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Complete guide to Croatia’s COVID-19 resources for tourists and residents: Guide for 2023

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coronavirus croatia
Image by Dubrovnik Times

UPDATED: 10/08/2021

We want to make sure everyone, both Croatian residents and tourists alike, have access to all the information they need.

This guide includes:

Also, at this time, it is mandatory that everyone wear a mask on public transportation. You will be refused entry if not wearing a mask.

The facts are these…

Complete guide to Croatia’s COVID-19 resources for tourists and residents

Coronavirus symptoms

Common symptoms of COVID-19 include:

  • Higher body temperature (povišena tjelesna temperatura)
  • Coughing (kašalj)
  • Shortness of breath (kratak dah)
  • Muscle pain (bolovi u mišićima)
  • Fatigue (umor)

You may have coronavirus if you meet these two criteria:

#1 You have experienced at least one of these symptoms of acute respiratory infection:

  • Higher body temperature (povišena tjelesna temperatura)
  • Coughing (kašalj)
  • Shortness of breath (kratak dah)

#2 If during a period 14 days prior to symptoms:

  • You were in close contact with a person with coronavirus infection or suspected coronavirus infection
  • You were in an area affected by the coronavirus

More severe cases may include these symptoms:

  • Severe pneumonia (teška upala pluća)
  • Acute short breath syndrome (sindrom akutnog otežanog disanja)
  • Sepsis (sepsa)
  • Septic shock (Septički šok)

Requirements for tourists traveling to Croatia

To enter Croatia, passengers traveling from EU/EEA Member States can provide one of these documents (regardless of their citizenship):

  • COVID-19 passport
  • Negative PCR test, no older than 72 hours
  • Negative RAT test, no older than 48 hours
  • Certificate showing that they have received two doses of the vaccine
  • Certificate showing that they have received the first dose of the vaccine
  • Certificate showing that they have recovered from the COVID-19 and have received one dose of vaccine
  • Positive PCR test result or RAT test result, confirming that the holder recovered from the COVID-19
  • OR take PCR testing or RAT testing immediately upon their arrival in Croatia

To enter Croatia, third-country nationals who travel for tourist reasons must have proof of paid accommodation and one of these documents:

  • Negative PCR test, no older than 72 hours
  • Negative RAT test, no older than 48 hours
  • Certificate showing that they have received two doses of the vaccine
  • Certificate showing that they have recovered from the COVID-19 and have received one dose of vaccine
  • Positive PCR test result or RAT test result, confirming that the holder recovered from the COVID-19
  • OR take PCR testing or RAT testing immediately upon their arrival in Croatia

Our recommendation is to check more details on the entry to Croatia on official government pages here.

Border patrol has a FAQ in English to answer common questions. There is also a form at the bottom of the page where you can get an answer on your specific situation. View their page here.

When you come to the border of Croatia, you will be asked for several pieces of information including your:

  • Destination
  • Personal data
  • Epidemiological information

To speed up entry at the border, you can provide the above information in advance by filling out this form. A brief examination that includes taking your temperature will be performed.

While in Croatia, it is mandatory that you wear a mask indoors in all public places. You will be refused entry if not wearing a mask. [Read: Where to buy face masks, FFP2, FFP3, hand sanitizer, and gloves in Croatia]

How to track cases in Croatia

The statistics listed by county, which include the total number of infected persons and the number of deceased persons are available here.

A map where you can select “Active cases” to see the number of actively infected persons and “Total infected” to see the total number of infected persons so far is available here.

The official government COVID-19 page Koronavirus.hr has statistics at the top of their page which shows the following data:

  • SLUČAJEVI – Total number of infected persons so far
  • OPORAVLJENI – Number of healed persons
  • PREMINULI – Number of deceased persons
  • BROJ UTROŠENIH DOZA – Number of used doses of vaccine
  • CIJEPLJENI S NAJMANJE JEDNOM DOZOM – Number of people vaccinated with at least one dose
  • CIJEPLJENI S OBJE DOZE – Number of people vaccinated with both doses
  • CIJEPLJENI U 24 SATA – Number of people vaccinated in last 24 hours

There are two Facebook groups for COVID-19 in Croatia, that include the latest information for the country.

What to do if you have questions about coronavirus?

HZJZ Facebook Chat

HZJZ (Croatian Institute for Public Health) has a free Facebook chatbot, which people may use to ask questions about symptoms and anything else regarding the coronavirus. This service was launched to reduce the pressure on phone line 113, which serves those threatened by the coronavirus.

