Driving from the UK to Croatia – border experiences
- by croatiaweek
- in News
On May 9, Croatia first eased some restrictions at the nation’s borders which had been imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Border crossings were open first and foremost for EU citizens and third-country citizens could still enter and cross Croatia only under certain conditions.
Since then, Croatia further eased measures for Slovenian nationals and on May 29, the country will open its borders for Slovak, Czech, Hungarian and Austrian citizens.
“Citizens from those countries can, for business reasons, owners of properties, vessels and so on, come to Croatia similar to Slovenians and without having to be in quarantine,” Tourism Minister Gary Cappelli said on Wednesday.
Croatian nationals, with either residence in or outside the country, can also freely enter the country.
Timotej Gošev, a Croatian Instagrammer based in the UK, decided to try his luck driving from England to Croatia this week. He shared his experience with his 47,000 followers on Instagram.
“If anyone is interested this was my experience driving from England to Croatia on 18-19 May 2020,” Timotej starts off explaining.
For this journey I had to travel through England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia to enter Croatia. Here was the border experience in each country. I was traveling with a British passport. 14-hour drive.
England – Asked to see and scan the passport and looked at car papers. I asked where are you traveling to and if I had Covid-19 at any time. Let me through. Then into the Euro tunnel to cross the sea.
France – Shockingly no French border control after exiting the Euro tunnel. There was nothing from the French on the English side too. Nothing going out.
Belgium – No border control. In and out.
Holland – No border control. In and out.
Germany – No border control. In and out.
Austria – Asked to see passport and car papers. I think they are only asking for car papers because it’s a nice car and I look too young to own it. Nothing on the way out.
Slovenia – The only country that checked passport on the way in and out. Nothing more.
Croatia – Like England checked AND scanned passport. Asked destination where I’m going to in Croatia. I was entering during morning hours. They didn’t ask for any other proofs for anything.
Other observations:
1. You must wear a mask to enter petrol stations everywhere.
2. The roads are almost empty of cars. Just trucks and lorries.
3. The women at the border controls were much more serious, and the men totally relaxed.
This was the experience. This does not mean you will 100% for sure have the same one. It’s also possible things change any day/week. This is why I believe it’s important for every country to provide daily updates for everyone on any changes.
