How to get a crypto license in Croatia without errors and fines

Croatia complies with common standards for preventing money laundering and ensuring blockchain operations are transparent as a member of the European Union. It establishes a process for required registration in the state register rather than issuing a unique document, which is what is known as a cryptocurrency licence in Croatia. Businesses' interests can be taken into consideration while still adhering to EU regulations thanks to this type of oversight. This makes the nation an intriguing starting point for fintech initiatives and cryptocurrency businesses who want to enter the European market.

This content will go into great length about how to get a cryptocurrency license in Croatia, what conditions businesses must meet, and how authorisation to deal with digital assets is granted. It will examine the implications of legalising cryptocurrencies in Croatia, the reasons behind the lack of a traditional licence in this country, and the registration process. Those that wish to start an exchange service, establish a custodial wallet, or access the global market through the EU will find the article helpful.

Legal status of crypto companies in Croatia

Before applying for a cryptocurrency license in Croatia, it is quintessential to understand who is subject to the edicts and how the state defines crypto mercantile participants. The country has a special legal regime. It does not require a classic permit, but it does require registration and conformance with regulations. This approach allows blockchain services to be included in the regulated environment and provide access to financial infrastructure.

Who are the obligated subjects under the law?

In Croatian law, the term "obligated entities" (obveznici) refers to entities and persons subject to special financial edicts. This concept was introduced by the Financial Asset Control Act and means that such an entity is obliged to conform with enhanced transparency requirements. The status is not imposed automatically, but rather upon the presence of certain types of activities related to digital currencies.

Obligated entities are companies and entrepreneurs that provide services related to the storage, transfer or exchange of digital assets. They are not formally licensed, but are required to register a cryptocurrency business in Croatia and be included in a special state list. Only then are operations allowed to begin.

If a company falls beneath at least one of the indicated criteria (trade of crypto for fiat, custodial wallets, branches of outside crypto administrators), it is naturally recognized as a committed substance. Without enrollment, such a structure is considered to be damaging the administration. That is why the enlistment of a permit for crypto administrations in Croatia continuously starts with an investigation of whether the candidate falls beneath this status.

What types of activities are subject to regulation?

Croatia has a clear legal approach to those working with digital assets. The state does not issue a classic license, but establishes a list of operations that require registration. This rule applies to both local companies and foreign organizations operating in the republic. Without being included in a special register, no structure can legally provide services in the crypto sphere in Croatia. It is from this perspective that the issue of how to obtain a cryptocurrency license in Croatia and legalize work with blockchain tools is considered.

The following areas are among the types of activities that fall under financial control:

1. Trading advanced monetary forms for conventional monetary standards. Trade exchanges between cryptocurrencies and conventional monetary standards — in any heading — are considered controlled. Such exchanges require the company to be enrolled as a crypto benefit supplier. This applies to crypto exchangers, trades, installment doors and aggregators that handle exchanges between virtual stores and official currencies.
2. Services for putting away private keys from wallets. This benefit is called custodial. It expects that the client exchanges the right to specialized administration of their resources to a trusted temporary worker. The organization that embraces this work must be included in a single list, something else its exercises are considered illicit. Enrollment of a permit for crypto administrations in Croatia in this case is an affirmed enlistment of the custodial operator.
3. Managing exchanges and exchanges between crypto accounts. If a company encourages the exchange of tokens between clients, has get to to reserves, partakes in steering or executing exchanges, it is subject to enlistment as a crypto benefit supplier. Such organizations are required to accommodate with inner strategies and be checked by an authorized body.
4. Operating through an outside department in Croatia. If a remote crypto company makes a division, opens an office or gives administrations to Croatian inhabitants, it is required to enlist on the same premise as nearby administrators. Without informing the controller, such a structure does not have the right to work on the trade. Enrollment of a cryptocurrency commerce in Croatia is getting to be obligatory indeed for members with European status.
5. Creation and administration of computerized resources. If a commerce issues tokens, shapes advanced instrument bushel, oversees their situation or underpins the usage through ICO/IEO, such exercises drop beneath the MiCA controls. It too requires appraisal by administrative specialists.

