Doing business

Current business situation

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to Croatia. This is regularly updated and should be checked before planning travel.

Business culture

Croatians like to know their business partners very well, however the first stage of business relationship is formal.

Business cards are exchanged without a formal ritual. Although not absolutely necessary having one side of your business card translated into Croatian shows consideration.

It is good business sense to avoid the discussion concerning the political and military history of Yugoslavia.

Meeting schedules are not very rigid in Croatia. There may be an agenda, but it serves more as a guideline for the discussion than anything else. Business people will want a clear understanding of what is to be dealt with in any meeting. A company profile and product literature should be provided.

Surnames are usual until you are invited to use first names. People can be quite conscious of hierarchy and protocol.

English is widely spoken in business circles in big cities, but you may wish to offer the option of interpreting.

Smoking is prohibited in most office buildings and restaurants.

Setting up in Croatia

The Croatian Company Act offers several different legal structures suitable for every line of business. For more information on setting up business in Croatia, visit the Agency for Investments and Competitiveness or HAMAG INVEST websites.

Banking and finance

The largest banks in Croatia include:

  • Zagrebacka Banka
  • Privredna
  • Erste
  • Hypo Alpe Adria
  • Raiffeisen
  • Splitska Banka
  • Hrvatska Postanska
  • OTP
  • Volksbank
  • Medi-murska

Links and resources

Government, business and trade

Government of Croatia
Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs
Ministry of Economic Affairs
Agency for Investments and Competitiveness
HAMAG INVEST
Croatian Chamber of Economy

News and media

Croatian Times
Daily tPortal

Please note: This list of websites and resources is not definitive. Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement by Austrade. The information provided is a guide only. The content is for information and carries no warranty; as such, the addressee must exercise their own discretion in its use. Australia’s anti-bribery laws apply overseas and Austrade will not provide business related services to any party who breaches the law and will report credible evidence of any breach. For further information, please see foreign bribery information and awareness pack.