According to the German embassy in Zagreb, Croatia has allowed owners of yachts with permanent moorings to enter the country since 11 May. However, they must provide proof of this when entering the country at the border. The mooring contract and the international boat licence should therefore be carried. 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 Sea Help reports here has already reported on its website that the first Austrian owners have successfully travelled to their boats. It is also rumoured that the ministries have discussed relaxing the rules for charter crews in the near future. However, these have not yet been finalised. As soon as this happens, nothing will stand in the way of the start of the charter season in Croatia.
It is still unclear exactly what the requirements for the charter bases will be. Klaus Pitter from Pitter Yachting told YACHT: "Our staff have 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 go-ahead from the Croatians."
The easing of restrictions had been announced some time ago, but the problem that German owners and charter customers had until now was the 14-day quarantine imposed by the German government on people returning from abroad. This is now beginning to crumble: NRW was the first federal state to suspend the regulation today. Other state governments have announced their intention to follow suit in the near future. Owners and charter crews should therefore find out about the current situation at their place of residence before travelling to Croatia.
Spain has also announced a concrete relaxation. According to the cruiser department, all nautical activities, including chartering, will be permitted from 8 June. From 25 May, owners with moorings in Spain will be allowed to access their boats, but a 14-day quarantine was unexpectedly imposed until 24 May, which owners must comply with when entering the country. However, Spain has not yet officially allowed foreigners to enter the country again. Owners will therefore have to be patient until at least 25 May, and more likely until 8 June. Chartering should then also be possible under certain conditions. It is still unclear exactly what these will look like.
Andreas Fritsch
Editor Travel
