CNB: Around 4.2 billion kunas still in circulation

There are still 2.17 billion kuna coins in circulation, with a total value of 1.16 billion kunas, as well as banknotes of the former Croatian currency whose value exceeds three billion kunas, according to Croatian National Bank data as of the last day of December, until when it was still possible to exchange kuna coins for euros.

As of the last day of last year, the Croatian National Bank (CNB) reported to the Hina news agency that a total of 470.69 million banknotes and 828.31 million coins had been withdrawn, while 74.28 million kuna banknotes and 2.17 billion coins were still in circulation.

Thus, in terms of value, there are still 3.05 billion kunas in banknotes and 1.16 billion kunas in coins in circulation. Compared to the state of kuna coins in circulation and the CNB's reserves as of July 31, 2022, the last day of the month in which the decision to introduce the euro in Croatia was made, 27.6 percent of coins were deposited into the treasury, or 43.8 percent in value.

“This percentage is in line with the experiences of other euro area members, where the return varied between 23 and almost 50 percent, as well as the expectations of the CNB, since Croatia is a tourist country and kunas are found all over the world. One of the non-negligible reasons for keeping the kuna is sentiment, so many of our citizens will leave part of their kuna cash unexchanged,” the CNB says.

Croatia entered the Eurozone on January 1, 2023, and in that first year of membership, citizens could exchange kuna for euros at FINA and the Croatian Post, while from January 1, 2024, this will be exclusively possible at the CNB. The CNB is exchanging kuna banknotes for euros permanently, without any time limit, while the deadline for exchanging kuna coins expired on the last day of 2025 and they can no longer be exchanged.

Daily December average of almost 250 citizens at the CNB cash desk

On some days in December, considerable crowds could be seen at the CNB cash desk in Jurišićeva Street, as evidenced by the central bank's data on the daily December average of 247 kuna-to-euro exchange transactions, with the average transaction value being 2,001.92 kuna.

For comparison, from January to the end of September 2025, the CNB processed an average of 137 kuna-to-euro exchange transactions at its cash desk daily, with an average transaction value of 2,467.05 kuna.

The smallest individual amount exchanged by a citizen was 50 lipa, while the largest individual amount reached 542,000 kuna, the CNB revealed.

In December alone, the CNB received more than 4,500 shipments via postal services, and expects the shipments to arrive by the end of this week, and all those sent by December 31, 2025 will be considered.

All received shipments, including those received in the coming days, will be processed in the coming days and weeks, after which the CNB will have the final number of coins that will not be returned to the central bank, the CNB's response stated.

Banknotes can still be exchanged at the CNB cash desk, as well as via postal services

In the future, kuna banknotes will also be able to be exchanged for euros, at a fixed exchange rate and without additional fees, by coming in person to the CNB cash desk at Jurišićeva 17, as well as via postal services.

In addition, personal arrival is mandatory for all exchanges involving a value of 15,000 kuna or more.

Also, in the event of an intention to come in person and carry out an exchange for amounts equal to or greater than 40,000 kuna, it is necessary to announce the desired arrival time to the email address [e-mail] at least two working days before the desired time. The bearer will be informed about the acceptance of the time by email, according to the CNB.

When it comes to the possibility of exchanging money via postal services, it is at the sender's personal responsibility and expense, and is only possible for values up to 14,999.99 kuna, regardless of whether it is one or more cumulative shipments.

In the event that the specified value is exceeded, the CNB notes, the shipment is held as a deposit until the applicant arrives in person, which is a condition for continuing the exchange procedure.

However, if the amount does not exceed the specified limit, and the money delivered meets the conditions for exchange, the exchange is carried out and the exchanged amount is shipped to the party's address via the Croatian Post service, at no additional cost, the central bank says.

In the case of sending cash for exchange via postal services, citizens should attach a completed and signed application for the exchange of kuna cash, available on the CNB website, to the shipment. The money for exchange is sent by mail to the CNB address at Trg hrvatskih velikana 3, to the Directorate for Storage, Processing and Supply of Cash.

Source: HINA/HRT