Category: News

We wish you a happy and blessed Easter, filled with peace, joy and communion.

The new VAT scheme for SMEs entered into force on 1 January 2025.

This initiative introduces a simplified VAT framework for small businesses across the EU, helping to reduce compliance burdens and open up new cross-border opportunities.

Key benefits of the VAT scheme for SMEs:

• VAT exemption for eligible SMEs: businesses can sell goods and services free of VAT, which simplifies the complexity of work.
• Simplified registration: a single registration procedure in the home Member State allows businesses to benefit from VAT exemptions in other Member States.
• Reduced scope of compliance obligations: SMEs can benefit from consolidated quarterly reporting and simplified accounts, depending on the Member State.

Eligibility and flexibility:

The scheme applies to small businesses based in the EU with a total annual turnover in all 27 Member States not exceeding EUR 100,000. Companies must also meet the national thresholds set by the Member States in which they intend to apply the exemption.

Non-EU companies are not eligible for the scheme. Participation in the scheme is voluntary and SMEs can adapt it to their needs.

Tools and support for SMEs:

To support businesses in the transition to the new programme, the European Commission has launched VAT SME Portal with the following resources:

• Country-specific details of national thresholds and implementation.
• Information to help companies determine whether they are eligible.
• Centralised database for validating EX numbers issued to SMEs under the programme.

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Our goal is your success.
Together, we shape sustainable solutions and create the foundations for growth, competitiveness and innovation.

Get in touch at rraporin@porin.hr or through contact form and arrange individual counseling.

Focused on innovation and technological excellence, Technology Laboratory of the Rijeka Development Agency Porin develops solutions for clients from different industries. The focus is on providing assistance and support to entrepreneurs, mainly through providing access to innovative infrastructure (3D scanners, additive manufacturing equipment from metals (DMLS technology), polymers and sand).

In 2024, Tech Lab stepped out of standard communication with industrial and technological partners and launched several projects with partners outside our current ecosystem. Through successful collaborations with renowned local, regional and national events, young researchers and innovators, the academic sector and the local community, Tech Lab has successfully found new clients, partners and associates, and the potential to spread the story of additive technologies beyond previous frameworks and to familiarize organizations with the potential and applicability of these technologies has been strengthened. During this process, the key Creativity and Proactivity of Tech Lab Engineers.  

Design and development of awards for successful regional events

River Tattoo Expo is an international event dedicated to tattoo art, which brought together 120 tattoo artists from all over Europe and thousands of visitors in November 2024. This three-day festival offers a rich program that includes competitions, exhibitions, creative workshops, and music and dance performances. During the event, visitors could enjoy the live tattoo spectacle, attend inspiring lectures and interactive workshops, and get acquainted with the latest trends in the world of tattoos. Expo is also an important center for connecting artists and sharing experiences among tattoo lovers.

Tech Lab participated in the design and production of 40 awards for the winners of the competition, using 3D printing technology, and the prizes are recognized as innovative and unique.

First Rijeka Video Games Fair Expo GameRI in April 2024, the Exportdrvo space in Rijeka turned into a large gaming center where visitors could try out new games and gadgets, listen to conversations and lectures about the gaming and tech industry, and participate in competitions, tournaments, workshops and dance points.

Tech Lab designed and 3D printed prizes for participants of the competition bearing in mind the visual identity of the manifestation itself.

Collaboration with the academic sector

In cooperation with the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Rijeka, in June 2024 we organized a successful one-day Congress “3D Printing in Medicine and Engineering”. The aim of the congress was to discuss the application of additive technologies, with a special emphasis on innovation in the dental industry, and the congress served as a platform for networking and cooperation between the academic community and industry, emphasizing the importance of 3D technologies in the development of the medical and engineering sector.

In addition, in 2024 we became University of Rijeka expert base, This enabled us to work more closely with the academic sector in terms of knowledge and technology transfer and exchange of experiences.

Innovation for Innovators

Innovative technology and a passion for developing high-tech solutions are often key success factors in sport and industry. Through cooperation with ambitious teams, such as Adria Hydrofoil Team i Riteh Racing Team, Tech Lab shows how the application of modern technologies, such as 3D printing and reverse engineering, can provide a competitive advantage internationally. These teams present the best examples of synergy between passion, engineering knowledge and technological innovation.

