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COVID-19 Information

Last updated: 9/16/2021

***  Effective January 26, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel.  Alternatively, travelers to the United States may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.  Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions. 

Country-Specific Information:

For the latest information on COVID-19 cases and epidemiological measures in Croatia, please visit the Croatian Government’s COVID-19 website.

Masks

Wearing protective masks is mandatory in all closed spaces throughout the country. Masks are also mandatory in open spaces where a physical distance of at least 1.5 meters cannot be maintained.

Restrictions for Individuals and Businesses

Businesses and individuals may be restricted due to the epidemiological measures based on your location in Croatia. Most notable epidemiological restrictions may include a requirement to wear a mask indoors unless seated in a restaurant or coffee shop. Venues hosting larger audiences may require visitors to present a negative COVID-19 test or record of vaccination. Some venues like night clubs or concert halls offer onsite rapid testing services for a fee. Wedding parties of up to 120 guests are permitted with a mandate that all guests, staff, and entertainers must have been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 or have a negative viral test.

Individual counties and cities may have additional measures. Please visit the Croatian Government’s COVID-19 website for additional information.

COVID-19 Testing

Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in Croatia? Yes
If so, are test results reliably available within 72 hours? Yes

A test can be arranged at the following locations: COVID-19 Testing Locations in Croatia. The cost of a local test (rapid antigen test or a PCR test) ranges from $40 to $150 or more, depending upon the location, and the result can be expected between 1-48 hours depending upon the type of the test.
Effective January 26, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel. Alternatively, travelers to the U.S. may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.  Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions. For information on limited humanitarian exemptions, please review the following page:  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/covid-19_testing_required_US_Entry.html

What if you test positive for COVID-19 prior to leaving Croatia and traveling to the U.S.?

All airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel. If your test comes back positive, a local epidemiologist will order you to self-isolate for 10 days before you can receive fit-to-fly certificate and are able to board your flight home. Most major centers in Croatia have designated facilities where individuals with a positive test result can self-isolate. You will be instructed by an epidemiologist where you can self-isolate. You will be given the option to self-isolate at a government operated facility or in an accommodation of your choosing that will accept you with your positive status. You will have to bear the cost of lodging and food in both government and private facilities.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information:

Has the government of Croatia approved a COVID-19 vaccine for use? Yes
Are vaccines available in Croatia for U.S. citizens to receive? Yes
Which vaccines are available in Croatia? Pfizer–BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.
According to the Croatian Institute for Public Health, foreigners with temporary or permanent residency in Croatia can register for the COVID-19 vaccine through their local healthcare provider. If you have an OIB (Croatian Personal Identification Number) and a local health insurance plan, you may visit https://cijepise.zdravlje.hr/ to register to get vaccinated. If you do not have a local health insurance plan, you may visit the following Croatian Institute of Public Health website for the contact details of the county public health institutes to register by phone.
Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States.
The United States Government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.

EU Digital COVID Certificate

Currently, the EU Digital COVID Certificate is available in Croatia only to those individuals who received their vaccination under the national Croatian health system.

Entry and Exit Requirements:

Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes

Entry requirements are subject to change at any time without notice. The Croatian Border Police have final authority regarding entry into Croatia.

The Croatian Government has restricted all border crossings to protect the population from the COVID-19 disease. Visit the Croatian Government’s Ministry of Interior Webpage for comprehensive information regarding border restrictions and entry requirements for all categories of travelers. Please direct questions regarding border requirements to the Croatian Ministry of Interior via the contact form at the bottom of the web page.

Travelers arriving from the U.S.

To qualify for entry, travelers from the United States must present one of the following (for detailed information about these requirements, please visit the Croatian Government’s Ministry of Interior Webpage):

A negative viral test result: PCR not older than 72 hours or rapid antigen test (list of acceptable antigen tests) not older than 48 hours (counting from the time of taking the test to arriving at the border crossing point).
A certificate of vaccination no older than 270 days for persons whose final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is more than 14 days prior to crossing the border.
Proof of recovery from COVID-19: 1) a medical certificate or 2) a positive PCR or rapid antigen test performed in the last 12-270 days.
Perform PCR testing or rapid antigen testing immediately upon arrival to Croatia (at the traveler’s own expense), with the obligation to stay in self-isolation until receiving a negative test result. If testing cannot be performed, travelers must self-isolate for a period of 10 days.
Travelers can facilitate faster processing at the Croatian border by completing the Enter Croatia web form and uploading their information and attachments ahead of their arrival.
Tourists are also required to show the proof of booked or paid accommodation or ownership of a home or a vessel when entering Croatia.

