The Croatian legal framework governing foreign investment ensures equal treatment of domestic and foreign investors. Foreign investors enjoy the same rights and investment opportunities as domestic investors, provided that the principle of reciprocity is met.
Furthermore, foreign investors benefit from additional constitutional guarantees. The Constitution of the Republic of Croatia stipulates that rights acquired by foreign investors at the time of investment cannot be diminished by subsequent legislation or other legal acts. It also guarantees the free repatriation of profits and invested capital, subject to the fulfilment of all applicable legal obligations.
The Croatian Chamber of Economy supports potential investors from the very beginning of their entrepreneurial journey in Croatia. Discover the essential steps to starting and running a successful business, connecting with other entrepreneurs, and making the most of the available business infrastructure.
Under the Croatian Companies Act, domestic and foreign companies operate under equal conditions. If you are EU/EEA or a third-country national, you have a freedom of establishment a legal form of a craft business or a company, i.e. a branch office. EU/EEA nationals and third-country nationals may establish a business in Croatia in the form of a craft business, a company or a branch office, subject to the applicable legal requirements.
Foreign investors may acquire ownership interests and shares in joint-stock companies. The minimum share capital required to establish a joint-stock company (d.d.) is EUR 25,000, with a minimum nominal value of EUR 1 per share. For a limited liability company (d.o.o.), the minimum share capital is EUR 2,500, while the nominal value of an individual business share must be at least EUR 10.
A limited liability company (d.o.o.) is the most common form of company in Croatia. It may be established by one or more individuals or legal entities who contribute to an agreed amount of share capital and conduct business under a common company name.
A company with no more than five members and a single member of the management board may be established through a simplified procedure as a simple limited liability company (j.d.o.o.). The minimum share capital required is EUR 1, and the nominal value of each business share must be at least EUR 1.
Foreign companies and individual traders may also conduct business in Croatia through a branch office. The same rules governing establishment and registration apply to branches of both domestic and foreign companies.
A representative office in Croatia may be founded by a foreign person engaged in economic activities or by a national or international economic association based in a country outside the European Union or the European Economic Area.
Business activities in Croatia can be financed through conventional loans offered by commercial banks or through specialised financial institutions providing more favourable financing conditions and loan guarantees. Croatia has a well-developed banking sector offering a wide range of financial products and services. According to the Croatian National Bank (CNB), as of 1 October 2025, Croatia had 19 licensed banks and one housing savings bank. A list of banks operating in Croatia is available from the Croatian National Bank.
The Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) plays an important role in supporting business development and export activities. Through its specialised programmes, HBOR provides financial support to start-ups, exporters, new production projects and businesses operating in various sectors, including industry, tourism, environmental protection, energy efficiency and agriculture. Further information on HBOR's financing programmes is available at www.hbor.hr.
Additional financial support is provided by the Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovation and Investments (HAMAG-BICRO). The Agency offers guarantees for loans granted to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by credit institutions and other eligible lenders. It also provides direct financial support to SMEs through grant schemes. Further information on available guarantees and grants can be found at www.hamagbicro.hr.
Additional information on financing opportunities, financial tools and available support programmes can be found on the Croatian Chamber of Economy's Digital Chamber – Financing platform.
Name of the company
The first step in establishing a company is choosing its name. Before making a final decision, it is advisable to check the Croatian Court Register to determine whether the proposed name, or a similar one, is already registered. It is also recommended to prepare alternative names in case the preferred name is unavailable. Additional information on starting a business is available through the Digital Chamber.
Verification of documents
When establishing a company through the traditional registration procedure, the application for registration in the Court Register and certain supporting documents must be certified by a notary public. Founders are required to present a valid identity card or passport (mandatory for foreign nationals), and all individuals whose signatures require certification must be present. Foreign nationals who do not speak Croatian must also be accompanied by a certified court interpreter during the notarisation process.
Submission of documents/fee payment
The application for registration in the Court Register, together with the necessary supporting documents certified by a notary public, is submitted to a HITRO.HR office. HITRO.HR forwards the documentation to the competent Commercial Court for registration. Court fees and the required share capital contributions can be paid at FINA branches.
If the delivered documentation is correct and complete, the Commercial Court shall register the company in the court register within 24 hours and electronically deliver the Decision on the establishment and Confirmation of OIB (Personal identification number) of the newly formed company to the Office HITRO.HR.
At the HITRO.HR counter, applicants receive an RSP form, which must be completed to obtain a Notice of Classification in accordance with the National Classification of Activities issued by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics. Upon receiving the Commercial Court's registration decision, HITRO.HR will automatically obtain the Notice of Classification electronically within one day.
Once the company has been registered, an official company stamp must be obtained and a business bank account opened to enable the transfer of the initial share capital to the company's account. These procedures, along with the initial registration of the company, its owner and employees with the Croatian Pension Insurance Institute (HZMO) and the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO), can be arranged and completed electronically through HITRO.HR.
In addition to the traditional company registration procedure through HITRO.HR, Croatia offers electronic company registration services. The START system enables eligible Croatian citizens to establish a company online through a single digital procedure, without traditional notarisation.
Citizens of EU/EEA countries may also use the e-Court Register for electronic establishment of eligible companies, subject to the applicable requirements.