Sustainable Tourism Loans with Principal Write-Off

Funds for the programme come from the European Regional Development Fund and the Competitiveness and Cohesion Programme, and it was designed to support financially sustainable investments, and with the possibility of a write-off of part of the loan principal, it will give entrepreneurs more favourable terms and financing for projects that contribute to the development of sustainable tourism.

The credit line offers amounts from a minimum of EUR 250,000 to a maximum of EUR 7,000,000, and part of the principal, up to a maximum of 50 percent of its amount, can be written off if the criteria defined by this credit line are met.

In brief

Sustainable Tourism Loans are funded from the European Regional Development Fund and the Competitiveness and Cohesion Programme.
The loan is EUR 250,000 to 7,000,000, and up to 50% of the principal can be written off if the programme criteria are met.
The loans are intended for hotels and similar accommodation and for campsites, for construction, reconstruction, equipment and additional amenities.
Working capital can make up at most 30% of the contracted loan amount, and investments must comply with the do no significant harm principle (DNSH).
Applications are submitted online from 14 November 2024.

Eligible applicants under the programme are micro, small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the tourism sector.

The repayment period is up to 17 years, including a grace period of 4 years.

What can a sustainable tourism loan finance?

The loans are intended for hotels and similar accommodation as well as campsites, that is, for their investments in fixed assets and working capital and in the construction or renovation and reconstruction of existing facilities, equipment and the introduction of additional amenities.

The purpose of the loan is to finance sustainable investments that contribute to the objectives of the green transition, the quality of tourism products and services and stronger growth and competitiveness of SMEs, and that result in a diversified tourism offer, a longer tourist season, less overtourism, sustainable business operations and a higher quality of the tourism offer.

The loan can be approved for:

investments in fixed assets (tangible and intangible assets)
working capital necessary for implementing the investment and for the growth of the borrower: up to a maximum of 30% of the contracted loan amount.

Investments must comply with the “do no significant harm” principle (DNSH, Do No Significant Harm).

Eligible investments are:

construction, reconstruction and/or refurbishment and equipping of hospitality accommodation facilities and/or
additional amenities of hospitality accommodation facilities that result in an increase in accommodation capacity, the introduction of additional, optional amenities or classification into a type and/or category

HBOR and ERDF

Sustainable Tourism Loans at a glance

EUR 250,000 to 7,000,000loan amount

up to 50%principal write-off if the criteria are met

up to 30%of the loan for working capital

from 14 November 2024applications submitted online

Eligible investments

construction, reconstruction, refurbishment and equipping of accommodation facilities

additional amenities of hotels, similar accommodation and campsites

increase in accommodation capacity

classification into a type or category

fixed assets, tangible and intangible

compliance with the do no significant harm principle (DNSH)

The infographic shows the loan amounts, principal write-off, share of working capital and eligible investments from the article on HBOR Sustainable Tourism Loans.

How and when can you apply?

Applications for the loans open on 14 November 2024, will be accepted online only and will remain open until the funds are exhausted.

How the principal write-off works and why it is often lower than 50% in practice is explained in our article on the HBOR capital rebate. We compare all HBOR programmes in HBOR loans for entrepreneurs 2026, and you can work out the instalment and total cost for your amount in the HBOR loan calculator.

Frequently asked questions about Sustainable Tourism Loans

Who can apply for an HBOR sustainable tourism loan?

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, and the loans are intended for investments in hotels and similar accommodation and in campsites.

How large can a sustainable tourism loan be?

The loan is at least EUR 250,000 and at most EUR 7,000,000.

How much of the principal can be written off?

Up to 50% of the principal, if the criteria defined by the programme are met.

What can a sustainable tourism loan finance?

Construction, reconstruction, refurbishment and equipping of accommodation facilities, and additional amenities that increase accommodation capacity, introduce optional amenities or lead to classification into a type or category. Investments must comply with the do no significant harm principle (DNSH).

Can the loan finance working capital?

Yes, if it is necessary for implementing the investment and for the growth of the borrower, up to a maximum of 30% of the contracted loan amount.

Guide: HBOR (Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development) loans for entrepreneurs 2026

HBOR loans for entrepreneurs 2026. All programmes, interest rates, principal write-off of up to 50%, repayment of up to 20 years and documentation.
HBOR loan for production modernisation 2026. From EUR 100,000 to 3,000,000, half at 0% interest, and a write-off of up to 50% of the principal.
HBOR loans: advice and application preparation. What you need for the application and how we work.

>> All guides for 2026 in one place

For more details and information, and for help with the professional preparation of projects and investment studies, contact us at: info@omniasolutions.hr, and you can also follow all information on new EU and national calls for grants on our LinkedIn profile.