How will Croatia’s entry into the borderless Schengen zone affect travelers from the USA in 2023?
Since the beginning of this year Croatia became an even more integrated part of the European Union, with the introduction of the euro and entry into the eurozone and membership in the borderless Schengen zone.
As of January 1, 2023, Croatia became the 27th member of Schengen, the largest visa-free zone in the world. The advantages for tourists living within the borderless zone are clear, but how does Croatia’s entry into the Schengen zone affect tourists coming from outside the region, the so-called “citizens of third countries”.
After receiving a number of questions from American travelers about how this new visa regime might affect their trip to Croatia this summer, we dug a little deeper. The first bit of good news is that it doesn’t really affect travel from the US that much at all.
A visa waiver agreement between the US and Schengen members is in effect, which basically means that American tourists can visit any member of the Schengen area without the need for a visa. There is a warning that the stay must not be longer than 90 days within a 180-day period. The same rule applies to British citizens after Brexit, meaning that UK citizens are now classified as third country nationals.
So, if you are planning a two-week tour of Croatia, that is, the entire Schengen zone, you will not have to worry about the 90-day limit. And the USA Department of State also state that “Make sure you receive a stamp in your passport when entering and exiting the Schengen area. Without a stamp from your first Schengen port of entry, you could have problems if you encounter local authorities while in the Schengen area or with immigration officials when you leave.”
What is the Schengen 90/180 day rule?
Yes you can stay 90 days within 180 days but can you just leave Schengen zone for one day and come back and stay another 90 days. This isn’t really a question for people on vacation, unless you plan to have a long, long vacation. “According to the terms of Schengen, citizens of countries outside the EEA cannot spend more than a total of 90 days in a total period of 180 days without a visa. Furthermore, once you have used up your 90-day quota, you cannot return to Schengen until another 90 days have passed,” the website said. costaluzpravnici.es. So 90 days within 180 days within Schengen and then a three month wait before you can spend the other 90 days, basically you can stay 180 days a year as long as you time it right.
Additional bonus for citizens of third countries entering Croatia
Before Croatia entered the EU borderless zone, American tourists had to have a visa for Croatia, as well as for the Schengen area, those days are over because Croatia is now in the zone. From now on, Croatian consular offices issue Schengen visas, unlike visas for individual countries. This makes traveling much easier, and what is even more important for travelers from the USA, connecting Croatia with a grand tour of Europe. And these tours are extremely popular among American travelers. Of course, you will have to keep in mind that the time you spend now in Croatia will be counted in your 90 days within 180 days.
Of course, you will need a passport and that passport must remain valid for another 90 days after the planned time of departure from the Schengen area.
And getting to Dubrovnik from the USA has never been easier with direct flights from New York. In fact, Dubrovnik is the only Croatian city that has direct flights from any American destination. Again this year, American Airlines will fly from Newark Airport in New York to Dubrovnik, with the first flight on May 26. This connection will be operated four times a week by American Airlines until September 27.