Croatia uses the euro and is part of the Schengen Area. Travellers arriving from another Schengen country normally do not pass through routine immigration checks, but they should still carry a valid passport or national identity card. Border checks remain in place when arriving from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro or another country outside Schengen. For most non-EU visitors, days spent in Croatia count towards the shared Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180-day period.
Croatia adopted the euro and joined the Schengen Area on 1 January 2023. These two changes made travel easier, but they affect different parts of a trip. The euro determines how visitors pay, while Schengen rules determine where immigration and passport checks normally take place.
What Currency Is Used in Croatia?
The euro (€ or EUR) is Croatia’s official currency and the only currency used for everyday cash payments. Croatian kuna are no longer accepted in shops, restaurants, hotels, petrol stations or other businesses.
The fixed conversion rate used when Croatia changed currencies was:
€1 = HRK 7.53450
This rate may still be useful when comparing older accommodation prices, restaurant menus or travel information published before the introduction of the euro.
Euro banknotes and coins issued by any euro-area country can be used in Croatia. Croatian euro coins have their own national designs but have the same value and can be used throughout the euro area.
Paying by Card and Using Cash
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Croatian hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, petrol stations and tourist attractions. Contactless payments are common, particularly in cities and popular coastal destinations.
However, carrying a modest amount of cash is still useful. Some smaller cafés, bakeries, local markets, family-run businesses, parking machines and establishments in rural or island locations may prefer cash or have minimum card-payment amounts.
When paying or withdrawing money with a card that is not denominated in euros, a terminal or ATM may offer to convert the amount into the card’s home currency. This is known as dynamic currency conversion.
Choosing to be charged in euros usually allows the card provider to perform the conversion and can avoid an unfavourable exchange rate offered by the terminal or ATM. Travellers should also check their own bank’s foreign transaction and cash withdrawal fees.
Can Old Croatian Kuna Still Be Exchanged?
Croatian kuna banknotes can still be exchanged for euros free of charge at the Croatian National Bank without a time limit. The fixed conversion rate of €1 to HRK 7.53450 is used.
The deadline for exchanging kuna coins expired on 31 December 2025. Kuna and lipa coins can therefore no longer be exchanged.
Kuna banknotes may be submitted directly to the Croatian National Bank in Zagreb or, subject to its conditions and limits, sent by post. Check the latest instructions on the Croatian National Bank cash replacement page before attempting an exchange.
What Schengen Membership Means for Travellers
The Schengen Area allows travel between participating countries without routine immigration checks at their internal borders.
Croatia removed checks at its internal land and sea borders on 1 January 2023. Checks on passengers arriving on flights from other Schengen countries ended on 26 March 2023.
In practical terms, this means that travellers normally do not pass through immigration control when:
- driving into Croatia from Slovenia or Hungary;
- taking a flight to Croatia from another Schengen country;
- travelling on a ferry or other connection between Croatia and a Schengen country such as Italy.
Schengen does not mean that travellers can enter Croatia without the correct documents. Police may conduct identity checks in border areas, ports, airports, railway stations or elsewhere. Airlines and ferry operators may also require identification before boarding.
Schengen countries can temporarily restore controls at their internal borders in exceptional circumstances. Travellers should therefore carry a valid travel document even when no routine border check is expected. Current temporary controls can be checked on the European Commission’s official border-control page.
Where Border Checks Still Apply
Croatia’s borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro are external Schengen borders. Travellers crossing these borders must pass through immigration control and present the required travel documents.
External border checks also apply when arriving:
- on a flight from a country outside the Schengen Area;
- by ferry or boat from a non-Schengen country;
- by road from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia or Montenegro.
Waiting times at external borders can increase during summer weekends, public holidays and other busy travel periods. Allow additional time when planning onward transport, ferry departures or airport transfers.
Travelling to Dubrovnik and the Neum Corridor
The Pelješac Bridge allows travellers to drive between the rest of Croatia and the Dubrovnik region without leaving Croatian territory or crossing an external Schengen border.
The older coastal route through Neum briefly enters Bosnia and Herzegovina before returning to Croatia. Travellers choosing this route must have documents that allow them to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina and re-enter the Schengen Area. Two separate border crossings and possible delays should be included in the journey time.
Which Travel Documents Should You Carry?