All of the above areas are grounds for inclusion in the register. This is a basic requirement for those who plan to obtain a crypto license in Croatia and operate within the official regime.

Basic laws and regulatory framework

The edicts are defined at two levels at once: national and European. The country has an internal act, and the pan-European regulation is also applied.

Regulation (EU) No 2023/1114 (MiCA)

The document, approved in May 2023, created a unified regulatory framework for all those providing services with digital assets in the territory of the European Union. In Croatia, its provisions began to apply from December 30, 2024. The new regime replaced the previous VASP registration system and introduced mandatory licensing of CASPs in Croatia.

This category includes exchanges, exchange platforms, custodial wallets, token issuers and stablecoin companies. To be admitted to the mercantile, it is now necessary to obtain permission from Hanfa. Companies must prove conformance in terms of capital, internal control processes, security policies and operational transparency.

In practice, however, a transition period is in effect in 2025. This means that organizations that began operations before the entry into force of MiCA can temporarily continue to operate under the edicts of the old regime — based on VASP registration. This approach is permitted by EU regulations and allows national regulators to organize a smooth transition. However, upon completion of the transition period — no later than mid-2026 — all participants are required to obtain a CASP license in Croatia, otherwise they lose the right to work with digital assets.

Financial Asset Control Act

The national law sets out procedures for collecting customer data, recording transactions and internal audits. It is based on international standards and directives applied in the EU. It sets out the responsibilities of those who conduct digital activities, including in terms of documentation and preparation for audit. Based on this law, cryptocurrency businesses are registered in Croatia and are included in a special list.

Supervisory and licensing authorities

The main participant in the system is HANFA, or the Croatian Agency for Supervision of the Financial Sector. The body has powers in the field of investment products, management structures, insurance companies and operators of digital platforms. Those who want to apply for a crypto license in Croatia contact the agency directly, although the document itself is not issued in the usual form.

At the moment the agency:

• accepts notifications about the start of work with cryptocurrencies;
• assesses risks, management structure and business sustainability;
• reviews internal control and information security policies ;
• adds companies to the official list of virtual service providers.

This approach replaces the traditional licensing regime, while maintaining state control. Those planning to obtain a license in the cryptocurrency sector in Croatia must go through the described procedure before starting operations.

Another body involved in regulating digital assets in Croatia is the Central Bank. It does not issue permits or supervise crypto companies, but is responsible for the payment infrastructure and monetary stability. The National Bank recognizes virtual assets as a means of payment, but does not equate them with currencies. This position reflects the approach of the European Union, where cryptocurrency is not considered an official currency, but can be used under regulated conditions. The Central Bank coordinates its internal position with MiCA and participates in the development of general financial policy within the EU.

How to register a VASP in Croatia

In order to get a permit for crypto administrations in Croatia, a company must go through a full enlistment method. This is not a fair custom, but an obligatory handle, without which the legalization of cryptocurrency commerce in Croatia is impossible.

Step 1. Enrollment of a lawful entity

At the beginning, a corporate structure is made that will become the administrator of the blockchain stage. In Croatia, the most commonly utilized frame for this is a doo — a restricted obligation company. This arrangement is permitted for small and medium-sized businesses and is reasonable for those who need to enroll a company with a crypto permit in Croatia. The least commitment to the capital begins from 2,500 euros. Reserves can be contributed through a current account or through property, if this is given for by the charter.

Local enlistment requires a lawful address in the nation. In expansion, the structure must incorporate a chief with a neighborhood assess status. This condition guarantees that in the occasion of an review, the controller will be able to be associated with the dependable individual. This approach is utilized in all regions where a blockchain commerce permit is required in Croatia.

