How to Register a Company in Croatia
Registering a company in Croatia involves several steps, including choosing a company type, selecting a name, preparing documentation, and registering with the Croatian Court Register and Croatian Tax Administration. By following this guide and utilizing the provided resources, you should be well on your way to successfully establishing your business in Croatia. Be sure to adhere to the requirements and guidelines to ensure a smooth registration process and a successful start for your company in this dynamic and growing economy.
Step 1: Choose your company type
In Croatia, the most common types of companies are:
- Limited Liability Company (Društvo s Ograničenom Odgovornošću - d.o.o.)
- Joint Stock Company (Dioničko Društvo - d.d.)
- Branch of a foreign company
Step 2: Choose a company name
The first step in registering your company is to select an appropriate name. The Croatian Court Register (Trgovački Sud) provides guidelines for acceptable names. These can be found at the following link: https://sudreg.pravosudje.hr
Step 3: Prepare the required documents
You will need to prepare the necessary documentation for your chosen company type. The key documents are:
- Articles of Association (for d.o.o. and d.d.)
- Application for Company Registration (for all types)
These forms can be downloaded from the Croatian Court Register's website: https://sudreg.pravosudje.hr
Step 4: Identify company officers and shareholders
You will need to identify at least one director (for d.o.o. and d.d.) or one representative (for Branch of a foreign company). Directors or representatives must be at least 18 years old. Shareholders can be individuals or corporate entities.
Step 5: Capital requirements
Croatia requires a minimum capital of HRK 20,000 for d.o.o.s, HRK 200,000 for d.d.s. There is no minimum capital requirement for branches of foreign companies.
Step 6: Register your company
Once your documents are ready, you can submit your application to the Croatian Court Register (Trgovački Sud). This can be done in person or online via the following link: https://sudreg.pravosudje.hr
The fees for registering a company are as follows:
- d.o.o.: HRK 2,500 (approximately €330)
- d.d.: HRK 3,500 (approximately €460)
- Branch of a foreign company: HRK 2,500 (approximately €330)
Step 7: Register for taxes
After your company is registered, you must register for taxes with the Croatian Tax Administration. This can be done in person at the local Tax Office or online via the following link: https://www.porezna-uprava.hr
Step 8: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Depending on your business activities, you may need to obtain additional permits or licenses. Check with the relevant authorities and industry regulators for specific requirements.
Time-frame:
The entire registration process, from preparing documents to receiving your Certificate of Incorporation, can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the complexity of your application.
