Croatia is becoming a focal point for both Turkish and global entrepreneurs as a gateway to the EU internal market. The most preferred legal structure for technology, tourism, and logistics projects based in Zagreb and Split is the “društvo s ograničenom odgovornošću (d.o.o.)”, which corresponds to a Limited Company under Turkish law.
This article explains the necessary documents and process step by step for entrepreneurs and investors who want to establish a Ltd (d.o.o.) in Croatia, based on valid practices as of November 16, 2025. We approach the text from the perspective of global expansion, compliance obligations, international workforce, and residence/work permits. At the points you need, we also concretely show how Corpenza can expedite the process with its company formation, residence permit, payroll, personnel leasing, and tax optimization solutions.
1. Strategic Framework for Establishing a Ltd (d.o.o.) in Croatia
1.1. Who is a Croatia d.o.o. meaningful for?
The Croatia Ltd company is a powerful tool, especially for the following profiles:
- SaaS, fintech, e-commerce initiatives wishing to invoice from within the EU
- Investors developing projects in tourism, maritime, logistics, and construction
- Companies wishing to employ remote workers with a compliant payroll structure without establishing a physical entity in the EU
- Professionals planning permanent residence/work permits and even citizenship through investment in Europe in the medium term
Due to EU membership, the use of the euro, full integration into the Schengen area, and relatively low operational costs, Croatia offers a “manageable risk” and “scalable structure” for entry into Europe.
1.2. Legal structure and minimum capital
The basic framework for a standard d.o.o. is as follows:
- Company type: Limited Company (d.o.o.)
- Number of partners: Between 1 and 50 natural or legal persons
- Minimum capital: Approximately €2,500 in euros equivalent to 20,000 HRK for a traditional d.o.o. (check the official source for the current amount)
- Liability: Partners assume limited liability up to the capital they contribute
- Tax: The corporate tax rate is applied progressively according to turnover; the standard VAT rate is around 25%
For official procedures and current threshold values, check the Croatian government’s company establishment page: Croatian Government – Establishment of a Company.
2. Essential Establishment Documents for a Croatia Ltd Company
2.1. Articles of Association / Establishment Document
The core document for a Ltd company in Croatia is the “Establishment Declaration” if it is single-member, or the “Articles of Association” if it has multiple members. Clearly and completely define the following elements in this document:
- Company name and short commercial name
- Registered office address
- Areas of activity (in accordance with NACE codes)
- Total capital amount and each partner’s share
- Management structure (number of directors, distribution of authority)
- Profit distribution and voting rights
- Share transfer, exit/removal provisions
Prepare the Articles of Association in Croatian and have it notarized in Croatia. There may be a requirement for a translator for foreign partners. Corpenza prepares Croatian contract drafts with explanations in Turkish and English, ensuring that founding partners fully understand what they are signing.
2.2. Partner and director identification information
Prepare the following documents for each natural person partner and director:
- Passport copy (an ID card may suffice for EU citizens)
- Document showing residence address (bill, residence certificate, etc.)
- If available, Croatian tax number (OIB)
If the founder is a company established in another country, additionally prepare:
- Extract from the commercial register of the founding company (apostilled and sworn translated)
- Authorization document/board resolution for the person representing the company in Croatia
In international company formation scenarios, Corpenza coordinates the necessary decision texts, apostille, and translation chain end-to-end for both the founding company and the new d.o.o. in Croatia.
2.3. Signature specimens
Provide a notarized specimen signature for the director(s) and individuals with sole representation authority for the company. This signature will be valid for:
- Opening a bank account
- Signing contracts
- Tax office and social security transactions
in all legal and financial transactions. In remote establishment scenarios, a representative on the ground will carry out the signature process with the power of attorney prepared by Corpenza.
3. Address, Capital, and Bank: Physical and Financial Infrastructure Documents
3.1. Registered office address and lease/commitment document
You must provide a real address for the Croatia Ltd company; P.O. Boxes are not accepted. Generally, the following documents are required:
- Lease agreement or usage permission (landlord permission)
- Property title deed or title summary (land register excerpt)
The office address can also be used solely as a “legal address”; the operational team can work in other countries or completely remotely. Corpenza organizes company address, virtual office, payroll, and personnel leasing (posted worker) setups under one roof in markets like Croatia, Germany, and the Netherlands; thus, your company can operate in multiple countries in a compliant manner simultaneously.
3.2. Capital blockage and bank letter
Open a bank account in Croatia before establishment and deposit the minimum capital into this account. The bank issues a letter indicating that the capital has been deposited. This letter is mandatory for the court registry. Note:
- You can deposit the capital in cash or partially contribute in-kind capital (machinery, equipment, IP, etc.).
- An independent expert valuation report is required for in-kind capital.
- After the company is registered, you can freely use the capital for operational expenses.
If you plan to open bank accounts in multiple countries, structuring the Croatia d.o.o. with Corpenza provides significant advantages in terms of tax optimization and intra-group invoicing.
3.3. In-kind capital and valuation reports
Technology or industrial companies prefer to contribute assets such as software licenses, equipment, and know-how as in-kind capital. In this case:
- Create an asset list and technical description.
- Obtain an independent expert valuation report compliant with Croatian legislation.
- Submit this report to the court with reference to the Articles of Association and notarized approval.
Incorrect or incomplete valuation can cause problems in future tax audits. Corpenza also optimizes the licensing, royalty, and service contracts between your companies in different countries from an accounting and transfer pricing perspective.
