Money & Payments in Zagreb (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

Croatia switched to the Euro in January 2023; no kuna is used for everyday transactions.
Card acceptance in central Zagreb is seamless for restaurants, cafés, and shops, but carry some cash for markets, small vendors, and as backup.
When using an ATM, always decline Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) and choose to be charged in EUR — your bank's rate is almost always better than the ATM's.
ATM fees of €4–5+ per withdrawal are common; use bank-operated ATMs and make fewer, larger withdrawals to minimize fees.
Tipping is optional and genuinely appreciated but not mandatory; 10% at sit-down restaurants and rounding up at cafés are typical local habits.
If paying by card and want to tip, ask the server first to add it to your bill before payment — not all card terminals support tipping functions, so cash is often safer.
Contactless and mobile payments (card or phone) are widely accepted and convenient in central Zagreb.

ATM Fees

Overview: ATM fees in Zagreb vary significantly based on the bank operating the machine. Foreign-issued bank cards face access fees at many ATMs.
ATM Availability: Over 4,000 ATMs in Croatia; very accessible in cities and town centers, less available on remote islands

Fee Structure

Fixed per-transaction fee for foreign-issued bank cards
Visa fee
€5.31
ATM Operator
Zagrebačka banka (ZABA)
Erste Bank
Visa fee
€4.75
Notes
Fee applies to third-party customers; Erste's own customers withdraw free
Fixed fee regardless of withdrawal amount
Visa fee
€4.65
ATM Operator
Raiffeisen Bank (RBA)
Euronet and independent ATMs
Visa fee
€5.00
Notes
Often charge via unfavorable DCC rates rather than visible fees. Avoid when possible.

Tips To Reduce Fees

Use ATMs operated by major local banks (ZABA, PBZ, Erste, RBA) rather than independent operators like Euronet
Always decline Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) — choose EUR when asked to be charged in your home currency
Make fewer, larger withdrawals rather than multiple small ones
Use ATMs inside bank branches rather than standalone machines
Avoid ATMs at airports, hotels, and tourist areas (often higher fees)
Check with your home bank about international ATM fee reimbursement options

Tipping Norms

Currency: Always tip in Euro (EUR) — the local currency
Overview: Tipping in Croatia is optional and appreciated rather than mandatory. It is a gesture of appreciation for good service.
Payment Method: Cash tips are strongly preferred and ensure staff receive the full amount. While card tipping is now technically possible in some places (as of 2024), many establishments still cannot process it reliably, so cash is safest.
Cultural Note: Service workers in Croatia earn a living wage and do not rely on tips to survive, so tipping is genuinely optional. It is viewed as a personal choice reflecting satisfaction with service, not an obligation like in some other countries. Overly large tips may feel out of place or uncomfortable in a culture where modest tipping is the norm.

Tipping By Context

Restaurants (sit-down, full service)
Guideline
5–15% of total bill; 10% is typical for good service. Locals often round up to nearest euro.
Notes
Check bill first to see if service charge already included (labeled 'Napojnica uračunata u cijenu' or similar)
Cafés and casual places
Guideline
Round up to nearest whole euro or leave ~5%; not expected but appreciated
Bars
Guideline
Round up to nearest euro or leave €1–2 per round
Taxis
Guideline
Not mandatory. Round up the fare or add small tip (€1–2) if driver helped with luggage. 10% for longer rides with exceptional service.
Hotel housekeeping or porters
Guideline
€2–5 for exceptional service; small token of appreciation, not expected
Tour guides
Guideline
€8–20 per person depending on tour length and quality; 10% of tour cost is reasonable baseline
Private drivers or boat skippers
Guideline
€10–20 per person for full-day excursions
Hairdressing and beauty salons
Guideline
10–20% of service cost if very satisfied; not mandatory

Banking

Currency: Accounts can be opened in EUR (primary), other foreign currencies, or multi-currency
Processing Timeline: Account approval typically takes few days to two weeks; debit card arrives by mail within approximately 7 days
Non Resident Accounts: Non-residents can open accounts but generally require in-person visit and economic link to Croatia (business activity, property ownership, or long-term stay); alternative: fintech solutions like Wise or Revolut offer faster remote setup

Features

Overdraft: Some banks automatically provide overdraft allowance (~€7,000); others require separate application
Account Fees: Vary by bank and account type; typically low cost; some student accounts free
Online Banking: English-language online banking widely available; some offer German interfaces
Debit And Credit Cards: Most banks issue Visa or Mastercard debit and credit cards

Bank Account Setup

Minimum Deposit: Varies by bank; some banks have no minimum
No Minimum Option: OTP banka offers fee-free accounts with no minimum deposit
Residency Requirement: Generally requires in-person visit to bank branch; some banks allow online opening with documentation

Account Types

Current account (for salaries)
Giro account (for other income)
Savings account
Multi-currency account

Required Documents

Valid passport or ID
Residence permit or registration certificate
OIB (Personal Identification Number - Osobni identifikacijski broj)
Proof of residency (sometimes required, particularly for giro accounts)
Employment contract or financial documents (if applicable)

Major Banks In Zagreb

Zagrebačka Banka (ZABA)
Note
Largest retail bank; has Centre for Non-Residents; requires OIB for non-resident accounts; offers accounts in EUR
Privredna Banka Zagreb (PBZ)
Note
Second-largest bank; offers accounts in CHF, EUR, and USD
Erste & Steiermärkische Bank (Erste)
Note
Popular with expats; flexible currency options; known for good customer service and fast credit card issuance
OTP Banka
Note
Fourth-largest bank; no fees for basic accounts, no minimum deposit; digital app available (OTPgo)

Card Acceptance

Overview: Cards are widely accepted in Zagreb, especially in restaurants, cafés, museums, and larger shops. Visa and Mastercard are most common; American Express is slightly less prevalent.

Card Types Accepted

Visa
Mastercard
Maestro
Cirrus
Eurocard
American Express (less common)

Acceptance By Venue Type

Strong Acceptance

Restaurants and cafés (especially central)
Museums and ticketed attractions
Grocery stores and larger shops
Hotels and accommodation
Contactless payments are common

Limited Acceptance

Small family-owned taverns (konobas)
Local markets and street vendors
Some rural/island locations

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 Zagreb

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Zagreb

Good to know

Good to Know

ATM Fees

Fee Structure

Fixed per-transaction fee for foreign-issued bank cards

Erste Bank

Fixed fee regardless of withdrawal amount

Euronet and independent ATMs

Tips To Reduce Fees

Tipping Norms

Tipping By Context

Restaurants (sit-down, full service)

Cafés and casual places

Bars

Taxis

Hotel housekeeping or porters

Tour guides

Private drivers or boat skippers

Hairdressing and beauty salons