How to start a company in Croatia

Last checked: November 2026 · Currency: EUR

In Croatia founder teams choose between a d.o.o. (minimum capital €2,500) and a simplified j.d.o.o. (from €1, but limited to 3 members and one director). Both can be founded online through the government START platform without a notary, usually in a few working days, and are entered in the court register. Corporate profit tax is 10% for companies with revenue up to €1 million and 18% above that.

General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change; always check the official source.

Recommended for co-foundersInvestor-bound teams usually pick a d.o.o. because it has no member or director limits and investors find it simpler; a j.d.o.o. is fine to start with up to 3 founders and can be converted into a d.o.o. by raising the capital.

Company types

Type	Minimum capital	Liability	Best for
d.o.o. Društvo s ograničenom odgovornošću – limited liability company	€2,500	Limited	Co-founder teams planning to raise investment or add more than 3 members
j.d.o.o. Jednostavno društvo s ograničenom odgovornošću – simplified limited liability company	€1 (must set aside a quarter of profit in reserves until capital reaches €2,500)	Limited	Small teams (max. 3 members, 1 director) starting with very little cash; can convert to a d.o.o. later
Obrt Sole trade (craft) registered by one person	None	Unlimited	Single freelancer; not suitable for co-founders or investors

Registration, step by step

1
Agree on ownership, roles and vestingAgree each founder's business share, who will be director (direktor/uprava), and leaver rules. Croatian law has no default vesting, so write it into a founders' or shareholders' agreement.START – online company founding
2
Choose d.o.o. or j.d.o.o.Pick a d.o.o. (€2,500 capital, no limits) or a j.d.o.o. (€1, max. 3 members and 1 director). Check your company name is free in the court register.Court register (sudski registar)
3
Found the company online via STARTLog in to START with e-Građani credentials, fill in the founding act and the application for entry in the court register, and sign electronically; no notary is needed. Alternatively, founders can go through a notary.START – online company founding
4
Open a bank account and pay in capitalOpen a business account and pay in the share capital as required by the Companies Act and confirmed in the application. Keep the bank confirmation of payment for the register file.START – online company founding
5
Register with the Tax AdministrationThe company gets its OIB on registration; register with Porezna uprava and set up payroll if a founder is employed as director. VAT registration is mandatory once annual supplies exceed €60,000, voluntary earlier.Tax Administration: profit tax
6
Register your trademarkA registered company name does not protect your brand. File a national trademark with DZIV (cheaper and e-filing gets a discount) or an EU trademark with EUIPO if you will sell across the EU.DZIV: Trademark forms

Costs and time

Item	Amount
Share capital	€2,500 (d.o.o.) or from €1 (j.d.o.o.)
Court registration fee via START (new court-fee tariff NN 50/2026)	Roughly €5–€50 Check the official source
Notary route instead of START	Roughly €100–€300 in notary and court fees Check the official source
Accounting (ongoing)	Roughly €100–€300 per month Check the official source
National trademark at DZIV (1 class, filing + registration)	Roughly €150–€300 Check the official source

How long it takes: Via START typically 1–3 working days to registration; via a notary roughly 1–2 weeks. Allow another few days for the bank account and tax set-up.

Taxes

Tax	Rate	Note
Profit tax (porez na dobit)	10% if annual revenue is up to €1,000,000; 18% above	Paid by d.o.o. and j.d.o.o. on profit.
VAT (PDV)	25% standard (13% and 5% reduced)	Mandatory registration once annual taxable supplies exceed €60,000.
Tax on dividends paid to founders	10%	Withheld when profits are paid out to individual founders. Check the official source

Protect your name

TrademarkState Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Croatia (DZIV)Roughly €150–€300 for one class including registration; e-filing reduces examination costs by 20% Check the official sourceTrademark office Trademark basics →

PatentState Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Croatia (DZIV)Patent office Patent basics, and when not to bother →

Tips for co-founders

A j.d.o.o. is capped at 3 members and 1 director, so a fourth co-founder or an investor usually means converting to a d.o.o.
Use START if every founder has e-Građani access; foreign co-founders without Croatian credentials usually go through a notary.
If a founder is employed as director, budget for mandatory minimum salary contributions from the first month.
Because Croatia is in the EU, consider an EU trademark (EUIPO) if you plan to sell in several EU countries.

The co-founder agreement checklist →

Official links

General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change; always check the official source. Last checked: November 2026.

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