Establishing a Business Presence in Croatia

Guide for Non-Resident Entrepreneurs

Croatia offers a welcoming environment for foreign investors looking to establish a business presence. This guide outlines the key steps, requirements, and resources for non-resident entrepreneurs.

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Key Steps and Requirements

Business Registration

Register with the Croatian Trade Register (Trgovački sud) via the Financial Agency (FINA)
Website: https://www.fina.hr/
Required documents: Articles of Association, proof of capital deposit, identification documents
Timeline: 5-7 business days
Fee: Approximately 100-200 EUR

Tax Registration

Register with the Tax Administration (Porezna uprava)
Website: https://www.porezna-uprava.hr/
Obtain VAT number and tax identification number (OIB)
Timeline: 1-3 business days
Required form: PO-SD Form (PDF)

Social Security Registration

Register with Croatian Pension Insurance Institute (HZMO) and Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO)
Website: https://www.mirovinsko.hr/
Timeline: Within 15 days of company registration
Required form: M-11P Form (PDF)

Opening a Bank Account

Choose a Croatian bank (e.g., Zagrebačka banka, Privredna banka Zagreb)
Required documents: Company registration certificate, tax ID, passport

Ongoing Compliance

Submit monthly/quarterly VAT returns
File annual financial statements
Comply with labor laws and social security contributions for employees

Recommended Tools and Services

START system for integrated electronic business registration (for Croatian citizens)
e-Citizens portal for accessing government services: https://gov.hr/
Hitro.HR service for streamlined company registration

By following this guide, non-resident entrepreneurs can efficiently establish and maintain a compliant business presence in Croatia, tapping into the country’s growing economy and strategic location within the European Union.

Key Requirements for Establishing a
Business in Croatia

Establishing and managing a business in Croatia involves several key steps to ensure compliance with local regulations and efficient operation. Here is a detailed guide to help you navigate the process:

1. Authentication Methods

To access Croatian government online services, obtain:

Croatian eID
mToken (mobile authentication)

3. Tax Registration

Register for Croatian VAT (PDV) with Porezna uprava:

1. Website: https://www.porezna-uprava.hr/

2. Provide necessary documentation and pay required fees

3. Timeline: Usually 3-5 business days

2. Company Registration

Register parent company with Croatian Court Register (Sudski registar):

Website: https://sudreg.pravosudje.hr/
Submit required forms and pay registration fee
Timeline: Typically 5-7 business days

Register branch office through Croatian Chamber of Economy:

Website: https://www.hgk.hr/
Complete specific forms and pay applicable fees
Obtain unique company registration number

4. Employer Registration

Register as an employer with Croatian Pension Insurance Institute:

Website: https://www.mirovinsko.hr/
Submit appropriate forms online

Manage employee-related obligations:

File Obrazac JOPPD (monthly report on income, taxes, and contributions)
Submit Obrazac ID (annual income tax return)

Submit VAT returns through Porezna uprava online portal
Adhere to specified deadlines and requirements

By fulfilling these key requirements, non-resident entrepreneurs can successfully establish and maintain a compliant business presence in Croatia. This process ensures full adherence to local regulations and opens doors to opportunities in Croatia’s growing market.

Procedures and Timelines for Establishing a
Business in Croatia

Registering a Branch Office

Obtain necessary authentication method (1-2 weeks)
Apply for Croatian eID or mToken
Essential for accessing government online services
Register parent company in Croatian Court Register (Sudski registar) (2-4 weeks)
Submit required forms and pay applicable registration fee
Website: https://sudreg.pravosudje.hr/
Register branch office with Croatian Chamber of Economy (2-4 weeks)
Complete specific forms and pay fees
Website: https://www.hgk.hr/
Obtain unique company registration number
Automatically assigned upon successful registration

Obtaining a Croatian VAT Number

Register for Croatian VAT (PDV) with Porezna uprava (2-4 weeks)

Provide necessary documentation and pay required fees
Website: https://www.porezna-uprava.hr/
Detailed guides available on the Porezna uprava website (in Croatian)

Becoming an Employer in Croatia

Register as an employer with Croatian Pension Insurance Institute (2-4 weeks)

Submit appropriate forms
Website: https://www.mirovinsko.hr/
File initial employer-related declarations

Obrazac JOPPD (monthly report on income, taxes, and contributions)
Obrazac ID (annual income tax return)
Guidance materials available from the Croatian Pension Insurance Institute

Submitting Tax Returns in Croatia

Corporate Tax (Porez na dobit)

Comprehensive guides available on the Porezna uprava website
VAT (PDV) Returns

Detailed instructions for periodic VAT returns on the Porezna uprava website
Employer-Related Returns

Obrazac JOPPD (monthly) and Obrazac ID (annual)
Guidance on requirements and deadlines available from the Croatian Pension Insurance Institute

This guide outlines the key procedures and timelines for establishing and maintaining a business presence in Croatia. By following these steps and leveraging the resources provided by relevant government agencies, non-resident entrepreneurs can ensure full compliance with Croatian regulations.

Relevant Government Agencies and Websites for Business in Croatia

Croatian Court Register (Sudski registar)
Website: https://sudreg.pravosudje.hr/
The Croatian Court Register is the official registry for all companies operating in Croatia. It's essential for:

Registering your company or branch office
Obtaining official extracts of company information
Accessing public information about registered companies
Services: Online company registration, document submission, and business information retrieval.

Croatian Chamber of Economy (Hrvatska gospodarska komora)
Website: https://www.hgk.hr/
The Croatian Chamber of Economy is a key institution for businesses, offering:

Support for company establishment and branch office registration
Information on business regulations and market conditions
Networking opportunities and business promotion
Services: Business consultancy, export promotion, and economic data provision.

Porezna uprava (Croatian Tax Authority)
Website: https://www.porezna-uprava.hr/
The Porezna uprava is responsible for tax administration in Croatia, handling:

VAT registration and returns
Corporate tax declarations and payments
Providing tax-related information and services
Services: Online tax filing, VAT registration, access to tax regulations and forms.

Croatian Pension Insurance Institute (Hrvatski zavod za mirovinsko osiguranje)
Website: https://www.mirovinsko.hr/
The Croatian Pension Insurance Institute manages social security and provides services for:

Employer registration
Pension and disability insurance
Information on labor laws and social security obligations
Services: Online declaration system, employer registration, access to pension and insurance information.

These agencies and their respective websites are crucial for non-resident entrepreneurs establishing and maintaining a compliant business presence in Croatia. They offer comprehensive online services, simplifying the process of navigating Croatian bureaucracy and ensuring adherence to local regulations.