Croatia Company Registration | Set Up a Company in Croatia
Planning a Croatia company registration to set up a company in Croatia and reach the EU and eurozone markets? The most common entity is the limited liability company (d.o.o.). A notary certifies the incorporation documents, which are then filed through HITRO.hr for registration with the commercial court. Foreign investors have the same rights as Croatian nationals, and official sources set no cap on foreign ownership, so foreign founders can own 100% of the shares.
A limited liability company needs minimum share capital of EUR 2,500, and a simple limited liability company (j.d.o.o.) needs at least EUR 1. Corporate income tax is 10% or 18% depending on revenue, the standard VAT rate is 25%, and dividends paid to non-residents bear 10% withholding tax. NSS Group (戰國策集團) offers a one-stop Croatia company formation service, from entity review, name search and OIB applications, notarial documents and HITRO.hr filing to tax registration and annual filing reminders, for companies and individuals setting up a limited company in Croatia.
Croatia is an EU member state. It adopted the euro and joined the Schengen area on January 1, 2023, so share capital and fees are set in EUR.
Companies with revenue of EUR 1,000,000 or less in the tax period pay 10% corporate income tax. Only revenue above that level brings the 18% rate.
A simple limited liability company needs minimum share capital of just EUR 1 and can have up to 5 shareholders, which suits founders starting small.
When filed through HITRO.hr with correct and complete electronic documents, the commercial court registers the company within 5 business days.
company registration?
Croatia lies on the eastern Adriatic coast and is an EU member state. It adopted the euro and joined the Schengen area on January 1, 2023. Foreign investors have the same rights as Croatian nationals, and there is no official cap on foreign ownership. A limited liability company needs minimum share capital of EUR 2,500, and a simple limited liability company needs just EUR 1. Companies with revenue of EUR 1,000,000 or less in the tax period pay 10% corporate income tax. With complete documents, the commercial court registers the company within 5 business days. This suits companies planning for the EU market and business in Southeast Europe.
in 3 steps
In Croatia, the common entity is the limited liability company (d.o.o.), with minimum share capital of EUR 2,500 and shareholder liability limited to their contributions. Founders starting small can choose a simple limited liability company (j.d.o.o.), with minimum share capital of EUR 1 and up to 5 shareholders. A notary certifies the incorporation documents, which are filed electronically through HITRO.hr and then registered by the competent commercial court.
The registration process is clear, but each founder must first get an OIB. All founders must attend the notarization, with a court interpreter if needed. After registration there are HZMO, HZZO and tax registrations and monthly corporate income tax prepayments. NSS Group helps you plan the shareholding structure, prepare documents and arrange annual maintenance, so your Croatian company stays clear and compliant from setup to operation.
First check at the court register whether the company name is available. It must be clearly distinguishable from registered names and written in Croatian or an official EU language in Latin script. HITRO.hr staff can help with the search. Each founder must first get a personal identification number (OIB) from the Tax Administration of the Ministry of Finance.
A notary certifies the articles of association and other incorporation documents. All founders and signatories must attend, and anyone who does not speak Croatian needs a court interpreter. The notary sends the documents electronically to HITRO.hr, where the court fee and share capital are paid, and HITRO.hr forwards the filing to the competent commercial court.
With correct and complete electronic documents, the commercial court registers the company within 5 business days. Within 1 business day of the registration decision, the company receives the Central Bureau of Statistics notice (statistical number and main activity code) electronically. It can then open a bank account and register with HZMO, HZZO and the Tax Administration.
service
- Company name search and reservation
- Registration document preparation and filing
- Articles of association drafting
- Certificate collection
- Bank account opening documents and process advice for Croatia
- Account opening documents
- Appointment booking and accompaniment
- Post-opening support
- Registered address
- Company secretary appointment
- Annual filing
- Document custody and records
- Bookkeeping
- Tax filing and planning
- Financial statement preparation
- Audit arrangement
- Trademark search and assessment
- Trademark application filing
- Trademark maintenance and renewal
- Infringement advice
- Company change filings
- Share transfer support
- Company deregistration
- Legal advisory support
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- Choice of d.o.o. or j.d.o.o. and shareholding structure review
- Company name search and OIB applications for founders
- Articles of association and notarial documents
- HITRO.hr filing and commercial court registration
- Tax, HZMO and HZZO registration and annual filing reminders
Official fees: commercial court registration fees and notary fees follow the authorities’ published schedules. Other items are quoted separately.
