ETIAS and EES are two new systems for controlling the European Union's external borders, and EU citizens, including Croatians, need neither of them. EES (Entry/Exit System) has been fully operational since 10 April 2026 and records the face and fingerprints of travellers from outside the EU instead of stamping their passports. ETIAS is a 20-euro travel authorisation for nationals of 59 visa-free countries, such as the UK, the US, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, but it still has no start date. Croatians travelling outside the EU need similar permits from other countries: the UK ETA for Britain (20 pounds) and ESTA for the US (40.62 dollars).
This guide to ETIAS and EES is for visitors to Croatia from outside the EU, for Croatians travelling abroad and for hosts whose guests come from non-EU countries. We explain what ETIAS and EES mean in practice, what has changed at Croatian borders and how much e-permits cost for trips outside Europe. The data were checked on the official EU website travel-europe.europa.eu in October 2026.
Quick Overview: ETIAS and EES 2027
| # | System | Who needs it | Cost | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EES | Non-EU travellers on short stays | Free | Running since 10 Apr 2026 |
| 2 | EES in Croatia | 77 border crossings | - | Fully applied since 1 Mar 2026 |
| 3 | ETIAS | Nationals of 59 visa-free countries | 20 EUR | Start date not announced |
| 4 | ETIAS for Croatians and EU citizens | Not needed | - | - |
| 5 | Fake ETIAS websites | All travellers | - | ETIAS cannot be bought yet |
| 6 | UK ETA | Croatians and EU citizens going to the UK | 20 GBP | Required since 2 Apr 2025 |
| 7 | ESTA | Croatians going to the US | 40.62 USD | Required |
1. What EES is and how it works at the border
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Of the two systems, ETIAS and EES, EES came first. It is an electronic system that records every entry and exit of non-EU travellers on a short stay, up to 90 days in any 180. It was launched on 12 October 2025, rolled out gradually over six months, and since 10 April 2026 it has been fully operational at more than 1,800 external border crossings, according to the EU agency eu-LISA. Passport stamping ended on the same day.
The system is used by 29 European countries, all members of the Schengen area. Cyprus and Ireland are not in EES and still stamp passports by hand. On first entry the traveller gives a facial image, and visa-exempt travellers also give four fingerprints. Children under 12 are not fingerprinted. Anyone who refuses to provide biometric data is refused entry.
| What EES records | How long |
|---|---|
| Passport data, face, fingerprints | 3 years and 1 day from last exit |
| Date and place of entry and exit | 3 years |
| Overstay (no exit recorded) | 5 years |
Pros: no more stamps or manual counting of days; the system calculates the 90/180 rule itself
Cons: first registration takes longer, which caused long queues at the start
Our opinion: If you are coming to Croatia from outside the EU for the first time since April 2026, expect a longer check on your first entry. After that, crossings are faster because only a verification is needed.
2. EES in Croatia: 77 crossings and queues at Bajakovo
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As everywhere in the EU, of ETIAS and EES only EES is running in Croatia so far, at all 77 international border crossings. Croatia began full application on 1 March 2026, more than a month ahead of the deadline. Mobile biometric readers are used at land crossings, and Split Airport has pre-registration kiosks and automatic gates. Interior Minister Davor Božinović said in August 2026 that since the system was introduced, 7,771 travellers had been refused or prevented from entering Croatia, about 15 percent of all refusals in the EU.
The first day of full application, 10 April 2026, coincided with the long weekend before Orthodox Easter. Queues of several hours formed at crossings with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, up to three hours at Bajakovo. According to the Croatian border police, checking one traveller takes about 70 seconds. Crossings to Slovenia and Hungary, such as Bregana, are internal Schengen borders and have no EES.
Pros: Croatia applied the system fully from 1 March 2026, a month ahead of the EU deadline, and EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner called it a leader in implementation
Cons: during holidays and the summer season, waits at the borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia can last for hours
Our opinion: If you are driving or taking a bus into Croatia from Bosnia and Herzegovina or Serbia, avoid holiday weekends. EU passengers are checked quickly, but they sit in the same queue.
