Jan. 1 () –
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, applauded this Sunday “the immense achievements” that have led to Croatia’s incorporation into the eurozone and the Schengen area, made official this Sunday, as a moment of deepening its relations with the European bloc, both in general and on a daily basis among the communities that make it up.
“What a great success for the people of Croatia,” Von der Leyen assured during her visit, accompanied by the Croatian Prime Minister, Andrej Plenkovic. “I know how hard you worked for this day to come,” she told the president on a day of “joy and pride.”
With the change from the kuna, hitherto the national currency, to the euro, Croatia becomes the 20th state to share a common currency. The last country to join the euro was Lithuania, in 2015.
Croatia had to comply with a series of fiscal and economic governance rules to adopt the single currency. The exchange rate will be 7.5345 kunas per euro, and the exchange will be free until the end of 2023 in all banks in the country.
Likewise, Von der Leyen has applauded that “the next generations of Croats will grow up in Schengen” and that “fluid travel will allow communities to remain more united.”
“Now we have to work to preserve the benefits of Schengen. To improve our common home and make it an even safer place,” he declared.
The last expansion of the Schengen area was in 2011, when Liechtenstein was included. With its incorporation, Croatian citizens will be able to move around the Schengen area without a passport.
Both the currency exchange and its inclusion in the Schengen area could mean a tourist ‘boom’ for Croatia, which attracts tourists for its beaches along the Adriatic coast and for the medieval city of Dubrovnik.
The removal of controls at the borders with Slovenia and Hungary and for ferries to Italy will also facilitate the arrival of tourists and business travelers. However, people who arrive in the country by plane will not benefit from the advantages of the Schengen area until March 26.
