Notice to travellers of the use of marked traffic lanes at border crossing points following the establishment of the EES system

In the context of establishing the new European Entry/Exit System (EES), the Ministry of the Interior is informing travellers about the correct use of marked traffic lanes at border crossing points. These rules apply to all persons crossing the external border of the Republic of Croatia, a member of the Schengen area

Photo: Ilustration 

The use of marked traffic lanes at border crossing points of the Member States of the Schengen area is prescribed in Article 10 of the Schengen Borders Code (Regulation (EU) 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016).

Use of the “EU, EEA, CH” lanes

Traffic lanes marked with “EU, EEA, CH” sign are intended for persons enjoying the right of free movement under European Union law, namely:
 

• nationals of the Republic of Croatia and of other European Union Member States, the European Economic Area (Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein), and the Swiss Confederation;
• third-country nationals who are members of the family of third-country nationals enjoying the right of free movement under Union law (holders of residence permits for family members);
• third-country nationals who are not holders of residence permits for family members and are subject to the EES, travelling in the company of a close family member who is a national of the Republic of Croatia/EU/EEA/CH (e.g. a national of Bosnia and Herzegovina travelling with a close family member who is a national of the Republic of Croatia/EU).

Use of the “All passports” lanes

The lane marked with the “All passports” sign must be used by all other third-country nationals, namely:
 

• third-country nationals who do not have regulated residence in the EU and are subject to registration in the EES system (lanes marked with supplementary EES signs);
• third-country nationals who are not subject to registration in the EES because they hold valid residence permits or long-stay visas issued by Member States of the Schengen area (e.g. working in the Member States), will be directed to an additional lane marked with an “All passports” sign at border crossing points where the infrastructure allows. This lane will be opened during periods of increased traffic. Police officers will direct them to these lanes.This way, police officers actively manage traffic and facilitate a faster border crossings while fully respecting security standards and external border control rules.

Third-country nationals using the “EU, EEA, CH” lanes without being entitled to do so will be subject to misdemeanour provisions laid down in Article 12 of the Road Traffic Safety Act (failing to comply with traffic signs).

Conclusion

As a Member State of the Schengen area, the Republic of Croatia implements uniform border control rules, and police officers take all necessary measures on a daily basis to ensure that travellers can cross the state border safely, lawfully, and as smoothly as possible, while consistently applying European regulations.

More information about the Entry/Exit System (EES) is available on the website EES - Frequently Asked Questions.

More about the National Facilitation Programme.

 

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