Why invest in Croatia?

Croatia is situated in the heart of Europe, only two or three hours flight distance to any European destination. With its unique geostrategic position and the farthest reaching European sea inlet, Croatia is a gateway to Central and Eastern Europe providing an easy access to European and world markets.

 

Croatia offers the shortest route over land and sea connecting Europe and other overseas destinations, thus making the sea route from Europe to the Middle and Far East advantageous offering up to several days shorter transit times than those of northern European ports.

Croatia has highly developed road and rail network, the network of international sea ports of great importance, the network of river ports and airports, as well as inland waterways and intermodal terminals.

The network of modern motorways place Croatia together with leading European countries, and let’s not forget that there are three Pan-European international corridors passing through Croatia, thus making it an essential part of all major European and international transport routes. The country is 100% digitized, with its entire territory covered by broadband Internet. Its highly developed natural gas distribution network places it at the very top of European countries

Land connection to all European transport routes:

• 26,959 km of roads
• 2,722 km of rail network

2-3 hours flight distance to any European destination:

• 7 international airports (Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar, Rijeka, Pula, Osijek) and 2 airfields (Mali Lošinj, Brač)

The inmost sea into the heart of European continent:

• 6 seaports (Rijeka, Ploče, Šibenik, Zadar, Split, Dubrovnik)
• 4 inland ports (Vukovar − Danube River, Osijek − Drava River, Slavonski Brod − Sava River, Sisak − Sava River)

One of the most developed natural gas distribution networks in Europe:

• 100% digitized country
• 100% broadband Internet coverage

The Croatian legal framework governing foreign investment has been designed in a way that does not make any difference between domestic and foreign investors. All possibilities in relations between domestic investors are also open to foreigners investing capital in Croatia.

 

Moreover, foreign investors enjoy additional guarantees that are not given to domestic investors. The Croatian Constitution provides that no law or other legal document shall reduce the rights granted to a foreign investor at the time of investment in Croatia. It also guarantees the free repatriation of profits or capital upon fulfillment of all legal obligations.

 

Being a full member of NATO and European Union (1 July 2013), Croatia guarantees stability and the safety of business activities. Croatian legislation, harmonized with the basic postulates of the European Union, ensures business activities of the highest standard and opens the possibility of using EU funds, while agreements for the avoidance of double taxation signed with over 50 countries, provide Croatia with additional benefits.

The Republic of Croatia strongly supports investments. With the aim of stimulating investments in production and manufacturing activities, development and innovation activities, business support activities, as well as activities of high value-added services, investors are offered various incentives.

 

The incentives offered to investors range from tax incentives, grants for new employment and training, to additional tax incentives for the modernization of business processes and grants for labor-intensive investment projects, as well as for capital costs of the investment project.

 

 

Depending on the amount of investment and the number of newly created jobs, investors are granted the following incentives:

• Tax incentives – Partial or full exemption from profit tax in the period of up to 10 years, depending on the amount of investment.
• Employment incentives- Up to 9,000 euros per employee, depending on unemployment rates in the investment area
• Grants- Coverage of up to 70% of employee’s training costs, depending on the type of training and the size of the business

 

The legal framework for the investment is regulated by the Act on Investment Promotion. More about the incentives regulated by this Act you can find here.

Croatia is a country of multilingual and highly educated workforce. With 130 higher education institutions, out of which 12 are universities, Croatia offers a pool of various skilled and educated workforce. Croatia combines an outstanding level of education with strong working culture.

 

Did you know that the University of Zagreb, comprised of 34 faculties, is one of the oldest universities in this part of Europe providing education to students continuously since its establishment in 1669.

 

According to the Human Development Index (UNDP), Croatia ranks 37 out of 193 countries (very high human development).

 

EDUCATION in numbers:

• 8 public and 3 private universities with over 150,000 students a year
• 93% of secondary school students learn English as a foreign language; 34% of secondary school students learn German as a foreign language
• Constant increase in the share of the highly educated population in Croatia (24% of total population is highly educated)
• 130 higher education institutions (11 universities)
• 158,754 students in 2022/2023
• 22,405 graduates in 2022

Croatia is truly a unique country – nowhere in the world can three different climate zones – continental, mountainous and Mediterranean, be found in only 400 km (the distance between the North and South of the country). From hilly and gentle Zagorje in the North, through vast fertile plains of Slavonia in the East, Lika and Gorski Kotar rich in forests and rivers, to Dalmatinska Zagora, bounded by mountain ranges and typical Dalmatian karst, all the way to its indented coastline stretching from Istria to South Dalmatia with over a thousand islands, Croatia is truly a world’s treasure.

 

Good transport connection between the continental and coastal part of the country – morning skiing at Bjelolasica, and the experience of one of the most beautiful sunsets on the Adriatic coast only a few hours later – the abundance of cultural activities and historic heritage, the proximity of other European cultural and business centres, clear water and air, traditional and organic growing of agricultural products and healthy Mediterranean lifestyle provide all the conditions necessary for a pleasant, high quality life anywhere in Croatia.