January 16 (SeeNews) - Croatia has successfully fulfilled its euro changeover, the European Commission said on Monday.
According to a survey conducted on January 13 and 14 among Croatian citizens, 89% cash payments in shops were made in euro, the Commission said in a press release.
Croatia joined the euro area on January 1 and the 14-day dual circulation period, when both the kuna and the euro could be used, ended on January 14. Payments can no longer be made in kuna. Virtually all (99%) transactions resulted in consumers receiving their change in euro only. The dual display of prices in kuna and euro which became compulsory on September 5, 2022 and will apply until the end of this year.
Some 67% of those polled said they already carry only euro banknotes.
Croatia's retail sector has coped well with the changeover and parallel handling of two currencies, according to the Commission. No major problems regarding queues or problems at the tills have been reported. The conversion of cash dispensers has also proceeded smoothly.