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Can I pay in kuna in Croatia?

The most frequent question we get this year is: we went to Croatia last year and we still have some Kunas left, can we use them?

Kunas are no longer usable since Croatia switched to the euro on January 1, 2023. Consequently, kunas are no longer used and you cannot use them to pay.

Kuna Croate monnaie official jusqu'a 2023
The Croatian kuna, official currency until 2023, source: Večernji List

Can I change Kuna into Euro?

However, if you have a large amount of kuna left over, you can exchange them for euros. This is not possible at a bank or exchange office, but you can do it at the Croatian Financial Agency (Fina). As mentioned above, this exchange only makes sense if you’re dealing with a large amount of kuna, as Fina charges a fee. For example, if you have 20 kuna left, which is around 3 euros, and FINA charges 10%, you’ll lose time and will probably have to pay for a bus ticket to get there (2 euros per person). If you have your own car, parking fees will cost you more than you’ll trade in. But if the amount is more than 15 euros, we strongly advise you to go ahead with the exchange.

When you enter a store in Croatia, don’t be put off by the fact that prices are indicated in both currencies, the euro and the Croatian kuna. Although prices are in kuna, money is no longer accepted. This is simply a transitional process to facilitate the changeover.

Croatia enters the EURO zone

On January 1, 2023, Croatia adopts the euro and becomes the 20th member of the euro zone. The assessments presented in the 2022 convergence reports of the European Commission and the European Central Bank have paved the way for the first enlargement of the euro zone since Lithuania joined in 2015.

Why did Croatia switch to the euro?

With the single currency, the country hopes to make its economy stronger and more stable, and improve its inhabitants’ standard of living.

With prices soaring as a result of the recent recession, the switch to the euro has of course contributed to a significant price increase.

Today, prices in Croatia, and Dubrovnik in particular, are comparable to those in Paris.

Croatian coins EUR

Croatia has chosen four designs for the national sides of its euro coins, all featuring the distinctive Croatian checkerboard pattern in the background. All the coins also feature the twelve stars of the European flag.

Les pièces d'EUR avec les symboles croates
EUR coins with Croatian symbols

€2 The 2 euro coin features a map of Croatia on a checkerboard background. The design, by Ivan Šivak, includes the year of issue and the inscription ” HRVATSKA”, the name of the country in Croatian.

Edge lettering of the 2 euro coin: “O LIJEPA O DRAGA O SLATKA SLOBODO” (“Oh beautiful, oh dear, oh sweet freedom”), a line from Ivan Gundulić’s famous play Dubravka.

€1 The 1 euro coin features a marten on a checkerboard background and was designed by Jagor Šunde, David Čemeljić and Fran Zekan. The marten is a small mammal that gave its name to the country’s ancient currency, the kuna. The design includes the year of issue and the inscription “HRVATSKA”, the name of the country in Croatian.

50 cent(ime)s The 50-cent coin features a portrait of inventor and engineer Nikola Tesla, who developed alternating current technology. The coin was designed by Ivan Domagoj Račić and features the year of issue and the inscription ” HRVATSKA”, the name of the country in Croatian.

20 cent(ime)s The 20-cent coin features a portrait of inventor and engineer Nikola Tesla, who developed alternating current technology. The coin was designed by Ivan Domagoj Račić and features the year of issue and the inscription ” HRVATSKA”, the name of the country in Croatian.

10 cent(ime)s The 10-cent coin features a portrait of inventor and engineer Nikola Tesla, who developed alternating current technology. The coin was designed by Ivan Domagoj Račić and features the year of issue and the inscription ” HRVATSKA”, the name of the country in Croatian.

5 cent The 5-cent coin features a design composed of the letters ” HR” in angular Glagolitic script. The Glagolitic alphabet is the oldest known Slavic script and was used in Croatia until the 19th century. The coin was designed by Maja Škripelj and features the year of issue and the inscription ” HRVATSKA”, the name of the country in Croatian.

2 cent The 2-cent coin features a design composed of the letters ” HR” in angular Glagolitic script. The Glagolitic alphabet is the oldest known Slavic script and was used in Croatia until the 19th century. The coin was designed by Maja Škripelj and features the year of issue and the inscription ” HRVATSKA”, the name of the country in Croatian.

1 cent The 1-cent coin features a motif representing the letters ” HR” in angular Glagolitic script. The Glagolitic alphabet is the oldest known Slavic script and was used in Croatia until the 19th century. The coin was designed by Maja Škripelj and features the year of issue and the inscription ” HRVATSKA”, the name of the country in Croatian.