A list of banks in Croatia

Thinking of moving to Croatia? Whether you plan on studying, working or staying with some family there, it could be useful to open a Croatian bank account.

But, as a foreigner, it can be difficult to know exactly which bank to choose. We’re here to help, as we’ve put together a list of top banks in Croatia along with information on the Croatian banking system.

Read on, as we’ve put together a list of top banks in Croatia, the account types available and some helpful info on how the banking system in Croatia works.

Banking in Croatia (an overview)¹

The banking system is one of the pillars of the Croatian economy. It’s stable and relatively recession resistant. The majority of banks are foreign owned, half of them being from the EU. There are 20 banks in Croatia at the moment, along with four home saving banks.

The central bank in Croatia is the Croatian National Bank. It’s part of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) and EU’s Single Euro Payments Area – SEPA. As of January 2023, the euro became Croatia’s official currency.²

As a foreigner, you can open a bank account in Croatia without restrictions. Some will require you to be a resident, though. Besides that, you’ll have to provide your ID and IOB number, which is issued by the Croatian tax authority. Most banks offer current accounts, savings accounts and giro accounts.³

And just like banks in other countries, Croatian banks tend to charge high fees for international transfers outside of Europe.

To avoid these expensive fees, consider using an alternative such as the Wise multi-currency account. It’s ideal for international transactions, and could save you some money.

Top Banks in Croatia

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest banks in Croatia:

Zagrebačka Banka⁴

Zagrebačka Banka or ZABA is part of the Italian UniCredit group. Being the leading bank in Croatia, they have over 100 branches and more than 750 ATMs throughout the country.

Their main account package products are the Start Package, Smart Package and Superior Package, as well as a Package for the Youth for those younger than 29. They all include euro accounts and multi-currency accounts, but the Smart and Superior package include benefits such as a membership-free Mastercard credit card, roadside assistance, travel and health insurance.

Privredna Banka Zagreb⁵

Privredna Banka Zagreb is a member of Intesa Sanpaolo Group, a leader in Italian banking. It’s one of the top banks in Croatia and its tradition dates back to the 60s.

When it comes to daily finances, their offer is pretty straightforward. You can choose between a current account in euros, a current account in euros and a foreign currency and a current account for those under 25, which is free of charge.

Erste Banka⁶

Erste Banka is among the top three banks in Croatia when it comes to total assets. They have 114 branches, 720 ATMs and close to a million clients.

Besides the basic current account, they also offer their Erste Gold and Gold Plus packages which include a Visa Gold debit card, roadside and home assistance up to a specified amount. This includes vehicle repair, plumber and electrician services and free towing.

Raiffeisen Banka⁷

Raiffeisen Banka is part of the Austrian RBA group. It was the first bank in Croatia to be funded with foreign capital. As of today, they have 62 branches in 36 cities across the country.

Raiffeisen’s main current account packages are RBA Start&Go, RBA Full&Cool and RBA Young&Free. They offer mobile and internet banking, multi-currency accounts and additional health insurance. If you have their Mastercard or Visa credit card, you can become part of their loyalty program. Every time you use your card, you receive points which you can exchange for euros.

OTP Banka⁸

With 7,7 billion euros in assets, OTP Banka is the fourth largest bank in the country. They have over 100 branches in Croatia, but the Hungarian OTP Group operates in 11 countries.

The OTP Standard Package can satisfy all your basic needs, while the OTP Plus package includes premium banker services, professional advising, and priority in the loan approval procedure. OTP also has a non-resident account. With it you can receive payments and perform cashless payments and transfers.

Hrvatska Poštanska Banka⁹

77% of Hrvatska Poštanska Banka (HPB) is owned by the Republic of Croatia. It’s been in business for over 30 years and today it has over 580,000 clients.

HPB is a stable bank with a simple offer. So, if you’re just looking for a regular current account, you’re in the right place. You can open it as a foreigner and add a foreign account to it.

Top Online bank accounts in Croatia

Along with traditional banks, Croatia also has a number of digital banks to choose from. This includes:

• Bunq - ‘bank of the free’ as they often call themselves is a fully mobile bank with and a choice of monthly plans for both personal and business customers
• Revolut - an app-based neobank with multiple plan options, including a free Standard one. They have business accounts as well as accounts for minors
• CurrencyFair - this money transfer service is easy to use and it can be used to send money to 150 countries

Manage your money internationally? Check out the Wise multi-currency account

If you want to send money internationally, or use your debit card when you travel, you could find it expensive with a traditional Croatian bank.

The good news is that there’s a money-saving alternative available. Open a Wise multi-currency account and you can send money worldwide, to 150+ countries for low fees and fair exchange rates.

You can even get an international debit card for spending in 150+ countries, including Croatia. It automatically converts your money to the local currency at the mid-market exchange rate and a low conversion fee, whenever you spend.

This makes it ideal for travellers, expats, overseas students and anyone else living an international life.

Pricing/fees: Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

Sources used for this article:

Sources checked on 12-Aug-2023.