So, you’re packing for a trip to the Adriatic coast. You’ve got the sunscreen, the walking shoes for those Dubrovnik city walls, and maybe a translation app that you’ll definitely forget to use. But then comes the big question: what’s actually in your wallet? If you haven't been to the Balkans in a few years, you might be looking for those colorful banknotes with pictures of poets and castles—the kuna.
Stop right there.
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Since the start of 2023, the euro (€) is the only money used in Croatia.
It feels like yesterday that we were all doing mental gymnastics to figure out how many kunas went into a dollar or a pound. Honestly, the transition was a massive deal for locals. But now that we’re well into 2026, the euro has settled in. Mostly. It’s simplified things for travelers coming from Germany or Italy, sure, but for the rest of us? There are still some quirks you’ve got to navigate if you don’t want to get hit with nasty bank fees or find yourself stuck at a remote island gelato stand with no way to pay.
The Euro Is King (But the Kuna Is a Ghost)
Let’s get the technical stuff out of the way. Croatia officially joined the Eurozone on January 1, 2023. Before that, you’d use the Croatian Kuna (HRK). I still remember the specific exchange rate—it was fixed at 7.53450 kuna for 1 euro. That number was plastered everywhere for months.
If you’re digging through an old travel bag and find a 100-kuna note, don't throw it away. You can’t spend it at the bakery for a burek anymore, but you aren't totally out of luck.
Here is the deal with old money in 2026:
- Kuna Coins: You missed the boat. The deadline to exchange coins was December 31, 2025. They’re basically souvenirs now.
- Kuna Banknotes: These are a different story. The Croatian National Bank (Hrvatska narodna banka) in Zagreb will exchange them for euros indefinitely. You can even mail them in if you’re feeling brave, though I’d probably just keep a few as a memory of the "old days."
People really loved the kuna. It felt distinct. Now, when you look at your change, you’ll see the "Croatian side" of the euro coins. Look for the marten (the animal called kuna in Croatian) on the 1-euro coin, or the map of Croatia on the 2-euro coin. It’s a nice nod to the history, even if the currency itself is gone.
Cash or Card: The Great Adriatic Debate
I get asked this constantly: "Can I just tap-to-pay my way through Split and Hvar?"
The answer is a very loud maybe.
Croatia has gotten way better with cards since the pandemic, but it is still fundamentally a cash-loving society. If you’re at a high-end hotel in Zagreb or a big supermarket like Konzum, your Visa or Mastercard is golden. But the second you step into a small, family-run konoba (tavern) or a tiny souvenir shop in the back alleys of Korčula, things change.
I’ve seen too many tourists get that panicked look when a waiter says, "Sorry, cash only." They aren't trying to be difficult. Often, the transaction fees for small businesses are just too high, or their internet is spotty. Always, and I mean always, keep at least €20 to €50 in cash on you.
Watch Out for the ATM Trap
Since we're talking about cash, let's talk about the blue-and-yellow ATMs you see on every street corner in tourist zones. You know the ones. They’re convenient, but they are often "independent" ATMs (like Euronet) that charge astronomical fees.
Avoid them if you can. Look for ATMs attached to actual banks—names like Zagrebačka banka (ZABA), PBZ, or OTP. These usually have much fairer rates. Also, when the machine asks if you want the "guaranteed exchange rate" or if you want to be "charged in your home currency," say NO. Always choose to be charged in the local currency (EUR). Let your own bank at home do the conversion; they’ll almost always give you a better deal than a random machine in a Croatian alleyway.
What Things Actually Cost Right Now
Let’s be real: Croatia isn’t the bargain it was ten years ago. Joining the Eurozone and the Schengen Area (which got rid of border checks) made tourism explode. Prices followed suit.
In 2026, you can expect to pay roughly:
- Coffee (Espresso/Macchiato): €1.80 to €2.50 in a normal cafe. If you’re sitting on the Stradun in Dubrovnik? Probably €5 or €6. You’re paying for the view, not the beans.
- Cheap Lunch: A slice of pizza or a sandwich will run you €3 to €5.
- Dinner for Two: At a decent mid-range spot with a carafe of house wine? Budget about €50 to €70.
- Beer (0.5L): Around €4 in a bar.
Inflation hit Croatia hard during the switch. Locals are still pretty salty about it because many businesses "rounded up" their prices when the currency changed. A coffee that was 10 kuna (about €1.33) suddenly became €1.50 or €2.00. It adds up.
Tipping Etiquette with the Euro
Tipping in Croatia isn't like the US. You don't need to do 20% or feel like a criminal.
Basically, it’s about rounding up. If your coffee is €2.70, leave €3. If you had a nice dinner and the service was solid, 10% is the standard "good" tip. Most restaurants still can’t add a tip to a credit card transaction—or if they do, the waiter might not actually see that money. If you want to make sure your server gets the tip, leave it in cash.
Honestly, a few euro coins left on the table goes a long way. It’s seen as a gesture of respect rather than a mandatory tax.
Practical Steps for Your Wallet
If you're heading out this week or next month, here is exactly what you should do to handle your money like a local:
- Notify your bank: Make sure they know you're in Croatia so they don't freeze your card the first time you try to buy a ferry ticket.
- Get a travel card: Use something like Revolut or Wise. They let you hold euros and spend them without the massive "foreign transaction fees" traditional banks love to hide in the fine print.
- Carry small bills: €50 and €100 notes are fine for dinner, but for a €2 gelato, a €50 note is a nightmare for the shopkeeper. Keep €5 and €10 notes handy.
- Check the "Službeni račun": When you pay, make sure you get an official fiscal receipt. It’s a legal requirement in Croatia to prevent tax evasion. If they don't give you one, you technically don't have to pay (though I wouldn't recommend starting a fight over it).
- Use the "Croatian Side" coins: They make great free souvenirs. The 2-euro coin has "O lijepa, o draga, o slatka slobodo" (Oh beautiful, oh dear, oh sweet freedom) engraved on the edge. It's from a famous Croatian poem.
Croatia is gorgeous, and the euro makes it easier to hop over from Slovenia or Montenegro without a pocket full of useless change. Just remember that behind the "easy" currency is a country that still values a slow coffee and a cash-in-hand transaction. Respect the pace, watch the ATM fees, and you'll be fine.