Business
Croatia — Business: Sole Proprietorship
A Croatian craft (obrt) is registered at the county state administration office, and foreigners follow the same rules but also need residence and work permits.
VerifiedGovernment / official sourcePoint of Single Contact / portor.gov.hr — how to register a craft businessLast reviewed: 2026-10-23
Key facts
- Registration of a new trade in the Trade Register requires registered residence or residence in Croatia and is filed with the state administration office of the county of the registered address.
- The same conditions apply to foreign citizens, who additionally need the residence and work permit issued by the Ministry of the Interior.
- After registration you register with the pension institute (HZMO), health insurance (HZZO) and the local Tax Administration office; the portor.hr page shows registration costs at zero in the old currency, so check the current fee.
- A craftsman must register for VAT if supplies in the previous calendar year exceeded EUR 60,000.
Steps
- Obtaining a Business Registration Number — The exact process for obtaining a business registration number (OIB) for a sole-proprietorship in Croatia is unclear. It is typically done through the e-Uprava system, but specific requirements for sole-proprietorships may vary.
- Registering with the Croatian Chamber of Commerce — Registration with the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) is required for most business types in Croatia. However, specific requirements for sole-proprietorships are uncertain.