Current accounts in Croatia can be free since 1 January 2026, but only partly. A new law requires banks, on request, to run the account your salary or pension is paid into free of charge, together with a card and one digital banking channel. Outgoing transfers are still charged, so differences between banks remain. By our calculation, a typical user with the free package pays from 1.50 euros a month at Partner banka to 6.06 euros at KentBank. We checked the fees of 11 banks in their valid fee schedules on 28 September 2026.
This article is for anyone who wants to cut fees on the account that receives their regular income. The typical user in our calculation has the free package, uses mobile banking, makes 10 online transfers a month to another bank (each up to 500 euros) and withdraws cash twice a month at their own bank's ATM. If you're looking at an account with a neobank, see our overview of digital banks too.
Quick overview: current accounts in Croatia 2026
| # | Bank | Monthly with free package | Monthly without package | Transfer to another bank | Other bank's ATM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Partner banka | 1.50 EUR | 2.98 EUR | 0.15 EUR | MBNet free |
| 2 | Addiko Bank | 3.00 EUR | 5.90 EUR | 0.30 EUR | 2.50% + 2.50 EUR |
| 3 | OTP banka | 4.50 EUR | 5.95 EUR | 0.35 EUR | 2.50%, min. 3.32 EUR |
| 4 | Zagrebačka banka | 4.83 EUR | 6.42 EUR | 0.35 EUR | 2.50% + 1.19 EUR |
| 5 | HPB | 4.83 EUR | 6.72 EUR | 0.35 EUR | 2% + 1.19 EUR |
| 6 | Croatia banka | 4.83 EUR | 6.53 EUR | 0.35 EUR | MBNet free |
| 7 | PBZ | 4.89 EUR* | 5.29 EUR | 0.33 EUR | 2.5% + 1.13 EUR |
The amounts are our calculation for the typical user described above, based on the banks' valid fee schedules. *PBZ doesn't publish a separate price for mobile banking with the free package, so we used 1.59 euros. With different usage, the ranking may change.
What the free package covers by law
Under the amendments to the Act on the Comparability of Fees, Payment Account Switching and Access to a Basic Account (NN 105/2025), since 1 January 2026 everyone has the right to a free services package for the account that receives their regular income: salary, pension, scholarship, unemployment benefit and similar. According to the Ministry of Finance, the package covers seven services:
| Included free | Not included |
|---|---|
| Opening, maintaining and closing the account | Outgoing transfers, both SEPA and instant, including standing orders |
| Internet OR mobile banking (the bank chooses) | The second digital banking channel |
| Cash deposits | Direct debits |
| Cash withdrawals at the counter OR own bank's ATM | Card payments online |
| Incoming payments in euros | Withdrawals at other banks' ATMs (until end of 2026) |
| Issuing a debit card | |
| Card payments in shops |
Existing current accounts don't switch to the package by themselves: you get it on request, and in practice most banks want you to visit a branch. Each person can have only one such account in all of Croatia, and the bank checks this in the account register. The IBAN stays the same. Pensioners and vulnerable groups may not be charged for cash withdrawals at the counter or at their own bank's ATM. From 1 January 2027, two withdrawals a month at any other bank's ATM in Croatia must also be free.
1. Partner banka
Photo: Partner banka, paba.hr
In our calculation, Partner banka is the cheapest, and by a clear margin. Current accounts at the big banks cost the same user three times as much. Its free services package includes both internet and mobile banking, which is rare, since the law requires only one channel. A transfer to another bank of up to 500 euros costs 0.15 euros, the lowest in the comparison, so a typical user pays 1.50 euros a month.
According to the fee schedule applicable from 1 July 2026, transfers from 500 to 5,000 euros cost 0.25 euros, and instant transfers cost the same as regular ones. Withdrawals at ATMs in the MBNet network are free. Without the package, account maintenance costs 0.69 euros a month, and pensioners, students and pupils pay 0.40 euros. The package request is submitted in writing, in a branch.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Monthly with package | 1.50 EUR (typical user) |
| Package includes | Internet and mobile banking |
| Transfer to another bank | 0.15 EUR up to 500 EUR |
| Other bank's ATM | MBNet free |
| Maintenance without package | 0.69 EUR (pensioners 0.40 EUR) |
Pros: the lowest transfer price and both digital banking channels in the free package.