The following categories of travelers are exempt from having to present a viral test or proof of vaccination or recovery from the COVID-19 illness:

Healthcare workers, health researchers and caregivers for the elderly.
Frontier workers (as well as athletes as stated in the exceptions for passengers within the EU/EEA).
Workers in the transport sector.
Diplomats, staff of international organizations and persons invited by international organizations whose physical presence is necessary for proper functioning of those organizations, military personnel, and police officers, as well as humanitarian and civil protection personnel in the performance of their duties.
Passengers in transit (individuals in transit have 12 hours to exit the country, and they must show that they can enter or transit through the neighboring country). Fines in violation of this provision range from 5,000 to 10,000 HRK.
Persons traveling for educational purposes.
Individuals arriving to Croatia for urgent personal or business reasons whose stay is under 12 hours. Fines in violation of this provision range from 5,000 to 10,000 HRK.
Children under the age of 12, accompanied by a parent/guardian who has an acceptable viral test, proof of vaccination, or proof of recovery from COVID-19.
Individuals entering on an approved “Digital Nomad” visa.

All travelers (regardless of citizenship) who meet the entry conditions are advised to fill out an arrival form at Enter Croatia in advance to facilitate their entry at the border.

Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes

With limited exceptions (see the Croatian Government’s Ministry of Interior Webpage), travelers must present a PCR or a rapid antigen test (list of acceptable antigen tests) not older than 72 hours (counting from the time of taking the test to arriving at the border crossing point) OR a certificate of vaccination (any vaccine) whose final dose was more than 14 days prior to entry OR a medical certificate confirming that the traveler has recovered from COVID-19 at least 12 days but no more than 180 days from the first positive test result to date of entry. For detailed information about these requirements, please visit the Croatian Government’s Ministry of Interior Webpage.
In some circumstances, travelers may have the PCR or antigen test done immediately upon arrival to Croatia and remain in self-isolation until they receive a negative test result; visit the Croatian Government’s Ministry of Interior Webpage for more information. After receiving a negative test locally, travelers in this category will need to contact a local epidemiologist to clear them from self-isolation. Please direct questions regarding this requirement to the Croatian Ministry of Interior via the contact form at the bottom of the web page.
Individuals arriving to the Republic of Croatia for urgent personal or business reasons whose stay is under 12 hours do not need a PCR test. The same applies to passengers in transit under 12 hours.
The cost of a local test (rapid antigen test or a PCR test) ranges from $40 to $150 or more, depending upon the location, and the result can be expected between 1-48 hours depending upon the type of the test. A test can be arranged at the following locations: COVID-19 Testing Locations in Croatia.

Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes

Information regarding visa extensions for residents and/or tourists:

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. Please visit the Ministry of Interior website for contact details by county.

Exiting the country

Travelers seeking to exit Croatia will have to adhere to epidemiological measures required by their country of destination or by their transportation carrier.

Movement Restrictions:

Is a curfew in place? No
Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? No

Quarantine Information:

Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? No
- Travelers may be ordered to self-isolate or spend up to 14 days in official government quarantine facilities if deemed necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Placement in quarantine is at the expense of the traveler.
- Travelers who do not receive self-isolation orders are given a Pamphlet with Recommendations and Instructions from the Croatian Institute of Public Health that they must follow for 14 days after entering the country.

Transportation Options:

Are commercial flights operating? Yes
Is public transportation operating? Yes
Wearing protective masks is mandatory throughout the country in public transportation.

Fines for Non-Compliance:

Health Inspectors of the Croatian State Inspectorate are monitoring and enforcing individual orders to self-isolate. They are authorized to fine any individual violating this order with fines ranging from 8000 HRK for the first violation to 30,000 HRK, 60,000 HRK and 120,000 HRK for repeat offenders. Persons violating health inspector orders may also be subject to criminal charges.
People caught not wearing a mask (or improperly wearing a mask) in mask-designated areas will be fined 500 HRK, but they will be eligible to pay half that amount (250 HRK) if they agree to put on a mask immediately.
Legal entities will be fined 10,000-40,000 HRK if they do not respect the epidemiological measures related to public gatherings.
Businesses will be fined 5,000-10,000 HRK for not implementing epidemiological measures.
Passengers in transit (individuals in transit have 12 hours to exit the country, and they must show that they can enter or transit through the neighboring country). Fines in violation of this provision range from 5,000 to 10,000 HRK.

Consular Operations:

American Citizen Services: A limited number of appointments are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Schedule an appointment for routine services.
Visa Services: Emergency appointments may be approved for C1/D, F, M, J, E, I, O, P, H, and L visas with immediate planned travel. Very limited appointments will be approved for emergency, mission-critical B1/B2 travel. To apply for a visa interview you must register in the system, make payment and schedule the first available appointment. Next, please follow our guidance to request an emergency appointment.

Local Resources:

By U.S. Embassy in Zagreb | 16 September, 2021 | Topics: Alert, Consular Affairs, News | Tags: Corona, Coronavirus, COVID-19