Government to provide a more accessible and liquid capital market in 2026

At the end of 2025 the Croatian economy is seeing record low unemployment, strong GDP growth, a historically high credit rating and a stable banking sector. Because of this, entrepreneurs, especially small and medium-sized ones, are asking for additional relief from legislative regulations in order to strengthen their position in the demanding European and global markets.

With Croatia going into 2026 with relatively strong economic indicators, businesses, especially small and medium-sized ones, are calling on government and the banking sector to ensure them access to affordable financing. In response government says it plans on providing a simpler and more liquid capital market that will benefit both citizens and the economy.

However, the Chief Economist at Erste Bank, Alen Kovač, says that loans in Croatia are already on par with their competitors: "With regard to interest rates, they are at a comparable level to that of the EU average. So, I would say that right now we can conclude that Croatian companies have access to financing at a very competitive price."

The head of the Directorate for the Economy and Financial System at the Ministry of Finance, Ana Zorić, says government is already doing what it can to help entrepreneurs: "The EU is among the main sources of financing, and the Government has secured significant funds through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan that help our entrepreneurs take advantage of this potential in the best possible way."

For his part Croatian Member of European Parliament, Karlo Ressler (HDZ/EPP), says that help from Brussels is on the way: "What's coming in EU financing after 2027 will require finding new developmental innovations, and increasing productivity and competitiveness, and it seems to me that there is no doubt that EU funds can help us."

Source: HRT