Croatia on 1 January joins Schengen, Eurozone zone

From this Sunday, the Schengen area's external borders move away to Croatia's border with Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.

It will impact millions of people during holidays, travelling through Croatia to Western Balkan countries.

They will no longer stop at border controls in Slovenia or Hungary, as entry into Croatia means entry into the Schengen area.

In that case, from entry into Croatian territory to Norway, there are no borders.

Otherwise, Croatia's border on Serbia, Bosnia and Montenegro -- that is, the European Union's longest external land border.

On the same day, on January 1st 2023, Croatia adopts the euro as a state currency.

In a two-week transitional period, it could cost euros, but also the up-to-date currency -- the Croatian kuna -- for payment in kuna -- the change returns to euros. This allows for progressive withdrawal of the kuna from circulation.

All of this came to Croatia in less than ten years, I consider that it was the new EU member state, where it landed on July 1st 2013.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leeyen on 1 January will stay in Croatia for state achievements and dual success in full Eurozone integration, as well as Schengen.