From 1 January 2027, legal provisions come into force guaranteeing two free cash withdrawals per month at other banks' ATMs for certain bank account users. This right is stipulated in amendments to the Act on the Comparability of Charges, Transfer of Payment Accounts and Access to a Basic Account, which were adopted in 2025.
Most provisions of that law began to apply on 1 January 2026, while an additional transition period until the start of 2027 has been provided for free cash withdrawals at other banks' ATMs. The Croatian Banking Association (Hrvatska udruga banaka) has confirmed that, regardless of any possible agreement on a joint network, banks will enable two free cash withdrawals in accordance with legal obligations from the beginning of next year.
The new benefit will not automatically cover all bank accounts. It applies to citizens who use a package of free banking services linked to an account on which they receive regular income, such as a salary, pension or scholarship. Members of certain vulnerable groups defined by law who use a basic account will also have the same right.
Citizens have been able to request the package of free services from their bank since the beginning of this year. The package includes free account opening, maintenance and closure, internet or mobile banking at the bank's choice, the issuance and use of a debit card, and certain other basic services.
The Croatian Banking Association cannot yet specify when a joint ATM network could be established. This is a project that would enable citizens to access cash more easily, regardless of which bank they have an account with. Such a solution would be particularly useful for residents of smaller towns and rural areas, where the choice of ATMs is often limited.
