Money
Since January 1, 2023, the Euro (€) is the official currency of Croatia. The old Kuna (HRK) is history — you can no longer use it anywhere (only exchangeable at the Croatian National Bank until the end of 2025).
Cash
- ATMs (Bankomat) can be found in every town — even on the islands. Pay attention to the question "With or without conversion?" → always choose without conversion to avoid the unfavorable exchange rate of the ATM operator (DCC trap)
- You need cash at markets (Dolac in Zagreb, Green Market in Split), in small konobas in the countryside, at roadside stands, and for parking meters in smaller towns
- Tips: 10–15% in restaurants if you were satisfied (not automatically added). Round up for taxi rides. In bars and cafes, tipping is uncommon, but small amounts are appreciated
Card Payment
- Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere — even in small restaurants, on ferries, and in taxis
- Contactless payment (NFC, Apple Pay, Google Pay) works very well, even in many bakeries and kiosks
- American Express is only accepted in upscale hotels and large restaurants
- EC card/Girocard works at many ATMs, but not for payments in stores — a Visa/Mastercard debit card is essential
💡 Tipp
A <strong>free travel credit card</strong> without foreign transaction fees (e.g., DKB, ING, Hanseatic GenialCard) saves money on every purchase. In Croatia, there is no longer a currency exchange (Euro!), but some cards still charge foreign transaction fees.
Achtung
Be cautious with ATMs from <strong>Euronet</strong> (conspicuously green, often in tourist areas): They offer aggressive conversion rates and charge high fees. Prefer ATMs from Croatian banks (Zagrebačka banka, PBZ, OTP).