此文章还有以下语言版本：
简体中文 (Chinese (Simplified))
Croatia’s Rise: A Top Choice for Business Incorporation in Southeast Europe’s Booming Economy
Croatia is in the south-east of Europe and in June 1991 gained formal independence from the former Yugoslavia. With its accession to NATO in April 2009 and the European Union in July 2013, Croatia has clearly become one of the more economically advanced countries in the Western Balkans.
There are some benefits to registering a company in Croatia, such as the country’s political stability, good social security, and strong economic foundation, and it has also implemented EU policies. Croatia joined the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in December 2021, becoming its 88th member.
Croatia is formally fully aligned with the European Union as of January 1, 2023, when it will formally join the eurozone and Schengen zone. Moreover, the adoption of the euro will contribute to the continued growth of the Croatian market and enhance the stability of the financial system as a whole. These developments further encourage companies seeking to penetrate the European market to establish their presence through registration in Europe.
Strategic Location and Robust Economic Recovery: Key Drivers for Business Growth
In addition, Croatia is strategically located as a gateway to Central and South Eastern Europe. Croatia is also well-equipped with port facilities, a dense road network and easy access to rail and water transport, which is conducive to the development of local businesses.
Although Croatian is the official language (along with Serbian, Bosnian, and Montenegrin), English, German, and Italian are widely spoken.
Croatia has risen from 59th to 46th place in the World Competitiveness Report 2022, published in June 2022 by the Swiss Institute of Management in Lausanne (IMD), with its greatest strengths being a skilled and qualified labour force and a high level of education.
Croatia’s economy contracted by more than 8% in 2020 due to an pandemic and a strong earthquake. However, the local government implemented relief and recovery measures in 2021, and the tourism and construction industries rebounded quickly, resulting in economic recovery and substantial growth. In 2021, the economy expanded by 10.4%, with a GDP of US$67.8 billion and a per capita GDP of approximately US$17,437, placing it around 50th in the world.
Croatia Company Registration Process
1) Choosing the Type of Company
The most common types of companies in Croatia are categorized into the following types:
- Limited liability company (d.o.o.)
- Joint stock company (d.d.)
- Limited partnership (k.d.)
- Branch of a foreign company
2) Choosing a Company Name
After deciding on the type of company to register, the first step in formalizing the company registration is to choose a suitable company name. All Croatian company registrations need to be made through the Croatian Court Registry.
3) Preparing the Required Documents
You will need to prepare the necessary documents for the chosen company type. The main documents include：
Articles of Association
Application form for company registration
These forms can be downloaded from the Croatian Court Registry website: https://sudreg.pravosudje.hr
4) Identifying of Company Directors and Shareholders
You need to identify at least one director (for d.o.o. and d.d.) or one representative (for branches of foreign companies). The director or representative must be at least 18 years old. Shareholders can be individuals or corporate entities.
5) Capital Requirements
Croatia requires a minimum capital of HRK 20,000 (approximately RMB20,000) for a limited liability company and HRK 200,000 (approximately RMB230,000) for a joint stock company.
6) Registering a Company
Once the documents are ready, you can apply to the Croatian Court Registry. You can submit the application in person or online.
7) After the company is registered, you must apply for tax registration with the Croatian Tax Administration.
8) To open a bank account and deposit share capital, you can go to any local commercial bank to open a business account and deposit share capital.
Expert Tax and Accounting Solutions from 3E Accounting: Professional Guidance for Your Business Needs
After registering a Croatian company, the following tax planning and accounting considerations are critical. These include, but are not limited to, tax registration and planning, accounting and financial management, value added tax (VAT) management, payroll, and social security management, as well as compliance and auditing.
Given the complexity and specialized nature of these issues, many businesses prefer to hire a professional accountant or tax advisor to handle them. These professionals can provide tailored advice and services to ensure that your company complies with Croatian tax and accounting regulations while also optimizing your financial and tax strategy. 3E Accounting has a team of professionals who can handle this, so if you want to learn more, please contact us.
