💰 Quick Context: Croatia Now Uses the Euro
Croatia adopted the Euro (EUR / €) on January 1, 2023. If you are coming from another Eurozone country, you already have the right currency. For non-euro visitors: a restaurant meal costs €10–25, a beer €3–5, and a hotel night €80–200. Croatia's Adriatic coast is pricier than the interior, with Dubrovnik and Hvar being the most expensive.
🎧 Order Euros Before You Fly
Have cash in hand when you land. Insured delivery, 2–5 day shipping.
Order EUR → CEI Currency ExchangeCash vs. Card: What to Expect in Croatia
Croatia has good card acceptance along the Adriatic coast. Dubrovnik's Old Town, Split's Diocletian quarter, and Zagreb's Gornji Grad all handle cards well. Rural inland areas and smaller islands are more cash-dependent.
Cards work well at restaurants, hotels, and shops in Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb, Zadar, and along the Makarska Riviera. Modern terminals support contactless. Cash is needed for konobas (traditional taverns) on smaller islands like Vis and Korčula, local market stalls (Dolac Market in Zagreb, Green Market in Split), Jadrolinija ferry ticket offices at smaller ports, and taxi drivers on the islands.
If arriving from another Eurozone country, you do not need to withdraw at all. Just bring euros. If arriving from outside the eurozone, use Croatian bank ATMs for the best exchange rate.
How to Get Euros for Your Croatia Trip
Croatia switched from the kuna to the euro in January 2023, which simplified the cash math but changed nothing about the country's payments mix. Card acceptance is strong along the coast (Dubrovnik Old Town, Split's Diocletian quarter, Zagreb's center, Hvar town), and weaker the moment you turn inland or take a ferry to a smaller island. Konobas on Vis, Korčula, and Lastovo, Dolac and Green Market stalls, and Jadrolinija ticket booths at smaller ports all reliably want cash. Two cheap routes for picking up euros: pre-order before takeoff, or pull from a Croatian bank ATM after landing. Most Croatia trips lean cash-heavier than people expect, so plan a bit more than you would for Vienna or Paris.
Order euros before you fly
For pre-arrival euros, two paths. A currency-exchange service like CEI Currency Exchange ships physical euros to a US address with insured 2–5 day delivery, at a small spread over the bank rate. Particularly useful if you're flying directly into Dubrovnik (DBV) or Split (SPU) on a summer charter and want to skip the airport ATM line on a tight ferry-connection schedule. Your home bank works just as well: Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citi all order euros for branch pickup or home delivery, free for many premium account holders and a modest fee otherwise. Allow 3–7 business days. Croatia does not have a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner, so BoA debit users will pay BoA's standard 3% non-network surcharge on Croatian ATM withdrawals. That nudges the math toward pre-ordering for BoA customers, especially on Adriatic island itineraries (Hvar, Vis, Lastovo) where ATMs are sparse and konobas often only take cash.
Withdraw from a Croatian bank ATM
On the ground, the cheapest source of euros is a real Croatian bank ATM. Zagrebačka banka (UniCredit Group), Privredna banka Zagreb (PBZ) (Intesa Sanpaolo Group), Erste Bank Croatia, OTP banka, and Raiffeisen Bank Austria (RBA) all give the actual interbank rate with no markup, and they don't add an operator fee on foreign cards. Your only cost is whatever your home bank charges (1–3% foreign transaction fee on most US debit cards, zero with a Wise or Charles Schwab card). The independent operators to avoid are Euronet (which clusters bright-blue machines around Stradun in Dubrovnik, the Riva in Split, and the Old Town gates of Trogir and Hvar) and Auro Domus: both tack on operator fees and push DCC as the default. Decline DCC every single time the screen offers "charge in USD" or "charge in your home currency". See the Best ATMs section below for the bank-by-bank lineup, or our Dubrovnik money guide for neighborhood-level locations. Want to know what a PBZ withdrawal will actually cost on your specific card? Run it through our ATM fee calculator while you're still at the planning stage.
Airport counters & "0% commission" booths
Three traps to walk past in Croatia. The Travelex and Eurochange booths in arrivals halls at ZAG (Zagreb), DBV (Dubrovnik), SPU (Split), and ZAD (Zadar) advertise rates that look reasonable but routinely run 5–12% off the interbank rate. The mjenjačnica (exchange) windows along Stradun in Dubrovnik, around Diocletian's Palace in Split, and just inside the Zagreb tram-circle on Trg Bana Jelačića use the "no commission" framing while baking the markup straight into the rate posted on the sandwich board out front. And Croatia has one of the densest concentrations of Euronet machines in the eastern Adriatic: cluster of bright-blue independent ATMs around the Pile Gate in Dubrovnik, Hvar's main square, the Korkyra waterfront on Korčula, and Hvar town's Riva. They reintroduce the operator fee Croatian banks don't charge and push DCC by default. Stick to bank-branded ATMs, decline DCC, and you'll skip all three. Heading to Dubrovnik or Split? Our Dubrovnik and Split money guides walk you out of arrivals with the cleanest cash strategy.
