COREDO > Company Formation in Croatia

Company Formation in Croatia

Why Register a Company in Croatia

Croatia is a developing EU jurisdiction with access to the eurozone, a strategic Balkan location, and a favourable environment for international business.

The country offers foreign investors a stable banking system, competitive taxation, developed infrastructure, and access to the EU market. Croatia is especially attractive for projects in tourism, IT, logistics, manufacturing, and international trade.

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Company Types in Croatia

Foreign entrepreneurs can register a company in Croatia in one of the following legal forms.

d.o.o. (Društvo s ograničenom odgovornošću)

Limited liability company. The most common form of doing business in Croatia. At least one founder (individual or legal entity) is required, with no limit on the number of participants. The minimum share capital is EUR 2,500, with the nominal value of a single share no less than EUR 10. At least 25% of the share capital must be paid in before registration, but no less than EUR 625.

d.d. (Dioničko društvo)

Joint-stock company. Suitable for large projects and companies planning to attract significant investment. May be founded by a single shareholder. The minimum share capital is EUR 25,000, with the nominal value of a single share no less than EUR 1.

j.d.o.o. (Jednostavno društvo s ograničenom odgovornošću)

Simplified limited liability company. An ideal option for small businesses and startups. The minimum share capital is just EUR 1. May be founded by a maximum of three participants. Once certain thresholds are reached, the company is converted into a standard d.o.o.

Branch of a foreign company

A foreign company may open a branch in Croatia without any share capital requirements. The branch is not a separate legal entity and operates on behalf of the parent company.

It is important to note restrictions for foreign nationals who are not EU residents: they may not operate as sole traders or establish partnerships. Additionally, a company with 100% foreign capital and a director who is not a resident of Croatia or the EU must employ at least three Croatian nationals. If there are two such directors, the minimum requirement increases to ten local employees.

Registration Procedure

Company registration in Croatia is carried out in accordance with the Companies Act (Zakon o trgovačkim društvima, OG 111/93, latest amendment OG 136/24). The process includes the following steps:

Obtaining an OIB (Osobni identifikacijski broj) — a personal identification number for each founder through the Ministry of Finance.
Preparation of the memorandum of association and articles of incorporation, followed by notarisation before a Croatian notary.
Opening a temporary bank account and depositing the share capital.
Filing documents with the Commercial Court (Trgovački sud) for entry into the Court Register.
Registration with the Tax Administration (Porezna uprava) and the Croatian Chamber of Economy (HGK).

With a complete set of documents, the Commercial Court registers the company within 5 business days.

Required Documents

To register a company in Croatia, the following documents are required:

memorandum of association and articles of incorporation specifying the company name, registered office, share capital amount and founder details;

identity documents of all founders and directors;

proof of a registered office in Croatia;

resolution on director appointment;

confirmation of share capital deposit into a bank account.

All documents in foreign languages must be translated into Croatian and notarised. Foreign documents may require apostille in accordance with the Hague Convention of 1961.

Capital Requirements

Company Type	Min. Share Capital	Details
d.o.o. (LLC)	EUR 2,500	Min. nominal share value EUR 10, before registration — 25% (min. EUR 625)
d.d. (JSC)	EUR 25,000	Min. nominal share value EUR 1
j.d.o.o. (simplified LLC)	EUR 1	Max. 3 founders
Branch	Not required	Not a separate legal entity

Tax System in Croatia

Croatia offers a competitive and transparent tax system. The standard corporate income tax (CIT) rate is 18%. Companies with annual revenue below EUR 1,000,000 benefit from a reduced rate of 10%, making the jurisdiction particularly attractive for small and medium-sized businesses.

The standard value added tax (VAT) rate in Croatia is 25%, with reduced rates for certain categories of goods and services. From 1 January 2026, Croatia introduced a mandatory electronic invoicing system (e-invoicing) for B2B and B2G transactions.

