If you want to live, work, or study in Croatia, you need to open a bank account. Having a local bank account makes everyday life easier. And sometimes it’s even necessary to get paid, pay rent, or set up utilities whether you’re an expat, student, or foreign investor. The financial system in Croatia is up-to-date and well-regulated. Many businesses provide services in English for those who live there from other countries.
Different kinds of bank accounts
Most banks in Croatia provide two types of accounts: current (or checking) accounts and savings accounts. People utilise current accounts to do things like receive income, pay bills, and use a debit card. The currency of Croatia was the Croatian kuna (HRK) until the euro was introduced in 2023. Most accounts are now set up and stored in euros (EUR), which makes it easier to do business across borders in the EU. On the other hand, savings accounts are meant for long-term deposits and usually have low interest rates. Some banks let you open accounts in US dollars, Swiss francs, and British pounds.
Who can open an account
It is possible for people from Croatia and other nations to open bank accounts. Some banks let non-residents or short-term tourists create non-resident accounts, however the choices and functionality may be restricted. Anyone who lives in Croatia, whether they are an EU member or a citizen of a third country with legal resident status, may create a complete bank account with more features. You usually need to provide proof of legal residency, such a registration certificate or residence permit. Most of the time, students may use a letter of enrolment from a Croatian school to open a bank account. Some banks even provide student account packages with extra bonuses.
Documents that are needed
You will need to provide a few papers in order to create a bank account in Croatia. A valid passport or national ID, a Croatian personal identification number (OIB), and proof of residence are normally required. The Croatian tax administration gives out the OIB, which is a unique identity number. You need it to do any kind of business or legal activity in the nation. You may get it at a local tax office by showing them your passport and a copy of your lease agreement or evidence of residency. Depending on the sort of account you wish to create, some banks may additionally ask for evidence of work or a letter from your school.
Picking a bank
Some of the biggest banks in Croatia include Privredna banka Zagreb (PBZ), Zagrebačka banka, Erste Bank, OTP Bank, and Raiffeisen Bank. All of these banks have sophisticated internet banking, smartphone applications, and ATMs all across the nation. Most of them provide services in English, especially in cities and tourist locations. Consider the expense of maintaining a bank’s operations each month as well as the convenience of using an ATM when selecting one. Also, check if you can use the internet to do your banking, and whether you can get help in your language. It’s essential to conduct your research ahead of time or go to a branch to talk to someone since certain banks are better for expats than others.
Online and mobile banking
Most banks in Croatia are quite advanced when it comes to technology, and they all provide full online and mobile banking services. People may check their accounts, pay bills, send money, and even manage their savings from their cell phones using these applications. Both English and Croatian versions of mobile banking applications are available. They include features like biometric login and push notifications to make it easy and secure to manage your account. You may also send money to other countries, although the fees may be different depending on the currency and location of destination.
Account fees and maintenance
The costs for bank accounts in Croatia depend on the bank and the services you use. Most current accounts include a small monthly maintenance fee, which is usually between €1 and €5. There may also be costs for taking money out of ATMs that aren’t controlled by your bank, sending money to another country, and getting money from another country. Depending on the bank’s policies, students, seniors, and those with low incomes may be able to have accounts with lower fees or no fees at all.
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