Its beaches and crystal clear waters have made it famous. At the crossroads of the Balkans and Europe, Croatia never ceases to amaze with its natural and cultural beauties. However, before you can access it, you need to be patient. Long lines at the borders often make it difficult to go on vacation. But this will soon be a thing of the past. On December 8, EU member states approved Croatia’s accession to the Schengen zone.
The country, which has been a member of the European Union since 2013, will officially join it on January 1, 2023. As a direct result, the queues for cars at its borders with Slovenia and Hungary will no longer need to show themselves. identity card or passport with other Schengen members at checkpoints. Airport surveillance will be lifted from March 26, 2023. This is enough to achieve the main objective of this membership, to encourage tourism in a country that received 20.7 million tourists in 2019, but only 13.8 million in 2021.
Yes, we can pay in Euros
In addition, Croatia will join the euro zone from January. A big change for tourists who will no longer have to change between the Euro and the Kuna, the Croatian currency (one Euro is equivalent to approximately 7.5 HRK). Until now, if it was possible to pay in euros at certain tourist sites, a surcharge could be applied. But what will the Croatian version of the European currency look like? In February, the country’s national bank presented samples of future coins. The map of the country will be engraved on the 2-euro bills, and the portrait of the scientist Nikola Tesla on the 50, 20 and 10 cents.
Despite Croatia’s absurd impatience, some fears about this single currency remain. According to a survey conducted between March and April 2022, 87% of the Croatian population believes that the change to the euro will lead to an increase in prices. And with direct consequences on the price of tourism? The next few months will show.
A bridge connecting two Croatias
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Free movement also extends within the country. In July, the Peljesac Bridge, which connects the very touristic cities of Split and Dubrovnik, was opened to traffic. The enormous work that undoubtedly contributed to Croatia’s accession to the Schengen zone allows bypassing the Bosnian enclave of Neu. Previously, this small section of less than 10 kilometers required a double identity check to leave mainland Croatia to the north and then enter the Pelješac peninsula to the south, including the Dubrovnik region. In the heart of summer, the wait at border crossings could sometimes be long for road users.
Source: Le Figaro
I’m Ashley Mark, a news website author for Buna Times. I specialize in writing articles about current trends and breaking news stories. With my passion for uncovering the truth behind every story, I strive to bring readers the most up-to-date information available.