SERVICES: PUBLIC & NON-PUBLIC

- Banking
- Post office (HP)
- Utilities and how to pay the bills

BANKING

Exchange Rates
The currency of Croatia is the kuna (HRK), with one hundred lipa to one kuna. Coins: 1 lipa, 2 lipa, 5 lipa, 10 lipa, 20 lipa, 50 lipa, 1 kuna, 2 kuna, 5 kuna. Notes: 10 kuna, 20 kuna, 50 kuna, 100 kuna, 200 kuna, 500 kuna and 1000 kuna.

You will find prices are often quoted in Euro in Croatia. Foreign currencies may be obtained at the many Exchange Offices (Mjenjačnica), as well as in banks.
There are approximately 32 comercial banks operating in Croatia. Some consolidation of this sector has taken place, with major banks now in foreign (mainly Austrian and Italian) hands. Some foreign  banks operates retail branches in Zagreb (like Raiffeisen and Erste Bank). The largest Croatian bank at the moment is Zagrebačka banka, followed by Privredna Banka-both offer a full banking service and non-resident accounts and have extensive branch and ATM networks in Zagreb and throughout Croatia. Both banks have an International Desk within their headquarters, providing services for international clients.

Banking Hours
Most of the major banks have cash machines (ATMs), which operate 24 hours a day. You must apply to your bank for a cash card, however most accepted major credit/debit cards are connected to banking networks such as CIRRUS, MAESTRO, EC/MC.
At the Airport, Zagrebačka banka is open every day (including Sunday and holidays) from 07:00-21:00. You will find 24-hour Exchange Offices at the main Railway Station (Croatia Express) and at the central Bus Station (A-tours).

Opening a bank account
If you are resident in Croatia, you can only open a cheque account with a bank if you have a regular source of income (i.e. salary or pension) and it will be paid into that bank. Most expatriates can open what is called a 'non-resident' account. A holder of a non-resident account may be either a foreign national domciled in Croatia ('an individual') or a company domiciled abroad, a diplomatic or consular representative of a foreign humanitarian organisation or a representative of a foreign legal entity registered in Croatia ('a legal entity').
Once you have chosen your bank, you will be required to present a valid passport and to comlete the necessary paperwork. Most banks offer kuna (HRK) and foreign currency accounts. Foreign currency accounts may be used for sending and receiving money transfers from abroad, cash deposits and withdrawals, receipts and payments for goods and services within Croatia. HRK accounts offer similar services, but monthly cash withdrawals may be more limited. Naturally, you should request a fee schedule and terms and conditions regarding the operation of the account before you open the account, as they do vary.
There are some Croatian banks which issue their own credit carsd, and most have debit cards such as Eurocard/Mastercard, which is widely accepted in Croatia and throughout Europe. You must open an account with a bank to obtain one. American Express, Visa and Dines's Club cards are also accepted in Croatia (aplly direct).

Useful banking terminology

Account Statement  Izvod
Transfer  Transfer
Interest  Kamata
Current Account  Tekući račun
Service charge  Cijena usluga
Deposit  Depozit
Withdrawal  Podići
Cheque book  Čekovna knjižica
Cash card/ATM card  Bankovna knjižica
Foreign savings  Devizna štednja
Kuna savings  Kunska štednja

For bank list please click on the LINK.

POST OFFICE (HP)

Website: www.posta.hr (with information pages in English).
Hrvatska Pošta provides all postal and some financial services. You will find its offices throughout town indicated by a yellow sign with a black trumpet. Post boxes are yellow in Croatia and the times of collections are indicated on the box.
The main Post Office (HP) in Zagreb is at Jurišićeva 13 (tel: 0800 303 304 ), which is open from Monday to Friday 07:00-20:00 and Saturdays from 07:00-13:00. At Branimirova 4 (tel:
0800 303 304 ) the Post Office is open every day from Monday to Sunday from 07:00-24:00.

Registered Mail  Preporučene pošiljke
Registered mail and packages can be sent, using the form Potvrda o primitku pošiljke.It is wise not to seal your package or letter, as the contest may need to be checked by the postal staff.

Undelivered Packages and Registered Letters  Nedostavljeni paketi I pisma
The postman only tries to deliver a registered letter or package once. If you are out, he will leave a delivery notice informing you which post office to collect your parcel at, the collection time being five working days. When picking up your parcel, you should present an identification document (ID card, passport etc.).

Express letters Expresna pošta
In the case of an Express (ekspres) letter, if you are out the post-man will try again to deliver in the next day.

UTILITES AND HOW TO PAY THE BILLS
Landlords in Croatia will generally ensure that your apartment/house has all the necessary services provided (but make sure you negotiate this with your contract, e.g. for telephones). All utility bills be sent by post to your address on a monthly basis. On each bill there is a date shown by which it must be paid (datum dospijeća). If you pay late, then interest will be added. Keep your bill stub, as this is your only proof of payment in case of a query.
You will receive some or all of the following bills every month:
Electricity  (Hrvatska elektroprivreda d.d.)
Gas  (Gradska plinara d.o.o.)
Rates  (Gradsko stambeno-komunalno gospodarstvo d.o.o.)
Telephone  (Račun telekomunikacijskih usluga)
Television  (Hrvatska radiotelevizija)
Water  (Vodoopskrba I odvodnja d.o.o.)