Croatia?
When writing this post, Croatia had 587 new Covid-19 cases. Croatia also had a total of 1 135 128 million cases. You can check out the Croatian Government Covid-19 website for updated Covid-19 statistics. You can also use the CDC travel advisory for detailed Covid-19 statistics.
Important note: Always keep updated with the Croatian Covid-19 requirements before planning your trip.
How To Travel To Croatia From The US?
The easiest and fastest way to travel to Croatia from the US would be to use air travel. However, this means that you must gather all your required documents and check the updated Covid-19 entry requirements. After doing the above, you can book your airplane ticket to travel to Croatia from the US.
What Can I Expect When Arriving At The Croatian Border?
When you arrive at the Croatian border, the border officers will ask for your valid passport. Before arriving at the Croatian border, you must also remember to have your required documents.
After you have presented your valid passport and required documents, the border patrol officer will have the final say if you can enter Croatia. Remember always to be polite and answer questions truthfully.
Do I Need To Apply For The ETIAS?
Maybe you haven't heard, but the European Union will implement the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) at the start of 2023. If you are traveling to Croatia before 2023, you don't need to apply for the ETIAS. Remember that this will change in 2023, and you must apply for the ETIAS if you are traveling to any Schengen country.
Please feel free to check out our ETIAS guide for more information on how you will need to apply for it in the future.
Get Ready To Travel To Croatia From The US
Now that you know everything about how you can travel to Croatia from the US, I hope your bags are packed and you're ready to go. Remember it is important to check Croatia's Covid-19 requirements before you travel because, as I mentioned, they might change without notice. Please feel free to check out our FAQ sections for additional information.
Written By: Armando Du Preez
Fact Checked By: Richard Nathan
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Need To Wear A Face Mask In Croatia?
All human and health care facilities, including clinics, hospitals, and social service centers, require protective masks. Wearing a mask indoors, where bigger crowds are likely, is suggested but not required. You also do not have to wear masks if you are going to national parks and outdoor events.
What If I Test Positive For Covid-19 Before Traveling To The US From Croatia?
All airline passengers two years and older traveling to the United States must present a negative COVID-19 viral test done within one calendar day of travel. If your test results are positive, a local epidemiologist will instruct you to self-isolate for 10 days before receiving a fit-to-fly certificate and boarding your journey home. Individuals with a positive test result can self-quarantine in most large centers in Croatia. An epidemiologist will tell you where you can self-isolate. You will be offered the option of self-isolating at a government-run facility or in a facility of your choice that will accept you with your positive status.
Are There Any Quarantine Requirements In Croatia?
No, there are no quarantine requirements for US citizens traveling to Croatia. If it is deemed necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19, you may be required to self-isolate or spend up to 14 days in official government quarantine facilities. Unfortunately, you bear the cost of being quarantined. If you who do not get self-isolation orders, you will be handed a pamphlet from the Croatian Institute of Public Health with recommendations and instructions that they must follow for 14 days after entering the country.