Croatian Currency — The Euro (EUR) Since 2023

Key Facts: The Euro in Croatia

Currency: Euro (EUR) — since 1 January 2023. Croatia is the 20th country to adopt the euro, replacing the kuna (HRK) at the fixed rate 1 EUR = 7.53450 HRK.
Central bank: Hrvatska narodna banka (HNB). Now a Eurosystem national central bank. Governor Boris Vujčić (since 2012) sits on the ECB Governing Council.
Coins feature Nikola Tesla + a marten (kuna). Each Eurosystem member designs its own coin reverses. Croatia's €1 coin honours the marten — the animal that gave the old kuna its name.
Kuna still exchangeable indefinitely at HNB. HRK lost legal-tender status on 15 January 2023, but the Croatian National Bank exchanges kuna banknotes and coins to euros free of charge at any of its branches, with no deadline.
ECB deposit facility rate: 2.00%. Set by the ECB in Frankfurt for all 20 Eurozone members. Inflation in Croatia has converged close to the Eurozone average since adoption.

What Is the Currency of Croatia?

Croatia’s currency is the euro (symbol €, ISO 4217 code EUR). On 1 January 2023, Croatia became the 20th member of the Eurosystem, adopting the euro in place of the Croatian kuna (HRK). It was the first country to join the euro since Lithuania in 2015, and the first of the Western Balkans-adjacent states to complete the full accession path.

The transition was fixed at 1 EUR = 7.53450 HRK — the same central rate Croatia had held in ERM II since 10 July 2020. A two-week period of dual circulation followed adoption, after which the kuna ceased to be legal tender on 15 January 2023. The Croatian National Bank (Hrvatska narodna banka, HNB) continues to exchange kuna banknotes and coins to euros indefinitely and without fees.

Euro to US Dollar — 1-Year Chart

Croatia shares the euro with 19 other Eurozone countries. The chart below tracks EUR/USD — the relevant exchange-rate benchmark for any euro user, since it’s the world’s largest-volume FX pair.

Euro (EUR) to US Dollar — 1 Year
	Jul 09	Jul 13	Jul 15	Jul 17	Jul 21	Jul 23	Jul 27	Jul 29	Jul 31	Aug 04	Aug 06	Aug 10	Aug 12	Aug 14	Aug 18	Aug 20	Aug 24	Aug 26	Aug 28	Sep 01	Sep 03	Sep 07	Sep 09	Sep 11	Sep 15	Sep 17	Sep 21	Sep 23	Sep 25	Sep 29	Oct 01	Oct 05	Oct 07	Oct 09	Oct 13	Oct 15	Oct 19	Oct 21	Oct 23	Oct 28	Oct 30	Nov 03	Nov 05	Nov 07	Nov 11	Nov 13	Nov 17	Nov 19	Nov 21	Nov 25	Nov 27	Dec 01	Dec 03	Dec 05	Dec 09	Dec 11	Dec 15	Dec 17	Dec 19	Dec 23	Dec 26	Dec 30	Jan 02	Jan 06	Jan 08	Jan 12	Jan 14	Jan 16	Jan 20	Jan 22	Jan 26	Jan 28	Jan 30	Feb 03	Feb 05	Feb 09	Feb 11	Feb 13	Feb 17	Feb 19	Feb 23	Feb 25	Feb 27	Mar 03	Mar 05	Mar 09	Mar 11	Mar 13	Mar 17	Mar 19	Mar 23	Mar 25	Mar 27	Mar 30	Apr 01	Apr 05	Apr 07	Apr 09	Apr 13	Apr 15	Apr 19	Apr 21	Apr 23	Apr 27	Apr 29	May 03	May 05	May 07	May 11	May 13	May 17	May 19	May 21	May 25	May 27	May 31	Jun 02	Jun 04	Jun 08	Jun 10	Jun 14	Jun 16	Jun 18	Jun 22	Jun 24	Jun 28	Jun 30	Jul 02	Jul 06	Jul 08	Jul 10
USD per EUR	1.17	1.17	1.16	1.16	1.17	1.18	1.18	1.16	1.14	1.16	1.17	1.16	1.17	1.17	1.17	1.17	1.17	1.16	1.17	1.17	1.17	1.17	1.17	1.17	1.18	1.18	1.17	1.18	1.17	1.17	1.17	1.17	1.17	1.16	1.16	1.16	1.17	1.16	1.16	1.17	1.16	1.15	1.15	1.15	1.16	1.16	1.16	1.16	1.15	1.15	1.16	1.16	1.16	1.16	1.16	1.17	1.17	1.17	1.17	1.18	1.18	1.18	1.18	1.17	1.17	1.16	1.16	1.16	1.16	1.17	1.19	1.2	1.2	1.18	1.18	1.18	1.19	1.19	1.18	1.18	1.18	1.18	1.18	1.17	1.16	1.15	1.16	1.15	1.15	1.15	1.16	1.16	1.15	1.15	1.16	1.15	1.17	1.17	1.18	1.18	1.17	1.17	1.17	1.17	1.17	1.17	1.17	1.17	1.18	1.17	1.16	1.16	1.16	1.16	1.16	1.16	1.16	1.16	1.15	1.15	1.16	1.16	1.15	1.14	1.14	1.14	1.14	1.14	1.14	1.14	1.15

