If everything goes according to plan, the controls between Slovenia and Croatia will be history on January 1st. But there is still an element of uncertainty.
Those who travel to the Balkans to visit relatives over New Year’s Eve could already have free travel on the return journey at the border between Croatia and Slovenia. Especially in the summer months, around the edges of school holidays and major public holidays, you traditionally have to be patient. Up until 2013, this was an external EU border, since then “only” an external border of the Schengen area.
However, this fact required meticulous border controls. This should end on January 1st. It is already clear that on that day the Kuna was no longer used as a means of payment. The changeover to the euro is already set in stone – even if it was accompanied by some turbulence.
EU Parliament gave the green light
Joining the Schengen area, which entails completely unrestricted movement of people and a unification of the judicial system, is a bit more complicated. The EU Parliament confirmed this week that Croatia also fully meets these conditions. All existing members now have to agree unanimously.
The Schengen expansion will then take effect on land and sea at the turn of the year, and in air traffic on March 26, 2023. There are only reservations from the country at whose border there is always the longest queue: Slovenia.
border dispute
At times there was even a threat of a veto, because there is an outstanding border dispute with Croatia. This is even visible on Google Maps, where a narrow border strip on the Adriatic Sea is only drawn with double dashed lines. An arbitral award under EU patronage was issued years ago in this matter, but Croatia never implemented it.
Nevertheless, Slovenia recently signaled again that it was “in principle” in favor of Croatia joining the Schengen. However, the final decision on this should be made in Parliament, it was explained with reference to the national interests that also go hand in hand with that border dispute.
