Travel money Croatia 2021: How to pay & how much to bring

When visiting Croatia, you’ll be spending in kuna, the national currency. The exchange rate for the kuna is fixed to the euro — this allows the Government to make kuna more expensive during the summer tourist season, which it does every year.

ATMs are widely available all over the country, and you can pay with your Visa or Mastercard card almost anywhere. All you need is a debit, credit or travel card with a chip and a four digit PIN number.

Our picks for traveling to Croatia

Our pick for travel credit card

American Express® Gold Card

★★★★★
Finder rating: 4.6/5

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Our pick for multi-currency debit card

Transferwise Multi-currency

★★★★★
Finder rating: 4.5/5

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Our pick for 0% transaction fee debit card

SoFi Money

★★★★★
Finder rating: 4.6/5

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What's in this guide?

Travel card, debit card or credit card?
Compare travel credit cards
Exchange rate history
Getting familiar with Croatian kuna
What should I budget for my trip to Croatia?
Cash pickup services in Croatia
Get travel insurance quotes for your vacation in Croatia
Our latest travel deals to Croatia

Travel card, debit card or credit card?

You shouldn’t have any trouble using your Visa or Mastercard in Croatia. American Express is also accepted, just in fewer places. To help avoid extra bank fees in Croatia, use a variety of cards and use each one for a specific purpose. Try to use a card that doesn’t charge a currency conversion fee and another that has no fee for ATM withdrawals — even better if you can find a card that has both features.

There are debit cards and credit cards that waive both the currency conversion and international ATM fees. Having a combination keeps you covered if you need credit or cash when you need it. Make the most of your trip in Croatia and organize your finances before you go. Compare the travel money products available to you to decide on the best way to take and spend money in Croatia.

The best way to spend in Croatia is to use a card with low or no currency conversion fees and no foreign ATM transaction fees — this allows you to withdraw, spend and use kuna.

Learn more about using a credit card in Croatia

Using a credit card

There are a handful of credit cards which let you spend in another currency without paying the extra 3% foreign transaction fee. Carrying a credit card gives you the added benefit of travel insurance and discounts, depending on your provider. For added savings, take advantage of the interest-free period by paying your balance in full each month. Watch out for cash advance fees and extra charges if you make a withdrawal on credit, it’s one of the most expensive ways to get cash.

Tip: Some credit cards offer complimentary international travel insurance when you charge the cost of your travel ticket to your card.

Pros

Protected by PIN & chip
Access to money specified by your credit limit
Accepted worldwide
No currency conversion or transaction fees
Benefits include reward points on spending, 0% purchases, frequent flyer perks, complimentary travel insurance
Emergency card replacement

Cons

Can charge high withdrawal and cash advance fees
Higher spending limit (depends on your approved credit limit)

Debit card being swiped in a POS station Best international debit cards

Using a debit card

Banks that waive foreign ATM fees and currency conversion fees will save you the most on your trip to Croatia. You’ll find plenty of ATMs in Croatia, but you’ll be charged a user fee from the Croatian banks.

Tip: When you’re making a purchase with your card, if you’re asked whether you want to pay in US dollars or kuna, always pay in the local currency. You’ll lose out on the exchange rate otherwise.

Using an ATM

ATMs, called Bankomats, are easily found all over Croatia. When withdrawing a large sum of money, you may get stuck with large bills. The 500 kuna and even rarer 1,000 kuna will be tricky to change, especially from smaller shops. Try getting larger notes changed at a post office or in the bank of the ATM you used to make the withdrawal.

Pros

PIN code protection
Widely accepted
Access funds from an ATM
Save on overseas ATM fee when you withdraw
Unlimited free withdrawals at selected banks

Cons

Currency conversion fees on foreign transactions
Lost debit cards while overseas can be easily paused, but not easily replaced
No emergency cash
No backup cards

person at laptop with credit card and phone Prepaid travel money cards

Using a prepaid travel card

There are no travel cards on the market which allow you to load, withdraw or spend kuna. So even if your travel card is loaded with a major international currency, currency conversion fees still apply (there are a few travel cards that don’t charge for currency conversion).

Pros

Protected by PIN & chip
Preload and lock-in exchange rate
Accepted worldwide
Emergency card replacement and backup cards
Ideal for managing your travel budget

Cons

No travel card allows you to preload kuna
Reloading time
Currency conversion and international ATM fees

Hand giving cash to other hand Compare cash pickup services in Croatia

Paying with cash in Croatia

Travelers to Croatia need to be prepared to spend the kuna. Even though euros are widely accepted, using euros rather than kuna will almost certainly leave you short-changed. Use kuna either by exchanging foreign currency, withdrawing from an ATM or by using credit or debit cards to make purchases.

If you’re concerned about exchanging money overseas, check out the option of sending cash to Croatia before your trip with an international money transfer service.

