Last update: October 7th, 2021.
Croatia, one of the Adriatic sea’s most famous coastal countries, has been making use of the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC) since June to welcome back visitors in a bid to restart the economy.
A Croatian vaccine passport is deemed key for several economic, social, and political reasons.
The country is reliant on tourism for nearly a fifth of its GDP as just under 20 million tourists visit Croatia annually.
How to get the EU Digital COVID Certificate in Croatia
The vaccine passport in Croatia is part of the EU’s COVID pass scheme that covers all of Europe.
Croatia citizens can use the e-Građani portal (in English, e-Citizen portal) to request a EUDCC.
On home grounds, Croatian EUDCC holders will be able to enjoy indoor dining, go to clubs, or enjoy large gatherings like concerts.
Croatian citizens can also use the EUDCC to travel safely throughout Europe.
The COVID passport for Croatia allows 3 types of verification:
- Fully vaccinated Croatians can download the app and generate a QR code to show their status as well as with which vaccine they have been treated. The vaccination certificate is valid for 270 days.
- People from Croatia who have recovered from the virus in the last 6 months can also use the app to show their status.
- Croatian citizens who have gotten a negative PCR test result within the last 48 hours can show their results on the app.
The EU has confirmed that the passport will contain the minimum amount of personal information on each individual, to curb hacking and improve data protection.
Croatia’s COVID Pass for healthcare workers
People working in hospitals and homes for the elderly or infirm have had to show their green pass in Croatia since the beginning of October.
This ruling includes proof of vaccination, test results, or proof of recovery and applies to both health care workers and those working in the hospital.
One of the problems with the new ruling is that most healthcare workers got vaccinated in January, rendering their vaccine passes invalid after 9 months.
The Croatian government announced that vaccine validity is only 270 days and booster shots are not yet available.
Workers without proof of vaccination or recovery will need to take PCR tests every 3 days.
Can I travel to Croatia with my local COVID certificate?
Croatia is open to all EU citizens with or without a EUDCC.
If a traveler does not have an EU COVID pass they can present any form of validation from their home country for tests, vaccinations, or recovery.
Third-country nationals are also allowed to enter if they are from one of the following countries:
- Albania
- Armenia
- Australia
- Azerbaijan
- Bosnia And Herzegovina
- Brunei Darussalam
- Canada
- Israel
- Japan
- Jordan
- Lebanon
- Montenegro
- New Zealand
- Qatar
- Republic of Moldova
- Republic of North Macedonia
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Ukraine
- United States of America
- China, Region of Hong Kong and Macao
- Kosovo
- Taiwan
Third-country nationals must still provide negative PCR test results, proof of vaccination, or proof of recovery.
Travelers from South Africa, India, Brazil, and Zanzibar are banned from entering Croatia.
COVID-19 health situation in Croatia
Croatia has recorded almost 410,000 cases of COVID-19 reaching a peak infection rate in December 2020.
The fourth wave of COVID started in August 2021 and by October 5, 1,074 new cases were recorded per day. On that day, 19 new deaths were also recorded, bringing the death toll 8,704.
Vaccination uptake is not as high as other countries in Europe and only 42,5% of Croatia’s population is fully vaccinated. Just under 3.5 million doses have been administered as of October 6.