If you’re digging through an old travel wallet and found a handful of colorful banknotes with "Hrvatska Narodna Banka" printed on them, you might be wondering about the current USD to Croatian kuna exchange rate. Honestly? There isn't a "live" market rate anymore. Not in the way there is for the Yen or the Euro.
Croatia officially joined the Eurozone on January 1, 2023. This means the kuna (HRK) is no longer a circulating currency. It’s a legacy. A souvenir. It’s basically the financial equivalent of a classic car—it has value, but you can’t exactly drive it to the grocery store.
The Fixed Reality of the Kuna
Most people searching for the USD to Croatian kuna rate are usually looking for one of two things: either they are planning a trip to Dubrovnik and haven't realized the currency changed, or they’ve found old money and want to know what it’s worth in "real" money.
Here is the deal. The exchange rate for the kuna is frozen. Permanently. It was locked in at 1 EUR = 7.53450 HRK.
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Because the Euro floats against the US Dollar, the "shadow" value of your kuna moves whenever the USD/EUR rate moves. As of mid-January 2026, the US Dollar has been hovering around $1.16 per Euro. If you do the math, that means 1 USD is worth roughly 6.47 HRK. But don't expect a currency booth at JFK or Heathrow to give you that. Most commercial banks stopped touching the kuna years ago.
Can You Still Exchange Kuna in 2026?
Yes, but the window is closing fast on some parts of it.
If you have banknotes, you’re in luck. The Croatian National Bank (HNB) has committed to exchanging kuna banknotes for Euros indefinitely. There is no deadline. You could walk into their office in Zagreb in the year 2040 and, assuming the building is still standing, they’d give you Euros for those notes.
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Coins are a different story. The deadline to exchange kuna and lipa coins was December 31, 2025. We are officially past that. As of right now, those 5-kuna coins with the bears on them are officially numismatic items (collectibles). You can't swap them at the central bank for face value anymore. They are worth whatever a collector on eBay is willing to pay, which, for common coins, usually isn't much more than their weight in metal.
Where to Go If You Have the Cash
Don't bother going to a regular commercial bank like Zagrebačka or PBZ. They’ll just politely point you toward the exit. The only place that still handles this is the Croatian National Bank (Hrvatska narodna banka).
- In Person: You have to go to their cashier’s office at Jurišićeva 17 in Zagreb. They are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 15:30.
- By Mail: This is the "at your own risk" option. You can actually mail your banknotes to the HNB. There’s a limit of 14,999.99 HRK for postal submissions. If you try to send more than that, they won't process it until you show up in person with an ID.
Why the Change Happened (And Why Some People Hate It)
Economists like Velimir Šonje have argued for years that the kuna was never a "complete" currency. For decades, Croatians did their daily shopping in kuna but priced their houses, cars, and boats in Euros (or German Marks before that). It was a dual-currency system in everything but name.
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Transitioning to the Euro removed the "currency risk" for a country that lives and breathes tourism. If you’re a German tourist, you don’t have to worry about getting ripped off at a shady exchange booth in Split anymore. You just use the cash in your pocket.
But the locals? They’ve felt the sting. Even though it was technically illegal for businesses to hike prices during the switch, "rounding up" became a national sport. A coffee that cost 10 kuna ($1.50ish) suddenly became 2 Euros ($2.30ish). It adds up.
What to Do If You're Traveling to Croatia Now
Forget the USD to Croatian kuna conversion. You need Euros. Period.
- ATMs are your friend: Use a "bank-owned" ATM (like OTP, PBZ, or Erste) rather than the generic blue-and-yellow "Euronet" machines. The latter are notorious for terrible exchange rates and high fees.
- Plastic is king: Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere now, even on the islands. However, keep a few 10 and 20 Euro notes for small bakeries (pekara) or local markets.
- The "No-Go" Zone: Do not bring US Dollars and expect to pay with them. It won't happen. Exchange your USD for EUR before you leave home, or just withdraw EUR from an ATM upon arrival.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're holding old kuna banknotes, don't throw them away. Even if you aren't going to Zagreb anytime soon, keep them in a safe place. Since the HNB exchange period for notes is permanent, they represent "parked" capital.
If you have more than 15,000 HRK, you should definitely plan a trip to Zagreb or contact a specialized currency service that handles "outmoded" tender, though they will take a significant cut (often 20-30%). For smaller amounts, the best move is to wait until your next European vacation, take a budget flight to Zagreb, swap the cash, and enjoy a nice dinner in the Upper Town with the proceeds. Just remember: those coins in your jar are now officially just memories.