Steps in Establishing a Company in Croatia – Part I
By Josip Perkušić, Attorney-at-Law in Zagreb
Establishing a company in Croatia, although theoretically designed to be a straightforward and predictable process, often proves to be a challenging procedure in practice, both for domestic and foreign entrepreneurs. Procedural and administrative obstacles along the way can, however, be efficiently avoided through timely preparation and professional legal guidance.
A company in the Republic of Croatia may be established by any natural person or legal entity, whether a citizen or a company incorporated in the Republic of Croatia, a Member State of the European Union, or any third country worldwide.
The first step for an individual or a company wishing to establish a company in the Republic of Croatia is to obtain a Croatian tax identification number (“OIB” – Personal Identification Number). This number serves as the key identifier for all legal and business transactions within Croatia. It is unique, permanent, and links to all subsequent corporate and legal changes relating to that natural or legal person.
The second step involves selecting an appropriate company name. For founders, this often represents a matter of personal or emotional significance. However, it must comply with the provisions of the Croatian Companies Act (Zakon o trgovačkim društvima), which expressly stipulates that a company name (“tvrtka”) cannot be identical to an already registered one, nor can it be so similar as to cause confusion. The Commercial Court verifies this requirement ex officio.
The next step consists of preparing the founding documentation, which includes the Articles of Incorporation or the Deed of Establishment (depending on the number of founders), an explanation of the company name, and other corporate decisions such as the appointment of the director, determination of the company’s business address, list of business activities, and other relevant matters. Once drafted, these documents must be notarised or solemnised before a public notary in the presence of the founder(s), or based on a special power of attorney through an attorney-at-law (lawyer) in Zagreb (or elsewhere in Croatia).
Following notarisation, the founder, accompanied by the attorney (lawyer), proceeds to a bank to deposit the company’s share capital, the minimum amount of which depends on the legal form of the company. The confirmation of payment, together with the remaining documentation, is then submitted to the competent Commercial Court.
The absence of any of the aforementioned elements results in the rejection of the registration application or significantly delays the process through the issuance of a corrective order by the competent court.
Engaging a law office experienced in handling both domestic and international clients has proven to be highly beneficial in practice. Such offices ensure the preparation of bilingual documentation, communication in Croatian, English, and German, and cooperation with certified translators for other languages as required.
Successful company incorporation in Croatia requires timely preparation, expert legal guidance, and a clear understanding of the local regulatory framework.
The Law Office of Josip Perkušić provides comprehensive legal support to entrepreneurs, from the initial concept to registration and commencement of business, offering an individualised approach backed by extensive experience with both domestic and international clients.
Zagreb, 12 November 2025