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Key Points

Croatia has started rolling out the EU's new Entry/Exit System for non-EU travelers entering the Schengen Area. The system requires biometric data collection including fingerprints and facial photographs during initial entry. This digital approach replaces traditional passport stamping and aims to make border crossings faster and more secure. The implementation comes as Croatia reports record tourism growth, with officials expecting another successful year in 2025.

Key Points: Croatia Launches EU EES Biometric Border System for Non-EU Travelers

  • Non-EU travelers must provide fingerprints and facial photos at first entry
  • System automatically records entry/exit times replacing passport stamps
  • Biometric verification speeds up subsequent border crossings for registered travelers
  • Full implementation expected by April 10 next year across all Croatian borders
3 min read

Croatia begins implementing new border system for non-EU travellers

Croatia implements new EU Entry/Exit System requiring biometric data from non-EU travelers for faster, more secure Schengen border crossings.

"This year, we have achieved record tourism results so far - Tonci Glavina, Croatian Minister of Tourism and Sports"

Zagreb, Oct 12

Croatia on Sunday began implementing the European Union's (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES), a digital border management system for non-EU travellers entering or leaving the Schengen Area, Croatian media reported.

According to the Ministry of the Interior, cited by Croatia Week, non-EU nationals will be required to provide biometric data - including fingerprints and a facial photograph - in addition to their passport upon first entry into Croatia or any Schengen country. The data will be securely stored for future crossings.

Instead of border officers stamping passports, the EES will automatically record each traveller's personal details, passport information, and entry and exit times, Xinhua News Agency reported. It will also log any refusals of entry into Croatia or the wider Schengen Area.

For subsequent entries, travellers' identities will be verified by comparing a live facial image with their stored biometric profile, making the process faster and more secure. The system does not apply to EU citizens, including Croatians, who will continue to cross borders using a passport or national ID card without submitting biometric data.

The new system will be introduced gradually across all of Croatia's international border crossings, in line with the EU-wide rollout, and is expected to become fully operational by April 10 next year, the report said.

On October 7, Croatian Minister of Tourism and Sports Tonci Glavina said that tourist arrivals and overnight stays in Croatia rose by more than five per cent in September compared with the same month last year, respectively, signaling a potential new record for the country's tourism industry in 2025.

"This year, we have achieved record tourism results so far, with about two per cent more tourist arrivals and around one percent more overnight stays than last year," Glavina said in a statement, adding that this growth was not achieved only during the two peak summer months, but began in the pre-season and has now continued into the post-season.

Glavina said the figures demonstrate the sustained quality of post-season tourism in Croatia and indicate that "a new record year is expected."

He added that the results reflect ongoing efforts to transform the tourism sector by reducing seasonality and promoting balanced development across regions and throughout the year. The ministry aims to boost travel during the pre- and post-season while ensuring simultaneous growth in revenue and profitability, he noted.

Tourism remains one of the pillars of the Croatian economy, accounting for roughly one-fifth of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Rohit P
Another layer of bureaucracy for Indian travelers. First visa, now biometric data collection. While security is important, this feels like we're being treated differently than EU citizens. The tourism numbers show they need us too!
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Ananya R
Croatia is such a beautiful destination! Dubrovnik and Plitvice Lakes are absolutely stunning. Glad to see they're working on reducing seasonality - would love to visit during shoulder season when it's less crowded. 🇭🇷✨
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Sarah B
The biometric system seems efficient, but I'm concerned about data privacy. What happens if there's a breach? Also, the gradual implementation until April next year might cause confusion for travelers. Better communication needed.
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Vikram M
Good move for security, but hope this doesn't discourage Indian tourists. Croatia has become quite popular among Indian travelers in recent years. The 20% GDP from tourism shows how crucial visitors are for their economy.
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Michael C
Interesting to see EU's digital border management in action. The facial recognition for subsequent entries could really speed things up. Hope other countries learn from this implementation. Technology should make travel easier, not harder.

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