Money & Payments in Split (2026)

Local Currency: EUR

Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: revolut.com, travelwithhello.com

Good to know

Good to Know

Croatia officially uses the Euro (EUR) since January 2023; kuna is obsolete
Cards work everywhere in central Split and tourist zones, but family-run taverns still prefer or accept only cash
Most ATM fees are unavoidable (~€4–5 per withdrawal); Kent Bank offers rare fee-free alternative but locations are limited
Decline dynamic currency conversion (DCC) at ATMs—always choose to be charged in EUR, not your home currency
Tip in cash whenever possible; while card tipping is increasingly common (especially post-2024), many family-run establishments still handle tips in cash
Service workers in Croatia earn modest salaries, so tips are genuinely appreciated, though not culturally mandatory
For longer stays, withdraw larger amounts less frequently to reduce fee impact

Tipping Norms

Bars: Round up or leave €1–2 for table service
Taxis: Rounding up is common; no tip expected but appreciated. ~€1–2 for short trips, ~10% for longer journeys
Hotels: Bellhops/porters: €1–2 per bag; housekeeping: €1–2 per night for exceptional service
Payment Method: Prefer cash tips when possible; card tipping now available at many venues (as of 2024) but not universal—cash ensures server receives full amount
General Etiquette: Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory; significantly less formal than in USA/Canada
Cafes Coffeehouses: Round up to nearest EUR or leave small change; €1–2 appreciated but not expected

Restaurants Sitdown

Standard: 5–10% for mid-range establishments; 10–15% for upscale or exceptional service
Casual Explanation: Rounding up bill or leaving €1–5 is common practice locally

Tour Guides Private

Full Day: €10
Note: €10–€20 per person for full-day excursions; 10% standard for day tours

Local Currency

EUR

Card Acceptance

General: Widely accepted in central Split and major establishments
Major Providers: Visa and Mastercard are most common; American Express less prevalent
Cash Only Venues: Some family-run restaurants, small bakeries, and street vendors; several noted restaurants in Old Town accept cash only (e.g., Villa Spiza, To Je Tako, Kantun Paulina, some konobas)
Contactless Mobile: Standard in urban centers; Apple Pay and Google Pay widely supported

ATM Fees And Withdrawal

Practical Strategy: Make larger, less-frequent withdrawals to minimize per-transaction fees; use Kent Bank for fee-free option if location convenient
Typical ATM Fee: €4.80
ATM Availability: Abundant in central Split and tourist areas; ATMs less common on remote islands
Withdrawal Limits: Typically €100–€800 per transaction, usually around €700
Dynamic Currency Conversion Warning: Decline ATM offers to charge in foreign currency; accept charging in EUR only to avoid poor exchange rates and extra fees
Fee Context: Most Croatian banks charge flat fees of ~4–5 EUR per withdrawal for non-customers. Fee-free ATMs exist but are rare; Kent Bank ATMs in Split offer free withdrawals (one location ~15 min walk from Old Town)

Banking

Payment Methods: Croatian law requires employment income to be paid directly into a bank account; bills can be paid online or at postal offices (Croatian pošta) for a small fee.
System Overview: Split has a well-developed banking system with both local and international banks. No restrictions exist for foreigners to open accounts, though in-person branch visits are required.

Features

ATM Access: Nationwide ATM network for cash withdrawals with bank cards.
Overdrafts: Some banks offer automatic overdrafts (up to ~€7,000); others require separate application.
Online Banking: English-language online and mobile banking widely available; some interfaces offered in German.
Business Accounts: Mandatory for business owners; available with corporate credit cards, trade financing, and relationship managers.
Debit And Credit Cards: Most banks issue Visa or Mastercard debit and credit cards.
International Transfers: Available but can be slow; many expats use Wise or Revolut for faster, cheaper transfers.

Account Types

Current accounts (for salaries)
Giro accounts (for other income)
Savings accounts
Multi-currency accounts
Student accounts (fee-free)

Major Banks In Split

Zagrebačka banka (ZABA) – largest bank in Croatia
Privredna banka Zagreb (PBZ) – expat-friendly with good mortgages and student accounts
Erste & Steiermärkische Bank – popular with expats for mobile app and customer service
Raiffeisen Bank Austria Zagreb – 62 branches across Croatia with flexible accounts
OTP Bank Croatia – offers non-resident accounts with flexible deposits and withdrawals

Special Considerations

US citizens face additional FACTA compliance requirements and longer account-opening processes.
All Croatian banks must offer a free basic banking package to anyone receiving regular income.
Currency exchange rates vary by bank; compare before transfers.
Bank branches typically open 8 AM–7 PM Monday–Friday, some Saturdays.
Digital banks (Revolut, Wise, N26) popular for lower fees and ease, but a local account may still be needed for employment or residency compliance.

Account Setup For Foreigners

Costs: €20
Timeline: 3–7 days in-branch, or 1–2 days if digital onboarding available. Some banks allow online document submission, but in-person signing may still be required.
Note: Setup costs vary by bank (€10–30 typically); monthly maintenance usually €2–5.

Requirements

Valid passport or national ID
Proof of residence (utility bill, rental agreement, or accommodation confirmation)
OIB (Personal Identification Number) – obtainable from the Tax Administration Office
Residence permit (for stays over three months or non-EU nationals)

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Split

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Split