The Rules For Travelling To Croatia From The Uk
The UK has removed all Covid travel rules effective Friday, March 18, 2022. But can you travel from the UK to Croatia or its islands? Here are the facts.
Can I Travel To Croatia?
Croatia is not included on the UK’s Red List. This means that you can travel to the country. The rules will vary depending on how you are vaccinated.
What Are The Entry Requirements To Enter Croatia?
The Croatian National Tourist Office announced on Tuesday, May 1, 2022, that all Covid entry requirements had been removed. This means that travellers to Croatia will not need to present a negative Covid test or proof of vaccination to be allowed to enter.
Before You Travel, Make Sure To Check Your Passport And Other Travel Documents.
Passport validity
You must comply with the Schengen Area passport requirements if you plan to travel to any EU country (except Ireland) or Switzerland, Norway or Iceland, Liechtenstein or Andorra, Monaco or San Marino.
Your passport must contain:
- Issued less than 10 years prior to the date you enter the country. (Check the “date of issue”).
- Valid for at least three months from the day you intend to leave (check the “expiry date”)
Before you travel, ensure that your passport meets all requirements. Extra months could have been added to your passport’s expiry date if it was issued prior to October 2018.
If you feel your passport doesn’t meet these requirements, contact the Embassy of the country where you are visiting. If you are required to renew your passport
Visas
Croatia is not part of the Schengen region. Visits to Croatia don’t count towards the 90-day visa-free limit within the Schengen zone.
Croatian visa-free 90-day limit does not apply to visits to countries outside the EU and Schengen.
Croatian citizens can travel for as long as 90 days within a 180-day period without needing a visa. This is applicable if you are travelling to Croatia as a tourist or to visit your family and friends.
You will need to comply with the Croatian government’s entry requirements if you wish to stay longer, work, study, or travel for business purposes or any other reason. You can check with the Croatian Embassy in London to find out what visa or work permit you might need.
If you are travelling to Croatia for work, please refer to the guidance regarding visas and permits.
This line is not eligible for your 90-day visa-free limit if you are in Croatia with a Croatia residence visa or long-stay visa.
Passport stamping
Your passport will be stamped as a visitor when you enter or exit Croatia. To verify that you are complying with the 90-day visa exemption limit for short stays in Croatia, border guards will stamp your passport.
Check that your passport has been stamped before you enter the Schengen region as a visitor. This will prove to border guards that your compliance with the visa-free 90-day limit for Croatia and separate 90-day limit for Schengen areas is being observed.
Border guards will assume that you have exceeded your visa-free limit if the relevant stamp for entry or exit is missing from your passport. You can provide evidence, such as transport tickets, to prove when you entered or exited Croatia. Border guards will add the entry date or exit date to your passport.
It may be necessary to:
- Show a return ticket or onward ticket
- Show proof of accommodation
- Show that you have enough money to pay for your stay
If you have a Withdrawal Agreement residence document for another country, your passport may still be stamped if it is a visitor to Croatia.
For passport stamping information, if you’re a Croatian resident, please refer to the Living In Croatia guide.
Croatia’s Top Places To Visit
Croatia, located in the Balkans, has been a top European tourist destination since the War of Independence in the late 1990s. Croatia, like many European countries, has its fair share of historic cities and ruins. But what makes Croatia unique is its abundance of natural attractions, such as the Plitvice lakes, stunning Adriatic coastlines, and beautiful islands.
Dubrovnik is Croatia’s most popular tourist destination. It boasts a picturesque, mediaeval-era town that juts out into the sea. Split is further north, along the coast. This little town is famous for being the place where Roman Emperor Diocletian built a beautiful little palace nearly 1,700 years ago.
Further inland is Zagreb, the capital, which has neoclassical buildings and offers hiking opportunities in the Krka National Park. Our list of top Croatian destinations will help you plan your European vacation.
Dubrovnik
The “Pearl of the Adriatic”, Dubrovnik’s old city, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. Dubrovnik is located at the Adriatic Sea’s southern tip. It was founded in the 7th century via maritime trade. Despite constant territorial threats from Venice, the Ottoman Empire and other countries, Dubrovnik thrived in the Middle Ages and was a major centre for literature, art and science.
Dubrovnik is home to many tourist attractions. The orange roof houses stand out against the blue sky. The Old Town is full of historic features like the Old Town’s old defensive walls, cobblestone streets and magnificent palaces, as well as stunning churches. Onofrio’s Fountain, a 15th-century engineering wonder, is a must-see. The Old Town glows at night to give it a romantic atmosphere.
Popular beaches such as Banje and Lapad are located just outside the Old Town. These beaches offer sunbathing, swimming, and other water sports. Lokrum Island is just a ferry ride away. It has beaches, a monastery, and a botanic garden.
Krka National Park
The Krka National Park, located in Central Dalmatia, Croatia, is a protected area of stunning natural scenery, wildlife, and historic sites. The national park lies along the Krka River in Sibenik-Knin County. It is well-known for its many rushing waterfalls and natural pools with clear, blue-green water.
The national park is easily accessible by bus or car from Split to Sibenik. It offers well-maintained walkways as well as boat excursions. The network of waterfalls is the most famous attraction in the park. Skradinski buk, Roski Slap are the most popular.
There are many trails that lead around waterfalls. This creates amazing photo opportunities. Many of the waterfalls plunge into natural pools that can be accessed for swimming. The park’s beauty is enhanced by the lush vegetation, flowers, and glimpses of wildlife like birds and dragonflies.
Other places you can visit include historic monasteries, archaeological sites of Roman settlements, and mediaeval fortresses. There are many tourist facilities, including museums, picnic areas, and restaurants.
Plitvice National Parc
The Plitvice National park is one of the most stunning natural wonders of Croatia and Europe. It features beautiful lakes, waterfalls, and lush forests. One of the most striking features of the park is its 16 interconnected lakes, which are divided into lower and upper clusters.
Natural travertine dams create the lakes, which come in a variety of colours, including turquoise, blue, green, and grey. The lakes and the surrounding area can be explored by visitors by foot, boat or via a variety of wooden walkways.
Hvar
Hvar, one of the most visited tourist destinations in the Adriatic Sea, is a beautiful Croatian island off the Dalmatian Coast. It is known for its stunning beaches, lavender fields, and lush vineyards.
Hvar Town is the main city of Hvar. It features 13th-century walls, beautiful churches, and imposing fortresses. This beautiful square is surrounded by historic structures such as the Cathedral of St. Stephen and the Arsenal of the 17th Century.
You can enjoy outdoor adventure and recreation on the island’s natural beauty, including hiking along the cliffs or swimming at the isolated coves and beaches. For those who wish to explore the Pakleni Islands, boat rentals and tours can be arranged. The island’s archaeological sites offer views of old artefacts as well as insight into Hvar’s Neolithic past. Grapceva Cave is worth visiting for its unique formations. It is a great place to experience the local culture, with charming villages scattered throughout the lush countryside.
What Should I Do When I Return From Croatia?
All Covid travel regulations in the UK have been removed as of March 20, 2022. This means that travellers don’t have to be tested, quarantined, or fill out a passenger locator form, regardless of whether they are vaccinated.