Opening a craft business

How would you like to apply?

Documents and steps differ depending on how you apply.

In person at the competent administrative authority

Submit an application to the county or City of Zagreb authority competent for the craft business’s registered seat; complete other registrations separately.

Online through START or e-Obrt

START combines several registrations in one procedure, while e-Obrt registers the business in the Craft Register and you handle other obligations separately.

Required documents

Selected: 0 of 7

In person at the competent administrative authority

Proof of identityFor an in-person application, prepare an identity card or passport. Online systems retrieve some personal data from official registers.
Proof of vocational qualification, education or master craftsman examinationRequired for a tied craft business. If the owner does not meet a special condition, they can employ a full-time person who does.
Privilege or special permitRequired only for a privileged craft business or activity governed by a special rule.
Proof of the right to use premisesThis can be an ownership document, lease agreement or another appropriate basis.Required where the activity requires business premises.
Proof of meeting special health requirementsRequired only for activities with a health condition prescribed by special rules.
Documents related to residence and work in CroatiaThe exact scope depends on the person’s citizenship and status.Required for foreign nationals where residence-and-work rules require it.

Online through START or e-Obrt

Proof of identityFor an in-person application, prepare an identity card or passport. Online systems retrieve some personal data from official registers.
Appropriate e-Citizens credentialSTART requires at least a substantial-level credential. Check the chosen online system’s requirements before starting.
Proof of vocational qualification, education or master craftsman examinationRequired for a tied craft business. If the owner does not meet a special condition, they can employ a full-time person who does.
Privilege or special permitRequired only for a privileged craft business or activity governed by a special rule.
Proof of the right to use premisesThis can be an ownership document, lease agreement or another appropriate basis.Required where the activity requires business premises.
Proof of meeting special health requirementsRequired only for activities with a health condition prescribed by special rules.
Documents related to residence and work in CroatiaThe exact scope depends on the person’s citizenship and status.Required for foreign nationals where residence-and-work rules require it.

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Steps

In person at the competent administrative authority

1
Define the craft business activities
Choose the primary and additional activities and check whether it is a free, tied or privileged craft business.
2
Check special conditions
Check whether the activity requires a professional qualification, privilege, appropriate premises, health condition or another permit.
3
Set the name, registered seat and business start
Prepare the craft business name, registered-seat address, method of conducting activity and decide whether it starts operating immediately, without a start date or seasonally.
4
Submit the application to the competent administrative authority
Submit the application and required evidence to the authority competent for the registered seat and collect the decision as it directs.
5
Receive the registration decision
For online application, the decision is delivered electronically. Check that name, activities, seat and start date are correctly recorded.
6
Complete Tax Administration registration
If START did not include and complete it, register in the taxpayer register within the deadline and choose taxation method with professional advice where needed.
7
Check pension and health insurance registrations
Check steps completed by the chosen system and, based on employment status, file necessary registrations with HZMO; data are then forwarded to HZZO.
8
Arrange the business account and start operating
If not opened through START, arrange it with a bank. Before invoicing, check fiscalisation, record keeping and other obligations for your activity.

Online through START or e-Obrt

1
Define the craft business activities
Choose the primary and additional activities and check whether it is a free, tied or privileged craft business.
2
Check special conditions
Check whether the activity requires a professional qualification, privilege, appropriate premises, health condition or another permit.
3
Set the name, registered seat and business start
Prepare the craft business name, registered-seat address, method of conducting activity and decide whether it starts operating immediately, without a start date or seasonally.
4
Choose START or e-Obrt
Choose START to combine registration and related applications. Choose e-Obrt for online Craft Register entry and handle other obligations separately.
5
Complete and send the online application
Check retrieved register data, enter craft-business details, attach missing documents and keep the submission confirmation.
6
Receive the registration decision
For online application, the decision is delivered electronically. Check that name, activities, seat and start date are correctly recorded.
7
Complete Tax Administration registration
If START did not include and complete it, register in the taxpayer register within the deadline and choose taxation method with professional advice where needed.
8
Check pension and health insurance registrations
Check steps completed by the chosen system and, based on employment status, file necessary registrations with HZMO; data are then forwarded to HZZO.
9
Arrange the business account and start operating
If not opened through START, arrange it with a bank. Before invoicing, check fiscalisation, record keeping and other obligations for your activity.

Prices and deadlines

Procedure	Price	Deadline
Craft Register entry Fees for entering a new craft business in the Craft Register were abolished. Separate costs for permits, premises, professional exams, bank services or other operating conditions may arise.	No administrative fee	Depends on submission method and special conditions

Procedure

Price

Deadline

Craft Register entry

Fees for entering a new craft business in the Craft Register were abolished. Separate costs for permits, premises, professional exams, bank services or other operating conditions may arise.

No administrative fee

Depends on submission method and special conditions

Important notes

START and e-Obrt are not the same service: START combines multiple registrations, while after e-Obrt you complete other state-authority steps separately.
Receiving the registration decision does not necessarily mean tax, pension, health and banking obligations are complete.
For a tied or privileged craft business, check professional conditions, privilege and special rules for the selected activity before applying.
A craft business registered without a start date must start operating within one year, and the start is reported no later than eight days before it begins.
An employed person can open a craft business but may have additional contribution obligations based on another activity.
Choosing flat-rate taxation, income tax, profit tax or VAT entry has financial consequences; if unsure, check with the Tax Administration or an accountant before registering.
A craft business is not a separate legal entity like a limited liability company; the owner generally answers for obligations with personal assets.

Common mistakes

Choosing an activity without checking whether it is a tied or privileged craft business.
Assuming e-Obrt automatically handled the Tax Administration, HZMO and business account.
Registering a seat or premises without an appropriate right to use them or required technical conditions.
Choosing a start date before necessary permits and conditions are obtained.
Missing Tax Administration or required insurance registration.
Choosing taxation method without assessing expected income, costs and tax liabilities.
Not checking final status of all optional applications sent through START.

Institutions

START – electronic business launchCombines Craft Register and Tax Administration entry and offers related HZMO and bank applications.

e-ObrtAllows electronic submission for craft-business registration and downloading Craft Register documents.

County or City of Zagreb administrative authorityReceives an in-person application and decides craft-business registration by registered seat.

Tax AdministrationEnters the business in the taxpayer register and handles income-tax, profit-tax, VAT and VAT-ID registrations.

Croatian Pension Insurance InstituteMaintains user registration and business-start or insurance registrations where required.

Official sources

Information was editorially reviewed on 02/09/2026. Before applying, check the latest information on official websites.

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