Croatia has met all the criteria necessary to join the Schengen Zone from January 1, 2023, PM Andrej Plenkovićconfirmed at a recent EU summit.
He added that a committee of the European Parliament was expected to give its approval in the coming weeks. The final go-ahead will then come from the European Union Justice and Home Affairs Council.
Plenković has also shown support for Bulgaria and Romania to join the Schengen Zone. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz agrees that the three Balkan nations all meet the requirements and has said he will work to see them all become full members.
The move is expected to provide a boost to Croatia’s tourism industry – facilitating travel for the 10 million Europeans who visit the country each year.
