HAMAG-BICRO National Loans for Investment and Working Capital, conditions and status
Updated 30 October 2026. Both national loans are temporarily closed because their funds have been used up, and no reopening date has been published. To see which programmes are currently open, read the guide HAMAG-BICRO loans 2026.
In addition to the already published attractive lines for start-up entrepreneurs and women entrepreneurs, the Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovations and Investments (HAMAG-BICRO) also opened two national loan lines for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, with a principal subsidy of 20% to 50% for borrowers from municipalities and towns in development index groups I to IV. Both programmes are now temporarily closed because their funds have been used up. These loans provide favourable access to financing and offer flexible conditions for further business development.
In brief
- The National Loan for Investment is EUR 25,000.01 to 150,000 at the base rate for Croatia plus 0.5 percentage points, with a grace period of up to 6 months and repayment of up to 10 years including the grace period.
- The National Loan for Working Capital is EUR 1,000 to 50,000 at the base rate plus 1 percentage point, with a grace period of up to 3 months and repayment of up to 3 years.
- The base rate for Croatia has been 2.71% since 1 July 2026, which gives 3.21% for investment and 3.71% for working capital. The rate is set on the date the application is received and stays fixed until the loan is repaid.
- Borrowers with their registered office and activity in municipalities and towns in development index groups I to IV receive a subsidy of 20% to 50% of the drawn principal, until 31 December 2027 or until the funds are used up.
- Both programmes are temporarily closed because their funds have been used up, and no reopening date had been published by 30 October 2026.
National Loan for Investment (Nacionalni zajam za investicije)
Loan amount: EUR 25,000 to 150,000
Repayment period: 1 to 10 years
Grace period: up to 6 months
Interest: favourable interest rates based on the base interest rate of the Republic of Croatia, plus 0.5 percentage points. The base rate for Croatia has been 2.71% since 1 July 2026, which gives 3.21%. The rate for the period from 1 November 2026 had not been published by the European Commission by 30 October 2026, and the interest rate is set from the base rate on the date the application is received and stays fixed for the whole repayment period.
Purpose of the loan
This loan is intended to finance investment in fixed assets, such as production equipment, technology, business premises and the modernisation of production lines. It can also be used for working capital (up to 30% of the loan amount), which allows entrepreneurs to invest in long-term growth and business improvement. This loan gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to increase capacity, improve production efficiency and quality, and expand their business activities.
Reimbursement of costs already paid
Up to 20% of the loan amount may be used to reimburse investment costs that have already been paid. This is a rule on eligible costs in the programme, it is neither a principal write-off nor linked to hiring.
Who can apply?
- Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises with a registered place of business and activity in Croatia
- Entities with at least one full-time employee
- Entrepreneurs with a sound financial history and no blocked accounts
National Loan for Working Capital (Nacionalni zajam za obrtna sredstva)
Loan amount: EUR 1,000 to 50,000
Repayment period: 1 to 3 years
Grace period: up to 3 months
Interest: favourable interest rates based on the base interest rate of the Republic of Croatia, plus 1 percentage point. With the base rate of 2.71%, valid from 1 July 2026, the interest rate is 3.71%.
Purpose of the loan
This loan is intended to finance current operating costs, including raw materials, supplies, employee salaries, rent for business premises and overheads. It is an ideal solution for entrepreneurs who want to maintain liquidity and ensure smooth operations. Given the nature of working capital, the loan allows entrepreneurs to secure uninterrupted production and salaries and to carry out other day-to-day operations.
Who can apply?
- Entrepreneurs operating in Croatia
- Entrepreneurs with a sound business history and no blocked accounts
- Entrepreneurs who use the funds for specific operating costs of the business
Application requirements
To apply for this loan, entrepreneurs must submit a business plan, certificates of regular repayment of existing liabilities and other financial documents required for the application. As with the investment loan, the application is submitted through HAMAG-BICRO’s official system.
Both lines offer a principal subsidy of up to 50% for borrowers from municipalities and towns in development index groups I to IV
For entrepreneurs with their registered office in local government units classified in development index groups I to IV, there is a principal subsidy under the Demographic Revitalisation Programme of 50% in group I, 40% in group II, 30% in group III and 20% in group IV, until 31 December 2027 or until the funds are used up. The conditions are a registered office and activity in that municipality or town, no unpaid public levies or blocked accounts, and at least one full-time employee!
HAMAG-BICRO
HAMAG-BICRO national loans at a glance
Principal subsidy by development index group of the municipality or town
Why these loans matter for entrepreneurs
National Loans for Investment and National Loans for Working Capital offer exceptional opportunities for entrepreneurs who want to improve their business. These loans provide favourable access to financing, with flexible repayment terms and favourable interest rates. In addition, the principal subsidy for borrowers from less developed municipalities and towns makes them even more attractive for entrepreneurs who want to expand their capacity and increase employment.
Investing in fixed assets such as technology and production equipment allows entrepreneurs to become more competitive in the market, while financing working capital helps entrepreneurs keep their business stable. These loans are key support for further development and business stability.
Which HAMAG-BICRO loans are currently open is covered in our guide HAMAG-BICRO loans 2026. While the national loans are closed, check the conditions of the Micro Loan for Growth and Inclusion for investments up to EUR 50,000, and HBOR loans for entrepreneurs 2026 for larger investments. How a EUR 50,000 loan compares with an HBOR and a bank loan is worked out in our article HAMAG loan in practice.
How to apply
For more information on the application conditions, required documentation and the application procedure, contact us at info@omniasolutions.hr.
Frequently asked questions about HAMAG-BICRO national loans
Are the HAMAG-BICRO national loans open?
No. Both programmes are temporarily closed because their funds have been used up, and no reopening date had been published by 30 October 2026. We track the status of all HAMAG-BICRO programmes in the guide HAMAG-BICRO loans 2026.
What is the interest rate on a national loan?
The interest rate is the base rate for Croatia on the date the application is received plus 0.5 percentage points for investment, or plus 1 percentage point for working capital, and it stays fixed until the loan is repaid. With the base rate of 2.71%, valid from 1 July 2026, this is 3.21% and 3.71%.
How large is the principal subsidy by development index group?
50% of the drawn principal in group I, 40% in group II, 30% in group III and 20% in group IV, until 31 December 2027 or until the funds are used up. The borrower must have its registered office and activity in that municipality or town, no unpaid public levies or blocked accounts, and at least one full-time employee.
Who can apply for a national loan?
Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises with a registered place of business and activity in Croatia and at least one full-time employee. Agriculture and fisheries, financial activities, real estate, leasing, tobacco, residential property and passenger cars are excluded.
Guide: HAMAG-BICRO loans 2026
- HAMAG-BICRO loans 2026: all programmes with their status on the date of review, interest rates and conditions for principal write-off.
- Micro Loans for Growth and Inclusion 2026: EUR 1,000 to 50,000 at 0.5% interest, with a principal write-off of up to 30%.
- HAMAG-BICRO loans: advice and application support, how we prepare the application and what you need to send us for review.
>> All 2026 guides in one place
About the author
Matija Vlahovski, MSc in Economics
Co-founder and director of Omnia Solutions. He has more than ten years of experience in business financing, mostly with HAMAG-BICRO loans, HBOR loans, investment studies and tax incentives. He has taken part in more than 90 projects, through which clients were awarded more than EUR 12 million in grants and more than EUR 2 million in tax incentives. Before consulting, he worked at Privredna banka Zagreb, preparing loan proposals for small and medium-sized enterprises. He holds a HANFA licence.
