Published on
October 6, 2025
With the completion of the last section of the A5 motorway, which connects Croatia directly to Hungary, Croatia’s transport network has reached an important stage. The final section, an essential 88-km stretch connecting from the border to Beli Manastir, is finished, and travel times will be reduced significantly between cities in both Croatia and Hungary. The new road connection will also help with the flow of people and goods across borders, as well as enable better regional tourism, as it makes it easier to travel from Hungary to eastern Croatia and vice versa.
Scheduled for a ceremonial opening on 6 October 2025, this section will become fully operational for vehicles starting 7 October, allowing motorists to drive seamlessly from Hungary to Osijek, Croatia’s fourth-largest city, in under two hours. This new development is expected to significantly impact travel efficiency and foster greater connectivity between Budapest and Osijek, both important urban hubs in the region.
Major Infrastructure Milestone for Croatia and Hungary
The motorway upgrade has been highly anticipated in both Hungary and Croatia. The M6 motorway on the Hungarian side of the border has been operational for over a year, with officials from both countries eager for the completion of Croatia’s section. The completed A5 motorway now offers a continuous and faster connection, linking Budapest to eastern Croatian cities like Osijek. This connectivity improvement represents a leap forward for cross-border tourism, trade, and overall accessibility between the two countries.
The completion of the final segment of the motorway is part of Croatia’s broader efforts to enhance its infrastructure, making travel more accessible and efficient for both local commuters and international tourists. This section, valued at nearly EUR 46 million, was constructed by Osijek-Koteks, with funding from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The project showcases the European Union’s role in supporting infrastructure development, enhancing economic growth and fostering smoother movement within the region.
A Boost for Tourism and Regional Mobility
The new motorway section is expected to be a game-changer for tourism in both Hungary and Croatia. By shortening travel time between Budapest and Osijek, this road improvement opens up new opportunities for tourists to explore the rich history, culture, and natural beauty of both destinations. It creates a direct route to Croatia’s scenic regions and historic cities, providing greater access for Hungarian tourists and travellers from other neighbouring countries.
One of the standout engineering features of the A5 motorway is the 318-metre Karašica viaduct, alongside several other bridges and overpasses, designed to traverse challenging terrain. The new motorway, with its strategic significance, is also part of a broader effort to improve the accessibility of areas that were previously harder to reach, such as Osijek, making the region more attractive for tourists seeking to experience Croatia’s cultural heritage, gastronomy, and natural landscapes.
For tourists visiting Budapest, this new route offers a seamless connection to explore Osijek and beyond, further positioning eastern Croatia as a key destination in the growing Balkans tourism market.
Ceremony and Future Prospects
The official unveiling of the final section will take place at 1:30 PM on 6 October 2025 at the border between Hungary and Croatia, with a festive ceremony marking the completion of the long-awaited motorway link. On 7 October, traffic will begin to flow freely on the new road, officially making the Budapest-Osijek route a fully operational highway for vehicles.
Hungarian officials, including Member of the European Parliament János Hargitai, have previously noted the importance of this project in enhancing cross-border mobility and further integrating Hungary with its southern neighbours. The opening of the A5 motorway marks a significant step toward a more connected and accessible Central and Southeast European region, reinforcing the importance of infrastructure in tourism and regional economic development.
In the years ahead, this motorway will play a crucial role in easing travel between the two countries and in supporting a broadening tourist market that connects both Hungary and Croatia to the European Union and the rest of the world.
New Motorway Link Brings Opportunities for Travel and Tourism
The opening of the last section of the A5 motorway across the border between Hungary and Croatia is an exciting new development that will provide a quicker and smoother way to travel between Budapest and Osijek. It will not only improve tourism flows but also assist business travellers and tourists alike to experience the beautiful natural landscape and rich cultural heritage of Eastern Croatia and Hungary. As the region becomes more accessible, the A5 motorway heralds a new phase for Central and Southeast Europe that is connected and tourism-friendly.