3. What ETIAS is and when it starts
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ETIAS is a travel authorisation that nationals of visa-free countries will have to obtain online before travelling to 30 European countries: the 29 Schengen members plus Cyprus. It is not a visa but a pre-travel screening, similar to the US ESTA. It is valid for 3 years or until the passport expires, for unlimited trips.
The ETIAS start date has not yet been announced. In July 2026 the official EU website removed its earlier reference to "the last quarter of 2026" and now says only that the date will be announced several months in advance. Croatian Interior Minister Božinović said in July 2026 that the start is expected in early 2027. After launch there will be a transition period of at least six months, followed by a grace period of at least another six months.
Pros: most applications will be approved within minutes, and one authorisation lasts three years
Cons: if extra checks are needed, the deadline is four days, which can be extended by up to 14 days if more information is requested, or up to 30 days with an interview
Our opinion: ETIAS has been delayed for years, so do not plan around media announcements. The real date will appear on travel-europe.europa.eu several months in advance.
4. ETIAS: cost and who needs it
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ETIAS will cost 20 euros. The European Commission raised the fee from 7 to 20 euros in July 2025. People under 18 and over 70 are exempt from the fee, but they still need their own authorisation. Children do not travel on a parent's ETIAS.
ETIAS is needed by nationals of 59 countries that enter the EU without a visa. For tourism in Croatia the most relevant are:
| Country | Needs ETIAS |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes |
| US, Canada, Australia | Yes |
| Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro | Yes |
| North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo | Yes |
| Croatia and other EU member states | No |
| Turkey | No, a visa is required |
Croatian and other EU citizens do not need ETIAS. People with dual citizenship, for example Croatian and Bosnian, must enter the EU on their Croatian passport.
Pros: 20 euros for three years of travel is cheaper than the British ETA or the US ESTA
Cons: every person, including children, needs a separate authorisation, so a family has to fill in several applications
Our opinion: If you hold dual citizenship, check the validity of your EU passport before travelling. The EU explicitly asks dual nationals to enter on the passport of a member state.
5. Fake ETIAS websites: how to spot them
Photo: Pavel Danilyuk, Pexels
Some people are making good money from the confusion around ETIAS and EES. ETIAS is not running today, so nobody can sell it. Yet there are many websites with names like "etias-..." that charge for an "application" or "help with applying". The EU explicitly warns about unofficial sites on its website. The only official address is travel-europe.europa.eu/etias, and once the system launches, applications will be made there or through the official app.
The same applies to the UK ETA and ESTA. Apply for the British ETA on gov.uk and for ESTA on esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Intermediaries may add their own service charges on top of the official fee.
Pros: official websites are simple and do not require an intermediary
Cons: unofficial sites often look official and even use the EU logo
Our opinion: Check the address in your browser before paying. For the EU it must end in europa.eu, for the UK in gov.uk, and for the US in dhs.gov.
6. UK ETA: required for Croatians visiting Britain
Photo: Matheus Bertelli, Pexels
ETIAS and EES do not affect Croatians, but a British system similar to ETIAS certainly does. Since 2 April 2025, EU citizens, including Croatians, need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK. It costs 20 pounds and is valid for 2 years or until the passport expires, for unlimited trips and stays of up to 6 months, according to gov.uk.
Every person needs an ETA, including babies. A decision usually arrives within one day but can take up to three working days, and the fee is not refunded. A passport is also required for the UK, because ID cards of EU citizens have not been accepted since 1 October 2021.
Pros: one ETA covers two years of trips to London for concerts, matches or study visits
Cons: you cannot enter without a passport, and ETAs for a family of four cost 80 pounds
Our opinion: Apply for your ETA at least three working days before your flight, not at the airport. Without an approved ETA you cannot travel.