Cons: a small branch network, and the request must be submitted in person.
Our opinion: If you pay a lot online, you'll struggle to find a cheaper account than Partner in 2026. The only serious drawback is the small number of branches, so check whether there's one near you.
2. Addiko Bank
Photo: Addiko Bank, Wikimedia Commons
Most banks charge separately for the mobile app, so current accounts with a free app are rare. Addiko is one of them: it gives Addiko Mobile free to everyone, with or without the package. According to the extract from its fee decision, a transfer to another bank costs 0.30 euros, so a typical user with the free package pays 3.00 euros a month.
Without the package, the cheapest option is the Go package at 3.50 euros a month, with two free online transfers. Transfers within the bank to private individuals are free. The weak spot is other banks' ATMs, which cost 2.50% of the amount plus 2.50 euros. Pensioners pay 1.04 euros a month for account maintenance.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Monthly with package | 3.00 EUR (typical user) |
| Mobile banking | Free for everyone |
| Transfer to another bank | 0.30 EUR |
| Cheapest package | Go, 3.50 EUR (2 free transfers) |
| Other bank's ATM | 2.50% + 2.50 EUR |
Pros: free mobile banking and a low transfer price.
Cons: expensive withdrawals at other banks' ATMs, and the fee schedule dates from January 2026.
Our opinion: If you withdraw cash at Addiko's ATMs, this is a very cheap account. If you often withdraw at other banks, 2.50 euros per withdrawal quickly eats the savings.
3. OTP banka
Photo: OTP banka, Wikimedia Commons
Current accounts at the big banks differ most in the price of the app. OTP's free package includes OTPmini, its internet banking. The full OTPgo app costs 1.00 euro a month, the least among the big banks. According to the fee schedule from 25 September 2026, a transfer to another bank costs 0.35 euros, so a typical user pays 4.50 euros a month.
For more active users, the Active package is interesting: 7.95 euros a month, or 5.95 euros with at least 10 card payments in shops. It includes OTPgo, 15 free online transfers and two free withdrawals at other banks' ATMs. Young people aged 15 to 26 get the Young package free.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Monthly with package | 4.50 EUR (typical user) |
| OTPgo with package | 1.00 EUR a month |
| Transfer to another bank | 0.35 EUR (also instant) |
| Active package | 5.95-7.95 EUR, 15 transfers |
| Young people | Young package free (ages 15-26) |
Pros: the cheapest mobile app among the big banks, and the Active package pays off for frequent users.
Cons: other banks' ATMs cost at least 3.32 euros, and the basic internet channel is limited.
Our opinion: If you make more than ten online payments a month and use your card in shops, the Active package at 5.95 euros can be cheaper than the free package.
4. Zagrebačka banka
Photo: Zagrebačka banka, Wikimedia Commons
ZABA's free package includes e-zaba internet banking and an authorised overdraft of up to 250 euros, but not m-zaba, which costs 1.33 euros a month. According to the extract from its fee tariff, a transfer to another bank costs 0.35 euros, so a typical user pays 4.83 euros a month.
The cheapest paid package is Start at 5.90 euros, with five free online transfers and both e-zaba and m-zaba. Young people up to 25 get a package free, and the basic account currently has no maintenance fee. The free services package is arranged in a branch with an ID card.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Monthly with package | 4.83 EUR (typical user) |
| Package includes | e-zaba, overdraft up to 250 EUR |
| m-zaba | 1.33 EUR a month |
| Transfer to another bank | 0.35 EUR |
| Young people | Youth package free up to 25 |
Pros: an overdraft in the free package and a free package for young people.
Cons: m-zaba is charged separately, and other banks' ATMs cost 2.50% plus 1.19 euros.
Our opinion: For ZABA clients who pay from a computer, the free package is enough. If you use m-zaba, the app alone costs 1.33 euros a month, almost as much as a typical user pays for everything at Partner banka.
5. HPB
Photo: HPB, Wikimedia Commons
Like most current accounts in this comparison, HPB's free package includes internet banking and withdrawals at the counter or the bank's ATMs, while mobile banking costs 1.33 euros a month. According to the extract from its fee decision from 1 June 2026, a transfer to another bank costs 0.35 euros, so a typical user pays 4.83 euros a month.
