Covid-19 Croatia FAQ

Covid-19 Croatia FAQ

Here are the answers to the COVID-19 related FAQ. As the situation changes quite often, we will do our best to bring you updates and to keep you informed about the situation in Croatia.

These are the current regulations that we wrote on April 15th 2021.

Be free to reach out for any additional questions that we skipped answering here, we will be happy to help you find the right answer.

What are the latest requirements to entry Croatia for tourism purposes by US/No-EU citizens? 

Persons who travel for tourist reasons and have a certificate of paid accommodation (in advance and in full prior to arrival at the border) in a hotel, camp, private renter or rented vessel and other form of tourist accommodation or are owners of houses or vessels in the Republic of Croatia – entry into the Republic of Croatia will be allowed upon presentation of one of the following documents: – negative PCR or rapid antigen test – RAT on SARS-CoV-2, where the RAT test must be listed in the Common list of rapid antigen tests recognized by the Member States of the European Union, published by the European Commission. If the RAT test findings were made abroad, the manufacturer and/or the commercial name of the test must be visible and the test must be issued by a health institution / laboratory and signed / confirmed by a doctor. If otherwise, it will not be accepted as credible for entering the Republic of Croatia. The results of the above tests must not be older than 48 hours (counting from the time of taking the swab to arriving at the border crossing point) and, in the case of a rapid antigen test and a stay longer than 10 days in the Republic of Croatia, the test must be repeated within ten days from the date of issuing that test; – vaccination certificate for persons who received a second dose of COVID-19 vaccine more than 14 days prior. Exceptionally, in the case of a vaccine received in a single dose, a certificate of receipt of a single dose if the dose was received more than 14 days before crossing the state border; – presentation of a positive PCR or rapid antigen test, confirming that the holder recovered from the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, which was performed in the previous 180 days, and older than 11 days from the date of arrival at the border crossing point or upon presentation of a certificate of recovery issued by a physician; – or perform PCR or rapid antigen testing on SARS-CoV-2 immediately upon arrival in the Republic of Croatia (at their own expense), with the obligation to stay in self-isolation until the arrival of a negative test result. If testing cannot be performed, a measure of self-isolation is determined for a period of ten (10) days. In order to shorten the procedure at the border crossing point, all foreign passengers, regardless of their citizenship are advised to fill the announcement in advance at Enter Croatia Children under seven years of age traveling accompanied by a parent / guardian are exempt from the obligation to present a negative test result and to self-isolate if the parents / guardians have a negative PCR or RAT test result, i.e. if they have a certificate of vaccination against COVID-19 or proof of having recovered from COVID-19.

Do guests need to produce a negative COVID-19 test for entry?

If quests can’t provide one of the following, YES: –rapid antigen test – RAT on SARS-CoV-2 (please read about RAT in the previous answer) – vaccination certificate for persons who received a second dose of COVID-19 vaccine more than 14 days prior. Exceptionally, in the case of a vaccine received in a single dose, a certificate of receipt of a single dose if the dose was received more than 14 days before crossing the state border; – presentation of a positive PCR or rapid antigen test, confirming that the holder recovered from the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, which was performed in the previous 180 days, and older than 11 days from the date of arrival at the border crossing point or upon presentation of a certificate of recovery issued by a physician

Will guests be subjected to COVID-19 tests if anyone on their flight begins to display symptoms while in-country?

Based on a direct info from a telephone call with the Ministry of the Interior of Republic of Croatia: If guests don’t have a vaccination certificate or proof they have recovered from the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, YES, they will be subjected to COVID-19 tests.

How is contact tracing handled in country?

Person tested positive for COVID-19, reports their personal contacts to Croatian Institute of Public Health at +385 (0)1 48 63 222. Person is not responsible for non-personal contacts. While travelling, all contacts of the passengers are obtained by a flight provider and sent to Croatian Institute of Public Health if necessary.

If major airlines servicing the destination require a negative COVID-19 test to board a flight, can a guest obtain one in country? If yes, at which facilities? What is the turn-around-time? Yes, guests can obtain COVID-19 test in Republic of Croatia. The test results are available within 24 hours. Facilities for testing are: Zagreb – Andrija Štampar Health Institute, Mirogojska 16,open from 8am until 4pm every day Split – Public Health Institute, Vukovarska 46, they require an appointment at travel.covid@nzjz-split.hr -the Split hospital at Spinci´ceva 1 (no appointment needed) Dubrovnik – Public Health Institute, Ante Šercera 4a, they require an appointment at mikrobiologija@zzjzdnz.hr -Dubrovnik Hospital, Roka Mišeti´ca, call +385 (0)20 431-731 to make an appointment Rijeka – Public Health Institute, Krešimirova ulica 4a, no appointment needed, open every work-day from 7am until 3 pm Zadar – Public Health Institute, Ulica Ljudevita Posavskog 7, open every day, an appointment needed by writing to narudzbenice-covid19@zjz-zadar.hr Istria – Public Health Institute in Pula, Nazorova 23, an appointment required, either by email at covidtest@zzjziz.hr or on the phone +385 (0)52 529-063 Island of Krk – Vinogradska 2, appointments at epidemiologija.krk@zzjzpgz.hr Island of Cres – Turion 26, appointments at epid.cres@zzjzpgz.hr Island of Rab – Palit 143a, appointments at epidemiologija.rab@zzjzpgz.hr Island of Hvar – Jelsa Health centre, an appointment required by phone at +385 (0)91 151 2010 Makarska – Health centre, Stjepana Ivicevi´ca 2, an appointment by phone +385 (0)21 616 061

How are positive cases handled in country? Is there a government quarantine facility or can visitors self-isolate, if necessary? 

