e-Građani portal (often translated as e-Citizens portal ) is Croatia’s official digital government platform. It allows individuals and businesses to access state services online instead of dealing with ministries, tax offices, and public institutions in person.
For foreigners starting or operating a business in Croatia, e-Građani is not optional convenience it is increasingly a core operational tool.
Through a single secure login, users can manage tax obligations, company filings, employment records, permits, and official correspondence with Croatian authorities.
Who Can Use e-Građani portal?
Access depends on status and credentials, not nationality.
Foreign nationals may obtain access if they have:
- a Croatian OIB (personal identification number),
- a registered temporary (boravište) or permanent (prebivalište) address in Croatia,
- an approved digital credential issued by a Croatian institution.
Foreign users generally receive partial access, which is still sufficient for most business and compliance-related tasks.
Croatian citizens have full access. EU/EEA citizens with Croatian residence usually have broader access than third-country nationals.
Why e-Građani Matters When Starting a Business in Croatia
For founders, directors, and shareholders, e-Građani connects directly to the systems that matter most:
- Tax administration (e-Porezna)
- Pension and employment records (HZMO)
- Health insurance (HZZO)
- Company and business-related services
- Official notices and state correspondence
Instead of relying on physical visits or intermediaries for every step, many ongoing obligations can be monitored and sometimes completed digitally.
This becomes particularly important once a company is active, employees are hired, or tax exposure begins.
START System: Opening a Croatian Company Online via e-Građani
START is a government-run application that allows founders to register a business digitally by connecting multiple institutions into a single online process. It operates through the e-Građani portal and NIAS authentication, meaning an active e-Građani account is a prerequisite for using START.
Through START, eligible founders can:
- register a j.d.o.o. or d.o.o. with the court register
- register a trade business (obrt)
- enroll the company with the tax administration and VAT registry
- register with HZMO (pension system)
- request opening of a business bank account
- pay court fees and initial share capital electronically
Without e-Građani access, the START system cannot be used.
At the moment, START is primarily available to companies with at least one Croatian citizen as a founder, but foreign founders are frequently involved at later stages of the process or through mixed ownership structures. Once a company is active, foreign directors and shareholders still rely on e-Građani to manage tax, employment, and compliance obligations.
Croatia’s Digital ID: NIAS Explained
e-Građani operates through NIAS – the National Identification and Authentication System.
NIAS is the security layer that verifies who you are and what services you’re allowed to use.
Every login uses a credential (vjerodajnica) with a defined security level:
- Level 1 (basic) – limited informational and administrative services
- Level 2 (significant) – most tax, employment, and business-related services
- Level 3 (high) – full access (mainly Croatian citizens and some EU users)
Foreign business owners typically operate at Level 1 or Level 2, which is sufficient for most compliance, monitoring, and communication tasks. Some services simply won’t appear unless your security level is high enough.
Using Bank Credentials to Log In
Many users don’t realize this:
If you have a Croatian bank account, your bank’s mobile app may already function as your login method for e-Građani.
This makes Croatian banking and digital government services tightly interconnected, another reason banks often ask detailed questions when opening accounts for foreigners.
Getting Access via FINA (Without a Bank)
If you don’t yet have digital credentials, access can be requested through FINA (Croatia’s financial agency).
FINA issues:
- ePASS (security level 1)
- mToken (security level 2)
To apply in person, you need:
- valid ID or passport,
- Croatian OIB,
- email address,
- to be at least 15 years old.
For many foreign founders, FINA is the first entry point into Croatia’s digital system even before a company becomes fully operational.
e-Građani Services Relevant to Business Owners
Not all services are available to everyone, but commonly used categories for founders include:
- Finance & Taxes – tax status, submissions, obligations
- Business (Poslovanje) – company-related services
- Employment (Rad) – employment records and notifications
- Health – insurance registration and compliance
- Legal & Security – official confirmations and certificates
Access is automatically filtered based on your status and credential level.
If a service is unavailable to you, the system simply blocks access, there is no workaround.
FAQ
What is e-Građani in Croatia?
e-Građani is Croatia’s official digital government portal that allows users to access public administration services online. It functions as a centralized system for interacting with tax authorities, employment records, health insurance, business services, and other state institutions through a secure digital identity.
Can foreigners use e-Građani?
Yes. Foreign nationals can access e-Građani if they have a Croatian OIB and a registered temporary or permanent address in Croatia. Access is usually limited compared to Croatian citizens, but it is sufficient for many business, tax, and compliance-related services.
Is e-Građani required to start a business in Croatia?
e-Građani is not legally required to register a company, but it becomes highly relevant once the business is active. Directors and founders often need it to monitor tax obligations, employment records, health insurance status, and official communications from authorities.