Step 2. Arrangement of documentation

To start the enrollment of a company with a crypto permit in Croatia, it is vital to get ready a standard bundle of archives affirming the structure, members and address of the company. The reports are submitted to the enlist of legitimate substances and at that point sent to Hanfa for incorporation in the supervisory database:

• Application for opening a company in Croatia. Affirms the purposeful to set up a company and yield it for enrollment in the enroll of lawful entities.
• Constituent reports. Incorporates the content of the constitution, inside controls on the administration structure, sorts of exercises and proclamations of operation of the organization.
• Proof of area. Letter, contract or certificate affirming the nearness of a legitimate address inside Croatia.
• Identification of members. Duplicates of identifications and enlistment reports of all people related to administration: chiefs, originators, beneficiaries.
• Regulatory bundle. Extra shapes and applications arranged in understanding with HANFA prerequisites - counting surveys, affirmations of congruity, corporate scheme.
• Preparation of these materials requires exactness, adherence to organization, and thought of administrative necessities. Blunders or inadequacy may result in the return of the application or delay in registration.

Step 3. Notice to HANFA

Once the company is set up, a regulatory method is propelled. Inside 30 days from the date of consolidation, a notice must be sent to the office that administers. This is an obligatory condition, without which the enlistment of a cryptocurrency commerce in Croatia is considered invalid. The body that acknowledges demands is HANFA.

The application is submitted together with a set of shapes, which are given for by inner proclamations. They incorporate affirmation of the structure, data almost the authors, a depiction of the control and information assurance approach. The bundle moreover incorporates duplicates of the statutory archives, individual profiles of the members and the concept of working with computerized resources. These are the fundamental records for a crypto permit in Croatia, which are checked for conformance with the requirements.

The data can be submitted in a paper frame or through a computerized channel. Online accommodation requires an electronic signature recognized in the purview. Records are sent to the address: pisarnica@hanfa.hr. In paper shape, they are sent to Zagreb, to the address distributed on the regulator's site. The strategy of accommodation does not influence the result, but it does influence the due date. It is quintessential to take into account the enrollment date so as not to miss the built up period. Infringement of due dates is grounds for blocking access to the register.

Step 4. Consideration in the VASP Registry

After the application is acknowledged, the control organization starts. It incorporates checking the information for exactness and analyzing the show of the future crypto operation. The organization assesses the proprietorship structure, the powers of the administration, and the nearness of the fundamental control instruments. All choices are made inside the organization. Infringement in the bundle, non-conformance with the structure, or blunders in filling out may result in a refusal.

If the application complies with the proclamations, the company is included to the list of computerized resource administrators. This step affirms that the commerce has passed the check and is prepared to work inside the lawful system. At the same time, a cryptocurrency permit in Croatia is not issued in the regular shape. The beneficiary gets the status of an enlisted member, and his information is distributed in the state list.

This approach reflects a transitional show. It permits for speedy section into the trade whereas acclimating with the proclamations is constrained in the European Union. For those arranging to get a permit for crypto administrations in Croatia, this method is an obligatory step to entering the commercial.

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Requirements for crypto companies in Croatia

To obtain a license for cryptocurrency activities in Croatia, it is not enough to register a legal entity. The regulator checks not only the documents, but also the internal structure, stability, reputation and readiness of the organization for controlled work. It is at this stage that the company's conformance with the basic criteria is determined, which concern the control policy, transparency and personnel.

Minimum authorized capital

For companies that want to obtain a license for cryptocurrency activities in Croatia under the MiCA model, the requirements of the pan-European level apply. They are related to the volume of services provided and directly affect the minimum amount of financial security.

If previously it was enough to contribute 2,500 EUR when establishing a doo company, now the applicant is required to confirm the availability of equity capital corresponding to the category of activity. This is a mandatory condition for procuring licensing in the cryptocurrency sector in Croatia and entering the EU mercantile.

Table: Capital requirements under MiCA

These amounts must be recorded at the time of application for a cryptocurrency license in Croatia and supported by accounting documents. The capital can be contributed in the form of a money transfer or liquid assets. Insufficient amount or lack of confirmation is grounds for denial of permission.

