Is it possible to vacation in Croatia despite Corona and the Delta variant? A look at the current situation and corona rules in the country.
Zagreb / Split – The corona virus has been dominating people’s lives for a year and a half – many people long for a break from corona and a vacation in the sun. But is it possible to go on vacation in Croatia in the midst of the corona pandemic? The country is one of the favorite holiday destinations of Germans, in 2019 2.9 million Germans traveled to Croatia to enjoy themselves there. A look at the current Corona situation in Croatia and an overview of everything that travelers to Croatia need to know.
The coronavirus reached Croatia at the end of February 2020, a person who had previously spent time in Milan became the first infected person in the country. Since then, 362,129 cases of infection and 8245 deaths related to Sars-Cov-2 have been recorded. 33.15% of the population are considered fully vaccinated (as of: 23.07.2021; source: CSSE at JHU)
Croatia vacation despite Corona: This is the current situation in the country
In Croatia, the corona situation is currently regionally different: The Zadar County has been classified as a risk area by the Foreign Office. There, the 7-day incidence of 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants is exceeded, which is why the area is still listed as a risk area.
The delta variant of the corona virus is already widespread in Croatia. According to current figures, the rate of infections with the Corona variant was 31.6 percent within the last four weeks (status: 07/07/2021; source: gisaid.org). More recent data assume 0%, which indicates that either no cases have occurred recently or the variant has not been tested.
Vacation in Croatia despite Corona: How high is the incidence?
The 7-day incidence in Croatia is 22.2 (as of July 23, 2021) – well below the critical mark of 50 infections per 100,000 inhabitants: inside and at a similar level to the corona numbers in Germany.
Entry into Croatia: which corona rules have to be observed?
Anyone entering Croatia must have had a negative corona test again since July 1, 2021 and until at least July 15, 2021. This regulation was introduced at such short notice that there were some traffic jams at the borders. The ADAC advises planning to wait at the borders.
Specifically, the following regulation currently applies when entering Croatia: The negative corona test must not be older than 72 hours (PCR test) or 48 hours (rapid test) upon arrival (the time of the smear test). People who have been fully vaccinated against Corona are allowed to enter the country fourteen days after the last vaccination dose without a test – they must prove that they have been fully vaccinated with the EU vaccination certificate.
Entry into Croatia: corona test, vaccination certificate or recovery
Anyone who has only received one of two vaccine doses so far can, under certain conditions, travel to Croatia without a corona test: The first vaccination for mRNA vaccines (Biontech and Moderna) must be at least 22 days and a maximum of 42 days ago, with Astrazeneca you can between enter the country without a test on the 22nd and 84th day after vaccination. Those who have recovered with a medical certificate are also allowed to travel to Croatia without a test for the coronavirus.
According to the ADAC, travelers who have neither a negative corona test nor proof of vaccination or recovery must have a test carried out at the border and isolate themselves until the result is received. Children under the age of 12 do not have to show a corona test if they are accompanied by a: n legal guardian: n with a negative test, proof of vaccination or health certificate.
Vacation in Croatia: fill out the online immigration form before entering the country
Before entering Croatia, an online entry form must be filled out, which is also available in German. A user ID is then displayed, which should be noted down. In addition, the ADAC recommends that you print out the text so that you can show it on entry.
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Travel to Croatia: Transit through Slovenia and Austria is possible
Anyone traveling to Croatia from Germany will either travel through Slovenia or Austria. This transit is also possible without any problems in Corona times. For Slovenia, there are no further requirements if you leave the country within twelve hours, short breaks are allowed.
When transit through Austria, no digital entry registration and no negative corona test are necessary if you cross the country without a stopover. Exceptions to refueling or stopping at the toilet are “generally tolerated” according to the ADAC.
Vacation in Croatia: These corona rules apply in the country – one region tightens regulations
Hotels, restaurants and cafes are open again in Croatia. Even if the corona situation is under control in large parts of the country, the usual protective mechanisms – face mask and distance – are still required. The corona measures can differ within the individual regions, an overview is available on a special website of the Croatian government. The general corona rules in Croatia:
- Face mask : Must be worn in shops and on public transport. Also outdoors if the minimum distance (1.5 meters) cannot be maintained.
- Crowds : The number of people in public transport and shops is reduced by around 40 percent. On the Adriatic coast there are special rules in this regard: A maximum of 15 people without an immunity certificate are allowed to come together in the catering and in private settings. In addition, major events in this region are capped at 1000 participants. This applies from Monday (July 26th, 2021).
- Alcohol : sales are prohibited between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Vacation in Croatia: which corona rules apply on the beach?
There are also corona rules on beaches in Croatia that must be adhered to. As a rule, there are access restrictions and requirements for the positioning of the deckchairs, which are monitored by security services.
Information on vacation in Croatia
Current information on holidays and corona in Italy is available from the Foreign Office and on a coronavirus website of the Croatian government.
Returning from vacation in Croatia: what applies to the return journey to Germany?
The vacation in Croatia is over, the return journey is imminent. Anyone who has vacationed in the regions of the country that are not considered to be risk areas has little to consider. Car travelers do not have to follow any special rules – unless they have been to a risk area. Then the following applies:
- Complete the digital entry form before entering Germany.
- Do a corona test (the rapid test may be a maximum of 48 hours old on arrival, the PCR test a maximum of 72 hours old).
- Quarantine : Anyone who shows a negative test upon entry does not have to be in quarantine.
- Quarantine obligation : applies to everyone who does not have a negative corona test until they have a negative test result.
Travelers returning to Germany by plane must show a negative corona test in order to be allowed to board the plane. This test obligation applies to all travelers, regardless of the location of the trip. This does not apply to fully vaccinated and recovered people and children under 6 years of age.
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