Pupnatska Beach Croatia
(Picture: Boris Kacan / Croatia Tourist Board)Holidaymakers looking to get away from the UK after years of lockdown have received a boost as popular destination Croatia drops all Covid-19 rules.
The European hotspot, where Michael Jordan, Harrison Ford and Vicky Pattinson holidayed last Summer, is no longer asking for proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test result from Sunday (May 1).
Croatia joins a list of more than 15 European countries that have axed all their restrictions as Europe recovers from the financial losses of the last two years.
A statement read: “All travellers entering Croatia can now do so under the same conditions of entry that were in force before the Covid-19 pandemic, ie with valid travel documents“.
Face mask mandates have also recently been relaxed. Whilst you are no longer required to wear a mask in indoor settings, you are still recommended to do so in large gatherings and medical settings.
To gain entry into Croatia, Brits must have an undamaged passport with at least three months validity remaining after the date you plan to leave the country.
Your passport must also be less than 10 years old on the day you enter Croatia.
Darija Reic, director of the tourist board’s office in the UK, added: “We are happy to confirm that Croatia has dropped all Covid entry requirements for Brits.
“In 2019, we welcomed around 900,000 travellers from the UK, and with the return of numerous flights this year from the UK to Pula, Rijeka, Zadar, Split, Dubrovnik and Zagreb, we hope this news will incite many more to choose our sunny coast and lustrous inland for their well deserved summer break.
“With a number of new hotels, restaurants, and events confirmed for this summer, Croatia is set for a strong season ahead.”
It came as was Brit Caroline Smith was reportedly barred from boarding her flight to Ibiza because her passport was issued nearly ten years ago - despite it being in date until 2023.
Mrs Smith was caught up by post-Brexit rules which has been interpreted by some airlines to mean visitors’ passports to the EU need to have been issued within the last nine years and nine months.
The 40-year-old told the Daily Mail she had booked the Ryanair flight from Stansted Airport to celebrate her ten-year anniversary with her husband Dan on April 28, only to be told she could not board.
The Passport Office advises travellers to apply least 10 weeks before their planned departure date.
The Government has denied delays, but said earlier this week: “We are now seeing unprecedented demand as more than 5 million people delayed applying for passports during COVID-19 because of restrictions in international travel”.
