Croatia joins the Eurozone and Schengen

Finally! On January 1, 2023, Croatia officially entered Schengen – the zone of free movement within the borders of the European Union, and the euro was introduced as the official currency of payment. Find out firsthand how your trip to Croatia will change and what benefits it will bring.

Croatia’s long-awaited entry into the Eurozone and Schengen has brought significant changes in all aspects, especially in travel. Great emphasis is placed on simplified arrival and stay of guests who choose Croatia as their vacation destination.

Croatia became the 20th member of the European Union to adopt the euro as its currency. The benefits that this event brings are reflected on the guests as well as on the hosts. Valuing the accommodation and overnight stay chosen by the guests and communicating about it are now simpler, and ordinary shopping in the store becomes like being at home. The introduction of the euro also saves time – vacation planning and budgeting is now much simpler. Changing money and waiting in lines at exchange offices or banks are now past. The introduction of the euro as the official currency in Croatia also means for guests:

• easier navigation in the prices – no recalculations
• elimination of conversion costs – money saving
• greater transparency when purchasing goods and services.

Along with the introduction of the euro as the official currency, Croatia’s entry into the Schengen zone is an equally important event. Schengen is an area that includes the territory of 27 European countries, which mostly functions as the territory of one country- without internal border controls. What does this mean for travel specifically:

• “erasing” borders, primarily with Slovenia and Hungary, and thus the rest of the EU area
• traveling without border controls and checks
• easy and fast entry into the country – without waiting at the borders
• more comfortable and shorter journey.

We already went across the border and checked how it works now. Entering Croatia through the Kaštel border crossing has never been easier – we entered Istria without border control and without any delays. The Kaštel border crossing, the main crossing point for entering Istria, was one of the biggest problems in the summer months, and the traffic jams caused by the crossing could stretch for kilometers on the Istrian highway. Now the entry from Slovenia, through the Rupa and Kaštel border crossings, has become completely easier, and the traffic jams are finally in the past.

We believe that due to the smooth and quick entry into the country, the proximity to Slovenia, Italy, Austria and Germany, as well as less worries about changing euros into kuna, Croatia will become a new vacation destination for many. Air borders are also being abolished, from March 26, 2023. From that day on, all the mentioned benefits will also be reflected in air transport – reduced controls and waiting time at airports for citizens of EU member countries.

The year 2023 definitely brings real refreshment and huge changes for all travelers, especially those who arrive in Croatia by car or by plane, from the member countries of the European Union. From now on, expect less crowds, faster travel, easier shopping and more time to enjoy your vacation.