4. Compliance, Tax, and Employee Dimension: Additional Documents and Obligations
4.1. Manager declarations and criminal record documents
For a Croatian Limited company, directors and partners submit the following declarations:
- Acceptance statement
- Declaration of no criminal record for certain economic crimes
In many cases, especially if the director and partner are foreign, a criminal record (apostilled and translated) may also be required. To accurately interpret country-specific differences, conduct an individual situation analysis before establishment.
4.2. Tax number (OIB), VAT, and accounting
Immediately after company registration, complete the following steps:
- Application for a tax number (OIB) for the company
- VAT registration according to the planned turnover
- Establishment of accounting and payroll systems
You must keep accounting records in Croatian and in accordance with local standards in Croatia. Corpenza provides international accounting and payroll services; it establishes a consolidated reporting infrastructure that allows you to manage your Ltd in Croatia alongside your structures in Turkey, Germany, or Gulf countries at a glance.
4.3. International workforce, payroll, and personnel leasing
After establishing a Croatia d.o.o., the employee employment model becomes critical. Especially for remote workers and project-based teams, three practical approaches stand out:
- Direct employment within the company (local contract and payroll)
- Payroll solution through Corpenza: While employees live in different countries, you can expense their salaries through the Croatia Ltd, optimizing social security and taxation on a country basis.
- Personnel leasing/posted worker model: While temporarily assigning to other EU countries from Croatia for a short-term project, Corpenza manages all posted worker notifications and compliance processes as a temporary employment agency.
This way, you can transform your company’s presence in Croatia into a flexible workforce platform for all of Europe.
5. Special Documents for Foreign Founders: Residence, Visa, and Remote Establishment
5.1. Residence and work permits for non-EU founders
Establishing a company in Croatia for founders who are not EU/EEA citizens also requires planning from the perspective of residence and work permits. Generally, the following documents come into play:
- Temporary residence application form for business purposes
- Company establishment documents and shareholding structure
- A simple business plan and financial projections
- Health insurance policy and accommodation (address) document
Croatia offers long-term stay opportunities through structures that meet certain investment and employment criteria for entrepreneurs who are not EU citizens. Corpenza not only establishes the company; it also designs your residence and work permit files in line with your investment and business plan.
5.2. Remote establishment and processing with power of attorney
Founders do not always need to physically go to Croatia. Many steps can be carried out with a power of attorney. In this scenario:
- Prepare a notarized, apostilled power of attorney for the representative who will act on behalf of the founders.
- Send the power of attorney for sworn translation into Croatian.
- The representative carries out all transactions regarding establishment, banking, and the court.
Corpenza coordinates the establishment of companies in multiple countries with a single power of attorney structure in multi-country expansion projects; it provides founders with a clear timeline for remote approvals.
5.3. Golden visa and investment-based citizenship perspective
Although Croatia does not operate a classic “golden visa” program, it can be part of an investment-based residence and citizenship strategy when considered alongside other countries within the EU. Entrepreneurs typically:
- Establish an operational company like Croatia d.o.o. in one country,
- Participate in a golden visa or investment-based residence program in another EU country,
- Manage international tax and workforce structuring under one roof.
Corpenza creates a strategic roadmap that integrates golden visa and investment citizenship options with your company structures in different EU countries, including Croatia.
6. Step-by-Step Summary Check-List and Notes for 2025
6.1. Practical document checklist for Croatia Ltd
For a quick summary, make sure you have the following files when establishing a Ltd (d.o.o.) in Croatia:
- Articles of Association / Establishment Declaration (in Croatian, notarized)
- Passport/ID copies and address documents of partners and directors
- Company name suitability/approval document
- Lease agreement and title information regarding the company’s registered address
- Bank capital blockage letter and, if necessary, in-kind capital valuation report
- Director signature specimens (notarized)
- Director acceptance statement and criminal record documents
- Apostilled commercial register extracts and powers of attorney for foreign founders
- OIB and VAT registration application forms
- Accounting, payroll, and any personnel leasing contracts
6.2. Legislation and digitalization trends in 2025
By 2025, Croatia is further digitizing company establishment processes. Many applications can be completed online through the HITRO.HR and e-Građani portals. The following official sources are the most reliable reference points for tracking current procedures, durations, and fees:
Due to tightening tax transparency, economic employer, and posted worker regulations across the EU, focusing solely on company establishment is not enough; compliant payroll, tax optimization, and international workforce design are now integral parts of the business plan.
6.3. Focus areas when opening up to Croatia and Europe with Corpenza
When establishing a Ltd company in Croatia, think of the business not just as “opening a legal entity” but as a long-term mobility and growth move across Europe. Corpenza adds value to you in the following areas:
- Company establishment: End-to-end management across Articles of Association, notary, bank, court registry, and official portals.
- Residence and work permits: Structuring residence/work permits for managers and key personnel in line with the company plan.
- International accounting and payroll: A multilingual and compliant financial structure managed from a single center for your Croatia d.o.o. and your companies in other countries.
- Payroll and personnel leasing: Flexible solutions that allow you to expense the salaries of remote employees employed through Croatia, compliant with posted worker regulations.
- Investment-based citizenship and tax optimization: Planning different residence programs and tax regimes in Europe alongside your corporate structure.
Your Ltd company in Croatia, when established correctly, will not just be a local legal shell; it will form the backbone of your European and global growth strategy. By proceeding with complete documents, planned processes, and international compliance in mind, you create a solid foundation for the next 5–10 years.