For a side-by-side comparison of every method (bank wire, travel card, pre-order, ATM, exchange counter) including USD-to-EUR timing tips, see our complete Getting Currency guide →.
Best ATMs to Use in Croatia
Croatian bank ATMs offer fair interbank rates without operator surcharges. ATMs are widely available in Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Split, and other coastal destinations. Zagreb, Dubrovnik, and Split airports all have Croatian bank ATMs in the arrivals area.
Zagrebačka banka (ZABA)
Croatia's largest bank and a subsidiary of UniCredit. Has the most extensive ATM network across the country, from Zagreb's city center to coastal towns like Dubrovnik, Split, and Zadar. No operator fees, English language screens, and fair interbank exchange rates. Your best bet throughout Croatia.
Top Pick
Privredna banka Zagreb (PBZ)
Croatia's second largest bank, part of the Italian Intesa Sanpaolo group. Strong ATM presence in Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, and along the Dalmatian coast. No operator fees for foreign cardholders. ATMs accept Visa, Mastercard, and most international card networks.
Recommended
Erste Bank Croatia
Part of Austria's Erste Group (the same parent as Česká spořitelna in Czech Republic). Reliable ATM coverage in major cities and tourist areas. No operator fees, clear English-language screens, and straightforward withdrawal process.
Recommended
OTP banka
Part of Hungary's OTP Group. Solid ATM network across Croatia, including in smaller towns where other banks may have limited presence. No operator surcharges and standard interbank rates. A good option in areas where ZABA or PBZ ATMs are hard to find.
Recommended
Raiffeisenbank Croatia
Part of the Austrian Raiffeisen Group. Good ATM coverage in Zagreb and larger coastal cities. No operator fees and fair exchange rates. ATMs are typically located at or near bank branches, making them easy to identify.
Recommended⚠ What is Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)?
When an ATM or card terminal offers to charge you in USD (or your home currency) instead of EUR, always decline. Choosing your home currency means accepting a 3-8% markup hidden in their exchange rate. Always select "EUR" or "local currency" at every prompt. DCC is common at tourist-heavy ATMs in Dubrovnik, Split, and along the coast.
ATMs to Avoid in Croatia
Croatia's popular tourist destinations, particularly Dubrovnik's Old Town and Split's waterfront, attract independent ATM operators that charge premium fees. These machines are often placed in the most convenient locations to catch tourists who don't know better. Walk an extra block to find a Croatian bank ATM instead.
Euronet
Euronet machines are found throughout Croatia's tourist areas, especially in Dubrovnik's Old Town, Split's Diocletian's Palace area, and Hvar. Charges operator fees and aggressively pushes DCC through confusing screen prompts. Croatian bank ATMs are always nearby, so skip these entirely.
Avoid
Travelex
Found at Croatian airports and some tourist areas. Poor exchange rates with hidden markups. Bank ATMs are available at Zagreb, Dubrovnik, and Split airports, so there is no reason to use Travelex services.
AvoidStandalone ATMs
Unbranded machines found in souvenir shops, hotel lobbies, and near cruise ship ports. These charge the highest fees and offer the worst rates. Dubrovnik's cruise terminal area is particularly bad for these. If an ATM doesn't display a Croatian bank name, walk away.
AvoidCurrency Exchange Booths (Mjenjačnica)
Exchange booths (called "mjenjačnica") are still common near Dubrovnik's Pile Gate, Split's Riva, and Zagreb's main square even after Croatia's euro adoption, targeting tourists who arrive with other currencies. Rates vary wildly, and some charge hidden commissions. Bank ATMs offer much better rates.
AvoidPaying by Card in Croatia
Card Networks
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at restaurants, hotels, and shops in Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb, Zadar, and across the tourist coast. American Express has limited acceptance outside international hotel chains like the Hilton Dubrovnik and Westin Zagreb. Discover has minimal acceptance.
Contactless & Mobile Payments
Tap-to-pay works well at modern restaurants and shops in Dubrovnik's Stradun, Split's Riva promenade, and Zagreb's Ilica street. Apple Pay and Google Pay function at NFC-equipped terminals. Since Croatia joined the eurozone, payment infrastructure has modernized quickly. Outside major cities, chip-and-PIN remains the standard at smaller businesses.
Where Cards May Not Work
Dolac Market in Zagreb and the Green Market in Split are cash-only for most vendors. Traditional konobas (taverns) on smaller islands like Vis, Šolta, and Lastovo are frequently cash-only. Jadrolinija ferry ticket offices at smaller ports may require cash, though the main terminals in Split and Dubrovnik accept cards. Taxi drivers on the islands prefer cash. Beach bars and small shops in less-developed coastal areas may not have card terminals.
Tipping in Croatia
Tipping Guide
At restaurants, 10–15% is appreciated for good service, though not strictly required. Many Croatians simply round up the bill (a €17 meal paid with €20, leaving €3). At cafés along the Riva in Split or in Zagreb's Tkalčićeva street, round up to the nearest euro or leave small change. For taxis, round up the fare. Tour guides in Dubrovnik, Plitvice, or sailing excursions appreciate €10–20 for a full day. Leave tips in cash even when paying the bill by card.
