How to send money to Croatia in 2026: euros to an account in seconds from the EU and in 1-3 days from other countries
The euro has been Croatia's currency since 1 January 2023, so in 2026 a transfer from the EU arrives in seconds at the usual cost, and from other countries in 1-3 working days. An account needs an 11-digit personal number, the account number has 21 characters, and a gift to a spouse, children and parents is tax-free.
In short
- The euro has been Croatia's currency since 1 January 2023; old account numbers work, and balances were converted at 7.53450 kuna.
- An instant transfer from the euro area arrives in seconds, around the clock and for no more than a regular one.
- An account needs an 11-digit personal number, issued by the tax office, including through a representative.
- A gift to a spouse, children and parents is tax-free; for others it is 4%.
In detail
The easiest way to send money to Croatia in 2026 is a euro transfer to an account at a Croatian bank: the euro has been the country's own currency since 1 January 2023. From EU countries money arrives in seconds by instant transfer, from other countries in 1-3 working days. The recipient's first step is an 11-digit personal number: with it the bank opens an account, and parents, children and a spouse receive a gift tax-free.
| Method | On 8 October 2026 | Time | What to give |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instant euro transfer from an EU country | works since 24 June 2023 | a few seconds, around the clock | the 21-character account number and the recipient's name |
| Regular euro transfer from an EU country | works | no later than the next working day | account number and the recipient's name |
| Transfer from a country outside the EU | works | 1-3 working days | account number, the recipient's name and address, payment purpose |
| Instant transfer within Croatia | works at all banks since January 2025 | a few seconds, 365 days a year | the recipient's account number |
| Transfer to a Croatian bank card | works | as for a transfer to an account | the number of the account the card is issued for |
The table rows were checked on 8 October 2026 against materials of the Croatian National Bank and the state Financial Agency, which runs the instant payment system. Dollar amounts are converted at the European Central Bank rate on 7 October 2026: $1.1177 per euro, rounded up.
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An 11-digit personal number: where a Croatian account starts
Everyone in Croatia has a single 11-digit personal number: the bank, the notary, the land register and the tax office identify a person by it. A foreigner is assigned the number by the tax administration, which directly names opening a bank account as a reason for it. The same number is needed to buy a home and register a company.
- At the tax office. An application and a passport with a copy: the number is issued at a tax administration office.
- Through a representative. A bank, notary, lawyer or tax adviser files the application under a power of attorney in Croatian, and such a power of attorney does not need to be certified: convenient if the recipient is still abroad.
- When registering an address. A person who registers their place of residence or stay with the police is assigned the number automatically.
With the personal number and a passport the recipient opens an account and gives the sender its 21-character number.
21 characters and former kuna: Croatian account details
The international number of a Croatian account has 21 characters: two letters for the country, two check digits, 7 digits of the bank number and 10 digits of the account number. When Croatia switched to the euro on 1 January 2023, balances were converted automatically and free of charge at 7.53450 kuna per euro, and account numbers stayed the same. Family members' old details work, and the currency on them is now the euro.
Instant euro payments: seconds within the country and from the EU
The Croatian instant payment system has worked since 29 October 2020, and since 2023 in euros and around the clock all 365 days. Since 24 June 2023 it has been connected to the pan-European platform, so an instant transfer from Germany, Italy or any euro area country arrives in a Croatian account in seconds. Since January 2025 all the country's banks take part in the system.
Since 9 October 2025 every euro area bank sends instant transfers and, before debiting, checks the recipient's name against the account number free of charge. An instant transfer costs no more than a regular one. Want your first transfer to go through without a return? Our manager will check the details with you.
A gift to family: 0% for close relatives and 4% for others
The inheritance and gift tax in Croatia is 4%. Money is taxed from any amount, and movable property if a single item costs more than €6,700 ($7,500). A spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, adopted children and adoptive parents are fully exempt. A brother, a sister and other relatives pay 4%.
The procedure is simple: the notary passes the gift agreement to the tax office within 30 days. If the gift is made by letter rather than before a notary, the recipient files it with the tax office within the same 30 days and pays the tax within 15 days after the tax office's decision.