7. ESTA for the US and other e-permits
Photo: DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ, Pexels
Croatia is part of the US Visa Waiver Program, so Croatians need ESTA instead of a visa for the US. It costs 40.62 dollars (CBP switch scheduled for 16 October 2026, previously 40.27) and is valid for 2 years or until the passport expires, for stays of up to 90 days per trip.
| E-permit | For | Cost | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK ETA | United Kingdom | 20 GBP | 2 years |
| ESTA | United States | 40.62 USD | 2 years |
| eTA | Canada (arriving by air) | 7 CAD | - |
| eVisitor 651 | Australia | free | stays up to 3 months |
| ETIAS | EU, for non-EU nationals | 20 EUR | 3 years |
Pros: Croatians need no traditional visa for the US, Canada or Australia, only an online permit
Cons: each country has its own system, fee and validity, so they must be tracked separately
Our opinion: Apply for ESTA as soon as you buy your ticket, because a refused application means applying for a visa at the embassy. Also check your passport's validity, because a new passport needs a new ESTA.
Conclusion: ETIAS and EES in 2027
ETIAS and EES change nothing for EU citizens travelling within the EU: you travel with your ID card or passport, without biometrics or authorisation. The changes affect visitors from the UK, the US, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, who have gone through EES since April 2026 and will need a 20-euro authorisation once ETIAS starts. For your own trips outside the EU, get the UK ETA and ESTA ready.
| If you are | What to do |
|---|---|
| An EU citizen travelling within the EU | Nothing, an ID card or passport is enough |
| A Croatian going to the UK | Passport and UK ETA (20 GBP) |
| A Croatian going to the US | Passport and ESTA (40.62 USD) |
| A host with non-EU guests | Tell guests about EES and, once it starts, about ETIAS |
| A visitor from the UK, US, Serbia or BiH | Expect EES now and ETIAS later |
Before travelling, see our guide to vignettes and tolls, our comparison of travel insurance and luggage trackers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Croatian citizens need ETIAS?
No. ETIAS is only for nationals of non-EU countries that enter the EU without a visa, such as the UK, the US, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Croatians travel within the EU with an ID card or passport. People with dual citizenship must enter the EU on their Croatian passport.
How much does ETIAS cost and how long is it valid?
ETIAS will cost 20 euros and will be valid for 3 years or until the passport expires, for unlimited trips. People under 18 and over 70 do not pay, but they still need an authorisation. ETIAS cannot be bought before the system starts.
When does ETIAS start?
No official date has been announced. In July 2026 the EU withdrew its reference to the end of 2026, and Croatian Interior Minister Božinović expects a start in early 2027. The date will be announced several months in advance, and launch will be followed by a transition period of at least six months.
What is EES and does it apply to EU citizens?
EES is a system that records entries and exits of non-EU travellers, with a facial image and fingerprints, instead of passport stamps. It has been fully operational since 10 April 2026. It does not apply to Croatian or other EU citizens, who cross the border as before.
Do Croatians need a UK ETA to visit Britain?
Yes. Since 2 April 2025 Croatians need an ETA to enter the UK, which costs 20 pounds and is valid for 2 years. A passport is also required, because an ID card has not been enough since 2021. Every person needs an ETA, including children.
How do you spot fake ETIAS websites?
ETIAS is not running yet, so any website charging for it today is not official. The only official address is travel-europe.europa.eu/etias. For the UK ETA and ESTA use gov.uk and esta.cbp.dhs.gov, because intermediaries add extra charges.
How we researched
We checked the data on ETIAS and EES on the official EU website travel-europe.europa.eu and on the websites of the European Commission and eu-LISA. Croatian figures on border crossings and refused entries come from statements by the Croatian Interior Minister reported by Index.hr. Prices for the UK ETA, ESTA, Canadian eTA and Australian eVisitor were checked on the official websites of those countries. The data were checked on 19 October 2026. We will update this article when the EU announces the ETIAS start date.
Sources and references
- Travel Europe - What is the EES
- Travel Europe - EES FAQ
- Travel Europe - What is ETIAS
- Travel Europe - ETIAS will cost EUR 20
- Travel Europe - unofficial ETIAS websites
- eu-LISA - EES and digital border management
- GOV.UK - Electronic travel authorisation
- CBP - ESTA FAQ
- Index.hr - EU Commissioner praises Croatia over EES
- Index.hr - Queues at Bajakovo
- SchengenVisaInfo - ETIAS has no launch date
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Cover photo: Marta Branco, Pexels