Guides 2026: loans, EU funds and support for entrepreneurs

This page brings together all our guides on financing for entrepreneurs in 2026: loans from HAMAG-BICRO (Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovations and Investments), loans from HBOR (Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development), grants from EU funds, tax incentives and programmes for young people, women, start-ups and farmers. Each guide states the date of the information and the conditions according to official sources.

We update the guides when a programme opens, closes or changes its conditions. As of 21 October 2026. For calls that have only been announced, follow our overview of announcements.

Loans for entrepreneurs

• HAMAG-BICRO loans 2026: an overview of all HAMAG-BICRO loans and guarantees, with the programmes that are open, interest rates and principal write-off.
• Micro Loans for Growth and Inclusion 2026 (Mikro zajmovi za rast i uključenost): EUR 1,000 to 50,000 at 0.5% interest and a write-off of up to 30% of the principal, for young companies and owners from vulnerable groups. You can apply even before setting up a company or a sole proprietorship.
• HBOR loans for entrepreneurs 2026: all HBOR programmes for entrepreneurs, with interest rates, principal write-off of up to 50%, repayment of up to 20 years, documentation and a programme check.
• HBOR Loans for Production Modernisation 2026 (Krediti za modernizaciju proizvodnje): EUR 100,000 to 3,000,000 for the manufacturing industry, 0% interest on half of the loan and a write-off of up to 50% of the principal.
• HBOR Energy Efficiency Loans for Businesses 2026 (Krediti za energetsku učinkovitost poduzetnika): up to EUR 3,000,000 for businesses of all sizes, 0% interest on half of the loan and a write-off of up to 50% of the principal with energy savings of at least 20 or 30%.
• HAMAG loan in practice: experiences and comparison with HBOR and a bank: how long approval takes, why applications fail and what EUR 50,000 costs through a micro loan, a small loan, an HBOR loan and a bank loan.

Grants and EU funds

• Grants and EU funds for entrepreneurs 2026: open and announced calls for entrepreneurs, including process innovation up to EUR 450,000, innovation vouchers, Interreg and agriculture, with application rules and a call check.
• Current EU funding opportunities in 2026: which calls have been announced, which are open, and which have been suspended or closed.
• Start-up/Spin-off Companies of Young Researchers (Start-up/spin off poduzeća mladih istraživača): the call announced by the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth (MZOM) for newly established companies of young researchers, EUR 66,000 to 200,000, up to 100% of eligible costs.
• Industry 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0: differences, data for Croatia and financing of investments, including the HBOR loan with a write-off of up to 50% of the principal for Industry 4.0 solutions.

Agriculture and processing

• SP ZPP Loans for Growth of Agricultural Production 2026, under the CAP Strategic Plan (SP ZPP): up to EUR 150,000 at 0.10% interest and a write-off of up to 45% of the principal (50% for young farmers), for nine sectors. Applications from 28 October 2026.
• SP ZPP loan for beekeepers: a truck or trailer for migratory beekeeping at 0.10% interest and a write-off of up to 45% of the principal.
• HBOR Loans for Processing of Agricultural Products (Krediti za preradu poljoprivrednih proizvoda): EUR 200,000 to 3,000,000 for slaughterhouses and the processing of cereals, fruit and vegetables, 0% interest on half of the loan and a write-off of up to 40% of the principal. Applications from 28 October 2026.

Young people, women, start-ups and tax incentives

• Support and loans for young people, women and start-up entrepreneurs 2026: a micro loan of up to EUR 50,000, an HBOR loan of up to EUR 400,000 and aid in agriculture, with what is open and how to prepare.
• Tax incentives for investment 2026: up to 100% lower corporate income tax for up to 10 years and aid for new jobs under the Investment Promotion Act (Zakon o poticanju ulaganja), with a check of the conditions.

How to use the guides

• One-minute check: in most guides, answer a few questions and you will immediately see which programmes are open to you and what to watch out for.
• Date of information: programmes close when the funds are used up, so before applying, check the conditions on the official websites listed in the guide.
• Order: the same cost item must not be financed twice, and investments already paid for generally cannot be financed. If you are not sure in which order to use the programmes, get in touch with us.
• Services: we prepare applications for HAMAG-BICRO loans, HBOR loans and EU projects. The decision on a loan or aid is always made by the funding provider.