Opening a Bank Account

To conduct business activities in Croatia, a company must open a bank account with a local bank. The Croatian banking system is well-developed and reliable, with major banks forming part of international banking groups. The procedure for opening a corporate account typically takes from 5 to 14 business days after providing a complete set of documents. To open an account, the following documents are required: extract from the Court Register, founding documents, documents of directors and beneficial owners.

Annual Obligations and Reporting

After registration, a company in Croatia must maintain accounting records in accordance with Croatian Financial Reporting Standards (HSFI) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) — depending on the company’s size. Annual financial statements must be filed with the Financial Agency (FINA) within four months after the end of the financial year. The corporate income tax return is submitted to the Tax Administration (Porezna uprava) by 30 April of the year following the reporting period. Companies registered as VAT payers must file periodic VAT returns — monthly or quarterly, depending on the volume of operations.

Compliance and AML Requirements

As a member of the European Union, Croatia applies European standards in the area of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT). Companies must comply with requirements regarding beneficial owner identification, maintaining client transaction records and reporting suspicious transactions. With the entry into force of the new EU AML Regulation (AMLR, Regulation (EU) 2024/1624), applicable from 10 July 2027, compliance requirements in Croatia will be further tightened.

Registration Timeline

The company registration process in Croatia typically takes up to 5 business days from the submission of a complete set of documents to the Commercial Court. The overall preparation period, including document collection, obtaining an OIB and notarisation, may take from 2 to 4 weeks.

Service Costs

The cost of company formation services in Croatia starts from EUR 7,500. The final amount depends on the chosen legal form, the complexity of the corporate structure, and the scope of additional requirements. Government fees for registration range from EUR 200 to EUR 500. To obtain an individual estimate, contact our specialists — we will prepare a detailed proposal tailored to your specific situation and business objectives.

Our Experts

The COREDO team has been operating since 2016 and possesses deep expertise in company formation across various European jurisdictions.

Nikita Veremeev

Founder & NED. Founded COREDO in November 2016 and personally oversees the strategic development of the business across dozens of jurisdictions.

Pavel Kos

Head of Legal. Part of the COREDO team since June 2017, responsible for legal support of corporate projects and company formation across European jurisdictions.

Basang Ungunov

Lawyer. Part of the COREDO team since June 2022, specialises in legal support for company formation and structuring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a founder need to be a resident of Croatia to register a company?

No, Croatia allows company registration by foreign nationals. However, restrictions apply to non-EU residents: they may not operate as sole traders or establish partnerships. Additionally, a company with 100% foreign capital and a director who is not a Croatian or EU citizen must employ at least three Croatian nationals.

What is the minimum share capital for an LLC (d.o.o.) in Croatia?

Since Croatia adopted the euro (1 January 2023), the minimum share capital for a d.o.o. is EUR 2,500. At registration, at least 25% of the capital must be paid in, amounting to a minimum of EUR 625. There is also a simplified form — j.d.o.o. — with a minimum capital of EUR 1.

How long does it take to register a company in Croatia?

The Commercial Court registers a company within 5 business days from the submission of a complete set of documents. The overall preparation period, including obtaining an OIB, notarisation and opening a bank account, may take from 2 to 4 weeks.

What tax advantages are available for small businesses in Croatia?

Companies with annual revenue below EUR 1,000,000 in Croatia pay corporate tax at a reduced rate of 10% instead of the standard 18%. Additionally, the simplified j.d.o.o. form allows starting a business with a minimum capital of EUR 1, significantly reducing startup costs for entrepreneurs.

What currency does Croatia use?

Since 1 January 2023, the official currency of Croatia is the euro. The previously used Croatian kuna was replaced at a fixed rate of 1 EUR = 7.53450 HRK.

Contact Us

COREDO specialists provide full support for the company formation process in Croatia — from document preparation and obtaining an OIB to registration with the Commercial Court and Tax Administration. We have been operating since 2016, helping entrepreneurs from dozens of countries successfully build business structures in Europe.