Not all current accounts are equally accessible outside big cities, and HPB's advantage is its network: the account can also be used at Croatian Post offices. The AKTIV package costs 7.00 euros, or 4.90 euros for pensioners, with five free online transfers. The STUDENT package is free up to age 25. Other banks' ATMs cost 2% of the amount plus 1.19 euros.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Monthly with package | 4.83 EUR (typical user) |
| Mobile banking | 1.33 EUR a month |
| Transfer to another bank | 0.35 EUR |
| AKTIV package | 7.00 EUR (pensioners 4.90 EUR) |
| Students | STUDENT package free up to 25 |
Pros: a large network through post offices and a free student package.
Cons: mobile banking is charged separately, and the paid packages are expensive.
Our opinion: HPB is a good choice if a branch or post office matters more to you than an app. For purely digital users, Partner and Addiko are better value.
6. Croatia banka
Photo: Croatia banka, Wikimedia Commons
Croatia banka includes the CROBA digital internet app in its free package and, interestingly, cash withdrawals at ATMs across the whole MBNet network in Croatia, not just its own. According to its valid tariff, mobile banking costs 1.33 euros and a transfer to another bank 0.35 euros, so a typical user pays 4.83 euros a month.
Pensioners pay 1.00 euro a month for account maintenance, and students nothing, in a promotion until the end of 2026. The cheapest paid package, AKTIV, costs 7.00 euros. Outside the MBNet network, withdrawals cost 2.50% plus 1.19 euros.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Monthly with package | 4.83 EUR (typical user) |
| Package includes | CROBA digital, withdrawals across MBNet |
| Mobile banking | 1.33 EUR a month |
| Transfer to another bank | 0.35 EUR |
| Discounts | Pensioners 1.00 EUR, students free until end of 2026 |
Pros: free withdrawals across the whole MBNet network and a low fee for pensioners.
Cons: a smaller bank with fewer branches, and the mobile app is charged.
Our opinion: If you often withdraw cash at different ATMs, at Croatia banka you pay nothing in the MBNet network. Until 2027, that's not the norm.
7. PBZ
Photo: PBZ, Wikimedia Commons
Of all the current accounts here, PBZ's is the only one where we had to estimate a cost: its free package includes the PBZ digital banking internet app with mToken and cash withdrawals at the branch. According to the tariff from 1 August 2026, a transfer to another bank costs 0.33 euros. PBZ doesn't publish the price of mobile banking with the package, so we used the regular digital banking fee of 1.59 euros.
More interesting is the paid Standard package at 1.99 euros a month, with internet and mobile banking. For a typical user that comes to 5.29 euros a month, the lowest among the big banks without the free package. PBZ mladi aged 18 to 25 and students up to 27 get the account free, and pensioners pay 0.72 euros for maintenance.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Monthly with package | 4.89 EUR (assuming 1.59 EUR for mobile) |
| Standard package | 1.99 EUR a month |
| Transfer to another bank | 0.33 EUR |
| Young people and students | Free (18-25 / up to 27) |
| Pensioners | Maintenance 0.72 EUR |
Pros: a cheap Standard package and a free account for young people and students.
Cons: the price of mobile banking with the free package isn't published, and other banks' ATMs cost 2.5% plus 1.13 euros.
Our opinion: If you're a PBZ client, ask how much mobile banking would cost before switching to the free package. The Standard package at 1.99 euros may be just as good.
How the other banks compare
| Bank | With package | Without package | Transfer to another bank | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RBA | 4.96 EUR | 6.96 EUR | 0.35 EUR | From 31 Oct 2026 transfer 0.60 EUR, typical cost about 8.00 EUR |
| Agram banka | 5.33 EUR | 7.02 EUR | 0.40 EUR | Start package 6.00 EUR, transfers 0.20 EUR |
| Erste | 5.50 EUR | 6.00 EUR | 0.40 EUR | Cheapest maintenance (0.50 EUR), mobile George 1.50 EUR |
| KentBank | 6.06 EUR | 7.86 EUR | 0.50 EUR | Three free withdrawals at MBNet ATMs |
Sources are the valid fee schedules of RBA, Agram banka, Erste and KentBank. RBA has announced price increases from 31 October 2026: mobile banking from 1.46 to 2.00 euros, and a transfer to another bank from 0.35 to 0.60 euros.
