Ivo Bo?i?, a stallholder selling trinkets at the Christmas market in Croatia’s capital Zagreb, is used to handling multiple currencies and thinks the transition will go without hitches when the country adopts the euro on January 1.
“If you deal with tourists, you most certainly have several currencies in your head,” said Bo?i?, whose wares include puppets in colourful costumes, fridge magnets with Christmas patterns and handmade jewellery. “I have bank accounts in multiple currencies and I guess I’ll just merge them next year,” he added. “Some of my stuff I’ve bought for euros anyway.”
When Croatia next week becomes the 20th country to use the euro it will be a milestone for a nation of 4mn people that has long strived for closer integration with the rest of the EU. Croatia will also join Europe’s border-free Schengen zone.