According to the German embassy in Zagreb, Croatia has allowed owners of yachts with permanent berths to enter the country since May 11th. However, they have to prove this upon entry at the border. The berth contract and the international boat license should therefore be carried with you. The 14-day quarantine in Croatia, which previously applied after crossing the border, has now also been suspended, according to the embassy online.
The Austrian service provider SeHelp is already reporting on its website about the first Austrian owners who have successfully traveled to their boats. Allegedly, it was also discussed between the ministries that relaxations for charter crews should apply shortly. However, these have not yet been definitively published. As soon as this happens, nothing stands in the way of the start of the charter season in Croatia.
How exactly the requirements for the charter bases will look like is still unclear. Klaus Pitter from Pitter Yachting told YACHT: “Our staff has been back at the bases since last week and we are ready for the season. We have developed a concept for the disinfection of the yachts and also the handovers. Now we're just waiting for the Croatians to go."
The easing had been announced for some time, but the problem that German owners and charter customers had so far was the 14-day quarantine that the German government has imposed on returnees from abroad. It is now beginning to crumble: NRW was the first federal state to suspend the regulation today. Other state governments announced that they want to follow the step shortly. Owners and charter crews should therefore inform themselves about the current status at their place of residence before traveling to Croatia.
Spain has also announced concrete easing. According to the cruiser department, all nautical activities including chartering should be allowed from June 8th. From May 25, owners with berths in Spain are allowed to visit their boats, but a 14-day quarantine was surprisingly imposed until May 24, which owners must meet when entering the country. So far, however, Spain has not officially allowed foreigners to enter the country again. So owners have to be patient until May 25th, probably until June 8th. Then the charter should also be possible under certain conditions. How exactly they should look is still unclear.