Cards are widely useful in hotels, supermarkets, fuel stations and established restaurants, especially in cities and major resorts. Cash remains valuable at markets, small cafes, local transport, family-run accommodation and some island or rural businesses.
Let each route choose the payment
| Situation | Useful default | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Zagreb, Split or Dubrovnik hotel | Card | Pay in EUR and decline unwanted home-currency conversion. |
| Konoba or independent cafe | Ask, then card or cash | Accepted networks and whether the tip can be added. |
| Market or bakery | Small euro cash | Use EUR 5 and 10 rather than a large note. |
| Island day | Card plus full cash fallback | ATM location, ferry return and venue acceptance. |
| Guesthouse | Confirmed method | Message the host before arrival. |
| Fuel and motorway toll | Card with cash backup | Choose the correct toll lane. |
Choose a bank ATM, then choose euros
Prefer an ATM clearly connected to an established bank. Read the operator fee, know your issuer's cash-withdrawal fee and inspect the conversion choice. If the machine offers your home currency, selecting EUR normally leaves conversion to your own network and issuer.
Turn EUR 120 into useful pieces
One EUR 50, two EUR 20s and three EUR 10s create a flexible reserve. Add a few EUR 1 and 2 coins from normal change. Keep the EUR 50 protected and let smaller notes handle cafes, tips and market purchases.
Old kuna has one remaining route
Kuna is not spendable. HNB continues exchanging kuna banknotes without a deadline at EUR 1 = HRK 7.53450, but the exchange deadline for kuna coins passed on 31 December 2025.
Before leaving the mainland
- Confirm accommodation payment.
- Download ferry tickets and booking details.
- Withdraw enough for one meal, local movement and the return.
- Store the backup card separately.
- Break large notes before reaching a tiny venue.
- Keep receipts until card charges settle.