If you’re digging through an old travel wallet and found a handful of colorful bills with "Hrvatska Narodna Banka" printed on them, you aren't alone. It happens. People find them in jacket pockets, tucked into books, or at the bottom of a "miscellaneous" drawer years after a vacation to Dubrovnik. But here’s the thing: Croatia doesn't use the kuna anymore.
Since January 1, 2023, the euro has been the king of the castle in Zagreb and Split.
Still, the search for the croatian kuna to usd exchange rate hasn't exactly disappeared. Whether you’re a collector, a forgetful traveler, or a business clearing out old ledger balances, knowing what that paper is actually worth in "real money" is still pretty important.
The Fixed Math You Can't Argue With
When Croatia joined the eurozone, they didn't just pick a number out of a hat. They locked in a permanent, "forever" rate. That rate is exactly 7.53450 kuna for every 1 euro.
Because of this, the croatian kuna to usd rate is no longer a fluctuating market price driven by Croatian exports or tourism seasons. Instead, it is a "ghost rate." It’s entirely dependent on how the Euro is doing against the U.S. Dollar.
Basically, if the Euro gets stronger against the Dollar, your old kuna technically "gain" value too, even though they’re sitting in your drawer. Right now, in early 2026, the Euro is trading around $1.16. If you do the math—dividing that 1.16 by the fixed 7.53450—you get a value of roughly **$0.15 per kuna**.
One kuna is basically fifteen cents. Not enough to retire on, but a stack of 200-kuna notes? That’s about $30 USD. It's worth the trip to the bank.
Where to Exchange Croatian Kuna to USD Right Now
Honestly, this is where it gets tricky. If you walk into a Chase or a Bank of America in suburban Ohio with 500 kuna, they’ll probably look at you like you’re trying to pay with Monopoly money. Most commercial banks outside of Europe stopped carrying or accepting kuna the second the transition period ended in late 2023.
In fact, even in Croatia, most places won't touch them. The post offices (Hrvatska pošta) and commercial banks (like ZABA or PBZ) stopped doing exchanges on New Year's Eve of 2023.
The Last Resort: The HNB
If you have banknotes, you have exactly one official option left: The Croatian National Bank (Hrvatska narodna banka or HNB).
The good news? They will exchange kuna banknotes indefinitely. There is no deadline. You could walk in there in 2045, and as long as the building is still standing, they’ll give you euros for your bills.
The bad news? You missed the boat on the coins. The deadline to exchange kuna coins (the ones with the cool animals and plants on them) was December 31, 2025. As of right now, those coins are officially souvenirs or scrap metal.
Can You Do It by Mail?
You actually can. The HNB allows you to send banknotes via registered mail to their headquarters in Zagreb (Nikole Jurišića 17). It’s a bit of a process—you have to provide your info and hope the mailman doesn't have sticky fingers—but for amounts under 15,000 kuna, it’s a valid way to get your money back. For anything over that amount, they’re going to want to see your face in person.
Why People Still Care About the Rate
You might wonder why croatian kuna to usd is even a search term in 2026. It's usually one of three things.
First, there’s the "found money" factor. There are still billions of kuna floating around in people's homes. Some people held onto them out of nostalgia; others just forgot.
Second, there’s the numismatic market. Some of the rarer denominations, like the 25-kuna commemorative coins or the 1000-kuna bills (which featured Ante Starčević), are actually worth more than the exchange rate to collectors. If you have a crisp, uncirculated 1000-kuna bill, don't rush to exchange it for $150. A collector might give you $200 or more.
Third, it's about historical price comparison. If you're looking at old real estate records or business contracts from 2020, you need that croatian kuna to usd conversion to understand the historical value of an investment.
A Quick Reality Check on "Street Rates"
If you're in a tourist trap and someone offers to "help" you by exchanging your old kuna for dollars or euros at a "convenient" rate, run. There is no such thing as a convenient private exchange for a defunct currency. They will likely offer you 5 or 6 kuna to the dollar, which is a massive haircut compared to the official rate. Stick to the central bank.
Actionable Steps for Your Leftover Kuna
If you’re holding a stack of the old "Hrvatska" cash, here is exactly what you should do:
- Sort by Type: Separate your bills from your coins. Remember, the coins are now just keepsakes.
- Check the Value: Use the fixed rate of 7.53450 HRK = 1 EUR, then convert that EUR to USD using today's spot rate (roughly 1.16).
- Assess the Condition: If you have high-denomination notes (500 or 1000) in perfect condition, check eBay or a coin dealer before exchanging them. You might have a "collector's premium" on your hands.
- The Mail-In Option: If you aren't planning a trip to Zagreb anytime soon, look up the HNB’s official "Replacement of Cash" form. You can mail in your banknotes (up to 14,999.99 HRK) and have the equivalent euros deposited into your account.
- Plan a Visit: If you have a significant amount, save it for your next European vacation. A quick stop at the HNB in Zagreb will take you thirty minutes and get you enough euros for a very nice dinner on the coast.
The kuna served Croatia well for nearly 30 years, from the end of the War of Independence until the full integration into the European economy. While it's no longer a "living" currency, it still represents real value—just make sure you go to the right place to claim it.