Getting Euros for Your Trip to Croatia
Great news for travellers: Croatia joined the Eurozone on January 1, 2023, replacing the Croatian Kuna (HRK) with the Euro. This makes travel much simpler - no more exotic currency conversions!
Croatia has embraced the Euro transition well. You'll find the same Euro notes and coins used across Europe. Prices are displayed in Euros throughout the country.
Key insight for 2026: While card acceptance has improved significantly, Croatia remains more cash-dependent than Western Europe. Island destinations, konobas (traditional taverns), and rural areas often prefer cash. Don't rely on cards alone, especially when island-hopping.
Best Ways to Get Euros for Croatia
- Multi-currency cards (Wise, Revolut) - Best for flexibility. Pay by card where accepted and withdraw cash when needed.
- Order Euros online before travel - Essential for island-hopping. Have cash ready before heading off the beaten track.
- Croatian bank ATMs - Zagrebačka banka (ZABA), PBZ, and Erste ATMs don't charge foreign card fees.
- UK specialist bureaux - Good rates for Euros before travel.
- Exchange offices in Croatia - Found in tourist areas. Rates vary - compare before exchanging.
- Airport exchanges - Poor rates at Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik airports. Avoid if possible.
Using Cards in Croatia
Where Cards Usually Work
- Hotels & resorts: Universal card acceptance
- Restaurants in tourist areas: Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb restaurants mostly accept cards
- Supermarkets: Konzum, Lidl, Spar - all accept cards
- Tourist attractions: Plitvice Lakes, Diocletian's Palace tickets - cards accepted
- Larger shops: Card acceptance good in cities
Where Cash is Essential
- Konobas (traditional taverns): Many prefer or only accept cash
- Island businesses: Smaller islands often more cash-dependent
- Markets: Fresh food markets, souvenir stalls
- Beach bars & kiosks: Often cash-only
- Small ferries & boats: Local boat trips often cash-only
- Rural areas: Villages and countryside businesses
- Parking meters: Some older meters are cash-only
ATMs in Croatia
Best ATMs
- Zagrebačka banka (ZABA): Widely available. No foreign card fees.
- PBZ (Privredna banka Zagreb): Good network. Fee-free withdrawals.
- Erste Bank: Common in cities. No fees for foreign cards.
- OTP banka: Growing network. Generally fee-free.
ATMs to Avoid
- Euronet: Found in tourist hotspots. Charges €4-6 fees.
- Non-bank ATMs: Street-corner machines often charge fees.
Island ATM Tips
ATMs on smaller islands may be limited or have queues in peak season. Withdraw cash on the mainland before island-hopping. Some tiny islands may have no ATM at all.
How Much Cash to Bring
- Dubrovnik/Split city break: €100-150 backup
- Island-hopping: €200-300+ (many cash-only businesses)
- Week-long trip: €150-250 for incidentals
- Rural/sailing trip: €300+ (limited card infrastructure)
Daily Spending Guide
- Budget: €50-80/day - hostels, bakery lunches, local konobas
- Mid-range: €100-180/day - good apartments, seafood restaurants, boat trips
- Comfortable: €200-350/day - boutique hotels, fine dining, private tours
Note: Dubrovnik Old Town is expensive - expect 30-50% higher prices than elsewhere in Croatia.
Tipping in Croatia
- Restaurants: 10-15% for good service. Service is not usually included.
- Cafés: Round up or leave small change
- Taxis: Round up to nearest Euro
- Tour guides: €5-10 for half-day tours
- Boat crews: €5-20 depending on trip length
- Hotels: €1-2 per bag for porters
Best Exchange Options for EUR
Top providers by category:
Zagrebačka Banka
Largest Croatian bank. ATMs everywhere.
PBZ
Privredna Banka Zagreb. Good coverage.
Erste Bank Croatia
Part of Erste group, accepts all cards.
Split/Dubrovnik Airport
ATMs available. Get small amount.
Old Town Booths
Dubrovnik Old Town has poor rates.
Compare EUR Exchange Rates
See what you'd receive from providers local to you
Frequently Asked Questions
Cards alone will not do in Croatia, which the guide says relies on cash more than Western Europe, with islands, rural areas and konobas (traditional taverns) often preferring cash. Order Euros online before you go, pay by card where it is accepted, and use Zagrebačka banka, PBZ or Erste machines on the mainland, since they add no fees for foreign cards.
Yes. Croatia joined the Eurozone on 1 January 2023 and the Croatian Kuna (HRK) has gone, so you use the same Euro notes and coins as elsewhere in Europe, and prices throughout the country are displayed in Euros. That makes a Croatian trip much simpler, with no unfamiliar currency to convert.
Increasingly, but not everywhere. Hotels and resorts take cards universally, as do supermarkets like Konzum, Lidl and Spar, most restaurants in Dubrovnik, Split and Zagreb, larger city shops and ticket desks at sights such as Plitvice Lakes. Many konobas, island businesses, markets, beach bars and kiosks, local boat trips and some older parking meters still want cash, so carry a float.
The main banks do not charge foreign cards: Zagrebačka banka (ZABA), PBZ and Erste are fee-free, and the growing OTP banka network generally is too. Steer clear of Euronet machines in tourist hotspots, which charge €4-6 in fees, and of street-corner non-bank ATMs. On smaller islands machines can be scarce or busy in peak season, so withdraw on the mainland first.
More than in Western Europe. The guide suggests a €100-150 backup for a Dubrovnik or Split city break, €150-250 in incidentals over a week, €200-300 or more when island-hopping, where many businesses are cash-only, and €300 or more on a rural or sailing trip with limited card facilities. Bear in mind that Dubrovnik Old Town runs 30-50% dearer than the rest of Croatia.
Yes. Service is not usually included in restaurant bills, so leave 10-15% for good service; in cafés and taxis simply round up. Tour guides get €5-10 for a half-day, boat crews €5-20 depending on the length of the trip, and hotel porters €1-2 a bag.
Nearby Destinations
Planning to visit multiple countries? Check out exchange guides for nearby destinations:
Italy
Hungary
Austria