---
title: "Croatia Own-company owner permit 2026: €26.5k+ needed"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/own-company-51pct/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-12
---

Croatia · Business / Startup

# Croatia Own-company owner permit

**Investment needed:** €27k+ ≈ $30k

Stay and work permit for owner-managers (self-employment in a company or sole trade with at least 51% ownership)

Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Record corrected 11 Oct 2026](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/corrections/#change-hr-own-company-51pct) [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **Investment needed:** €27k+ ≈ $30k (An investment of at least EUR 26,544.56 (≈ $29,700) · Invested in founding the company or sole trade (Art. 113(3)(1)); the former HRK 200,000. Income of about EUR 3,024 a month (≈ $3,380) · Owner's own monthly gross pay of at least 1.5 times the average monthly gross pay (Art. 113(3)(3)); about EUR 3,024 using the 2025 average gross pay of EUR 2,016. The Act refers to the latest officially published average. Income of about EUR 2,173.5 a month (≈ $2,430) · Alternative for an owner of a sole trade (obrt): income from the trade of at least 1.5 times the average monthly net pay (Art. 113(3)(3)); about EUR 2,173.50 using the 2025 average net pay of EUR 1,449. A fee of EUR 74.32 (≈ $83) · Administrative fee for the stay and work permit. A fee of EUR 31.85 (≈ $36) · Production of the biometric residence permit (EUR 59.73 for the accelerated procedure); EUR 9.29 more is paid for its issuance.)
- **First stay:** 2 yrs (The stay and work permit is issued for the time needed for the work, for up to two years (Art. 91(12), permits based on Art. 110), and can be renewed.)
- **Who can apply:** Most passports (Third-country nationals (non EU/EEA/Swiss).)
- **Family:** Family can join (Spouse, common law partner and minor children can apply for temporary stay for family reunification.)

## Key facts

Own-company owner permit is a business / startup route for Croatia. Applicants need an investment of €27k+ ≈ $30k. You can stay 2 yrs, renewable. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.

- **Money needed:** €27k+ ≈ $30k
- **Government fees:** €74.32 ≈ $83 · €31.85 ≈ $36
- **First stay:** 2 yrs

## Cost, time and long term

To apply: government fees €106 ≈ $120 in total (2 fees); investment €27k+ ≈ $30k. No lawyer or agent fee is included.

**Government fees: €74.32 ≈ $83 · €31.85 ≈ $36**

- EUR 74.32 (≈ $83) Administrative fee for the stay and work permit.
- EUR 31.85 (≈ $36) Production of the biometric residence permit (EUR 59.73 (≈ $67) for the accelerated procedure); EUR 9.29 (≈ $10) more is paid for its issuance.

**Shown, not spent: ~€3,024/mo ≈ $3,380 · ~€2,174/mo ≈ $2,430**

- EUR 3,024 a month (≈ $3,380) Owner's own monthly gross pay of at least 1.5 times the average monthly gross pay (Art. 113(3)(3)); about EUR 3,024 (≈ $3,380) using the 2025 average gross pay of EUR 2,016 (≈ $2,250). The Act refers to the latest officially published average.
- EUR 2,173.5 a month (≈ $2,430) Alternative for an owner of a sole trade (obrt): income from the trade of at least 1.5 times the average monthly net pay (Art. 113(3)(3)); about EUR 2,173.50 (≈ $2,430) using the 2025 average net pay of EUR 1,449 (≈ $1,620).

**Invested and held: €27k+ ≈ $30k**

- EUR 26,544.56 (≈ $29,700) Invested in founding the company or sole trade (Art. 113(3)(1)); the former HRK 200,000 (≈ $29,700).

**Renewal: Renewable**

The permit is issued for up to two years and can be renewed.

[Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia](https://mup.gov.hr/aliens-281621/stay-and-work/work-of-third-country-nationals/281663)

**Permanent residence: After 5 years of residence**

Long-term residence requires 5 uninterrupted years of temporary stay before applying, plus Croatian language and Latin script knowledge. Absences must not exceed 10 months in total or 6 months at one time.

[Ministry of the Interior of Croatia](https://mup.gov.hr/aliens-281621/stay-and-work/long-term-residence-and-permanent-stay/281682)

**Where to apply: Abroad or in-country**

Apply at the police administration or station for the place of work.

[Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia](https://mup.gov.hr/aliens-281621/stay-and-work/work-of-third-country-nationals/281663)

**Presence rules: Away max 6 months**

Long-term residence allows total absences of at most 10 months in the 5 years, and no single absence over 6 months.

[Ministry of the Interior of Croatia](https://mup.gov.hr/aliens-281621/stay-and-work/long-term-residence-and-permanent-stay/281682)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- The applicant is a third-country national (non EU/EEA/Swiss).
- The applicant owns at least 51% of a company or sole trade registered in Croatia and works in it.
- At least three Croatian citizens are employed full time on permanent contracts, each paid at least the average gross pay.

