Can I go to Croatia with Schengen visa? This has to be one of the hottest topics covered by travel blogs and questions asked by travelers with an eye for Croatia. This is in light of a new announcement made by the European Commission regarding Croatia’s membership in Schengen. In the last month of December, the European Union Minister of Internal Affairs announced that Croatia would be accepted into the fold and become a Schengen Zone member. This announcement thereby makes Croatia the 27th member state to be admitted.
Can I Go To Croatia With Schengen Visa?
With the new announcement, Croatia will gradually change its travel policy to conform to the immigration laws of other member states in the region. One such change will be abolishing borders between the country and other member states. So persons with Schengen visas can travel to Croatia whether or not the visa was issued by a Croatian embassy abroad or another member state’s embassy.
Why The Sudden Admittance Into The Zone By The EU?
The number of countries not in the Schengen zone has dwindled over the last two decades, and Croatia was one of the few countries yet to be admitted. Bulgaria and Romania also applied to the European Commission to join the Schengen zone but could not make the cut except Croatia.
Why was Croatia accepted?
According to the European Commission, Croatia met the necessary infrastructure requirements and inspection facilities to protect not only its borders but also the external borders of the wider Schengen area. While all member states voted for Croatia to be admitted into the Zone, two member states voted against the admittance of Bulgaria and Romania into the association.
What Is The Schengen Zone?
The Schengen zone is an association of European countries that operate an open border or borderless policy. The association was founded in 1985 when founding member states signed the Schengen Agreement in a village in Luxembourg called Schengen. After the founding member states signed the agreement, they changed their border policies and removed all entry and exit restrictions for their citizens.
Subsequently, such benefits were expanded to cover visitors from foreign countries with Schengen visas. Many more countries later joined the Zone in the following years, with Croatia making it to the list as the 27th country.
Who Will Need A Schengen Visa To Enter Croatia?
Visitors from countries not on the visa free list of Croatia will need a visa to enter Croatia. Before, now Croatia recognized the Schengen visa but was not mandated to issue it. By 2024 when it becomes an official member, it will also be able to issue the visa like other member states.
If your country is not on the list of 63 visa free countries, you will need a visa to enter Croatia. However, if your country is on the list, you will not need this visa; you will need the European Travel Information Authorization System, a visa waiver for visa-free visitors set to launch in 2024.
Croatia At A Glance
Croatia has four seasons of weather which have been a selling point for the country’s tourism industry. It has lovely cafes, amazing landscapes, and islands largely untouched by man-made activities. The country has largely been a top tourist location for this looking for nearness to nature, warm climate, and isolation from all the hustle and bustle of Mainland Europe. The country has been an EU member state since 2013, but the Council of Europe has given the go-ahead to admit it into the Schengen Zone.
This move will boost the thriving tourist industry as fewer border restrictions will make it an attractive proposition for visitors. Not only will holders of Croatian visas be allowed to enter the country they will also be allowed to enter even if they hold visas issued by another Schengen state.
What Is The Validity of The Schengen Visa?
Croatia’s Schengen visa will have the same validity as other visas issued by member states in the Zone. The visa validity will be 180 days from the day it is issued to the traveler, allowing the holder to stay in the country for 90 days. It is meant to be a short visa for tourism, business, and other social functions, not a work visa. Visitors found working in the country will be fined and deported immediately.
Croatia Schengen Visa Requirements
Persons applying for this visa will need the following
Completed application form
Two recent photographs that meet Schengen photo requirements
Valid passport
Cover letter
Invitation letter, if necessary
Proof of financial means
The previous copy of Schengen visa
Travel medical insurance
Visa fee receipt
Proof of accommodation
Can I go to Croatia with Schengen Visa? You can, as Croatia is also a member state in the Schengen zone.