There are no government quarantine facilities. If necessary, visitors need to self-isolate in the period of 10 days.

If a guest is positive, what are the requirements to be cleared and removed from quarantine?

In case of being positive for Covid 19, the quest needs to self-isolate for 10 days with no exceptions. 

What happens to others in the group if one guest tests positive, for both individual and group travel?

If others don’t have a vaccination certificate or proof they have recovered from the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, they need to do the testing or self-isolate for 10 days.

What is defined as ‘close contact’ in a group setting if someone tests positive during travel?

Close contact is considered being over 15 minutes of time in a “close proximity” – this includes guests respecting social distancing and further decisions are entirely dependable on Croatian Institute of Public Health.

Are masks widely utilized in country? Are they mandatory? Are there fines given for non-compliance? 

It is mandatory to wear a mask in public at all times in any closed spaces (including all types of public transportation, stores, supermarkets, etc.) If proper social distancing of 1.5m can’t be maintained while in the open, facemask is mandatory. The fine is 500 kunas or 250 kunas if paid on spot.

Is physical distancing practiced?

Yes, individuals must maintain at least 2m of social distance indoors and at least 1.5m outdoors.

Are there capacity limits placed on vehicles? Restaurants? Hotels? Please we need a very well-detailed answer accordingly with official rules on each of the above. 

Transport – there are no restrictions on individual transport by car. Public transportation (buses, trains, ferries) is operating regularly. The providers of these services can’t sell more than 40% of their usual occupancy. They must clearly state how many passengers are allowed. They must also ensure that the passengers are able to maintain social distancing throughout the journey. Passengers (as well as staff) must wear facemasks for the entire journey. Restaurants – can serve guests seated in the open-air space/terraces, but not inside. The places are limited and each holds an announcement on how many guests are allowed to be served considering the size in square meters. Hotel restaurants are only allowed to serve meals in their closed restaurants to the guests of the hotel. Hotels – quests must maintain 1,5m of social distance from the other quests unless from the same group or family. Hotels have to ensure designated spaces of 1.5m and regular disinfection and cleaning. Every hotel has a manager responsible for quests with suspicion of Covid 19 and providing all the information towards the Croatian Institute of Public Health and quests. Certain spaces in a hotel hold clear announcements on how many guests are allowed to be served/entered considering the size in square meters including elevators. Hotel restaurants are only allowed to serve meals in their closed restaurants to the guests of the hotel. Checking-in needs to take under 15 minutes or if such requirement is not possible, the reception needs to be equipped with Plexiglas barriers while maintaining the physical distance of 1,5m.

Is there any other information that we need to provide the guest with to enable them to make an educated decision on traveling?

The safety of our guests and workers in the tourism industry is our main priority. Republic of Croatia respects safety protocols in all segments of tourism. World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) created the Safe travel label in 2020 and Croatia has been displaying it since the beginning of the COVID pandemic.

What is the status of obtaining and distributing COVID-19 vaccines in the community?

In Republic of Croatia, the vaccines are now offered to the elderly as a priority group and employees who have the most social contact (doctors, nurses, teachers, tourist workers etc.)

Is there any vaccination requirement (or benefit in terms of fewer restrictions) on entry/exit requirements and movement within the country for those who have been vaccinated?

Those who have been vaccinated have to provide a vaccination certificate at the border: for persons who received a second dose of COVID-19 vaccine more than 14 days prior. Exceptionally, in the case of a vaccine received in a single dose, a certificate of receipt of a single dose if the dose was received more than 14 days before crossing the state border. They don’t need to get tested or self-isolate in any cases of close contact with a person positive for Covid 19.

What is the current situation with the local health care system? Is it accessible to visitors and not at or close to capacity in either regular or intensive care?

Health care system in Croatia has always been available to visitors and there is no change in providing their services during Covid pandemic. Number of patients in regular and intensive care are subject to change on daily basis but the limitations have not been exceeded.

Do you know if guests need additional testing to transit Bosnia between Split and Dubrovnik?  Not sure if this checkpoint has special conditions for people traveling through Croatia-Croatia…

Based on a direct info from a telephone call with the Ministry of the Interior of Republic of Croatia: the travelling in this corridor is considered “being in transit” and is not treated as crossing the border, i.e. no tests or documentation proofs are needed.

In the case of a rapid antigen test, and a stay longer than 10 days in the Republic of Croatia, do you know if a test must be repeated within ten days from the date of issuing the first test?

Yes, the test must be repeated within ten days from the date of issuing that test.

 

**We are adding some additional guidelines/recommendations/safety protocols for Service providers. These are mandatory for providers who registered with Safe Travels badge:

https://www.safestayincroatia.hr/en