As the holiday season approaches, whether it’s sun and beaches or city lights calling your name, one thing is for sure: no one wants to stress over how to pay for a coffee, cab ride, or that perfect souvenir.
The Visa Central Eastern Europe (CEE) Travel and Payment Intentions Study 2025[1] is showing more and more travellers from Croatia are embracing digital payments, with 8 in 10 choosing this payment method while holidaying abroad. With just a tap or swipe, you are on your way, without fumbling for change or worrying about foreign currencies. Using Visa credentials, you can pay fast and securely in 150+ million merchant locations across 200+ countries and territories, in more than 180 currencies. This way you can focus on what really matters: enjoying the moment. So, are you ready to make your travels a little lighter? Let’s dive into what the data says.
According to Visa study, this year 35% of Croatians intend to spend holidays abroad, with 95% of the respondents planning their getaway in a European country, and the top 3 destinations include Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Austria. Although we mainly go on holiday to relax, rest, and read, but also sightsee or visit local attractions, the findings of the study are showing we are approaching this year’s holidays in a variety of ways, with two-fifths of Croatians identifying as experience seekers, prioritising discoveries and getting out of their comfort zone when traveling. Meanwhile, 1 in 5 take on the role of navigators, happily planning trips for themselves or a group, making sure things run smoothly.
But what happens if the journey doesn’t go as it is supposed to?
– When we travel abroad for our holidays, we want to take a break from our daily routines and relax, and our survey shows over 1/3 of Croatian respondents stay relaxed and adaptable even when the trip does not go as planned, with only 12% feeling anxious faced with such a situation. This may be the result of proper preparation, good planning and the support provided by modern technologies – also including payment-related ones – ensuring your holiday continues to be pleasurable – said Renata Vujasinović, Country Manager, Visa Croatia. – At Visa, we help to give travellers peace of mind through a more seamless, more secure, and convenient payment experience both daily and during holidays. Also, through cooperation with Visa, banks can provide customers with specialised travel-focused products and services, offering support and benefits throughout domestic and international journeys. These include discounts or more flexible spending control – she added.
And Croatian respondents are keen to benefit from such solutions when traveling, most frequently pointing to currency exchange services (22%), and foreign currency accounts (20%). One fifth is also happy to take advantage of mobile apps with features for travellers.
What amount will we dedicate to our trip abroad?
While almost half of Croatian travelers still value the culture and natural beauty of their destination, their mindset is evolving. The focus is gradually shifting from pure deal hunting – still important to 17% – to getting the most out of the experience itself. For 27%, scoring a bargain is welcome, but not at the expense of comfort, safety, or good food. They’ll save where it makes sense but won’t hesitate to splurge on what truly matters. And with 40% planning their trips around meeting new people, exploring nature, and diving into local lifestyles – it’s clear: Poles are ready to invest in meaningful travel.
This season, we plan to spend around EUR 760 per person on a foreign trip – like Hungarians and Bulgarians. Most of that budget goes toward food, excursions, and entertainment. But spending isn’t always a solo decision: 16% admit their travel budget is shaped by their companions’ habits, even if it means going beyond what they originally planned.
Digital payments going strong across the region
Regardless of how much we spend or what we buy, Visa’s study shows the uptake of digital payments in foreign travel among CEE tourists. Almost four out of five Croatians will pay with a card, smartphone or smartwatch at the destination, and this method is equally chosen by tourists from other countries in the region. One of the eagerly chosen ways to pay abroad is also through mobile wallets with 1/4 of consumers opting to choose this payment method. This comes with no surprise since customers’ expectations for seamless experiences are higher than ever. Mobile wallets, underpinned by Visa’s systems and technologies provide both convenience and safety. Key technology here is called tokenisation and it provides an additional layer of security.
Visa study shows many of us get frustrated when traveling abroad by unexpected trip disruptions, so to protect yourself from payments related challenges during trips and beyond:
- Only shop from trusted and secure websites.
- Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true/ or /don’t get burned by hot deals on fake rental properties.
- Set mobile banking alerts.
- Use secure payment methods.
- Be cautious with emails and messages (phishing scams).
- Use strong and unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
- Monitor your bank and credit card statements.
- Protect your personal information.
- Avoid shopping on public Wi-Fi.
- Take in the sights but be aware of your surroundings. Avoid sticky fingers.
Now put on your sunscreen and enjoy the rest!
Case studies, statistics, research and recommendations are provided “AS IS” and intended for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for operational, marketing, legal, technical, tax, financial or other advice. Visa Inc. does not make any warranty or representation as to the completeness or accuracy of the Information within this document, nor assume any liability or responsibility that may result from reliance on such Information. The Information contained herein is not intended as legal advice, and readers are encouraged to seek the advice of a competent legal professional where such advice is required.
[1] Unless another source is indicated, the data quoted in the above material comes from Visa CEE Travel and Payment Intentions Study 2025 which covered the following countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. It was conducted by the research company GfK Polonia – a NIQ company in March 2025 on a representative sample of 1,000 respondents (18-65 years) in each of these countries.
