The legal system of Croatia
A civil-law system based on the 1990 Constitution and codes influenced by the Austro-German tradition, with a strong Constitutional Court. Croatia joined the EU in 2013 and adopted the euro and joined Schengen in 2023.
Legal tradition
Croatia belongs to the civil law tradition. A civil-law system based on the 1990 Constitution and codes influenced by the Austro-German tradition, with a strong Constitutional Court. Croatia joined the EU in 2013 and adopted the euro and joined Schengen in 2023.
How power is divided
A parliamentary republic with a directly elected President focused on defence and foreign affairs, a Government answerable to the Sabor and an independent judiciary.
Where law comes from
- Constitution
- The 1990 constitution as amended.
- EU law
- Directly applicable and, in its field, paramount.
- Laws of the Sabor
- Primary legislation.
- Codes
- The Civil Obligations Act, Penal Code and procedural codes.
The legal profession
Odvjetnici belong to the Croatian Bar Association; javni bilježnici (notaries) handle deeds, company acts and succession.
Law by topic in Croatia
- Civil ProcedureThe Civil Procedure Act with electronic filing and notary-run enforcementLitigation follows the Civil Procedure Act, with mandatory electronic communication for lawyers. Uncontested money claims are commonly pursued through notaries and the Financial Agency rather than the courts.
- Tax LawLocal-authority income tax rates, corporate profit tax and a real-estate transfer taxPersonal income tax is charged at two rates whose levels each municipality now sets within statutory bands. Corporate profit tax has a reduced rate for smaller companies, and property transfers attract a transfer tax.
- Business & CorporateThe Companies Act, the simple d.o.o. and court-registry incorporationCompany law follows the Companies Act in the German tradition, with the d.o.o. (limited liability company) dominant and a simplified j.d.o.o. for very small ventures. Companies are registered in the court register, with online formation available.
- Immigration & NationalityEU free movement plus a demand-led permit system for third-country workersAs an EU and Schengen member, Croatia applies free movement to EU nationals. Third-country nationals rely on the Aliens Act, which since 2021 replaced fixed quotas with a labour-market test administered by the employment service.
- Property & LandLand-registry title, notarised contracts and liberalised foreign acquisitionOwnership is transferred by contract plus registration in the land register, with the registry entry decisive. EU nationals may now acquire property on the same footing as Croatians, with agricultural land subject to specific rules.
- Employment & LabourThe Labour Act, justified dismissal and extended collective agreementsThe Labour Act sets minimum individual rights, with collective agreements able to improve them and, in some sectors, to be extended by ministerial decision. Dismissal requires a justified reason and a prescribed procedure.
- Criminal LawThe 2011 Criminal Code with prosecutor-led investigation and plea agreementsThe Criminal Code of 2011 and the Criminal Procedure Act govern offences and process. Investigations are directed by the State Attorney, with USKOK handling corruption and organised crime, and negotiated sentences are available.
- Constitutional LawThe 1990 Constitution, a single-chamber Sabor and an active Constitutional CourtCroatia is a parliamentary republic under the 1990 Constitution, revised to shift power from the President to the Government. The Constitutional Court reviews legislation and decides individual constitutional complaints.
- Human RightsConstitutional rights, the ECHR above statute and a network of ombudsmenThe Constitution guarantees civil, political and social rights, and ratified treaties including the ECHR rank above domestic statute. Croatia has a general Ombudsman plus specialised ombudspersons for children, gender equality and disability.
- Family LawThe Family Act, compulsory mediation and shared parental careThe Family Act governs marriage, parental care and maintenance. Divorcing parents of minor children must attempt compulsory family mediation, and joint parental care plans are encouraged.
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