Citizens of the EU, the European Economic Area and Switzerland can generally travel to Croatia using a valid passport or national identity card.
Visitors from outside these countries normally need a valid passport and may also need a visa, depending on their nationality and circumstances. A driving licence is not an international travel document and should not be relied upon instead of a passport or identity card.
Document-validity rules and visa requirements depend on nationality. Before travelling, check the complete passport and visa information for Croatia and verify the latest requirements through an official government or EU source.
The 90/180-Day Schengen Rule
For most non-EU nationals visiting without a residence permit or long-stay visa, the maximum permitted short stay is 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.
This limit applies to the Schengen Area as a whole. Joining Schengen did not give Croatia a separate 90-day allowance.
For example, spending 30 days in Croatia, 30 days in Italy and 30 days in Austria generally uses the full 90-day short-stay allowance. Moving from one Schengen country to another does not restart the calculation.
A Schengen visa normally allows travel to Croatia and other Schengen countries subject to the visa’s validity, number of permitted entries and authorised duration of stay. Travellers can use the European Commission’s official short-stay calculator to help calculate their remaining allowance.
Entry/Exit System for Non-EU Travellers
The Entry/Exit System, usually shortened to EES, has been fully operational at external Schengen border crossing points since 10 April 2026.
It applies to most non-EU nationals entering for a short stay, including both travellers who require a short-stay visa and those who can enter without one. The system digitally records entries, exits and refusals of entry. It may also collect information from the travel document, a facial image and fingerprints.
For travellers covered by the system, EES replaces manual passport stamping. The first registration may take longer than later crossings, particularly at busy airports, ferry ports and road borders.
EES is relevant when entering Croatia from outside Schengen. It does not normally create an additional immigration procedure when travelling to Croatia from Slovenia, Hungary or another Schengen country.
Eligibility, exemptions and the latest procedures are explained on the official EU Entry/Exit System website.
ETIAS Is Not Yet in Operation
At the time of the latest review on 13 August 2026, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, known as ETIAS, was not yet operational and applications were not being accepted.
Once introduced, ETIAS will apply to many visa-exempt non-EU nationals travelling to participating European countries for a short stay. It will be a travel authorisation rather than a visa.
The EU expects ETIAS to begin after the EES rollout, but the precise launch date should always be confirmed through the official ETIAS website. Travellers should avoid unofficial websites claiming that an ETIAS application is already required or available before the official system opens.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not assume that Schengen membership means no travel document is required.
- Do not count Croatia as a separate 90-day allowance from the rest of Schengen.
- Do not plan to pay with Croatian kuna.
- Do not bring kuna coins expecting to exchange them, as the exchange deadline has passed.
- Do not automatically accept conversion into your home currency at an ATM or payment terminal.
- Do not plan a tight connection after crossing an external border during busy travel periods.
- Do not apply for ETIAS through an unofficial website before the EU confirms that applications are open.
FAQs
Does Croatia use the euro?
Yes. The euro is Croatia’s official currency. Croatian kuna are no longer accepted as payment.
Is Croatia part of the Schengen Area?
Yes. Croatia has been part of the Schengen Area since 1 January 2023. Routine internal border checks were removed at land and sea borders on that date and at airports on 26 March 2023.
Do I need a passport when driving from Slovenia to Croatia?
There is normally no routine immigration check at the Slovenia–Croatia border. However, travellers should still carry a valid passport or national identity card because temporary border controls or police identity checks are possible.
Are there border checks between Bosnia and Croatia?
Yes. Bosnia and Herzegovina is not part of the Schengen Area, so its border with Croatia is an external Schengen border. Travellers must carry the required documents and pass through border control.
Do days spent in Croatia count towards the 90/180-day limit?
Yes. For travellers subject to the short-stay limit, days spent in Croatia count towards the total time spent throughout the Schengen Area.
Do travellers already need ETIAS for Croatia?
No. As of 13 August 2026, ETIAS is not yet operational and applications are not being accepted. Check the official EU website before travelling because this will change after the system launches.
Continue Planning Your Journey
Understanding the euro and Schengen rules is only one part of preparing for Croatia. Continue with the practical guides to travelling to Croatia by car, air travel, sea travel and getting around Croatia.
Entry systems and temporary border controls can change. Always verify time-sensitive requirements through official Croatian or European Union sources shortly before departure.