AML conformance

The main condition is the implementation of a set of procedures for checking clients and monitoring transactions. Each participant must develop its own internal policy and follow it in practice. It is necessary to have a responsible employee who will monitor and evaluate transactions, identify suspicious activities and prepare reports. The regulation establishes the mandatory protocols describing how personal identification, recording transactions, and tracking the source of funds are carried out. Without these procedures, licensing in the cryptocurrency sector in Croatia is impossible.

Additionally, regular updating of conformance documentation and review of client risk profiles are envisaged. HANFA may request incident history and internal transaction analysis records. Failure to conform with the regulations will result in suspension of access and sanctions, including revocation of the crypto license in Croatia. Access to data on each transaction stage is mandatory - from receipt to distribution of assets.

Owners' reputation

The organization must confirm that its participants are not associated with violations, litigation or corporate conflicts. HANFA has the right to request information about the background of each beneficiary. For this purpose, extracts, certificates and assurances are provided, and data on the financial and legal status is requested. This applies not only to the owners, but also to key managers. An important aspect is the absence of violations in other countries, especially in the European Union. This is especially quintessential when it comes to procuring a crypto license for an international company in Croatia.

In certain cases, Hanfa may conduct cross-checks through cross-border monitoring systems. The presence of sanctions, criminal cases, bankruptcies or exclusions from previous registers serve as grounds for refusal of registration. Candidates are also assessed for conformance with public and business integrity criteria, including information from open databases.

Management staff

The person appointed as the director must have sufficient competence and have no restrictions on holding the position. Biographies, diplomas, proof of work experience and information on the absence of sanctions are provided for verification. Personal qualities, subordination structure, availability of personnel and internal interaction schemes are assessed. Management must be organized in such a way as to guarantee sustainability and predictability. This is the minimum requirement for those who want to obtain a blockchain business license in Croatia.

In addition to qualifications, the stability of internal supervision is quintessential. The regulator pays attention to the presence of a division of roles, the possibility of interchangeability and the legal registration of powers. The absence of a clear management structure is assessed as a potential operational risk.

Financial statements

Each registered company is required to prepare and submit data on its activities. Annual forms are submitted to the authorized body. HANFA also has the right to request interim information - when volumes change, new participants join, or if there are signs of violation of the edicts. The presence of accounting, cash flow reports and balance sheets is one of the requirements for those who want to obtain a crypto license in Croatia on a long-term basis.

Additionally, forecast data and financial models are requested. Liquidity, liability coverage and asset movement indicators are assessed dynamically. Insufficient financial transparency may be regarded as a risk of abuse and grounds for denial of a license.

Additional terms

The availability of technical systems that are resilient to failures is assessed separately. If the company uses its own software, the regulator may request information about its architecture. The plan for dealing with accidents, failures and loss of access is also quintessential. HANFA checks whether the business has backup solutions, secure communication channels and clear recovery instructions.

When third-party IT solution providers are involved, contracts and SLAs are required. The regulator evaluates how the interaction between the technical and operational parts of the company is organized. Any structure that does not have access to critical IT infrastructure or plans in case of its loss is questioned.

If you have an office, it is quintessential to confirm its location, legal accessibility and contact infrastructure. The actual absence of a management point can be regarded as a violation of the regime. This requirement is especially critical for those who want to register a cryptocurrency business in Croatia without having local staff.

Technical and organizational readiness

Companies applying for the status of a digital asset provider in Croatia are required to demonstrate the basic sustainability of their technological model. This requirement is mandatory even in the absence of a license in its direct form. The regulator analyzes the structure of the systems, their security and the ability to recover from a failure. The presence of an IT infrastructure is an important condition for those who want to undergo licensing in the cryptocurrency sector in Croatia.

The company must confirm that it uses secure platforms, logs actions, processes data in secure storage. The organization must have edicts for processing information, emergency access regulations, and a backup protection scheme. In addition, HANFA checks how the company implements verification procedures. This can be an in-house development or a third-party platform connected to the operating system. Such measures are required for proper KYC and transaction control.