Dubrovnik, Split & the Islands: Practical Money Tips
Things to Know
For city-specific tips, see our Dubrovnik and Split money guides. Each covers neighborhood-level card acceptance, ATM locations, transport payments, and local spending tips.
Dubrovnik cruise port warning: if arriving by cruise ship, avoid the ATMs and exchange booths clustered near the port entrance. These target cruise passengers with high fees. Walk into the Old Town or nearby Pile Gate area to find Zagrebačka banka (ZABA) and PBZ ATMs within a short walk.
Island hopping requires cash planning. Hvar town has ATMs but they queue heavily in summer. Korčula, Brač, and Vis have limited ATMs that can run out during peak season (July and August). Withdraw on the mainland in Split or Dubrovnik before taking the ferry. Carry €100–200 in small notes (€10 and €20) for each island day.
Plitvice Lakes National Park accepts cards at the ticket office, but the small restaurants and souvenir stalls inside the park area are mixed. Bring cash for snacks and drinks. Game of Thrones tours in Dubrovnik are typically booked online by card, but tip your guide in cash.
Money Safety in Croatia
Staying Safe
Croatia is very safe for tourists. Violent crime against visitors is extremely rare. The main risk is petty theft in Dubrovnik's Old Town during peak cruise ship hours and on crowded Split ferries. Keep bags close and valuables secured.
Use ATMs at Zagrebačka banka, PBZ, Erste Bank, or OTP banka branches rather than standalone machines near ferry terminals and cruise ports. Euronet ATMs are present at some tourist spots and charge operator fees with aggressive DCC. Stick to the Croatian banks for the best rates.
Croatia is now in the eurozone and Schengen area, so most European card issuers do not flag Croatian transactions. Non-European visitors should mention Croatia to their bank ahead of travel to prevent holds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Croatia still use the kuna?
No. Croatia adopted the euro (EUR) on January 1, 2023. The Croatian kuna (HRK) is no longer in circulation. All prices are now in euros. If you find old kuna notes, they can be exchanged at the Croatian National Bank.
Do I need cash for Croatia's islands?
Yes. While Hvar town and Korčula town have card-accepting restaurants and shops, smaller islands (Vis, Šolta, Lastovo) and beach bars are more cash-dependent. Withdraw euros in Split or Dubrovnik before taking the ferry. ATMs on smaller islands are limited and can run out in peak summer.
Are Euronet ATMs in Croatia safe?
Euronet ATMs are technically functional but expensive. They charge operator fees and aggressively push DCC with confusing multi-screen prompts. Zagrebačka banka, PBZ, Erste Bank, and OTP banka ATMs are always nearby and offer better rates with no operator fees.
Is tipping expected in Croatia?
Tipping is appreciated but not strictly expected. At restaurants, 10–15% for good service or rounding up the bill is common. Cafés, taxis, and small services: round up. Leave tips in cash, even when paying by card.
Can I use cards at Plitvice Lakes?
The ticket office accepts cards, but small restaurants and souvenir stalls near the park have mixed card acceptance. Bring some cash for food and drinks inside the park area.
Is Croatia expensive?
Croatia is mid-range for Europe. Dubrovnik and Hvar are the most expensive (comparable to Italy), while Zagreb, Zadar, and inland areas are significantly cheaper. A restaurant meal costs €10–25, a beer €3–5, and a hotel night €80–200 depending on location and season.
Skip the Foreign Transaction Fees
The Wise card converts your money at the real mid-market exchange rate. No markups, no surprises. Spend euros like a local.
Get the Wise Card →Quick Comparison
| Method | Cost | Convenience | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Croatian Bank ATMs | Very Low (no operator fee + fair rate) | ★★★★★ | Most travelers |
| Independent ATMs (Euronet, etc.) | High (fees + rate markup) | ★★★☆☆ | Emergencies only |
| Credit Cards (no foreign fee) | Very Low for purchases | ★★★★☆ | Restaurants, shops, hotels |
| Exchange Booths | High (markup fees) | ★★☆☆☆ | Not recommended |
Croatia Quick Facts
| Currency | Euro (EUR / €) since January 2023 |
| Best ATMs | Zagrebačka banka, PBZ, Erste Bank, OTP banka, Raiffeisenbank |
| Typical ATM Limit | ~400-500 EUR per transaction |
| Card Acceptance | Good in Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb. Limited on smaller islands and rural areas |
| Tipping | 10-15% at restaurants. Round up at cafés and taxis. Tip in cash |
| DCC Risk | Moderate to high in Dubrovnik, Split, and Hvar |
| Key Tip | Withdraw cash on the mainland before heading to Croatia's islands |
Croatia City Guides
Neighborhood-level money guides for Croatia's biggest cities. Where to find ATMs, which areas need cash, how to pay for transport, and more.
Croatia money toolkit
Deep-dive guides for specific banks, airports, and traveler nationalities in Croatia. Each one builds on this overview with card-by-card fee math, exact ATM locations, or terminal-by-terminal directions.