Croatia company registration at a glance
The points people ask about most when they register a company in Croatia, checked against official sources (updated November 2026).
| Entity type | Limited liability company (d.o.o.), simple limited liability company (j.d.o.o.) |
|---|---|
| Registry | Court register of the commercial court (filed through HITRO.hr) |
| Foreign ownership | Same treatment as Croatian nationals; no official cap on ownership |
| Minimum capital | d.o.o. EUR 2,500; j.d.o.o. EUR 1 |
| Corporate income tax | 10% on revenue up to EUR 1,000,000; 18% above |
| VAT | Standard rate 25% (also 13% and 5%) |
| Timeline | Commercial court registration within 5 business days with complete documents |
| Annual filings | Income tax return within 4 months after the end of the tax period |
| Who can help | NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw), free assessment and written quote |
Croatia company formation cost: fee breakdown
The main costs to register a Croatian company are share capital, notary fees and commercial court registration fees. Court fees and share capital are paid online through HITRO.hr. Below is each item based on official sources, so you can check quotes line by line.
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Company registration fee (commercial court) | Per the authorities' schedule | Paid online through HITRO.hr; the official page does not list the amount. |
| Notary fees | Per the notary tariff | For certifying the articles of association and other incorporation documents; all founders must attend. |
| Share capital (d.o.o.) | Minimum EUR 2,500 | Before registration each founder pays at least a quarter of their contribution in cash; j.d.o.o. minimum EUR 1. |
| Court interpreter | Quoted per case | Founders who do not speak Croatian need a court interpreter at the notarization. |
| Bookkeeping and annual filings | Quoted by volume | The corporate income tax return is due within 4 months after the end of the tax period, with monthly prepayments. |
| NSS Group service fee | Written quote after a free assessment | Based on shareholder structure, entity type, bank account needs and home-country tax planning. Each item is listed in the quote, with no hidden fees. |
Based on the Invest Croatia company setup page and Croatian Tax Administration notices. The latest court and notary fee schedules prevail.
Croatia company tax and compliance: 10% or 18% income tax
Croatian corporate income tax has two rates, 10% and 18%, based on revenue in the tax period, and the standard VAT rate is 25%. Check whether your home country has a tax treaty with Croatia, and whether its controlled foreign company (CFC) rules apply to you.
| Item | Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate income tax | 10% or 18% | 10% on revenue up to EUR 1,000,000 in the tax period, 18% above; large multinational groups are also subject to the 15% global minimum tax. |
| VAT (PDV) | Standard rate 25% | 13% for accommodation, newspapers and magazines, electricity and similar; 5% for bread, milk, books, medicines and similar. Registration is required above EUR 60,000 of supplies. |
| Dividend withholding | 10% for non-residents | The general withholding rate is 15%, with 10% for dividends and profit distributions. Treaty rates apply where a tax treaty exists. |
| Income tax return | Within 4 months after the period ends | File the corporate income tax return (Form PD). |
| Monthly prepayments | By the end of the following month | Monthly prepayments based on the previous year's return; none in the first year of operation. |
| Social insurance registration | After incorporation | Register the company and employees with HZMO and HZZO. |
Rates follow the Croatian Tax Administration and Invest Croatia. The VAT threshold, monthly prepayments and global minimum tax follow the PwC tax summaries (secondary source). Ask an accountant to assess your actual structure.
Croatia d.o.o., j.d.o.o. or branch: which should you choose?
Foreign companies setting up in Croatia usually compare the limited liability company (d.o.o.), the simple limited liability company (j.d.o.o.) or a branch (podružnica) of their foreign company.
| Item | Limited liability company (d.o.o.) | Simple limited liability company (j.d.o.o.) | Branch of a foreign company (podružnica) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Separate legal entity | Separate legal entity | Not a separate legal entity; part of the foreign company |
| Minimum capital | EUR 2,500 | EUR 1 | Ask our consultants |
| Shareholders | 1 or more | Up to 5, with 1 managing director | Set up by the foreign company |
| Shareholder liability | Limited to contributions | Limited to contributions | Borne by the foreign company |
| Typical use | General operations and foreign-owned subsidiaries | Small-scale startups | A foreign company doing business in Croatia on an ongoing basis must set up a branch or subsidiary |
These are general principles. Choose based on your shareholders, business model and tax planning.
