by InTrieste
Croatia rang in two historic changes with the new year, as the European Union’s youngest member joined both the EU’s border-free Schengen zone and the euro common currency.
At the Bregana border crossing with neighbouring Slovenia, police took down signs at midnight and a barrier was lifted up for the last time, before a placard reading “free passage” was installed, symbolising the end of border checks.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who hailed it as “a day to celebrate”.
Trieste’s dwellers favorite summer destination has just gotten easier to access as there will no longer be passport border controls. However, this move comes with drawbacks for some expats.
“I stayed in Croatia for a month before returning to Europe last summer. As an American digital nomad I am only allowed to stay in Europe for 90 days, so Croatia was a perfect place “to take a break””, an American expat told us.
Croatia, which entered the EU in 2013, becomes the 27th country to join the Schengen area, and the 20th to adopt the euro currency.
BOSNIA is not far away. Enjoy !