New Border Security System Implemented at Croatian Crossings

The news in Croatian

1. sustav  (m.)
   Skup međusobno povezanih elemenata koji djeluju zajedno. ↩︎
2. granica  (f.)
   Zamišljena linija koja razdvaja dvije države ili područja. ↩︎
3. putovnica  (f.)
   Dokument koji služi kao osobna isprava kod putovanja u inozemstvu. ↩︎
4. otisak  (m.)
   Znak ili trag koji nastaje pritiskom objekta na površinu. ↩︎
5. prijelaz  (m.)
   Mjesto ili postupak prelaska s jedne strane na drugu. ↩︎
6. dozvola  (f.)
   Službeno odobrenje za obavljanje neke radnje. ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What is used instead of passport stamps in the new border system in Croatia?

Question 2: Who might be exempt from the new entry/exit system at Croatian borders?

Vocabulary

Croatian	English
sustav  (m.)	system
granica  (f.)	border
putovnica  (f.)	passport
otisak  (m.)	print
prijelaz  (m.)	crossing
dozvola  (f.)	permit

Read the full story

A new European Union Entry/Exit System (EES) has been recently introduced at border crossings in Croatia, affecting travellers from non-EU countries. The system, which became operational on Sunday, replaces the outdated passport stamping method with advanced biometric recordings, requiring non-EU citizens to submit their fingerprints and facial images upon entry.

The change aims to streamline border processes and enhance security across the EU. Initially, the EES is operational for limited hours daily to prevent bottlenecks while allowing border authorities to adapt. By April next year, it is expected to be fully operational around the clock. During the first trial phase, authorities managed to record 117 biometric dossiers in just four hours at the Croatia Kostajnica border crossing, as reported by Mladen Savurdić, Head of the Border Department in the Sisak-Moslavina Police Administration.

While the rollout has generally been smooth, with travellers like Milka from Bosanska Kostajnica reporting positive experiences, there are concerns about potential queues especially at high-traffic crossings. The EES mandates that travellers initially undergo a full biometric scan, with subsequent entries being expedited due to already stored data.

Notably, individuals with EU residency permits or work visas, as well as certain long-stay visas, are exempt from this new protocol. However, some confusion arose concerning vehicle lanes at the borders, leading to fines if non-EU passport holders mistakenly entered lanes designated for EU nationals.

Looking ahead, Croatian authorities and their EU counterparts are optimistic that this phased implementation will set a standard for secure and efficient processing of travellers, thereby preventing overstays and enhancing overall border security. Additionally, there is anticipation for the integration of the ETIAS system, poised to facilitate even further secure travel across Europe’s Schengen Area.

Info: ‘Croatian Learner News’ is a service from ‘Let’s Learn Croatian’, a language school dedicated to teaching the Croatian language. We offer various online courses designed to enhance your Croatian language learning experience.