If you have questions, go to their Facebook page which is available here, and send them a message to speak with someone.

Andrija – digital assistant on What’s App – CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE

Update: From June 1, 2021, Andrija is no longer available.

Andrija is the first digital assistant who offers free information about the coronavirus. This service is available via What’s App. 

Andrija’s job is to:

  1. Educate people to recognize coronavirus symptoms
  2. Assist with contacting relevant institutions if needed
  3. Allow people to send relevant information from their homes to help epidemiologists

Information on general health issues

If you need any information regarding general health issues, you will be connected with doctors and other health experts if you call:

Where you can get tested for COVID-19 in Croatia

Here is a full list of all the facilities where you can get tested for coronavirus within Croatia, in English. Here is the same list in Croatian. These lists include the approximate cost of the test at each location.

If you are a resident of Croatia, then you can be tested for free under your HZZO health insurance. Residents should contact their family doctor or 113 if they suspect they have been exposed to or infected with COVID-19.

What to do if you suspect that you are infected with coronavirus?

If you meet the criteria above and suspect that you are infected, call your family doctor if you are a Croatian resident. If you are a tourist traveling in Croatia, call the epidemiological service IMMEDIATELY.

To connect directly with an epidemiologist, you can call:

  • 113 every day from 8:00 to 16:00
  • County centers – Locations and phone numbers are available here.
  • Tourist emergency centers in Dubrovnik-Neretva county, Lika-Senj county, Istria county, Primorje-Gorski Kotar county, and Zadar county – Locations and phone numbers are available here.

When speaking to your doctor or the epidemiologist, describe how you feel in great detail so they can do their best to identify if you may have COVID-19.

They will give you all the instructions – what to do, where to go, and how to get tested. You are in good hands now, so just follow their instructions.

Here are the guidelines for tourists and their accommodation managers when there is a suspected COVID-19 case.

REMEMBER: This is not just about you. If you are carrying the virus, you can transmit it to others around you regardless of whether or not you are showing symptoms.

Rules for those in self-isolation

If you have been instructed by a medical professional or the border patrol that you must go into self-isolation, then it is important to follow the rules and also understand what resources are available to those in quarantine.

Croatian residents in quarantine are under the care of their family doctor. Foreign nationals without residence are under the care of an assigned epidemiologist.

Requirements for quarantine

Quarantine lasts 14 days. The purpose of quarantine is to take care of yourself and to protect others. Please follow the below rules as provided by the Croatian government.

  1. STAY AT HOME!
  2. Avoid close contact with others, even family and household members. Keep a 2-meter distance in closed spaces and a 1-meter distance in open spaces.
  3. Keep away from the elderly, people with chronic diseases, and pregnant women.
  4. Open windows for fresh air very often.
  5. If you notice any new coronavirus symptoms since first reporting your situation, call your doctor or 113 immediately.
  6. Cover your mouth with paper tissue while coughing or sneezing. Dispose of the tissue in a covered waste bin. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.
  7. Properly wash your hands with soap and water very often.
  8. Use your own towel and don’t share it with other household members.
  9. Clean all rooms you visit every day with a cleanser and disinfectant. Detailed instructions for cleaning can be found here.
  10. Wear a mask when you cannot keep a 2-meter distance from others. [Read: Where to buy face masks, FFP2, FFP3, hand sanitizer, and gloves in Croatia]

Don’t do anything of these things:

  1. Don’t go outside the house unless it is absolutely necessary.
  2. Don’t go to work, school, or anywhere else.
  3. Don’t share your things with others. Use your own dishes, cups, bedsheets, etc.
  4. Don’t shake hands with anyone.
  5. Don’t touch your face, eyes, nose, and mouth.
  6. Don’t use public transport or a taxi.
  7. Don’t invite anyone to your home.

If you want to get more information about the self-isolation process, HZJZ (Croatian Institute for Public Health) has additional resources here.

Resources for those in quarantine

Food and medicine delivery

Hrvatski Crveni križ (Croatian Red Cross) is delivering food to those in need, the elderly, patients with chronic disease, and others who need help. Their volunteers can make a purchase on your behalf. If you belong to one of these at-risk groups, don’t hesitate to call them.

Here are all the Red Cross contact numbers organized by cities.

Medicine delivery

Croatian Red Cross and Croatian Chamber of Pharmacists are offering a service of medicine delivery to:

  • People in self-isolation
  • People who suffer from chronic diseases
  • People who have difficulty moving

This service is available via free phone line +385 (0)800 11 88 and +385 (0)72 700 222.

