Foreign investors can set up companies in Croatia with fewer formalities and less bureaucracy, in agreement with the laws governing this country. Our company formation agents in Croatia are at your disposal with complete information about how you can open a limited liability company in Croatia or any other business structure in this country.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Who can set up a DOO (LLC) in Croatia? | Local and foreign investors who want to expand their operations in Croatia |
|
Shareholders |
One or more shareholders can set up a limited liability company in Croatia. |
|
Legislation |
Company Act in Croatia |
| Minimum share capital | EUR 2,700 |
| Authority involved in company registration in Croatia |
Croatian Trade Register |
| Documents required for DOO formation |
– Articles of Association, – IDs/passports of shareholders, – standard forms, etc. |
| Representative agent required |
Recommended. Our local agents can help you form a DOO in Croatia. |
| Corporate bank account |
Required |
| Tax registration |
With the assistance of our Croatian agents with experience in company formation |
| Notarization and certification requirement of documents for DOO in Croatia | We also help with the legalization of documents for company formation in Croatia. |
| Licenses and business permits for a DOO in Croatia |
Depending on the type of activities. We can manage the formalities. |
| Hiring local/foreign staff |
Both options available when forming an LLC in Croatia |
| Accounting requirements |
Obligation to keep accounting records and prepare the annual financial statements, according to the local and international laws. |
| Time frame for DOO registration in Croatia |
A few days |
| Choosing our team of company formation agents in Croatia | For DOO formation, we offer complete services at affordable prices. |
Table of Contents
Who can open a DOO in Croatia in 2025?
Both domestic and foreign investors looking for business in Croatia and an easy structure should decide on a limited liability company. Being subject to fewer formalities at the Trader Register in Croatia, a DOO is in most cases ready to operate within a few working days. Our consultants can handle the registration process of a DOO in Croatia, so do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
What is a DOO in Croatia?
A DOO in Croatia defines as a limited liability company, that is called Drustvo s Ogranicenom Odgovornoscu. Limited liability companies in Croatia are the most common structures used for businesses, especially by small-sized companies, due to their simple incorporation procedure in Croatia. The minimum share capital that must be provided in order to set up a limited liability company in Croatia is EUR 2,700.
The contribution can be made in cash, material goods, or commercial rights. The initial capital must be deposited in the national currency of Croatia. As for the owners of a DOO, one or more shareholders can set up a limited liability company in Croatia. They can be individuals or corporations and they can have any foreign citizenship or residence. Shareholders’ liability is limited when it comes to the company’s debts and obligations and it is extended up to their own contributions. Our company formation agents can help foreigners open a DOO in Croatia in 2025.
How you can set up a j.d.o.o. in Croatia
Croatian j.d.o.o. is a simple limited liability company that can be set up with EUR 1. This structure can have no more than 5 shareholders. Concerning the formalities for the incorporation of j.d.o.o. in Croatia, the following information is important:
- A j.d.o.o. it can be opened online, but also in person, with specialized support provided by one of our agents.
- First of all, you have to choose a name for the company, and then check it with the relevant authorities. The court register portal allows complete name checks.
- The minimum share capital is EUR 1, deposited in a local bank account in Croatia.
- The necessary documents for a j.d.o.o in Croatia are then being prepared: the Articles of Association, Record of Founding, notification to register a company in Croatia, a declaration of the non-existence of outstanding debts. These documents must be legalized and notarized.
- Foreign citizens must also prepare copies of their identity documents.
- Proof of payment for j.d.o.o. registration is also required in Croatia.
What is the management structure of a limited liability company in Croatia?
The minimum management structure of a limited liability company in Croatia is a director or president. He must be appointed by the shareholders and he can be Croatian or a foreign citizen. The manager can also represent the company in Croatia in front of third parties whenever it is the case. The director or the president of an LLC in Croatia is in charge of daily management matters and of signing varied business documents and contracts.
Controlling an LLC in Croatia means respecting the provisions of the Company Act in this country. The board of directors is in charge of the company’s decisions, in compliance with the owner’s requirements or needs. A DOO in Croatia has directors with full liabilities for their actions and are in charge of the company’s operations.
How can a limited liability company in Croatia be verified?
All limited liability companies in Croatia must submit annual financial statements regarding their commercial activities and all their transactions. These statements must be audited and approved by authorized public accountants in Croatia. Below is an infographic with information about setting up an LLC in Croatia:
Information comprised by the Articles of Association
The basis of establishing a private limited liability company in Croatia in 2025 is the Articles of Association (when there is more than one founder) or the statement of the establishment (when there is only one founder). These documents must provide information regarding:
- the company’s name and registered business address in Croatia;
- the name and details of the founders (nationality, residency, etc.);
- the minimum share capital deposited in a Croatian bank account;
- details regarding the company’s stakes and rights and obligations attached to it;
- information about the responsibilities and rights of each member of the business;
- an availability date, if necessary, and details regarding the liquidation procedure.