When submitting documents, the applicant specifies the type of transaction control, the location of the servers, and how GDPR conformance is ensured. Registration of the data access policy and a description of the authorization algorithm are mandatory. This is critical for those preparing an application for a crypto license in Croatia, since failure to conform with these conditions is equivalent to the absence of a real operational base.

Taxation of cryptocurrency organizations in Croatia

The Croatian tax system covers all key aspects of doing business, including the digital sphere. General corporate edicts apply to companies working with blockchain products. There is no separate tax regime for cryptocurrencies in the country. This means that income from transactions with digital assets is taxed on a general basis, regardless of whether the organization is engaged in storing tokens, servicing wallets or exchanging. Such a system provides legal certainty and allows businesses to calculate their fiscal obligations in advance when registering a cryptocurrency business in Croatia.

The main tax for legal entities is the corporate income tax (CIT). It applies to profits from all activities, including virtual assets. The standard rate is 18%. Companies with annual revenues of up to one million euros can apply a preferential rate of 10%. This is a favorable regime for small projects, including startups that obtain a cryptocurrency license in Croatia.

The tax base is formed based on the results of accounting and can be adjusted by write -offs, reserves, depreciations and other transactions. The cash method is allowed for organizations with a small turnover. Residents pay tax on worldwide profits, non-residents - only on income received within the country.

The general VAT rate is 25%, which applies to all supplies of services and goods, unless they are exempt or fall under preferential categories. Croatia has fully adapted its VAT system to European directives. Cryptocurrency platforms offering services in the country are required to obtain a VAT identification number if their turnover exceeds 40,000 euros per year. This requirement applies even to foreign operators who have obtained a crypto license for an international company in Croatia if they serve local clients.

Organizations operating in the digital asset sector are required to file monthly declarations and maintain electronic records of invoices. Zero reporting is not required. When importing or providing services between EU countries, the internal tax assessment mechanism is used.

There are no regional taxes on profits in Croatia. There is also no property tax. This creates favorable conditions for running a digital business, including for companies that want to obtain a license to work with virtual currency in Croatia without additional tax burden on real estate, servers or other assets.

Banking for the Cryptocurrency Sector in Croatia

Despite Croatia's openness to digital assets, the banking infrastructure remains cautious. There is no ban on crypto businesses in the country, but not all institutions are willing to open accounts for companies involved in virtual assets. This is due to internal risk assessment edicts, where crypto is often considered a high-risk category.

For those who have registered a cryptocurrency company in Croatia, opening a bank account is possible, but requires a transparent structure, a HANFA registration number, a description of sources of income and an implemented AML system. Most often, cooperation is offered not by traditional banks, but by fintech platforms and non-bank payment institutions operating on the IBAN account model.

Currently, crypto companies most often use the services of the following financial institutions :

• Revolut Business (EU) — allows work with digital assets subject to proven legal status and registration in the EU.
• Paysera (LT) – opens accounts for VASPs registered in the EU.
• Bankera (LT) - provides payment solutions for exchanges, exchangers and wallets.
• Ferratum Bank (MT) — services projects in the field of digital payments with KYC infrastructure.

To connect payment systems in Croatia, it is necessary to confirm the legality of the activity, the source of funds, and the purpose of the transactions. It is allowed to use gateways from third-party integrators (for example, CoinGate, Mercuryo, MoonPay), if the platform complies with the requirements of PSD2. Connection is carried out via API and requires verification.

Accounting services for crypto companies

Accounting in the crypto sphere requires a special approach. In Croatia, transactions with digital assets are recognized as elements of ordinary business activities. This means that cryptocurrency receipts are reflected as income in accounting, and tokens used in settlements are valued at mercantile value. Recording is carried out at the time of receipt or transfer, with mandatory conversion into euros.

Companies are required to maintain accounting records according to international standards (IFRS), including asset classification, reserves, exchange rate differences and estimated liabilities. Particular attention is paid to the separation of personal and corporate wallets, the reflection of movements on custodial platforms and the identification of income received from trading, commissions or token placement.

All crypto companies are required to submit an annual report, file VAT returns and participate in electronic document management. It is recommended to cooperate with an accountant specializing in licensing in the cryptocurrency sector in Croatia. This allows you to avoid calculation errors and eliminate claims from tax authorities.

