On December 14, the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Croatia on introducing  amendments to the Agreement on Mutual Visits by Citizens of the Russian Federation and Citizens of the Republic of Croatia (hereinafter the Agreement) enters into force.

Due to the new agreement, Russia and Croatia will maintain the prior bilateral visa policy that differs significantly from that adopted in most EU countries. The amendments include visa-free entry, transit and stay for up to 90 days during any 180 day period for crew members of civilian aircraft and ships, emergency rescue teams in case of emergency and natural disasters, and holders of service passports travelling on short business trips. Visa-free entry and stay in the host country is granted to citizens who have a temporary or permanent residence permit, as well as to employees serving with diplomatic missions (both with diplomatic and service passports) for their entire accreditation period.

The new agreement also nullifies the requirements that have ceased to be applied in our bilateral practice since Croatia joined the European Union and acceded to the 2006 Agreement between the European Community and the Russian Federation on the facilitation of the issuance of visas to citizens of the European Union and the Russian Federation on July 1, 2013.

The Agreement is aimed at strengthening friendly relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Croatia and the development of mutually beneficial contacts in various areas of bilateral cooperation.