#### What you must show

- The applicant has invested at least EUR 26,544.56 (≈ $29,700) in founding the company or sole trade.
- The owner's gross monthly pay is at least 1.5 times the average monthly gross pay, about EUR 3,024 (≈ $3,380) on the 2025 average.
- For a sole trade, the income from the trade is at least 1.5 times the average monthly net pay, about EUR 2,173.50 (≈ $2,430) on the 2025 average.

#### Documents

- Proof of educational qualification, and a recognition decision where the profession is regulated.
- A valid travel document, health insurance and, on a first application, proof of no criminal conviction.

#### Steps

1. No labour-market test or Employment Service opinion is required for Art. 110 permits.

#### After you arrive

- The permit is issued for the time needed for the work, for up to two years.

## What happens at day 183

How Croatia decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Stay on this route:** **Up to 2 years at first, renewable**
- **Tax residence:** - **At least 183 days in one or two calendar years** Owning an apartment or having one at disposal for at least 183 days in one or two calendar years establishes permanent residence for tax; actual stay is not required.
- **Foreign-source income:** Worldwide income of tax residents; Croatian-source income of non-residents.

[All tax rules for Croatia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/tax/) Tax records checked 12 Oct 2026

**Full official text**

Art. 110 cases of the stay and work permit include self-employment in a company or sole trade where the foreigner holds at least 51% ownership, without a labour-market test. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

#### What you must show and pay

- An investment of at least EUR 26,544.56 (≈ $29,700) · Invested in founding the company or sole trade (Art. 113(3)(1)); the former HRK 200,000 (≈ $29,700). (sources 2, 3)
- Income of about EUR 3,024 a month (≈ $3,380) · Owner's own monthly gross pay of at least 1.5 times the average monthly gross pay (Art. 113(3)(3)); about EUR 3,024 (≈ $3,380) using the 2025 average gross pay of EUR 2,016 (≈ $2,250). The Act refers to the latest officially published average. (sources 2, 4)
- Income of about EUR 2,173.5 a month (≈ $2,430) · Alternative for an owner of a sole trade (obrt): income from the trade of at least 1.5 times the average monthly net pay (Art. 113(3)(3)); about EUR 2,173.50 (≈ $2,430) using the 2025 average net pay of EUR 1,449 (≈ $1,620). (sources 2, 4)
- A fee of EUR 74.32 (≈ $83) · Administrative fee for the stay and work permit. (source 1)
- A fee of EUR 31.85 (≈ $36) · Production of the biometric residence permit (EUR 59.73 (≈ $67) for the accelerated procedure); EUR 9.29 (≈ $10) more is paid for its issuance. (source 1)

#### Requirements

- The applicant is a third-country national (non EU/EEA/Swiss). (source 1)
- The applicant owns at least 51% of a company or sole trade registered in Croatia and works in it. (sources 2, 1)
- At least three Croatian citizens are employed full time on permanent contracts, each paid at least the average gross pay. (source 2)
- The applicant has invested at least EUR 26,544.56 (≈ $29,700) in founding the company or sole trade. (sources 2, 3)
- The owner's gross monthly pay is at least 1.5 times the average monthly gross pay, about EUR 3,024 (≈ $3,380) on the 2025 average. (sources 2, 4)
- For a sole trade, the income from the trade is at least 1.5 times the average monthly net pay, about EUR 2,173.50 (≈ $2,430) on the 2025 average. (sources 2, 4)
- Proof of educational qualification, and a recognition decision where the profession is regulated. (source 2)
- A valid travel document, health insurance and, on a first application, proof of no criminal conviction. (sources 2, 5)
- No labour-market test or Employment Service opinion is required for Art. 110 permits. (sources 1, 2)
- The permit is issued for the time needed for the work, for up to two years. (source 2)

#### Stay

- The stay and work permit is issued for the time needed for the work, for up to two years (Art. 91(12), permits based on Art. 110), and can be renewed.
- First stay: up to 24 months, decided case by case.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

#### Nationality

Third-country nationals (non EU/EEA/Swiss). Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

#### Work

Self-employment in the owned company or trade.

#### Family

Spouse, common law partner and minor children can apply for temporary stay for family reunification.

Checked 2026-10-12

## Official sources

1. [Work of third-country nationals](https://mup.gov.hr/aliens-281621/stay-and-work/work-of-third-country-nationals/281663) · Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia · checked 2026-10-10
2. [Aliens Act, consolidated text with euro amounts (NN 133/20, 114/22, 151/22, 40/25, 55/26), Article 113](https://www.zakon.hr/z/142/Zakon-o-strancima) · Zakon.hr (consolidated Narodne novine texts) · checked 2026-10-11
3. [Aliens Act (Zakon o strancima), Narodne novine 133/2020, Article 113(3)](https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2020_12_133_2520.html) · Narodne novine (Official Gazette of Croatia) · checked 2026-10-11
4. [Average monthly net and gross earnings in 2025: net EUR 1,449, gross EUR 2,016](https://podaci.dzs.hr/media/cbebbohp/rad-2025-1-1_12-prosje%C4%8Dne-mjese%C4%8Dne-neto-i-bruto-pla%C4%87e-zaposlenih-u-2025.pdf) · Croatian Bureau of Statistics (DZS) · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-01-01
5. [Temporary stay of third-country nationals](https://mup.gov.hr/aliens-281621/stay-and-work/temporary-stay-of-third-country-nationals/281661) · Ministry of the Interior of Croatia · checked 2026-10-11
6. [Long-term residence and permanent stay](https://mup.gov.hr/aliens-281621/stay-and-work/long-term-residence-and-permanent-stay/281682) · Ministry of the Interior of Croatia · checked 2026-10-10