Responsibilities of Crypto Companies (VASP)

Companies providing virtual asset services in Croatia are required to conform with a set of edicts stipulated by the Hanfa regulations. These requirements are aimed at maintaining transparency of settlements and reducing operational risks.

• Identity verification (KYC) for each transaction from 1000 EUR. Even if the client is not a regular user, when the established threshold is reached, it is necessary to establish and record his personal data.
• Ownership structure analysis and verification. The business must identify all ultimate beneficiaries, regardless of their form of participation or ownership percentage, and document this information.
• Reporting of large transactions. All payments exceeding 10,000 euros are subject to mandatory monitoring and reporting to the regulator, indicating the source and purpose of the transfer.
• Annual Internal Control Report. A set of documents containing a description of current procedures, changes in AML policy and an analysis of incidents over the past period is submitted by June 30 of each year.

Conformance with these requirements is a prerequisite for legal operation in the digital asset market in Croatia. Ignoring even one of the points may lead to inspection, fines or loss of registration status.

Responsibility for violations

The procedure for registering a company with a crypto license in Croatia is strictly regulated. The regulator has the right to apply measures in case of failure to meet deadlines or incomplete conformance with requirements. Penalties are provided not only for the lack of registration, but also for a formal approach to responsibilities :

1. Violation of notification deadlines. Companies that have started working with digital assets are required to send a notification no later than 30 days from the date of incorporation. This deadline is fixed by law and is subject to control. Exceeding the established limit without a valid reason is equivalent to a violation of the regime. In such situations, HANFA has the right to impose an administrative fine, demand immediate correction of deficiencies and suspend access to the basic register. Repeated violation may lead to cancellation of registration and a ban on activities.
2. Failure to register. If an organization conducts crypto transactions without being included in the list of suppliers, its work is considered illegal. Regardless of the form of the company or the volume of transactions, in the absence of notification, we are talking about a violation of the established regime. Such behavior can lead to the blocking of current accounts, refusal from banks, as well as limited access to payment providers. In addition, a financial sanction and a ban on participation in tenders, accreditations and industry associations are possible. These risks are especially significant for those seeking to obtain a crypto license in Croatia and operate in the international legal space.
3. Insufficient control. With a formal approach to internal control, violations may be recorded. If a company has not appointed a conformance officer, has not implemented customer verification mechanisms, or does not keep a transaction log, this is considered a significant deviation. For such violations, HANFA may impose a fine, temporarily block registration, issue an order, or initiate an audit. In case of serious violations, the permission to conduct operations may be revoked, even if there is an entry in the register. This is especially quintessential to consider for those who are preparing an application for a crypto license in Croatia, but have not set up internal processes.

Registration gives the right to operate, but at the same time imposes obligations. Failure to conform with these edicts entails not only sanctions, but also the loss of business reputation, which is critical for projects focused on entering the EU. That is why everyone who is thinking about how to get a cryptocurrency license in Croatia should plan not only to submit documents, but also to fully work within the legal field.

Conclusion

Working with digital assets in Croatia is permitted and regulated by law. To start operations, you must undergo mandatory registration and inclusion in the state register. The country does not issue direct permission in the form of a license, but there is strict control over all those who provide services with virtual currency. This applies to exchange, storage, custodial solutions and platforms that use tokens as a payment instrument.

The system is built on a supervision model, in which registration replaces licensing approval. At the same time, companies are required to conform with internal control procedures, appoint responsible persons, maintain documentation and participate in reporting. HANFA monitors conformance with requirements and conducts inspections. Any deviations from established standards can lead to blocking of activities and fines. That is why the question of how to obtain a cryptocurrency license in Croatia requires a systematic approach and professional support.

To avoid mistakes, minimize risks and speed up the procedure, it is worth seeking support from our specialists. We help you go through all the stages - from registering a company to inclusion in the register. We will prepare documents, establish communication with the regulator and ensure the legal purity of the project.