Tips:

Exchanging cash. Exchange booths (Mjenjacnica), banks and post offices are where you’ll be able to exchange currency — post offices and banks will be the most dependable.
Exchanging currency. It is best to exchange foreign currency into kuna on the mainland. Tourist agencies and exchange offices are plentiful on the islands, but the rate is often poor.
For road-trippers. One of the first things you see once you cross the border will be exchange booths. Only change enough to get you to the nearest town as these exchange booths are notorious for poor exchange rates. Make sure you have euro to change, it is by far the most accepted foreign currency for exchange.
For jet-setters. Don’t get your money changed at the airport. If you need cash and don’t have kuna, just change a small amount to get you into town.

Pros

Payment flexibility
Convenience

Cons

Difficult to manage expenses
Higher risk of theft

Woman taking a check picture Traveler’s checks guide

Using traveler’s checks

Don’t concern yourself with traveler’s checks, it is more hassle than it’s worth. Card payments are the norm in Croatia and card providers offer money back guarantees if you’re the victim of fraud.

Pros

Secure and can be easily replaced if lost or stolen
Photo ID needed to cash checks

Cons

Initial purchase charges
Not accepted everywhere

Compare travel credit cards

Name	Welcome offer	Rewards	Annual fee
American Express® Gold Card	60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months	4x at restaurants including delivery and Uber Eats; 4x at US supermarkets on up to $25,000 annually (then 1x points) and 3x points on directly-booked flights	$250	Earn up to 4x points on select purchases, a bevy of travel perks, and a welcome offer worth up to $600 with this upper-mid tier travel card. Terms apply, see rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card	60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, a value of up to $750 through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Plus up to $50 statement credit towards groceries.	5x points on Lyft, 2x points on up to $1,000 on groceries until April 30, 2021, 2x points on travel and dining and 1x points on all other purchases	$95	Earn a signup bonus worth $750 plus up to $50 statement credit towards groceries with this popular travel card.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
The Platinum Card® from American Express	75,000 points after spending $5,000 in your first 6 months, plus 10x points at US gas stations and US supermarkets on up to $15,000 in combined purchases in the same timeframe	10x points at US gas stations and US supermarkets on up to $15,000 combined in the first 6 months, 5x points on directly-booked flights on up to $500,000 annually, then 1x points after that and on other purchases	$550	One of the most valuable premium travel cards, featuring two welcome offers worth up to $4,500, multiple travel credits and unrivaled lounge access. Terms apply, see rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

Compare up to 4 providers

Exchange rate history

Over the past 12 months, $1 will get you about 7HRK. While it’s extremely difficult to predict where forex rates will move in the future, over the past couple of years, changes in value between the two currencies will have had little or no significance for Americans visiting Croatia.

Refreshing in: 60s | Sun, Mar 07, 07:49PM GMT

Getting familiar with Croatian kuna

The main banks in Croatia are:

Privredna Banka (PBZ)
Raiffeisenbank Austria Zagreb (RBA)
Erste & Steiermärkische Bank
Addiko Bank

Splitska Banka
Hrvatska Poštanska Banka (HPB)
Zagrebacka Banka

Sberbank
Kreditna Banka Zagreb
Podravska Banka (POBA)

Find ATMs in Croatia

What should I budget for my trip to Croatia?

During the summer season, along the coastal stretch, prices are much higher than the rest of the year. This can’t really be avoided, but if you are on a tight budget, you can scrape by staying in hostels and cheap hotels. On the other hand, if you have money to spend, Croatia is an excellent place to let loose and live a glamorous life, even for just a week. All prices are in US dollars.

	Basic costs	Mid-range	A luxury experience
Accommodation	One night Dorm: $25 Campsite: $6	Hotel $95 per person	4-star hotel Double $135
Meals	Basic meal at a small restaurant $8	Meal at a mid-range restaurant $15	Fine dining $45 per person
Activities	Walk around the city Free	A local city bike tour $25 per person	Private sailing trip $160 per person

_{Prices are approximate and are subject to change.}

Case study: Phil's experience

Phil

An interview with Phil on the Croatian Coast

What do you think is the best way to take money to Croatia?

Phil says a debit card and a credit card combination are a good way to fund your vacation. He didn’t bother applying for a travel card because he says they’re pretty useless to use in Croatia.

