How to open a bank account in Croatia

As a relatively young independent state, Croatia has been slow to develop its economy and infrastructure. That said, the cost of living is some 30% less than the average European country. As a result, the expat community is growing. If you’re considering joining that community, here’s what you’ll need know to open a bank account.

What documents do I need to open a bank account in the Croatia?

Opening a bank account in Croatia is simple. You'll need:

• Proof of identification (passport, driver’s license, Social Security card, government-issued identification card)
• Residency permit (if you have one)
• A nominal amount of money in either Croatian Kuna or Euro (the minimum required sum will vary from bank to bank)

If you don't have a residency permit, you can still open an account. The account will simply be classified as a ‘non-resident account.’ You'll be required to have an OIB, or ‘personal identification number’, which comes from the Ministry of Finance. The OIB is akin to a Social Security Number in the United States. It's required of all individuals who plan to bank, buy property, start a business, or reside in Croatia.

Can I open a bank account online?

Certain Croatian banks will allow you to open an online account, which means that you can start the process before you're in the country. For example, Primorska Banka, allows you to open an online account by downloading the application, printing and signing it, and sending it along with a copy of approved identification. As long as you have a passport or Croatian foreign national ID card, you'll be verified. Croatia Banka and Raiffeisen Bank allow for a similar application process.

It's more common for Croatian banks to require that you visit a branch in-person to open an account. To facilitate the process, many banks employ English and German-speaking workers. Once opened, your accounts are generally accessible online.

As an expat, you might turn to a government bureau for help with Croatian banking. The Central Bank of Croatia is a public institution offering resources which explain Croatia’s financial and monetary policies.

While there are commercial expat agencies, most of them only assist with job search and recruitment. Certain banks have expat centres that are designed around an expat’s needs. For example, Zagrebacka Banka has a Centre for Non-Residents, where expats can open an account, arrange for online banking, consult with an expert on investing and doing business in Croatia and ask other questions.

The process of opening an account in Croatia

In most cases, opening your account should be as easy as walking into a bank branch. You don't need an appointment to get started. A specialist will collect your information and set you up with your account. Most banks charge a nominal fee per month to manage the account, which can be as low as 5 kruna each month. The fee is often waived for students.

After you open your account, you'll have immediate access to your funds. However, it’ll take seven to ten days to receive your ATM card in the post. In the meantime, you'll have to withdraw funds in person.

Which bank should I choose?

Croatia is known to have a high concentration of foreign capital. Some of Croatia’s largest banks are foreign owned: Zagrebacka Banka is owned by the UniCredit Group of Italy, Privredna Banka by the Intesa Sanpaolo Group of Italy, and Erste & Steiermärkische Bank by Erste Group of Austria. Chances are if you bank with a major bank in Croatia, it will be foreign-owned.

You'll find the following international bank branches in Croatia:

• Raiffeisenbank (Austria)
• Imex Banka (Ukraine)
• Societe Generale Splitska Banka (France)
• OTP Banka (Hungary)
• Sberbank (Russia)

Here are some popular Croatian retail banks which are worth checking if they’re right for your banking needs:

Zagrebacka Banka

• Zagrebacka Banka, also known as ‘Zaba’, is Croatia’s largest retail banking company.
• There are more than 860 Zaba ATMs and 160 branches.
• It offers a large variety of accounts and features:
• Student accounts with low and no fees
• Accounts for youth (under 18 years old) with zero fees
• Giro accounts in Kuna or foreign currency
• MasterCard and Visa credit and debit cards
• Easy-to-use online features in English

Privredna Banka

• Privredna Banka is Croatia’s second-largest retail bank.
• There are about 200 branches of Privredna Banka across Croatia, and reportedly ‘the largest ATM network in Croatia.’
• It offers the following accounts and features:
• A Visa Inspire contactless debit card
• Corporate banking services
• Participant in the Croatian Deposit Guarantee Scheme, which acts as a safety net for individuals and nonprofits in the event of bankruptcy or a negative financial event

Raiffeisenbank

• Raiffeisenbank is one of the most prevalent banks in Croatia. It's a cooperative of banks originally based out of Austria.
• The bank maintains 78 branches in Croatia and numerous ATMs
• It offers the following accounts and services:
• Financing, leasing, investment banking, and trade and export consulting
• A comprehensive range of corporate credit and bank cards
• MasterCard PayPass payment processing

Erste & Steiermärkische Bank

• This bank, also known as “Erste Bank”, has been operational in Croatia since 2000, following a merger of three separate banks.
• The bank holds 131 branches and 630 ATMs throughout Croatia, as well as access to several partner ATMs.
• Offers the following services and features:
• Savings, asset management, and pension products
• Corporate banking and advisory services
• Online banking and live chat
• Maestro with Kuna
• Visa Electron with Kuna or foreign exchange account
• Gold debit MasterCard
• Diners Club credit card with rewards

ATMs in Croatia

Many ATMs will limit your withdrawal to 2,000 kuna each day. ATMs with a ceiling of 3,000 kuna are out there, but aren’t easy to find. The Hrvatska Posta office allows you to withdraw up to 6,000 kuna per day, as long as you have your debit card and passport or official ID.

If you withdraw money from an ATM that's out of your network, you can expect to pay a nominal fee. Most Croatian bank accounts offer foreign exchange, and charge per transaction. Fees do vary by transaction size and by bank.  

International banking fees

There's a great deal of variance in what you'll be charged at an ATM or bank. If you're dealing with foreign currency, expect a markup on the exchange rate. You may also encounter other hidden markups, commissions, and service charges. Keep in mind that the mid-market rate is the only true exchange rate. This is the rate you’ll find on google and which you can check in our online currency converter.

If you’re planning to send from another currency to Croatian kuna, you’ll be wanting to avoid unpleasant international transfer fees and get the fairest rate possible. If you have a bank account in Croatia or are planning to open one, use Transferwise to transfer at the mid-market rate and save the most money possible..