Opening a Business in Croatia as a Foreigner – Which Documents Need to Be Translated?

Croatia is becoming increasingly attractive to digital nomads, entrepreneurs, and expats seeking to establish a base. Whether you’re launching a startup, registering an obrt (sole proprietorship) or d.o.o. (LLC), you’ll need to prepare and translate documents to meet Croatian legal requirements.

This post outlines which documents require certified translation and provides guidance on how to avoid delays when registering your business.

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🧾 Business Structures for Foreigners

Foreigners can open several types of businesses in Croatia:

• Obrt (sole proprietorship) – more straightforward setup, fewer formalities
• D.o.o. (limited liability company) – more formal, often used by startups
• Craft business or freelance registration
• Branch office of a foreign company
• Company with a digital nomad visa

Each of these may involve slightly different paperwork, but all require clear identification and legal compliance—often in Croatian.

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📄 Which Documents Need Translation?

Depending on your business type, expect to translate:

• Passport or ID (if required by the notary or court)
• Proof of foreign company registration (for branches)
• Articles of incorporation
• Power of attorney
• Bank reference letters
• Rental agreement for your business address
• Court decisions or tax documents from abroad (if relevant)

➡️ These must be translated by a court-certified translator and are often submitted to:

• Commercial Court
• Notary Public
• Tax Office
• Company Registrar

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🗂️ Translation Requirements by Institution

Institution	Requires Certified Translation?
Commercial Court	✅ Yes (founding documents, ID)
Notary Public	✅ Yes (Power of Attorney, ID)
Tax Office	⚠️ Sometimes (depends on office)
Bank	✅ Yes (if opening a company account)

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✅ Fast, Legal, and Reliable Translations

I offer certified translations (Croatian–English) accepted by:

• Notaries and courts
• Business registrars
• Banks and tax authorities
• Visa and digital nomad application processes

Same-day service available in Rijeka or via email.

Contact me for a free quote and get your business started without language barriers.