A deposit at a Croatian bank: interest, 12% tax and protection up to $150,000
Interest on a term deposit is taxed at 12%, withheld by the bank itself. Interest on a current account balance and on a demand deposit, as well as bond income, is tax-free. There has been no city surcharge on the tax since 1 January 2024.
| What is protected | Amount | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| All deposits of one person in one bank | up to $120,000 (€100,000) | on a joint account, for each owner |
| Money from selling your own home, payments on retirement, dismissal, divorce, insurance payouts | a further $34,000 (€30,000), up to $150,000 (€130,000) in total | 3 months after crediting |
| Payout time | 7 working days | in euros; deposits in another currency at the central bank rate |
Homes by the sea: reciprocity, ministry consent and a 3% tax
Citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland buy homes in Croatia on general terms. A buyer from another country obtains the consent of the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation for the specific property if there is reciprocity between Croatia and their country; the ministry keeps the list of such countries. The buyer or the seller files the application, with the contract, a land register extract, a certificate on the plot's status and a certified copy of the passport attached.
The real estate transfer tax is 3% of the market value, paid by the buyer; a flat given or left to a spouse, children or parents is free of this tax. Since 2025 the owner also pays a property tax: from €0.60 to €8 per square metre a year by decision of the city, which for a 60-metre flat is $45 to $540 (€36-480). A home used as a permanent residence or let for 10 months a year or longer is exempt from this tax. More on choosing a flat is in the article buying a flat in Croatia, and on status in how to get a Croatian residence permit.
We will help you send money to Croatia
Mistakes cost more than fees: a transfer before the recipient has a personal number and an account, paying for a flat before the ministry's consent, a gift to a brother or sister without notifying the tax office within 30 days, a home let to tourists without calculating the tax per square metre. We will help you avoid them: we will choose a transfer route for the amount, check the deal before payment, collect documents on the origin of the money for the bank and take the transfer through licensed partners until it is credited.
Details and cost are with our manager in the chat: everything depends on the amount, the purpose of the transfer and whether you are buying a home.
The amount of a transfer to Croatia and the papers that support it
The law sets no limit on a transfer to Croatia. A Croatian bank, like any euro area bank, asks about a large amount where the money comes from and what it will be used for.
Data for 2026.
| Amount | The Croatian bank's question | What to attach |
|---|---|---|
| Up to $1,200 (€1,000) | who sent it and to whom | details and a short payment purpose |
| $1,200 - $120,000 | the sender's full details and the purpose of the transfer | a lease agreement, a gift letter, a salary certificate |
| From $120,000 (€100,000) | the origin of the whole amount and the deal it is for | the flat purchase agreement, the ministry's consent, statements and a tax return |
For a home purchase the amount is sent after the ministry's consent, with the contract number in the payment purpose. Preparing a large transfer for a flat by the sea? Our manager will suggest the order of steps and a transfer route for your amount. How to collect documents on the origin of money is covered in the article proof of the source of funds.
Croatia and its Adriatic neighbours: transfers to Serbia, Montenegro, Italy
- Hungary: forints, instant payments in 5 seconds and a tax-free gift to family.
- Serbia: an account by video call and euros in home deals.
- Montenegro: the euro since 2002 and a flat on the coast.
- Italy: a tax code before the first transfer.
- Slovenia: instant euro transfers.
- All of Europe: common rules for euro transfers in the EU and its neighbours.
Other destinations for capital are in the capital relocation section.
FAQ
How many digits are in the personal number needed for an account in Croatia?
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Do children pay tax on a gift from their parents in Croatia?
What tax is withheld from deposit interest in Croatia?
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Up to what amount is a deposit at a Croatian bank insured?
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We will suggest the best way to send your money
We will choose a transfer method for your amount and country, prepare the documents on the origin of the money for the bank, make the transfer through licensed partners and follow it until the money is credited. Ask your question in the chat - the manager will suggest the best terms and the cost. The legal side with banks and government bodies is handled by Murblz specialists and locally licensed partners.
Details and cost are with the manager in the chat. Describe your situation and we will reply right away.
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