What currency does Croatia use?

Croatia adopted the euro (EUR) on 1 January 2023, replacing the Croatian kuna. No currency exchange is needed for eurozone travellers. Cards are widely accepted but carry some cash for markets, small islands, small konobas, tips and parking.

Does Croatia use the euro?

Yes — Croatia adopted the euro on 1 January 2023. The Croatian kuna is no longer valid currency. Eurozone visitors need no currency exchange; all other visitors exchange to euros.

Can I use a card in Croatia?

Yes, cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops and tour operators in tourist areas. However, carry cash for smaller konobas, markets, small island businesses, parking meters, ferry kiosks, tips and rural areas.

Are there good ATMs in Croatia?

Yes — ATMs are plentiful in cities and coastal towns. Use bank ATMs (Erste, PBZ, ZABA, Splitska Banka). Avoid Euronet standalone yellow ATMs — they offer poor exchange rates and charge high fees.

Should I use my home currency or euros when paying by card?

Always choose to be charged in euros (EUR). If offered the option to pay in your home currency, decline — this is called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) and the exchange rate is much worse than your card's rate.

Can I exchange currency in Croatia?

Yes — exchange offices (mjenjačnica) operate in cities and tourist areas. Compare rates before exchanging. Banks generally offer fair rates. Avoid airport exchange desks for large amounts.

How much cash should I bring to Croatia?

Carrying €100–200 in cash is sensible for smaller expenses. You can withdraw more as needed from bank ATMs. Croatia is not a cash-heavy destination overall, but pure card travel leaves you exposed in some situations (small islands, tips, parking, markets).

Are there bank charges for using cards in Croatia?

Check with your bank before travel. Many UK, US and Australian bank cards charge foreign transaction fees of 1–3%. Fee-free travel cards (Wise, Revolut, Starling in the UK; Charles Schwab in the US) save significant money on longer trips.

Money in Croatia 2026 | Currency, ATMs, Cards & Cash Tips

Croatia’s currency: the euro

Croatia joined the eurozone on 1 January 2023, the same day it entered the Schengen Area. The Croatian kuna (kuna), in use since 1994, is now historical. The old dual-currency confusion that characterised Croatia for years — kuna prices, euro payments, kuna change — is gone.

For eurozone visitors, this makes Croatia seamless: no currency exchange, no conversion calculations, no risk of being given bad change in a currency you do not understand. For everyone else, it is a standard euro destination.

In practical terms: Euros are the currency of Croatia. All prices are in euros. All payments, change and ATM withdrawals are in euros.

Cards: where they work and where they do not

Croatia is increasingly card-friendly, but not universally so. Understanding where cards work and where cash is still needed prevents frustrating situations.

Cards accepted (usually)

Hotels and larger accommodation
Restaurants in tourist areas and cities
Chain supermarkets (Konzum, Spar, Lidl, Tommy)
Petrol stations
Tour operators and ticket offices (Plitvice, Krka, Dubrovnik walls)
Larger shops and souvenir retailers
Ferry terminals (Jadrolinija) for ticket purchases

Cash preferred or required

Small traditional konobas and local family restaurants
Markets and outdoor produce stalls (tržnica/pijaca)
Small island businesses (some accept cards, many prefer cash)
Parking meters and car parks (many are cash or app-based)
Ferry kiosks on smaller islands
Tips (always cash)
Small churches, local festivals, craft stalls
Rural areas and village shops

The rule of thumb: anything with “tourist infrastructure” will take a card; anything genuinely local may prefer cash.

ATMs in Croatia: the safe way

ATMs are plentiful in cities and tourist centres. On smaller islands or in rural areas, they may be scarce — plan accordingly.

Use bank ATMs

The following bank ATMs are safe and offer fair rates:

Erste Bank (blue/red branding) — widespread
PBZ (Privredna Banka Zagreb) — widespread
ZABA (Zagrebačka Banka) — widespread
Splitska Banka — common in Dalmatia
OTP Banka — present in larger towns

Avoid Euronet ATMs

Euronet operates a network of standalone yellow ATMs in tourist areas across Europe, including Croatia. These machines:

Offer exchange rates 5–15% worse than the real rate
Charge fixed fees (€3–5) on top of the poor rate
Are deliberately positioned near tourist spots to catch visitors unfamiliar with the local banking landscape

If an ATM is yellow, standalone (not in a bank), and offers a “convenient” rate in your home currency — walk on.

Decline Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)

At an ATM or card terminal, you may be offered the option to complete your transaction in your home currency (British pounds, US dollars, Australian dollars, etc.). This is called Dynamic Currency Conversion and it benefits the Croatian bank or merchant, not you. The conversion rate is typically 3–8% worse than your home bank’s rate.

Always choose: “Charge in EUR” or “Continue without conversion” or “No, pay in local currency.”