Over the past 12 months the euro has moved in a roughly 1.10–1.18 range against the dollar, closing recently near 1.18. The ECB’s current 2.00% deposit rate, set against the Fed’s 4.25%, is the dominant driver of the pair’s trajectory.

Euro Banknotes and Croatian Coins

Croatia uses the same euro banknotes as the other 19 Eurosystem members — the “Europa” series introduced in denominations from €5 to €200 between 2013 and 2019. The €500 note is still legal tender but is no longer issued.

Denomination	Motif	Notes	Colour
€5 Europa	Classical architecture	Same ECB banknotes as Germany + all Eurozone	Grey
€10 Europa	Romanesque architecture	—	Red
€20 Europa	Gothic architecture	—	Blue
€50 Europa	Renaissance architecture	—	Orange
€100 Europa	Baroque & Rococo architecture	—	Green
€200 Europa	19th-century iron & glass architecture	—	Yellow-brown

Current euro banknotes in use in Croatia (and across the Eurozone).

Euro coins have a national reverse unique to Croatia. The designs were selected via a public competition in 2021. The small coins (1c, 2c, 5c) carry the country abbreviation “HR” on a chequerboard. The mid-sized coins (10c, 20c, 50c) show a portrait of Nikola Tesla, the Croatian-born inventor. The €1 coin depicts a kuna (pine marten) — a graceful nod to the pre-euro currency’s namesake animal. The €2 coin shows a map of Croatia with the country’s red-and-white chequerboard motif.

Denomination	Croatian National Reverse	Minted
1c, 2c, 5c	Copper-plated steel — Croatian national reverse: ‘HR’ lettering on a chequerboard background	Since 2023
10c, 20c, 50c	Nordic gold — Croatian national reverse: Nikola Tesla portrait	Since 2023
€1	Bi-metallic — Croatian national reverse: the kuna (marten), the animal on the pre-euro currency	Since 2023
€2	Bi-metallic — Croatian national reverse: map of Croatia with “HR” and a chequerboard motif	Since 2023

Euro coins minted in Croatia, national-side designs.

Detailed editorial infographic of all banknotes and coins of Croatian Currency — The Euro (EUR) Since 2023, showing each denomination's front, back, size, main color and motif, plus all circulating coins with their physical specifications. Portrait layout, editorial magazine style. — All notes and coins of Croatian Currency — The Euro (EUR) Since 2023 — denominations, motifs, and physical specifications.

From Kuna to Euro: Croatia’s Currency History

The Croatian kuna had a short but successful run. Introduced in 1994 during the country’s independence and post-war stabilisation, it replaced the transitional Croatian dinar and was named after the pine marten — a fur-bearing animal historically used as a unit of account in Croatian lands. By 2022, after nearly three decades of stability, Croatia had effectively out-grown the kuna: its economy was already heavily euroised, and the kuna’s ERM II peg had been held without stress.

Year	Event
1994	Croatian kuna (HRK) introduced 30 May, replacing the transitional Croatian dinar of 1991–1994.
1997	Hrvatska narodna banka (Croatian National Bank) achieves full operational independence.
2004	Croatia applies for EU membership; convergence toward the euro becomes a stated long-term goal.
2013	Croatia joins the European Union on 1 July. Euro adoption begins to move from policy goal to timetable.
2020	Kuna joins ERM II (the euro’s waiting room) on 10 July at a central rate of 7.53450 HRK = 1 EUR.
2022	ECOFIN Council clears Croatia to adopt the euro on 12 July; ECB converges rate set at 7.53450 HRK = 1 EUR.
2023	Croatia adopts the euro on 1 January, becoming the 20th Eurosystem member. Dual-circulation with the kuna runs for two weeks; the kuna loses legal-tender status on 15 January. HNB continues to exchange kuna indefinitely.
2024–2026	Croatia’s first full years on the euro. Inflation has converged toward Eurozone average; Zagreb retains HNB as a Eurosystem national central bank.

Key milestones in Croatia’s currency history, 1994–2026.

The Croatian Economy and the Euro

Croatia is a small, open, services-heavy economy. Tourism contributes roughly 25% of GDP — one of the highest shares in the EU — and most of those receipts come from Eurozone visitors, a fact that made euro adoption especially logical. Manufacturing, shipbuilding, and pharmaceuticals account for most of the remainder of exports.

