Post: #1

The Schengen realm just grew, July 1, 2013.



With Croatia joining the EU, the areas inside EE to avoid the 90 day visa limit just shrank.

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Quote:The accession takes place at a time of economic difficulty with Croatia in a fifth year of recession with 21% unemployment, and amid the European sovereign-debt crisis.

As Croatia joined the EU, it exited the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA).

After Slovenia, Croatia was the second former Yugoslav republic to join the EU.

SOURCE

Post: #2

Croatia hasn't joined Schengen yet. It's at least 2 years before they sweep away their border posts.

Post: #3

Croatia isn't Eastern Europe, it's the Balkans. They aren't too keen with being confused.

Post: #4

Croatia was already visa free for European and American citizens. Countries willing to join the EU have to humiliate themselves and suspend the principle of reciprocity regarding visas (although Croatians haven't needed visa for Europe for several years, being a Vatican ally has these things).

Post: #5

The map above is of the EU, not the Schengen area. Most countries are in both but some countries are in the EU and not in Schengen and vice versa.
This is the Schengen Area map with Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia in the process of joining.