How to cut current account fees
Current accounts only get cheaper when you do something yourself, and for most people the biggest saving is to request the free services package. In a branch, ask for the account that receives your salary or pension to be switched to the package; the bank must reply within 10 working days. After that, the remaining costs are transfers and the mobile app, so look at how much you actually use them.
If you make a lot of online payments, it pays to compare transfer prices, since the difference between 0.15 and 0.50 euros over 10 transfers is 3.50 euros a month. You can replace some transfers with your card, because card payments in shops are free in the package. You can also compare all banks' fees in the HNB fee comparison. For savings instead of a current account, see our fixed-term savings comparison, and for bigger purchases, credit cards.
Conclusion: which current accounts are cheapest
| If you want... | Our pick | Monthly (typical user) |
|---|---|---|
| The lowest total cost | Partner banka | 1.50 EUR |
| Free mobile banking | Addiko Bank | 3.00 EUR |
| A big bank with a cheap app | OTP banka | 4.50 EUR |
| A network of branches and post offices | HPB | 4.83 EUR |
| Free withdrawals across MBNet | Croatia banka | 4.83 EUR |
| A paid package without the free package | PBZ Standard | 5.29 EUR |
| An account for young people | ZABA, OTP, PBZ | Youth packages free |
The cheapest current accounts in Croatia in 2026 for a typical user are at Partner banka and Addiko Bank, at 1.50 and 3.00 euros a month. At most big banks, with the free package and a mobile app, you pay around 4.50 to 5.50 euros. The first step is the same at every bank: request the free services package, because you don't get it automatically. If you also need a loan, you sometimes get a lower rate at the same bank, so see our personal loans comparison too.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest current account in Croatia in 2026?
According to our calculation for a typical user with the free package, mobile banking, 10 online transfers and two withdrawals at their own bank's ATM, Partner banka is the cheapest at 1.50 euros a month. Addiko Bank follows with 3.00 euros, because it offers free mobile banking. At most big banks the cost is around 4.50 to 5.50 euros.
How do I get a free current account in Croatia?
Since 1 January 2026, every bank must grant, on request, a free services package for the account that receives your regular income. The package isn't applied automatically, so request it in a branch, and the bank must reply within 10 working days. Each person can have only one such account in Croatia, and the IBAN stays the same.
What does the free services package include?
The package includes opening and maintaining the account, internet or mobile banking as the bank chooses, cash deposits, withdrawals at the counter or your own bank's ATM, incoming payments in euros, a debit card and card payments in shops. Pensioners and vulnerable groups withdraw cash free both at the counter and at their own bank's ATM.
Are transfers charged with a free current account?
Yes. Outgoing transfers, both regular and instant, including standing orders, aren't part of the free package, and banks charge them at their regular rates. In our comparison, a transfer to another bank costs from 0.15 euros at Partner banka to 0.50 euros at KentBank. Card payments in shops are free.
Can I withdraw cash free at other banks' ATMs?
Until the end of 2026, free withdrawals at other banks' ATMs aren't guaranteed by law, so fees reach up to 2.50% of the amount plus 2.50 euros. From 1 January 2027, two withdrawals a month at any bank's ATM in Croatia must be free. Partner banka and Croatia banka already don't charge for withdrawals in the MBNet network.
How we tested
The current accounts in this comparison come from 11 banks, from the largest to smaller regional ones. We checked the fees on 28 September 2026 in the valid fee schedules and documents on the free package, and compared individual fees with the HNB fee comparison. We checked the legal rules in the text of the law and on the Ministry of Finance website. We calculated monthly costs for the typical user described at the start of the article.
At PBZ, the price of mobile banking with the free package isn't published, so we used the regular fee of 1.59 euros. The fee schedules of Addiko, ZABA, Agram and Croatia banka date from 1 January 2026, but the banks still list them as valid. Fees change, and RBA has already announced increases from 31 October. This article is for information only and is not financial advice.
Sources
- Ministry of Finance - Free services package from 1 Jan 2026
- Official Gazette NN 105/2025 - amendments to the fee comparability act
- HNB - Fee comparison
- Partner banka - Fees for private individuals (from 1 Jul 2026)
- Addiko Bank - Fees for private individuals
- OTP banka - Transaction account fees (from 25 Sep 2026)
- Zagrebačka banka - Extract from the fee tariff
- HPB - Extract from the fee decision
- Croatia banka - Valid fees
- PBZ - Fees for private individuals (from 1 Aug 2026)
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