Croatia to introduce free basic banking services for all citizens

Zagreb (Photo: Mister No/CC BY 3.0)

After months of consultations and revisions, the Croatian Government has submitted the final proposal of the Law on Fee Comparability, Account Switching, and Access to a Basic Payment Account to Parliament.

The legislation aims to reduce the financial burden of unnecessary banking fees, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pensioners, carers, students, and recipients of welfare or disability benefits.

As tportal reports, under the new law, citizens will have improved access to affordable or free banking services, including account opening and maintenance, use of internet or mobile banking, cash deposits and withdrawals, receiving payments in euros, and using debit cards.

There are two main pathways to free banking: opening a basic account or agreeing to a free service package tied to a current account receiving regular income (salary, pension, scholarship, etc.).

A basic account functions similarly to a standard current account but comes with some limitations. It does not allow overdrafts, and the bank decides whether the client can use internet or mobile banking – not both.

Clients cannot deposit foreign currency, receive credit cards, or open additional current or giro accounts at other banks.

According to Government data, while some banks already offer basic accounts for free, others charge modest annual fees, especially for sensitive groups, often just €1.56, tportal writes.

Major banks with assets exceeding €1.99 billion – such as PBZ, ZABA, OTP, and others – will be legally required to offer these free services to vulnerable citizens.

For the broader public, a more flexible option will be the free service package tied to existing current accounts. These packages include the same services as basic accounts and must be activated within 10 days of request.

Banks may refuse only if the client already uses such a package.

If no income is received for three consecutive months, banks may resume charging fees, but must give 15 days’ notice.

ATM Access Reform

A national ATM network is also planned by 2027, which will allow citizens to withdraw cash from any bank’s ATM without fees. Until then, users of free service packages will be entitled to two free withdrawals per month at other banks’ ATMs.

This reform represents a significant step in making everyday banking more accessible and fair for Croatian citizens.