Croatia, as a member of the European Union, joined the economic and monetary union and adopted the euro as its official currency on January 1, 2023, replacing the Croatian kuna. The euro (EUR) is now the sole legal tender in Croatia, with banknotes available in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 euros, and coins ranging from 1 cent to 2 euros. Although the 500-euro banknote was discontinued in 2019, it remains legal tender in Croatia.
Croatian euro coins feature national motifs symbolising the country's history, culture, and tradition, all set against the Croatian chequerboard background. The 1-euro coin depicts a marten, reflecting the origin of the former currency's name, kuna. The 2-euro coin shows a geographical map of Croatia with the rim inscribed with a verse from poet Ivan Gundulić: "Oh beautiful, oh dear, oh sweet freedom." The 10, 20, and 50 cent coins bear the portrait of inventor Nikola Tesla, while the 1, 2, and 5 cent coins display the letters "HR" in the ancient Glagolitic script, which is historically significant to Croatia.
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Croatian former currency—kuna
Croatia's former currency, the kuna (Croatian for "marten"), was introduced in 1994 as a replacement for the Croatian dinar. From its inception, the kuna was pegged to the German mark (Deutsche Mark), one of the euro's major predecessors. After the euro was introduced in 1999, the kuna's peg effectively shifted to the euro. A long-standing policy of the Croatian National Bank was to maintain the kuna's exchange rate against the euro within a relatively stable range, with the rate rarely fluctuating significantly and generally staying close to 7.5 kuna per euro. This stability was upheld until Croatia adopted the euro as its official currency on January 1, 2023.
The pound, dollar, and dinar are world currencies named after weight measurement units, while the euro, as its name suggests, was named after the continent of Europe.
In 2023, Croatia joined the family of countries using the euro as their official currency, but before the introduction of the euro, the Croatian currency was one of the few in the world with a name derived from animals and plants, testifying to Croatia’s special relationship with nature. For a full 28 years, the Croatian currency was the kuna, which consisted of 100 lipa.
Official exchange rate
In Croatia, particularly in tourist areas, many exchange offices facilitate the conversion of foreign currencies like dollars or pounds into euros. However, the euro's exchange rate fluctuates daily based on market conditions
While the Croatian National Bank publishes the official exchange rate, commercial banks and exchange offices set their own rates. Prior to exchanging currency, understanding the standard exchange rate can help you recognise a bad deal. It is best to avoid exchanging money at airports and hotels, where rates and fees tend to be higher.
Credit card payments in Croatia
Croatia's banking system is technologically advanced and secure, making credit and debit card payments widely accepted and safe throughout the country. Credit card companies have extensive representation, and card payments are the standard method in hotels, restaurants, shops, and agencies. There are no extra or hidden fees for customers, which makes card payments one of the easiest and most cost-effective options in Croatia. Additionally, electronic payment methods like Google Pay are increasingly available, and ATMs are common in popular tourist areas. However, it is advisable for travelers to carry some cash (100-200 euros in smaller denominations) as a precaution while exercising the usual caution when using electronic payments, similar to other European countries
Tipping
Regarding tipping, it is voluntary in Croatia with no mandatory service charge. Tipping is appreciated but not a significant part of staff wages. Common practice is to round up small amounts in cafes and bars, leave 10-15% in restaurants, and offer 3 to 5 euros to helpful hotel staff.
Note: Recent developments in Croatia's payment system include the introduction of SEPA instant payments starting in 2025, enabling faster and more secure transfers, but this mainly concerns bank transfers rather than card payments. Also, Croatia is implementing mandatory electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) for business-to-business transactions starting January 2026 as part of a broader fiscal digitalisation project, but this relates to invoicing and tax compliance rather than consumer card payments.
ATMs in Croatia
ATMs, known as "bankomati" in Croatian, are widely available in Croatia, especially in urban areas and tourist locations. They are commonly found in banks, transportation hubs, restaurants, and near grocery stores. While they are readily accessible, it's worth noting that they are less common on small or remote islands.
Give your bank a heads-up before you travel to Croatia
Before you travel, notify your bank to avoid any issues using your card abroad. Transactions in Croatia may be flagged as fraud if your trip isn’t pre-approved, and your card could be frozen. Also, ask about daily withdrawal limits and adjust them for your stay.
Planning your Croatian adventure? Read our guide: When Is the Best Time to Visit Croatia.
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