This type of company may start to operate a business in Croatia only after it is registered in the Court Register based on the articles of association or the statement of establishing the business and a standard completed application. All the formalities can be managed by one of our local specialists, you have experience in company formation in Croatia. Plus, you can also explore this video presentation with details on this subject:
Opening a private limited liability company in Croatia
A private LLC in Croatia is a type of company that cannot trade its shares publicly. This type of business structure is normally controlled by a board of managers appointed by the shareholders of the company, and the rules remain the same for 2025. The registration process takes place at the Trade Register in Croatia if the Articles of Association are submitted in accordance with the requirements of this institution. Such documents need to contain:
- information about the owners (their names and their nationality);
- details about the minimum share capital and the contribution of the owners;
- the date when the private limited liability company opens in Croatia;
- complete information about the responsibilities of the owners and the directors.
If you would like to know the rules for registering an LLC in Croatia in 2025, please talk to our specialists.
Post-registration requirements for DOOs in Croatia
The certificate of incorporation is issued as soon as all the documents and formalities are accepted by the Trade Register in Croatia. Before going on the market, the company needs to be registered with the Croatian tax authorities, especially if it is subject to VAT payments. The future transactions of the firm are made through the company’s bank account which is different from the one opened for the minimum share capital, but not mandatory. Find out information in this sense from our advisors.
Can I change the company structure in Croatia?
Yes, if you believe that the limited liability company no longer aligns with the business development and direction of your firm, you can simply change the structure. This means that your DOO in Croatia can transform into a joint-stock company, private or public, to give an example. This kind of business transformation requires attention to the formalities involved, mostly referring to the documents. For instance, a financial report is needed, plus a declaration showing the expansion of the business and the resolution made by the company’s directors. If you believe it is time to change the limited liability company into another business structure, you can get in touch with our specialists and ask for support.
Accounting for JDOO and DOO in Croatia
When it comes to accounting in Croatia, JDOO, and DOO, these structures must respect dual accountancy principles and manage the business books accordingly. This requires an experienced accountant, as you can find at our company in Croatia. This expert knows the legislation and can handle all the aspects linked to bookkeeping, audits, annual financial statements, registration of incoming and outgoing invoices, plus payroll. Both JDOO and DOO must have at least one director with a minimum gross salary set for this position. It is worth emphasizing that a company manager must have a full-time contract, while other types of employees are allowed to have a part-time work contract.
We recommend that you seek the help of our local agents for the incorporation of the desired company. You can thus overcome possible misunderstandings or complexities if you are a foreign entrepreneur. We are here to help you set up a company in Croatia.
Registration for pension and health insurance in Croatia
Your company must be registered with the health insurance and pension fund offices in Croatia before starting the desired activities. Thus, both employees and owners of a j.d.o.o in Croatia must pay the social contributions attributed to them. We advise you to discuss these important aspects with one of our company formation agents in Croatia to see what the formalities are in this regard.
Company services provided by our team in Croatia
Our company formation agents in Zagreb are at your service with comprehensive support and guidance if you are interested in opening a DOO in Croatia in 2025. We can handle all the formalities as we work closely with the Croatian Trade Register. Furthermore, you will receive help with company name verification, opening a bank account for your firm, obtaining the necessary licenses and permits, registering for taxation in Croatia, and many more.
Investments in Croatia
Croatia offers numerous business advantages for international entrepreneurs, such as appealing operational costs, low taxation, attractive tax incentives, and support for creating new jobs on the market. Additionally, foreigners benefit from a simple incorporation process in Croatia, plus the protection of the double taxation agreements signed with numerous countries. The pharmaceutical industry, tourism, engineering, manufacturing, automotive, ICT, textile, and food are quite developed and great sources of profits in Croatia. Below you can find useful information about Croatia’s economy if you have decided on doing business in this country and selected the LLC structure:
- Croatia became the 20th EU Member State, in January 2023, and also a Schengen member.
- In 2022, the GDP per capita was around USD 18,368.9.
- The real GDP growth in Croatia in 2022 was supported by investments and robust personal consumption. The growth was approximately 6.3%.
- Around USD 657 million was the total value of the greenfield investments in Croatia in 2021.
If you need accounting in Croatia, our specialists can offer professional services, besides the services offered for opening a company here. For more information about setting up a limited liability company, feel free to contact our specialists in company incorporation in Croatia.