The best cards to use in Croatia

If you travel regularly, a fee-free travel card saves meaningful money.

For UK residents:

Starling Bank — no foreign transaction fees, good ATM allowance
Chase UK — no foreign transaction fees
Revolut — no fees up to monthly limit; extra fees above
Wise — good rates, small ATM fee above monthly threshold

For US residents:

Charles Schwab debit card — reimburses all ATM fees worldwide; excellent for travel
Capital One Venture (credit card) — no foreign transaction fees
Wise — multi-currency account, good rates

For Australian residents:

Wise and ING Australia are popular fee-free options

Using a standard bank card with 2–3% foreign transaction fees on a two-week Croatia trip at €1,500 total spend = €30–45 in fees that a travel card eliminates.

How much cash to carry

A reasonable amount to have available at any time in Croatia: €100–200.

You can withdraw more at any bank ATM. Having this amount covers:

Casual restaurant meals at konobas that prefer cash
Market shopping
Tips for guides, drivers, hotel housekeeping
Parking (where card not accepted)
Small island businesses
Incidentals

For a two-week trip, plan to withdraw €300–500 in cash over the course of the stay, depending on your eating habits and activities.

Currency exchange in Croatia

If you are arriving with foreign currency to exchange:

Banks offer the best rates (buy/sell spread similar to interbank). Open Monday–Friday, limited Saturday hours.
Exchange offices (mjenjačnica) — plentiful in tourist areas; rates vary. Check the rate and any commission before handing over money. Some display competitive rates but charge a flat fee that negates the benefit.
Airport exchange desks — convenient but typically poor rates. Avoid for large amounts. Withdraw from an airport ATM instead, or exchange only the minimum.
Hotels — usually offer poor rates and charge commission. Use only for small amounts in emergencies.

Best approach: Arrive with some euros in cash (€50–100) and withdraw more as needed from bank ATMs during your trip.

Paying for things in Croatia: practical notes

Splitting bills: Croatia restaurants rarely split bills. Pay the full amount and sort it among yourselves. Some will try; most will not.

VAT (PDV): Croatia’s standard VAT rate is 25% (reduced rates apply to some categories). Prices shown in menus and shops are final prices including VAT.

Receipts: By law, businesses must issue a receipt (račun) for every transaction. This has been enforced via the fiscalisation system since 2013. You should receive a receipt for every purchase.

Price negotiation: Not a Croatian norm for tourism. Private sobe (rooms in family homes) outside peak season sometimes allow negotiation, as do multi-night stays. Markets: the price is usually fixed.

Currency for tipping: Always tip in cash, directly to the person. See tipping in Croatia for amounts and customs.

Money safety

Croatia has very low violent crime. Card skimming at ATMs does exist, as in all of Europe — use covered keypads, check for unusual attachments on ATM card readers, and prefer ATMs physically attached to banks over standalone street machines.

If your card is lost or stolen:

Contact your bank immediately to block the card (most have 24-hour numbers and app options)
Report to local police if necessary for insurance purposes
Nearest replacement options: major cities (Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik) have bank branches that can assist

Travel insurance covering financial loss from card fraud is recommended.

Frequently asked questions about Money in Croatia

Does Croatia use the euro?
Yes — Croatia adopted the euro on 1 January 2023. The Croatian kuna is no longer valid currency. Eurozone visitors need no currency exchange; all other visitors exchange to euros.
Can I use a card in Croatia?
Yes, cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops and tour operators in tourist areas. However, carry cash for smaller konobas, markets, small island businesses, parking meters, ferry kiosks, tips and rural areas.
Are there good ATMs in Croatia?
Yes — ATMs are plentiful in cities and coastal towns. Use bank ATMs (Erste, PBZ, ZABA, Splitska Banka). Avoid Euronet standalone yellow ATMs — they offer poor exchange rates and charge high fees.
Should I use my home currency or euros when paying by card?
Always choose to be charged in euros (EUR). If offered the option to pay in your home currency, decline — this is called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) and the exchange rate is much worse than your card's rate.
Can I exchange currency in Croatia?
Yes — exchange offices (mjenjačnica) operate in cities and tourist areas. Compare rates before exchanging. Banks generally offer fair rates. Avoid airport exchange desks for large amounts.
How much cash should I bring to Croatia?
Carrying €100–200 in cash is sensible for smaller expenses. You can withdraw more as needed from bank ATMs. Croatia is not a cash-heavy destination overall, but pure card travel leaves you exposed in some situations (small islands, tips, parking, markets).
Are there bank charges for using cards in Croatia?
Check with your bank before travel. Many UK, US and Australian bank cards charge foreign transaction fees of 1–3%. Fee-free travel cards (Wise, Revolut, Starling in the UK; Charles Schwab in the US) save significant money on longer trips.