## Own-company owner permit and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Own-company owner permit | Needs an investment of €27k+ ≈ $30k | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/startup-visa-89-4/) Portugal | Needs savings of €6,446+ ≈ $7,200 | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| [Entrepreneur visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/entrepreneur-visa/) Spain | – | 3 yr, renewable | – |
| [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/startup-visa/) Italy | Needs savings of €50k+ ≈ $56k | 1 yr, renewable | – |
| [Business investor permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/business-investment-b2/) Greece | Needs an investment of €500k+ ≈ $559k | 5 yr, renewable | – |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Own-company owner permit?

An investment of at least EUR 26,544.56 (≈ $29,700). Invested in founding the company or sole trade (Art. Income of about EUR 3,024 a month (≈ $3,380). Owner's own monthly gross pay of at least 1.5 times the average monthly gross pay (Art. Income of about EUR 2,173.5 a month (≈ $2,430). Alternative for an owner of a sole trade (obrt): income from the trade of at least 1.5 times the average monthly net pay (Art. A fee of EUR 74.32 (≈ $83). Administrative fee for the stay and work permit.

### How long can I stay on the Own-company owner permit?

The stay and work permit is issued for the time needed for the work, for up to two years (Art.

### Can I work on the Own-company owner permit?

Self-employment in the owned company or trade.

### Can I bring my family on the Own-company owner permit?

Spouse, common law partner and minor children can apply for temporary stay for family reunification.

### Who can apply for the Own-company owner permit?

Third-country nationals (non EU/EEA/Swiss). Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

### Does the Own-company owner permit lead to permanent residence in Croatia?

Time on the Own-company owner permit counts toward permanent residence in Croatia, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence.

### How are Own-company owner permit holders taxed in Croatia?

No special regime in our records is tied to the Own-company owner permit. The standard rules apply: Income tax is set by local authorities at 15-23% up to EUR 60,000 (≈ $67,000) a year and 25-33% above (20% and 30% where no local decision exists); 23% and 33% are the Zagreb maximum, and municipalities, towns and large cities have lower caps.

## More in Croatia

[Digital nomad stay](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/digital-nomad/) [Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/blue-card/) [Work permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/work-permit/) [Researcher permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/researcher-art74/) [Student stay](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/study/) [Croatian citizenship for emigrant descendants](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/citizenship-emigrant-descendants/) [Graduate job search](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/graduate-job-search-art76/)

## Business / startup visas elsewhere

[🇩🇪 Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/self-employment-21/) [🇫🇷 Entrepreneur / freelancer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/entrepreneur-liberal/) [🇬🇧 Innovator Founder](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/innovator-founder/) [🇳🇱 DAFT self-employed](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/daft-self-employed/) [🇨🇾 Startup visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/startup-visa/) [🇦🇱 Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/albania/self-employed/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-12 against 6 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [Work of third-country nationals](https://mup.gov.hr/aliens-281621/stay-and-work/work-of-third-country-nationals/281663) · Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia · checked 2026-10-10
2. [Aliens Act, consolidated text with euro amounts (NN 133/20, 114/22, 151/22, 40/25, 55/26), Article 113](https://www.zakon.hr/z/142/Zakon-o-strancima) · Zakon.hr (consolidated Narodne novine texts) · checked 2026-10-11
3. [Aliens Act (Zakon o strancima), Narodne novine 133/2020, Article 113(3)](https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2020_12_133_2520.html) · Narodne novine (Official Gazette of Croatia) · checked 2026-10-11
4. [Average monthly net and gross earnings in 2025: net EUR 1,449, gross EUR 2,016](https://podaci.dzs.hr/media/cbebbohp/rad-2025-1-1_12-prosje%C4%8Dne-mjese%C4%8Dne-neto-i-bruto-pla%C4%87e-zaposlenih-u-2025.pdf) · Croatian Bureau of Statistics (DZS) · checked 2026-10-11
5. [Temporary stay of third-country nationals](https://mup.gov.hr/aliens-281621/stay-and-work/temporary-stay-of-third-country-nationals/281661) · Ministry of the Interior of Croatia · checked 2026-10-11
6. [Long-term residence and permanent stay](https://mup.gov.hr/aliens-281621/stay-and-work/long-term-residence-and-permanent-stay/281682) · Ministry of the Interior of Croatia · checked 2026-10-10

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.