Guide · section 5
Banking and money
Croatia joined the euro in 2023, so there is almost no currency quirk left. What remains is a banking quirk: an account is not opened in ten minutes in an app but in person, at a branch, with paperwork.
What you need
- An OIB — nothing happens without it. That is step one, see the OIB section.
- A passport or residence card.
- Proof of a Croatian address — usually your lease.
- Proof of status or income — some banks ask, particularly of non-residents: an employment contract, company documents, proof of residence.
Requirements differ between banks and sometimes between branches. If one place refuses or asks for something impossible, walking into another bank is a perfectly normal response.
The main banks
| Bank | Known for |
|---|---|
| Zagrebačka banka | The largest, part of UniCredit. Wide branch and ATM network, decent app. |
| Privredna banka Zagreb (PBZ) | Second largest, part of Intesa Sanpaolo. Also a large network. |
| Erste banka | Austrian group, well regarded by many expats for service. |
| OTP banka | Hungarian group with a substantial national presence. |
| Raiffeisen (RBA) | Austrian group. |
| Hrvatska poštanska banka (HPB) | State-owned, with counters in post offices among others. |
This is not a recommendation. Fees, terms and service quality change — compare current offers and read the fee schedule before signing.
Neobanks and transfers
Revolut, Wise and similar services work in Croatia and cover a great deal: multi-currency accounts, cheap international transfers, everyday payments. Plenty of people run their lives mainly on them.
You will still want a local account: for salary, for direct debits on utilities, for rent, and for certain official procedures. The common arrangement is a local account for the obligatory things and a neobank for everything else.
About incoming transfers
Banks are obliged to check the origin of funds. A large incoming transfer with no clear basis can trigger a document request and a hold while it is resolved. This is not foreigner-specific pickiness but standard compliance: keep proof of origin to hand — a sale contract, income statement, account history.
FAQ
Can I open an account before I have residence?
Usually yes, with an OIB — but non-resident terms differ and the document list may be longer. Confirm with the specific bank.
What currency does Croatia use?
The euro. Croatia adopted it on 1 January 2023 and the kuna has been withdrawn.
Are cards accepted everywhere?
In Zagreb, almost everywhere. Markets, small cafés and rural areas still want cash.
Is the banking app in English?
At the major banks, usually yes. Paper documents and letters from the bank will be in Croatian.
Are account fees high?
There is normally a monthly package fee, and it varies by bank and tariff. Compare the plans — the annual difference adds up.
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