Millions of Croatian kuna still unchanged two years after euro adoption
- by croatiaweek
- in Business

Croatians still keeping large amounts of old kuna currency
Over two years have passed since Croatia adopted the euro as its official currency.
Despite this, citizens can still exchange their old kuna at the Croatian National Bank (HNB) in Zagreb or by post.
As HRT reported, a staggering 4.3 billion kuna remains unexchanged, comprising 3.1 billion kuna in banknotes and 1.2 billion kuna in coins.
Kuna Banknotes: 85% Exchanged
So far, 85% of kuna banknotes, or 470 million pieces, have been returned, leaving around 75 million still in circulation.
However, Croatians appear more attached to their kuna coins, with only 27%—819 million coins—exchanged. This means 2.18 billion coins remain stored in homes across the country.
Daily Exchanges at the HNB
Despite the euro becoming Croatia’s official currency two years ago, around 200 people visit the HNB’s Zagreb office daily to exchange their remaining kuna.
Stories of forgotten currency are common. Dino from Zagreb shared, “A friend found kuna in a jacket and asked me to exchange them since he’s on Mali Lošinj.” Similarly, Dario, visiting from Germany, explained, “I found some kuna months ago. Now that I’m in Zagreb, it’s a good chance to exchange them.”
Nostalgia for the Kuna
Many Croatians still feel nostalgic about their former currency. “The kuna felt different to the touch, and it immediately brought back memories,” said Luka from Trogir. Stanislav from Zagreb admitted, “I loved the kuna, but I’ve made peace with the euro.” Others, like Jandre, confessed to occasionally saying “kuna” instead of “euro” when paying.

Kuna
Recycling for Sustainability
The HNB ensures an environmentally friendly approach to managing unreturned kuna banknotes. These are shredded, compressed into briquettes, and recycled into paper products. “It’s an eco-friendly disposal method,” explained Tihomir Mavriček, HNB’s Executive Director for Cash Operations.
Coins to Be Exchanged by Year-End
While banknotes can be exchanged indefinitely, kuna coins can only be exchanged until the end of this year. Afterward, they will be stored by the Ministry of Defence (MORH) before being sold as scrap metal.