Obtain Special Permits and Licenses for Croatian Companies

A business license in Croatia is required for local and foreign investors who want to open a company in this country. Companies are entered in the court register kept by the commercial courts; licences for regulated activities are issued by the competent ministry or regulator. Our lawyers in Croatia can give you detailed information about the special permits and licenses needed to start a company.

Activities subject to special permits and licenses in Croatia

Before registering a business in Croatia, depending on the type of economic activities performed, one must apply for a business license in Croatia. Here is a list of the activities which are subject to specific requirements, according to the Croatian law:

• banking and insurance;
• production and trade of tobacco and tobacco products;
• sea fishing and hunting;
• most activities within the energy sector – some large, wholly or partly state-owned companies still dominate the market – the electricity company Hrvatska elektroprivreda (HEP) and the oil and gas company Industrija nafte (INA);
• air and road transport;
• telecommunication services;
• import and export activities;
• construction sector.

Conditions to obtain a business license in Croatia

Those who wish to obtain a business license in Croatia must consider the conditions imposed in this regard. Here are some of them:

• Company documents with complete information about the business address, place of activities, etc. are required;
• Specific forms must be filled out, and the type of business license required in Croatia must be mentioned;
• The file is submitted to the relevant local agency, helped by our attorneys in Croatia.

What is good to know is that our team of lawyers in Croatia communicates closely with the relevant authorities that issue business licenses in Croatia. For this reason, we advise you to work with us and get assistance in obtaining a business license in Croatia in a fast manner.

Documents to prepare before obtaining a business license in Croatia

In order for the issuance of your business license in Croatia to be successful, consider preparing the following documentation related to your company:

• Application for Court Register Entry: the formal request to register the company in the court register;
• Memorandum and Articles of Association: signed by all the founders, or a declaration detailing the company’s formation process;
• Statement of the company representatives: a declaration from those appointed to represent the company after accepting their roles;
• The director’s or board members’ signatures: signatures of the director, management board members, or supervisory board members, along with the decision regarding the election of board members (if applicable);
• The appointment of the company’s procurator: the procurator’s appointment and signature;
• The company’s registered address in the official papers;
• Foreign nationals documentation: a valid passport or identity card for foreign founders or representatives.

Our Croatian lawyers are at your disposal for more information about the documentation needed to obtain special permits and business licenses in Croatia.

Furthermore, our law firm in Croatia provides specialized support in various business fields, including trading companies. At the moment, Croatian authorities do not require a trading license in Croatia in order to operate trading activities in this country.

What are industry-specific licenses in Croatia?

In Croatia, entrepreneurs can apply for various business licenses depending on their activities. Here are some examples of industry-specific licenses:

• A building permit is issued by the county or city administrative office for physical planning or, for certain major projects, by the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets. This is required in the real estate field.
• Those operating in the food and beverage industrymust obtain a health and safety certificate. Food business establishments are registered or approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and supervised by the State Inspectorate.
• Banks are licensed by the Croatian National Bank (HNB); investment firms, insurers and other non-bank financial institutions by HANFA.

These are some of the specific industries for which a business license is required in Croatia. We invite you to discuss all legal aspects with one of our Croatian lawyers.

What are environmental permits in Croatia?

There are two types of environmental permits, as follows:

• A waste management permit is issued to companies that deal with recycling and waste management in Croatia. This license is issued by the local agencies involved in the environmental sector.
• The environmental impact assessment permit (EIA) is a document issued by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition (or the county office for smaller projects) in Croatia. Companies involved in specific projects with environmental impact must have this permit in the first place.

Special requirements to obtain permits and business licenses in Croatia

In addition to adhering to national regulations, businesses in Croatia must also comply with specific local and regional requirements:

• Municipal Business License: most local municipalities require a business license to operate within their jurisdiction;
• Zoning permits: businesses that need a specific use of land or property must obtain zoning permits from local authorities;
• Signage permits: local governments regulate business signage, and a permit is often required to ensure that signs meet urban standards.

Our attorneys in Croatia can offer detailed support regarding the special permits and licenses for Croatian companies. In addition to these services, our law firm can offer detailed information about the trade license in Croatia, for example.

More than that, if you are looking to immigrate to Croatia to open a business here, our law firm is at your disposal with professional assistance.

What is the cost of your package?

Our package for obtaining licenses starts from EUR 1,800. The amount is exclusive of VAT and official fees; notarial costs and certified translations are charged separately at actual cost.

Can the business license be renewed in Croatia?

Yes, a business license in Croatia can be renewed sometime before it expires. In this situation, the authorities might carry out specific inspections to see if the safety, health, and environmental rules are respected. Certain business licenses in Croatia are renewed after one year, while others have a longer validity.

Statistics about companies in Croatia

We present some statistical data about companies operating in Croatia:

• Data for July 2024 indicated over 348,000 entities registered in Croatia;
• There are over 119,000 registered sole proprietorships in Croatia;
• Over 166,000 corporations are operating in various industries in Croatia.

In addition to obtaining a business license, our immigration lawyers in Croatia can also help you with staff relocation. Feel free to contact our law firm in Croatia and obtain comprehensive legal advice. Our lawyers can also help you set up a business in Croatia  in just a few days.