What foreign founders should know about setting up a company in Croatia
- Visas: Croatia is in the Schengen area, so visa-free stays depend on your nationality and are counted together with time spent in other Schengen countries. A visa-free stay does not give you the right to work in Croatia.
- Tax treaties: check whether your home country has an income tax treaty with Croatia. Without one, the 10% dividend withholding tax cannot be reduced under a treaty.
- Each founder must first get a personal identification number (OIB) from the Tax Administration. All founders must attend the notarization, and anyone who does not speak Croatian needs a court interpreter. Allow time for document preparation.
- Check whether your home country requires approval or reporting for outbound investment, and whether its controlled foreign company (CFC) rules affect your Croatian company.
- Medical costs in Croatia are high, so arrange adequate travel and medical insurance when you visit.
Why work with NSS Group on your Croatia company registration?
NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw) is a Taiwan-based global company registration and business advisory brand with more than 25 years of experience and more than 30,000 companies served. We provide company formation, bank account opening, accounting and tax, and annual maintenance in Croatia and many other countries and regions. We can help with Croatian notarial documents, OIB applications and court registration. We give a free assessment and a written quote. Call our toll-free line 0800-003-191 (from Taiwan) or use the form on this page.
Further reading
Sources: Invest Croatia: Establishing a company; Invest Croatia: Tax system; Croatian Tax Administration: Corporate tax general rules, rates and withholding tax; PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Croatia Other taxes (reviewed 2026-08-27); PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Croatia Tax administration (reviewed 2026-08-27); PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Croatia Withholding taxes (reviewed 2026-08-27); Deloitte Legal: Doing business in Croatia 2023. The latest notices from the authorities prevail. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.
How much does it cost to set up a company in Croatia in 2026?
The main costs are share capital, notary fees and commercial court registration fees. A limited liability company (d.o.o.) needs minimum share capital of EUR 2,500, and before registration each founder must pay at least a quarter of their contribution in cash. A simple limited liability company (j.d.o.o.) needs at least EUR 1. Court fees and share capital are paid online through HITRO.hr in the amounts set by the authorities, and notary fees follow the notary tariff.
Can foreigners own 100% of a Croatian company?
According to Invest Croatia, foreign investors who set up or join a company have the same rights, obligations and legal status as Croatian nationals. Official sources list no cap on foreign ownership and no requirement for a local partner. A foreign company that wants to do business in Croatia on an ongoing basis must set up a subsidiary or a branch.
Do I need to travel to Croatia to set up a company?
According to official guidance, all founders and signatories must attend when the notary certifies the incorporation documents, and anyone who does not speak Croatian needs a court interpreter. The electronic incorporation service (e-Osnivanje) requires a qualified electronic signature and a credit card, and EEA nationals can use their national eID. The official pages do not say clearly whether other foreign founders can incorporate electronically, so plan to attend the notarization in Croatia.
How long does Croatia company registration take?
When filed through HITRO.hr with correct and complete electronic documents, the commercial court registers the company within 5 business days, and the Central Bureau of Statistics notice follows within 1 business day of the registration decision. Before that you need to complete the name search, get an OIB and notarize the documents, so the actual time depends on document preparation and review.
What taxes does a Croatian company pay?
Corporate income tax depends on revenue in the tax period: 10% up to EUR 1,000,000 and 18% above that. The return is due within 4 months after the end of the tax period. The standard VAT rate is 25%, with reduced rates of 13% and 5%, and dividends paid to non-residents bear 10% withholding tax. Check whether your home country has a tax treaty with Croatia.
Who can help me register a company in Croatia?
NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw) can help. NSS Group has more than 25 years of experience and has served more than 30,000 companies. Our one-stop Croatia company registration service covers entity review, name search and OIB applications, notarial documents, HITRO.hr filing and court registration, and tax and annual filing reminders. We give a free assessment and a written quote. Call our toll-free line 0800-003-191 (from Taiwan) to get started.