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Comment by WesternWind | Hacker News Reader

I mean entering into the passport free zone seems like it opens up a lot of opportunities.

Keep in mind that Schengen mostly affects visa-free tourism. The EUs single market freedom of movement (which massively expands opportunities) is a different, unrelated concept.

Yes, and Croatia is a nice target for tourism from its northern EU neighbors, so reducing friction for that is a boost to economy.

Thats true. Albeit, having 20% of your GDP depending on tourism is a not a great situation to be in.

On the downside, if you're a long-term tourist inside Schengen, your 90 day limit over last 180d rolling window now includes Croatia. Can't "earn" more days in Schengen by spending time in Croatia.

Hopefully nobody asks for proof of all my "visits" to Andorra ;)

Mostly it means avoiding hours-long tailbacks at border crossings for tourists.

Not having to deal with surly border guards is also a significant bonus.

heh, driving into Croatia. Hand over passports to the first guy, answer a few questions and we drive off. See guy in the rear-view yelling and waving his arms at us.

Turns out that immigration is at the booth, then the guy standing around ahead is the customs guy you're supposed pull ahead and stop for. Oops.

Looking forward to using some of the "EU traffic only" backroads crossings into Croatia that were inaccessible to me.

You can do one without the other.

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