At the break of 2023, Croatia joined the Schengen Area and completely upped its attraction for tourists. European tourists will now be able to travel to the country with even more ease. British travelers and those outside of the Eurozone, may find increased difficulties. Internal land and sea borders are no more. Croatia now issues Schengen visas. In addition to becoming a Schengen Area, Croatia also joined the eurozone on January 1, 2023. March 26, 2023 is the next important date to keep in mind concerning travel to Croatia. Internal air borders will soon be lifted then.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation (ETIAS) will apply to all Schengen members and official candidate countries. Now that Croatia has joined the Schengen Area, ETIAS regulation will apply. This means that Schengen Area security systems will ensure travelers are eligible to travel through the region without a visa.

In November 2022, the European Parliament approved the lifting of internal border controls between the Schengen Area and Croatia. In a statement, Paulo Rangel MEP, EU rapporteur said “Croatia is ready to join the Schengen free-travel area. It has fulfilled all the necessary conditions. Croatia met 281 recommendations in 8 areas of the Schengen acquis and underwent the most comprehensive evaluation for Schengen membership of any country so far.”

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