The most frequent question we get this year is: “We went to Croatia last year and still have some Kunas left. Can we use them?”

The answer is simply NO. As of January 1, 2023, Croatia officially adopted the euro as its currency, and the kuna is no longer accepted as a means of payment. If you’re planning to visit Croatia, make sure to carry euros for all transactions.

Can I Exchange Kuna for Euros?

If you still have leftover kuna, you can exchange them for euros. However, this cannot be done at banks or exchange offices but only at the Croatian Financial Agency (Fina). Keep in mind that Fina charges a fee for the exchange, making it worthwhile only if you have a significant amount of kuna.

For example, if you have 20 kuna (around 3 euros), the exchange fee might not be worth the effort, especially if you need to factor in transportation costs. However, if you have 15 euros’ worth or more, then exchanging them makes sense.

When visiting stores in Croatia, you may still see prices displayed in both kuna and euros. This is simply a transitional measure to ease the currency switch, but payments can only be made in euros.

Croatia Joins the Eurozone

On January 1, 2023, Croatia became the 20th member of the Eurozone. The assessments in the 2022 convergence reports of the European Commission and the European Central Bank paved the way for this transition—the first expansion of the eurozone since Lithuania joined in 2015.

Why Did Croatia Adopt the Euro?

Switching to the euro aims to stabilize the country’s economy and improve the standard of living. However, the transition has also contributed to rising prices, particularly in tourist-heavy areas like Dubrovnik. Today, prices in Croatia, especially in Dubrovnik, are comparable to those in major European cities like Paris.

Croatian Euro Coins

Croatia has introduced uniquely designed euro coins, all featuring the traditional Croatian checkerboard pattern in the background. Here’s what each denomination represents:

• €2 Coin: Features a map of Croatia with the phrase “O LIJEPA O DRAGA O SLATKA SLOBODO” (“Oh beautiful, oh dear, oh sweet freedom”), a famous line from Ivan Gundulić’s play Dubravka.
• €1 Coin: Depicts a marten, the animal that inspired the name of Croatia’s former currency, the kuna.
• 50, 20, and 10 Cent Coins: Honor Nikola Tesla, the famous inventor who played a key role in developing alternating current technology.
• 5, 2, and 1 Cent Coins: Showcase the Glagolitic script, the oldest known Slavic alphabet used in Croatia until the 19th century.

Croatia’s new euro coins proudly incorporate national symbols, reinforcing its cultural and historical identity within the European Union.

If you’re planning to visit Croatia, be prepared to use euros as the official currency, and if you still have kuna, consider exchanging them while you still can.

Best regards,
Vesna