Published: 08.05.2026
Third-country nationals, including holders of permanent residence in Croatia, must use the “All Passports” lane rather than the EU/EEA/Swiss lane when crossing an external border. A valid residence permit allows visa-free short visits to other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; travellers should present both their passport and residence card.
According to the source, a residence card confirms visa-free entry and exemption from EES procedures, but it does not make the holder an EU citizen for border-control purposes. For people relocating to Croatia, the practical rule is to use the “All Passports” queue at external borders and present the passport together with a valid residence card. This is particularly relevant to third-country nationals who travel outside Croatia or around the Schengen Area. It is worth noting because choosing the wrong lane can cause delays, while the residence permit still preserves the right to make short visa-free trips in the rest of the Schengen Area.