Budapest-Croatia travel boost: Croatia completes last section of A5 motorway – ceremonial opening tomorrow!
After years of anticipation, a continuous motorway link between Hungary and Croatia will soon be fully operational, marking a major milestone in regional transport and economic development. On Monday, 6 October 2025, the last section of Croatia’s A5 motorway connecting to Hungary’s M6 will be ceremonially opened at the border, with vehicle traffic starting from early Tuesday morning.
Final section of Croatia’s A5 motorway completed
The Hungarian M6 motorway near the Croatian border has been completed for over a year, with Hungarian officials eagerly awaiting the Croatian side to finish their work. The new Croatian section stretches 88 km from the border to Beli Manastir and represents a significant infrastructural and economic upgrade for eastern Croatia.
Hungarian MEP János Hargitai previously highlighted the importance of this connection, telling local media that the Hungarian part was ready long ago, and now “the ball is on the Croatian side”. Now that Croatia’s section is complete, cross-border travel will be dramatically improved.
Travel time between Budapest and Osijek reduced
The nearly EUR 46 million Croatian segment was built by Osijek-Koteks under contract with Hrvatske Autoceste and fully funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Key engineering feats include the 318-meter Karašica viaduct and multiple bridges and overpasses that overcome the challenging terrain.
This motorway connection significantly reduces travel time between Budapest and eastern Croatian cities like Osijek to under two hours. Moreover, it creates a vital transport corridor extending from Bosnia and Herzegovina through Croatia all the way to the Adriatic coast, enhancing economic ties and tourism.
Ceremonial opening on Monday
According to the Croatian Embassy in Hungary, the official opening ceremony will take place at 1:30 PM on Monday, 6 October 2025, on the border between the two countries. Vehicle traffic will commence on Tuesday, 7 October, from 6:00 AM, officially marking the full operational status of this essential link.
This development not only shortens journeys but also fosters regional collaboration, trade, and accessibility, benefiting Hungary, Croatia, and their neighbours. The long-awaited continuous motorway route creates new opportunities for commerce and mobility in Central and Southeast Europe, connecting capitals, cities, and countries more efficiently than ever before.
- Shorter travel between Budapest and Croatia: Final section of motorway is finally opening!
- The M6 in 2023: Hungarian motorway reaches Croatian border, runs into nowhere – PHOTOS
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