Adria Hydrofoil Team is one of the leading teams on the Croatian sports hydrofoiling scene, specializing in the development of vessels with hydrofoil technology that allows flying over water. The team brings together passionate athletes and engineers who combine top skills from sailing, surfing and engineering to achieve maximum performance. Adria Hydrofoil Team achieved second place in the overall Energy class rankings and third place in qualifications and speed tests at the prestigious Monaco Energy Boat Challenge in 2024.

Through collaboration with teams such as Adria Hydrofoil Team and Riteh Racing Team, Tech Lab continues to contribute to the development of new technologies and the creation of successful innovation stories.

Croatian Employment Service Continues to encourage self-employment of the unemployed in 2025. Whether you want to open a business, a company, a self-employed activity or an institution, you can cover the costs of setting up and starting a business and purchasing equipment, IT programs or a franchise.

Eligible applicants

Unemployed persons registered in the register of unemployed persons kept by the Croatian Employment Service.

Level of subsidy and eligible activities

The amount of aid is determined by the organisational form and activities of the future business entity. That's how flat-rate crafts may grant aid up to 7,000.00 EUR, while for crafts with taxation based on income tax, company, self-employed activity or institution the amount of aid is determined by the future registered activity of the business entity, i.e.:

• up to 15,000.00 EUR is granted for the registration and future performance of activities belonging to areas classified by the NKD:
  • (C) Manufacturing (Sections 25-33)
  • (F) Construction (except group 43.6)

• up to 10.000,00 EUR is granted for the registration and future performance of activities belonging to areas classified by the NKD:
  • (C) Manufacturing (Sections 10-24)
  • (K) Telecommunications, computer programming, consulting, computer infrastructure and other information service activities

• up to 7,000.00 EUR is granted for the registration and future performance of activities belonging to areas classified by the NKD:
  • (D) Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (Section 35)
  • (E) Water supply; sewerage and waste management and remediation activities (Sections 36-39)
  • (J) Publishing, broadcasting, content production and distribution activities
  • (N) Professional, scientific and technical activities (all groups except: 69.1)
  • (O)Administrative and support service activities (all sections except: 77, 78 and 79)
  • (Q) Education
  • (R) Human health and social work activities
  • (S) Arts, entertainment and recreation (all except class 93.19)
  • (T) Other service activities (all sections except 94 and groups 95.4 and 96.4)

The amount of aid is significantly higher if you meet the criteria of a green or digital workplace, so flat-rate craftsmen can receive support at a height of up to €10,000 regardless of the registered activity, while crafts with taxation based on income tax, company, self-employed activity or institution can receive support up to €20,000.

Eligible costs

Support for self-employment shall be granted using a fixed and variable amount.

The fixed amount of aid shall be granted at EUR 5 000 and is predetermined for:

• initial costs of setting up and registering a business entity,
• the applicant’s full-time employment costs, and
• usual running costs for the first few months of operation (accounting costs, lease of office space, compulsory membership fees, administrative costs, small inventory costs, raw materials and consumables, workwear and footwear, website and advertising costs, etc.).

Variable amounts of aid vary depending on the registered activity for which the aid is granted and the eligible costs are:

• the purchase of new equipment necessary for the performance of the activity and which lasts or is used for more than one year (e.g. machinery, technique, tools, IT equipment, etc.) and the services necessary for the use of the aforementioned equipment (e.g. installation, assembly, assembly, etc.),
• purchase or lease of licensed IT programs,
• purchase of franchises.

VAT cost shown on the accounts not eligible for funding through the variable amount of aid.

Deadline and method of submitting the application

Applications for aid shall be received through online applications no later than until 30.9.2025, i.e. up to the cost of the funds provided. A pre-requisite for submitting an application is to apply via NIAS e-Citizens.

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Contact us to prepare your business plan and bill of quantities together. We will advise you on how you can take advantage of all the benefits offered by these grants and guide you through the entire application process.