Croatian National Bank says over 4 billion kuna still in circulation

ZAGREB, May 29 (Xinhua) -- More than two years after Croatia adopted the euro as its official currency, over 4 billion kuna remain in circulation, the Croatian National Bank told local media on Thursday.

"There is still more than four billion kuna in circulation, more than three billion in banknotes and more than a billion in coins," Damir Bicanic from the Cash Sector of the Croatian National Bank said in an interview with the Croatian Radiotelevision.

Bicanic urged kuna holders to exchange them for euros.

"If you have kuna banknotes or coins, you can still exchange them without any fee at the Croatian National Bank," Bicanic said, noting that kuna banknotes will be able to be exchanged permanently, with a deadline for kuna coins.

"This is the last year in which coins can be exchanged without a fee. The deadline is Dec. 31 this year," he said.

Bicanic said that in addition to exchanging kuna at the Croatian National Bank in person, exchange is also possible by mail, but with a limit of 15,000 kuna.

Croatia joined the eurozone on Jan. 1, 2023, and in order to help residents adapt to the use of the euro, the Croatian government introduced two weeks of dual circulation of both currencies from Jan. 1 to midnight of Jan. 14, when the kuna ceased circulation.

Croatian media have reported that Croatians are still holding a large number of kuna for commemorative reasons. Enditem