Cash pickup services in Croatia

I want to send

Min. Transfer Amount	Transfer Speed	Online Transfer Fee	Rate	Amount Received	Description	CTA	Details
$1	Within an hour	USD 3.99	6.324	HRK 6,299	WorldRemit sends money to 110+ countries for bank-to-bank deposits, cash pick-ups or mobile top-ups.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, ALL, AMD, AOA, ARS, AUD, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BOB, BRL, BWP, CAD, CDF, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CVE, CZK, DKK, DOP, EGP, ETB, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, GMD, GNF, GTQ, HKD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, ISK, JMD, JOD, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LKR, LRD, LSL, MAD, MDL, MGA, MRO, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, RON, RUB, RWF, SCR, SEK, SGD, SLL, SOS, SRD, THB, TJS, TND, TOP, TRY, TZS, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, WST, XAF, XCD, XOF, ZAR, ZMW, BYN Go to site Read the full review
$10	Within an hour	USD 1.99	6.229	HRK 6,216	Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers. Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 10.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options N/A Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies ALL, AMD, ARS, AZN, BAM, BDT, BGN, BIF, BOB, BRL, BSD, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DOP, EGP, ETB, EUR, FJD, GEL, GHS, GMD, GNF, GTQ, GYD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KZT, LKR, LRD, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MMK, MWK, MXN, MYR, NIO, NPR, PAB, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SLL, SRD, SVC, THB, TJS, TND, TRY, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, UZS, VND, XAF, XOF, ZAR, ZMW, BYN Go to site Read the full review
$1	Within an hour	-	-		MoneyGram has fast cash pick-up transfers to more than 350,000 agent locations worldwide.		Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Agent, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer, International Money Order Transfer options N/A Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AFN, ALL, AMD, ANG, AOA, ARS, AUD, AWG, AZN, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BMD, BND, BOB, BRL, BSD, BTN, BWP, BZD, CAD, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DJF, DKK, DOP, DZD, EGP, ERN, ETB, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, GIP, GMD, GNF, GTQ, GYD, HKD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, IQD, IRR, ISK, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LBP, LKR, LRD, LSL, LYD, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MNT, MOP, MRO, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SDG, SEK, SGD, SLL, SRD, STD, SVC, SZL, THB, TJS, TND, TOP, TRY, TTD, TWD, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, UZS, VEF, VND, VUV, WST, XAF, XCD, XOF, XPF, YER, ZAR, ZMW, BYN Read the full review
$1	3 - 5 days	USD 20.00	6.197	HRK 6,073	Western Union sends money online to friends and family in 200+ countries around the world.		Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Agent, Bank Account to Bank Account, International Money Order Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments Customer service Phone, Chat, Email, Branch Available currencies AED, AFN, ALL, AMD, ANG, AOA, ARS, AUD, AWG, AZN, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BMD, BND, BOB, BRL, BSD, BTN, BWP, BZD, CAD, CDF, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CUP, CVE, CZK, DJF, DKK, DOP, DZD, EGP, ERN, ETB, EUR, FJD, FKP, GBP, GEL, GGP, GHS, GIP, GMD, GNF, GTQ, GYD, HKD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, IMP, INR, IQD, IRR, ISK, JEP, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KPW, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LBP, LKR, LRD, LSL, LYD, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MMK, MNT, MOP, MRO, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SDG, SEK, SGD, SHP, SLL, SOS, SPL, SRD, STD, SYP, SZL, THB, TJS, TMT, TND, TOP, TRY, TTD, TVD, TWD, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, UZS, VEF, VND, VUV, WST, XAF, XCD, XDR, XOF, XPF, YER, ZAR, ZMW Read the full review

Compare up to 4 providers

Disclaimer: Exchange rates change often. Confirm the total cost with the provider before transferring money.

Get travel insurance quotes for your vacation in Croatia

Croatia offers travelers a chance to look into history. From the seaside castle walls of Dubrovnik — or the site of Kings Landing in Game of Thrones — to the old world charm of Zagreb, Croatia has many sights for tourists to see.

However, just like traveling anywhere Croatia presents a unique set of risks, which is why every travelers needs travel insurance. Travel insurance for Croatia covers:

Repatriation
Resumption
Cancellation

Lost luggage
Missed connections
Personal liability

Compare travel insurance policies

Our latest travel deals to Croatia

Priceline

Quick cruise getaways - book now pay later!

Put your dream vacation on the calendar now, and pay for it later! In addition, choose to streamline payment even further by splitting your fare into easy monthly installments with 0% interest! T&Cs apply.

Last verified 27 Nov 2019

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Travel Talk Tours

Buy 1, get 1 Croatia sailing

T&Cs apply

Last verified 29 Sep 2019

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Deal ends 31 Dec 2025

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Kyle Morgan

Kyle Morgan is a writer and editor for Finder who has worked for the USA Today network and Relix magazine, among other publications. He can be found writing about everything from the latest car loan stats to tips on saving money when traveling overseas. He lives in Asbury Park, where he loves exploring new places and sipping on hoppy beer. Oh, and he doesn't discriminate against buffalo wings — grilled or fried are just fine.

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Travel money guide: Croatia

Find out which cards to use in Croatia so you can have cheap and convenient access to your money.

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Our picks for traveling to Croatia

What's in this guide?

Travel card, debit card or credit card?

Using a credit card

Pros

Cons

Using a debit card

Using an ATM

Pros

Cons

Using a prepaid travel card

Pros

Cons

Paying with cash in Croatia

Pros

Cons

Using traveler’s checks

Pros

Cons

Compare travel credit cards

Compare up to 4 providers

Exchange rate history

Getting familiar with Croatian kuna

The main banks in Croatia are:

Find ATMs in Croatia

What should I budget for my trip to Croatia?

Case study: Phil's experience

An interview with Phil on the Croatian Coast

Cash pickup services in Croatia

Compare up to 4 providers

Get travel insurance quotes for your vacation in Croatia

Read more on this topic:

Our latest travel deals to Croatia

Kyle Morgan

More guides on Finder

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