Freelance in Croatia

Freelance in Croatia: how freelancers pay taxes, get paid by foreign clients and find work, and which skills are in demand. Hire or offer services on Kits.

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The freelance market in Croatia

Croatia uses the euro and is part of Schengen, and its coast attracts many remote workers, helped by a digital nomad residence permit. Local freelancers work in development, design, tourism marketing and translation for clients in Germany, Austria and Italy.

Taxes and legal status

The lump-sum craft (paušalni obrt) is the simplest option: tax and contributions are fixed amounts depending on the turnover band, up to an annual turnover cap. Above it, a craft keeps proper books and pays progressive income tax, or the freelancer opens a d.o.o. company. VAT registration is required above the threshold.

This is general information as of 2026, not tax or legal advice. Rates and thresholds change, so check them with the tax authority or a local accountant before you register.

Getting paid

Clients in the EU usually pay by SEPA transfer in EUR, which is fast and cheap inside the European payment area. PayPal, Wise and Revolut are widely used for smaller amounts and clients outside the EU.

SEPA transfers in EUR
PayPal
Wise and Revolut
local bank transfers

Skills in demand

tourism and hospitality marketing
web development
translation between Croatian, German, Italian and English
graphic design
photography and video
software development

Tips for freelancers in Croatia

Start as a paušalni obrt: it keeps paperwork minimal while your income is small.
Tourism businesses need seasonal marketing: offer packages before the summer.
German and Italian open the nearest foreign markets.

Hiring a freelancer from Croatia

Local time in Croatia is UTC+1 (UTC+2 in summer), so agree in advance on the hours when you are both available for calls. Describe the task, the deadline and the budget in your first message, ask for examples of similar work, and fix what counts as done before work starts. If the work is for a local audience, a freelancer who knows the language and the market will save you rewrites.

Kits for freelancers in Croatia

Kits is an international freelance marketplace that is not tied to one country. Freelancers in Croatia can publish services with a portfolio and a clear price, or respond to clients' jobs, and talk to clients in the built-in chat. The first listing on each account is free, and the site works in nine languages, from English and Spanish to Russian, Turkish and Georgian.

Popular categories

All categories

Design Development & IT Writing & Translation Marketing & SMM Video & Animation Business Music & Audio

Frequently asked questions

Help center

How are freelancers taxed in Croatia?

Small freelancers often use the lump-sum craft (paušalni obrt) with a fixed tax up to a turnover cap; larger ones keep books or open a company. Rules change, so check the current rates with the tax authority or an accountant before you register.

How do freelancers in Croatia get paid by foreign clients?

The usual options are SEPA transfers in EUR, PayPal, Wise and Revolut and local bank transfers. Which one suits you depends on the client's country, the fees and how fast you need the money.

Which freelance skills are in demand in Croatia?

tourism and hospitality marketing, web development, translation between Croatian, German, Italian and English, graphic design, photography and video and software development.

Can I find a freelancer in Croatia on Kits?

Yes. Kits is open to clients and freelancers from any country. Search the catalogue or post a job, compare portfolios and reviews, and agree on the details in the chat.