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.
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.
