EORI Registration in Croatia

The Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) is a system for identifying businesses that import goods into or export goods out of the EU. If you want to start a company in Croatia for import and export purposes, you will need an EORI number. The process of EORI registration in Croatia implies the assignment of a unique number to a legal entity (EORI number). Our attorneys in Croatia can give you further details about the EORI registration procedure.

How can I register for an EORI number in Croatia in 2026?

Natural persons and Croatian companies that perform business activities regulated by the customs authorities need to register for an EORI number. The Customs Department within the Croatian Ministry of Finance is the authority in charge of managing the EORI system. In order to register for an EORI number, you have to fill in an application and send it to the Croatian Customs Department. The application is made on the EORI application form set out in the Ordinance on the EORI number (OG 104/17), filed with the customs office competent for the company’s seat.

The same form is used whether or not the applicant is VAT-registered. The EORI application can be submitted in writing, after printing and completing the forms, or online. EORI applications in Croatia usually take three working days to process. Our Croatian lawyers can register your company for an EORI number on your behalf and align with the requirements for 2026.

Structure of EORI number in Croatia

When implementing the EORI system, the EU authorities have decided to align the EORI number with the VAT number assigned to companies upon registration. As a consequence, the vast majority of EORI numbers are equivalent to the trader’s VAT number. All Croatian EORI numbers are prefaced with HR, the country’s prefix.  The Croatian EORI number normally consists of the HR prefix followed by the 11-digit OIB; no leading zeros are added. Under the Union Customs Code (Art. 9 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013), all entities involved in customs-regulated activities must register for an EORI number, issued by the Croatian customs after the country joined the EU in 2013. EORI numbers issued and used prior to this date are no longer valid for economic activity.

What are the necessary documents for EORI registration in Croatia?

A Croatian company operating in the import and export sector must have an EORI number, which can be obtained if the following documents are provided:

• the certificate that shows the company is registered for VAT purposes;
• the company’s main documents and the certification of registration;
• the power of attorney or the authorization for a representative in Croatia;
• an extract from the court register (sudski registar) showing that the company is registered for business.

Economic operators without establishments in the EU can prepare and submit the EORI applications in Croatian or English language. The EORI registration process for such economic operators is the same as for those incorporated in Croatia, with the difference that an OIB (personal identification number) is required.

We remind you that the EORI registration in Croatia in 2026 is issued without charges and cannot expire; therefore, there is no need for an EORI renewal. Feel free to talk to our Croatian lawyers and find out all the legal requirements for obtaining the EORI number.

Customs regulations in Croatia

There are several customs rules that need to be respected by all foreign entrepreneurs with trading activities in Croatia. For instance, the household products must be presented with the EORI number, a detailed and valued inventory, a copy of the documents of the owners of such goods, plus the diplomatic protocol that is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Croatia.

Also, a document showing that the owner of the imported goods lived for more than just one year outside Croatia is necessary at the time of customs verification. Such a document is normally issued by the Croatian embassy, but for more details in this sense, please talk to our team of advisors, who can also represent you with a power of attorney in the case of EORI registration in 2026. 

What is the Union Customs Code?

UCC or the Union Customs Code is an EU regulation (Regulation (EU) No 952/2013) setting out the customs rules and regulations within the countries part of the European Union. All operators in the trading sector must observe and fill out the ENS or the Entry Summary Declaration to the customs of the state in which the products need to enter. This is normally a document completed on the internet before the goods take the import road. It is good to know that the customs in Croatia will ask for a Single Administrative Document (SAD), an official document that describes all goods and their movement on an international scale.

SAD is also considered a declaration of goods made by the importer in Croatia or by the representative of the company. All of the above-mentioned documents must be accompanied by the EORI number of the company willing to do business in Croatia. If you find difficulties in applying for an EORI number in Croatia, do not hesitate to solicit legal assistance from our team of lawyers in Croatia.

Under the Croatian Customs Administration, all customs administration works are pursued under this institution, controlled by the Ministry of Finance of Croatia. The same administration is in charge of the control of foreign products and also prepares professional foundations for the determination of economic and development policy in the sector of the customs duties system.

How long does it take to register the EORI number?

An EORI number in Croatia can usually be obtained within a few working days (the certificate must be delivered within 30 days at the latest) if all the requirements are fulfilled, alongside the documentation in this sense.

How can natural persons apply for EORI in Croatia?

The registration for EORI in the case of natural persons in Croatia is not a harsh procedure and requires a valid passport or another identification document, plus information about his/her business in the trading sector. Natural persons wanting to apply for an EORI number are recommended to ask for legal support in matters of documents and registration. Moreover, the application may be filed in Croatian or English, while foreign supporting documents may need a certified Croatian translation as this is an important requirement stipulated by the local laws applicable for both domestic and foreign entrepreneurs in Croatia.

We kindly invite you to get in touch with our law firm in Croatia and solicit comprehensive legal assistance for EORI registration in Croatia. We remind you that our specialized lawyers in company formation in Croatia are at your disposal if you are a foreign investor looking to register a business in Croatia.

Importing to Croatia – the SAD formalities

SAD or the Single Administrative Document, is the official model for written declarations to customs through which an importer can declare the products to the Croatian authorities. Besides the Entry Summary Declarations, SAD is also an important formality imposed for companies interested in placing their goods on the Croatian market. The customs authorities must first verify the EORI number and then all the documents required for the import of products to Croatia. It is important to know that SAD comprises information about the VAT, and about the customs duties applicable within the EU countries.

The representative of the import company must prepare the Single Administrative Document alongside other important forms. The import process of goods in Croatia must follow three important steps: acquiring the import permit, presenting the required documentation, and getting the import customs clearing measures. Import companies wanting to operate in Croatia can ask for legal advice and support in matters of formalities and documents, in order to properly align with the regulations involved.

Is EORI mandatory for sole traders in Croatia?

Yes, sole proprietorships must have an EORI number for import and export activities. The customs authorities can make all the company verifications with the help of EORI. It is important to pay attention to all the rules related to trading activities if you are a foreign investor and have an import and export company in Croatia. You can also talk to one of our Croatian lawyers and find out more about the EORI application process and about the formalities involved. Our team can give full support for registering a business in Croatia and for other related aspects.

Is the EORI number the same thing as the VAT?

No, there is a clear difference between the EORI number and the VAT. The registration for tax purposes and especially for VAT is made as soon as the company is incorporated in Croatia. The EORI number is assigned to companies having customs activities, i.e. trade in goods with countries outside the EU.

The cancellation of the EORI number

EORI numbers can be canceled if a company no longer operates on the market. The same thing is available for businesses that declared bankruptcy or started the liquidation process. It is good to know that the EORI number can be reassigned if the company gets back on the market, the code being unique and therefore not transferred to another firm in Croatia.

FAQ about EORI

Import export statistics in Croatia

Here are some interesting statistics about the trading sector of Croatia:

• Over EUR 25 billion was Croatia’s total exports in 2025, while around EUR 44.8 billion was its total imports.
• Around 56% of Croatia’s imports are covered by exports.
• Croatia’s exports to non-EU countries increased by almost 2.2% in 2025, reaching a total value of almost EUR 8.5 billion.
• Germany was the main trading partner of Croatia in 2025. Exports to this country increased by almost 11% in 2025, to about EUR 3.2 billion.
• In 2025, Croatia exported mostly machinery, medicines, electrical transformers, and wood products.

If you want professional assistance in preparing and submitting the request for an EORI number, feel free to contact our law firm in Croatia. Plus, we assist foreigners with the procedures linked to immigration to Croatia.