Food delivery

If you want to have fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, olive oil, and other Croatian-produced products delivered to your door, there are many farms and cooperatives in Croatia that offer delivery. [Read: Croatian farms and food suppliers with online ordering and home delivery]

If you want to have a restaurant deliver food to your home, there are a variety of delivery services you can choose from including Wolt, Dobar Tek and Glovo. In addition, there are many restaurants, most commonly pizzerias, that you can call directly who may deliver outside of these services.

How to get the COVID-19 vaccination in Croatia

In Croatia, everyone can get the COVID-19 vaccination free of charge including tourists and people without Croatian health insurance.

You can get the vaccine by subscribing to the vaccination list or immediately in certain scenarios. [Read: Prebivalište and boravište: two addresses that must be registered with the police]

Here are the ways to request the vaccination:

  • Over the phone at:
  • Contact your family doctor and request it. This is a good option for persons with chronic health conditions or at high risk.
  • Online – You can subscribe to the COVID-19 vaccination list online via “Cijepi se” registration system which is available here.
  • Contact HZJZ (County Institute for Public Health) closest to your residence. This option is best for those without HZZO insurance, Croatian OIB, or tourists/foreigners.
  • Pharmacies – Croatian pharmacies started to vaccinate against the COVID-19 in August. After you announce your arrival to the pharmacy, they will provide you with the term.
  • Mass vaccination points – They are available in the largest cities. Everyone can get their dose immediately upon arrival.
  • COVID-19 buses – COVID-19 buses can be found in smaller rural places according to the schedule. Get the vaccine on the spot, without a prior subscription to the vaccination list.

If you get on the vaccination list, you will then be notified via email, phone, or SMS when it is your turn.

If you go to a mass vaccination point/COVID-19 bus, you can get vaccinated immediately, without a prior appointment. A list of all current mass vaccination points in Croatia is available here.

You will then be notified via email, phone, or SMS when it is your turn.

[Read: How to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Croatia]

How to get the COVID-19 passport in Croatia

The COVID-19 passports, i.e. EU digital COVID certificates are available in Croatia. They can be obtained via e-Građani online app (digital form), HZZO (paper form), or at pharmacies (digital or paper form). [Read: HZZO List of local health insurance offices]

The COVID-19 passports are valid in the territory of the EU Member States and enable more flexible movement within the EU Member States. They are not required to cross the Croatian border, but they should make the whole entry process at the border faster and easier.

In Croatia, COVID-19 passports are available to Croatian residents and everyone who has been entered into the central database of the Croatian Ministry of Health after being vaccinated or upon the receipt of negative COVID-19 test results.

So far, non-residents of Croatia with a European health insurance card who were vaccinated in Croatia or tested in Croatia and got negative results can also get a COVID-19 passport. They are also available to nationals of the EU Member States and third-country nationals with a regulated stay in the EU/Croatia.

COVID-19 passports are available in three forms:

  • As a vaccination certificate – to persons who have been vaccinated against COVID-19
  • As a test certificate – to persons who tested negative for COVID-19 by a PCR or rapid antigen test
  • As a certificate of recovery – to persons who have recovered from COVID-19

[Read: How to get the COVID-19 passport in Croatia]

Where to get psychological support

If you feel mentally unwell and need psychological support, there are helplines specifically set up for those having trouble due to the pandemic and the Zagreb earthquake.

If you need to talk to someone, you can call either of these numbers every day from 8:00 to 20:00.

For general psychological help, you may call these numbers every day from 8:00 to 22:00.

More phone lines organized by counties are available here.

[Read: How to get psychological support due to the earthquakes or coronavirus]

How to report a business that isn’t following corona regulations

If you have noticed that someone doesn’t respect the rules for businesses prescribed by the Croatian government, you can report them to Državni inspektorat (State inspectorate). This is possible by filling out this form.

How to report a person violating mandatory self-isolation

We have all been under stress in the last year and a half. Everyone is taking care of each other, their family, relatives, friends, and colleagues. Additional stress comes when people with the virus or at risk of the virus break self-isolation, putting their community at risk.

If you know people who are supposed to be in quarantine but are not following the self-isolation rules, you can report them to the police:

See other COVID-19 articles

Sources:
Cijepljenje protiv COVID-19: Najčešća pitanja i odgovori
mup.gov.hr

Please note: Information provided by Expat in Croatia is only for the purposes of guidance. It does not constitute legal or financial advice in any form. Croatian laws and bureaucratic rules often change, and each personal case is individual, so different rules may apply. For legal advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian lawyer. For financial advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian tax advisor or accountant.

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