On the monetary side, Croatia is now subject to the ECB’s single inflation target of 2% over the medium term. Croatian inflation initially ran noticeably above the Eurozone average in 2023 — driven partly by small-scale price rounding during the euro changeover — but has since converged. The ECB’s deposit facility rate sits at 2.00% as of April 2026; Croatia’s own credit conditions now move with Frankfurt rather than Zagreb.

Using Euros in Croatia

Cards are widely accepted along the Dalmatian coast (Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar, Šibenik), in Istria (Rovinj, Pula), and in Zagreb — Visa and Mastercard work nearly everywhere, including most konobas, restaurants, hotels, ferry tickets, and tolls. Contactless is near-universal. In smaller villages, inland national parks (Plitvice, Krka — entry is cardable), and on some ferries to smaller islands, cash is still useful.

Typical prices in euros (2026): espresso in a café €1.50–€2.50; marenda (set lunch) €10–€16 in a konoba, €18–€28 in a mid-range restaurant; a scoop of gelato €2.00–€2.50; a single Zagreb tram ticket €0.53; a mid-range hotel in Split or Dubrovnik in July €140–€280. ATMs (bankomat) are abundant in tourist zones — Zagrebačka banka, Privredna banka Zagreb, and Erste&Steiermärkische Bank operate the largest networks. Avoid Euronet ATMs at airports and on tourist strips — the conversion margins can be steep.

Croatia Among Its Neighbours

Croatia is now firmly in the euro camp — alongside Slovenia (euro since 2007) and Slovakia (since 2009). Hungary, Romania, and Serbia retain their own currencies with varying degrees of float; Bulgaria is the next likely Eurozone candidate with its currency-board BGN already fixed to the euro.

Country	Code	Regime	Inflation	Policy rate
🇭🇷 Croatia	EUR (since 2023)	Eurosystem (free float)	3.5%	2.00%
🇸🇮 Slovenia	EUR (since 2007)	Eurosystem (free float)	2.4%	2.00%
🇸🇰 Slovakia	EUR (since 2009)	Eurosystem (free float)	2.9%	2.00%
🇭🇺 Hungary	HUF	Free float (MNB inflation target)	4.3%	6.50%
🇷🇴 Romania	RON	Managed float	5.0%	6.50%
🇧🇬 Bulgaria	BGN (pegged to EUR)	Currency board → euro 2026 candidate	2.6%	2.00%
🇷🇸 Serbia	RSD	Managed float	5.2%	5.75%

Croatia and its regional neighbours — currency, regime, 2026 inflation, and policy rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the currency of Croatia?

The currency of Croatia is the euro (€, ISO 4217 code EUR). Croatia adopted the euro on 1 January 2023, becoming the 20th member of the Eurosystem. The euro replaced the Croatian kuna (HRK) at the fixed conversion rate of 1 EUR = 7.53450 HRK.

Is the Croatian kuna still legal tender?

No. The kuna ceased to be legal tender on 15 January 2023, after a two-week dual-circulation period. However, the Hrvatska narodna banka (HNB) will continue to exchange kuna banknotes and coins to euros indefinitely at no charge, at any of its branches in Zagreb, Osijek, Rijeka, and Split.

Why did Croatia adopt the euro?

Croatia’s financial system was already heavily euroised before 2023 — roughly 70% of bank deposits and over 50% of loans were already denominated in euros or indexed to the euro. Adopting the euro formally eliminated exchange-rate risk on those positions, lowered borrowing costs (especially for the government), and removed FX fees on the large tourism-driven transaction flows (tourism accounts for around 25% of Croatia’s GDP).

Who manages monetary policy for Croatia?

The European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, under President Christine Lagarde. The Croatian National Bank (HNB), still headed by Governor Boris Vujčić, is now a Eurosystem national central bank. Governor Vujčić sits on the ECB Governing Council and votes on euro-area monetary-policy decisions.

What do Croatian euro coins look like?

Like every Eurosystem member, Croatia designed its own national reverses for the eight denominations. The 1c, 2c, and 5c coins show the “HR” country abbreviation on a chequerboard pattern. The 10c, 20c, and 50c coins show a portrait of the Croatian-born inventor Nikola Tesla. The €1 coin shows a marten (kuna), honouring the old currency’s namesake animal, and the €2 coin shows a map of Croatia with the country’s chequerboard coat of arms.

Do Croatian euro coins work in the rest of the Eurozone?

Yes. All euro coins from any Eurosystem member are legal tender across the entire euro area. You can spend Croatian-issue €1 coins in Berlin, Paris, Rome, or Dublin without any conversion.

How many euros was one kuna worth?

The fixed conversion rate set by the ECOFIN Council on 12 July 2022 was 1 EUR = 7.53450 HRK, or equivalently 1 HRK ≈ €0.13. HNB still exchanges kuna at this rate.