Introduction of Euro as the official currency in Croatia and dual display of prices in relation to consumers

01.09.2022.

One of the key consumer protection measures in the process of introducing the euro is a dual display of prices. The period of mandatory dual display of prices of goods, services and other monetary values begins on September 5, 2022 and lasts until December 31, 2023.

During that period, companies are obliged to display only the total price on their invoice, offer, quotation and consumer contracts:

  • in kunas and euros
  • with the application of the total amount of the fixed conversion rate in accordance with the unit conversion and rounding rules
  • in a clear, legible, visible and easily noticeable manner.

Each amount on invoices which are issued to consumers until December 31, 2022 are expressed in kunas. In the period from January 1, 2023 until December 31, 2023 each amount on invoices issued to consumers must be expressed in euros.

In addition, companies that are in direct contact with consumers are obliged to display the price as well as the fixed exchange rate:

  • in the business premises at the point of sale or on the goods or on the price list, with respect to service,
  • on the website,
  • in an offer or contract,
  • in the notification that is given to the consumer before or during the conclusion of a contract outside the business premises, and a distance contract,
  • during advertising in any form that offers the sale of goods or services, except in the case of advertising through radio programs and voice messages in other means of advertising,
  • in the notice and other notification about outstanding debt delivered to the consumer,
  • through other means of price disclosure.

Exceptions are also prescribed for certain categories, such as companies that sell goods and provide services in a specific way and at a specific locations (e.g. via vending machine, at a stand), for certain forms of sales where dual display of prices would cause the companies disproportionate costs (discount coupon, gas station totem, fixed panel and other fixed posts with the stated price) and in situations where the price is already displayed on the goods themselves (e.g. return packaging, price printed on a book, SIM cards etc.). In the case of the mentioned exceptions, the prices must be expressed in kunas until  December 31, 2022, and from January 1, 2023 in euros, however, the companies are, nevertheless, obliged for the mentioned products and services obliged to dual display the total amount on the invoices issued to consumers.

The obligation of dual displaying of prices does not apply to commercial contracts and offers, invoices and similar between companies, towards public authorities and foreign companies and individuals, although there is no obstacle for all the mentioned entities to voluntarily start dual displaying of prices.

On the other hand, the period of dual circulation of money has been determined from January 1, 2023 until January 14, 2023. In this period, consumers will be able to make payments in kunas and euros, but companies will be allowed to return their money only in euros. From January 15, 2023 invoices for sales made from January 15, 2023 onwards can be charged exclusively in euros, regardless of the fact that the total amount on the invoice must be expressed in euros and kunas until December 31, 2023.