1. The Benefits of Doing Business from an EU Country
As the newest member of the European Union, Croatia now has access to the rest of the EU and the business opportunities that it provides, without restrictions, opening up the greater part of the European market with little effort. Additionally, Croatia has access to €1 billion of the EU Structural Funds each year, much of which is used to promote entrepreneurship.
Foreign investors who set up businesses in Croatia have equal access as domestic companies to compete for those funds. Unlike in many countries, foreign investors can hold up to 100% interest in the shares of a Croatian company, with a few exceptions. There is no obligation to declare, except for the acquisition of public joint-stock companies.
2. The Workforce is Talented, Affordable, and Multilingual
As English is often the preferred language for global investments, Croatia is worth a second look: 49% of the population speaks English (compare that to India, where 12% of the population speaks it), followed by 34% German, and 14% Italian, making its population remarkably multilingual: a key factor for many businesses.
Finally, Croatia’s population is innovative: the tie, the ballpoint pen, the parachute, the tungsten light bulb, the torpedo, the azithromycin antibiotic, the electronic speedometer, dactyloscopy (fingerprinting), the MP3 player, and the world’s fastest electric car (Rimac Automobili), to name a few, were all created by Croatians.
Croatia By the numbers
49%
of the population speaks English
34%
of the population speaks German
14%
of the population speaks Italian
6
primary seaports
9
international airports
0%
profit tax in designated free trade zones
€9,000
cash incentives for each new job created
500 mil.
potential consumers living in Europe
3. All of Europe is Accessible within Three Hours or Less
Croatia is the gateway to 500 million consumers living in Europe. International airports in cities such as Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik have experienced significant increases in activity in recent years, and all of Europe is reachable in three hours or less.
Croatia’s geo-strategic location in Central and South East Europe, on the border between the east and west, as well as its location on the Adriatic Sea, and especially its ports, make it highly appealing to the business market.
4. It's Modern Transportation Infrastructure
Business shipping and logistics require easy-to-navigate highways and transportation channels, and Croatia is proud of its infrastructure. Its highways are modern and effective, and its six primary seaports are ready to accept and send off global cargo shipments. Additionally, its nine international airports connect the country to the entire world.
All this facilitates connections with other European cities and will continue to invest in its transportation, telecommunications, and energy infrastructure.
Global Reach
5. Croatia Offers Appealing Tax Incentives
A country’s tax structure often factors into a business decision to invest there or not. With up to 0% profit tax up to 10 years in designated free trade zones, no customs for all EU member states, double taxation avoidance agreements with 55 countries, and cash incentives of up to €9,000 for each new job created, Croatia’s tax incentives are appealing to global businesses.
Croatia is serious about investing in tourism: it expects that €7 billion will be invested in hotel construction and renovation, convention centers, campsites, nautical tourism harbors, and theme parks by 2020. Tourism accounts for 12.5% of Croatia’s GDP (in comparison to 2.7% of Australia’s GDP), which indicates that tourism is one of the most lucrative Croatian industries to invest in.