Big queues as last chance to exchange kuna coins nears

(Photo credit: Naven227/CC BY-SA 4.0)

People have just today and tomorrow left to exchange their remaining kuna coins into euros, as the final deadline arrives at the end of the year.

The exchange of coins is now possible only at one location – the Croatian National Bank (HNB) on Jurišićeva Street in Zagreb.

Despite Croatia adopting the euro three years ago, many citizens have waited until the very last moment to exchange their kuna and lipa, unwilling to see them become permanently worthless.

According to estimates, around two billion kuna coins, worth approximately one billion kuna, are still sitting in homes, pockets, jars and drawers across the country.

This has resulted in long queues outside the HNB. HRT reporter Matija Mlinarić described lines stretching more than 80 metres, with people of all ages waiting patiently.

“The queue inside the building is about 30 metres long, with another 50 metres outside on Jurišićeva Street, and it could reach the Draškovićeva intersection. Four counters are operating, yet the queues continue to grow,” he reported.

Citizens have arrived carrying coins in glass jars, bags, backpacks and even suitcases. Some collected them deliberately, while others simply found forgotten change around their homes.

One of the most unusual cases involved an English visitor who arrived with a suitcase containing around 25 kilograms of coins, collected at airports. The money, he said, will be donated to charity.

The urgency is heightened by the fact that New Year’s Eve brings shortened working hours, with the HNB open only until 2pm tomorrow.

Those who fail to exchange their coins by the deadline will, from 1 January, be left holding nothing more than scrap metal, with no monetary value beyond sentiment.

For those unable to visit the HNB in person, there is still one alternative. Coins and banknotes can be sent by post today, and they will be exchanged during January.

“It is very important to remind citizens that, until postal services close on New Year’s Eve, kuna coins and banknotes can be sent by mail for exchange and will be processed in January,” said Tihomir Mavriček, Executive Director of HNB’s Cash Operations Sector.