Croatia Drops Air Border Controls for Schengen Area Travel

Croatia has eliminated air border controls for travel to and from Schengen Area countries after becoming part of Europe’s passport-free travel zone at the beginning of this year. While the country abolished its internal land and sea borders on January 1, 2023, air borders remained in place until March 26.

Passengers flying between Croatia and other countries within the borderless travel zone will now be treated the same as domestic travelers within the country.

Croatia received unanimous support from the 26 Schengen member states to join the passport-free travel zone, starting from the beginning of 2023. However, Austria blocked the accession of Romania and Bulgaria, citing concerns about unregistered illegal migrants and the need for more preparation.

Croatia also began using the euro as its currency from January 2023. Prior to this, a passport or identity card was required to enter Croatia, Romania, and Bulgaria, even when arriving from a Schengen area country.

The accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen zone has been pending for over a decade. The Netherlands voted against Bulgaria’s accession, citing rule-of-law concerns and pending legislation to address corruption and organized crime.

Croatia’s adoption of the euro aims to provide financial stability and improve living standards. It is expected to help control inflation and result in more stable prices for travelers visiting the country.