It’s official: the Croatian Government has confirmed that leisure travelers from around the world – US included! – are allowed to visit with a negative coronavirus test result or quarantine. 

With international travel restrictions changing as frequently as state-to-state guidelines are, its hard to keep track of where we can travel. But the reports that Croatia is allowing Americans to enter their borders is in fact true. 

While the EU has kept its external borders closed to Americans, it did not restrict its member countries from revising these rules for themselves. Though Croatia is a member of the European Union, it is not a member of the border-free Schengen area, meaning travelers are subject to border controls when crossing into other European countries. This also means that the U.S. presidential proclamation restricting travelers from the European Schengen area does not apply to Croatia. Even so, when returning from abroad, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) asks all travelers coming to the United States from abroad to self-quarantine for 14 days after their arrival.

The requirements for traveling to Croatia:

• All non-EU citizens including those from the United States, who enter Croatia as tourists, business travelers, or as students must provide evidence of a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostic test (also known as the nasal swab test) for COVID-19. The result must have been procured within 48 hours of arriving at the Croatian border. 
• Alternatively, travelers must complete a mandatory 14 days of self-isolation (at travelers’ own expense), which can be shortened to one week for travelers who take a COVID-19 test within 7 days after entering Croatia and receive a negative test result. COVID-19 testing in Croatia costs about $230 and the results can be expected in 1 to 2 days, according to the U.S. Embassy in Zagreb.

A word to the wise: Croatian health authorities are monitoring and enforcing quarantine orders, and are authorized to fine individuals who violate the orders anywhere from 8,000 Croatian kuna (about US$1,200) for a first violation up to 120,000 Croatian kuna (or US$18,000) for repeat offenders.

Before arriving, visitors must fill out this form online, confirming hotel or accommodation booking. Once submitted, travelers will receive confirmation and instructions regarding the rules and regulations for traveling to and within Croatia.

As of July 15, Croatia had confirmed a total of 3,953 coronavirus cases, and 120 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.