Less complaining, more action - the yacht charter sector has a new association, and you might be eligible for a loan

• 04.11.2025.
• News, Finances

Ivica Žuro’s fiftieth column for čarter.hr arrives at a time when the local yacht charter scene, rather than standing still, seems to be searching for its own direction. Symbolically or not, the first independent association of yacht charter companies is now being formed, and at the same time, concrete loan options are emerging for those who are done waiting for “better times”.

Although the 50th edition of a monthly column is not insignificant in itself, what’s more important is that this prestigious milestone coincides with the yacht charter sector deciding to finally get moving.

It is encouraging to see that local charter operators are not accepting the current state of affairs, where business is declining, institutional support is minimal, and in the end, there’s little value in constant complaining. As this portal has already reported, during the Biograd Boat Show on October 23, the founding meeting of the Croatian Charter Association (UCH) was held - the first independent association of yacht charter companies outside the Croatian Chamber of Economy.

We sincerely hope that the association will achieve its goals in due time, namely a better overall treatment of yacht charter businesses and their stakeholders, the establishment of unified business standards, stronger cooperation among companies, and real steps towards a more sustainable development of the sector.

And of course, we are here to provide any concrete support for this initiative, which, in the spirit of collaboration, has extended a hand to the sectoral section within the Croatian Chamber of Economy.

Three loans, one opportunity

And now to the point: the Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovation and Investment (commonly known as HAMAG-BICRO) has launched 3 new loan programs with more favorable financing terms - National Investment Loans, National Working Capital Loans, and Small Loans for Women Entrepreneurs and Beginner Entrepreneurs.

All financing programs are intended for micro, small, and medium-sized business entities.
Here is what matters about each.

National Investment Loans

• Amount: from 25,000.01 EUR to 150,000.00 EUR
• Interest rate: The base rate for the Republic of Croatia on the date of application receipt, increased by 0.5 percentage points - at this moment, that is 2.61%
• Grace period: up to 6 months and is included in the repayment term, which can go up to a total of 10 years
• Security instruments: promissory notes by the owner and other security instruments depending on risk assessment
• Purpose: investment in fixed assets (tangible and intangible assets), with working capital allowed up to 30% of the loan amount

National Working Capital Loans

• Amount: from 1,000.00 EUR to 50,000.00 EUR
• Interest rate: The base rate for the Republic of Croatia on the date of application receipt, increased by 1 percentage point, which currently still amounts to a very competitive 3.11%
• Grace period: up to 3 months and is included in the repayment term, which can go up to a total of 3 years
• Security instruments: promissory notes by the owner and other security instruments depending on risk assessment
• Purpose: working capital

The listed loans are also connected to a program by the Ministry of Demography, which allows for a partial loan principal write-off (up to 50%) for investments implemented in local government units classified in group I, II, III, and IV according to the development index.

Now, while that may be the target group, no one is stopping you from applying if your location is not in one of the less developed municipalities or towns.

Small print that saves the day

What matters is that expenses you have already covered can also be refunded - up to 20% of the loan amount. The condition is that they must relate to activities connected to the investment for which the funds are being requested. Here is an example - you cannot refund the purchase of an air conditioner for the office if you are applying for a loan for a production line.

You meet the conditions for applying and obtaining funds if you fulfill the following 7 requirements:

1. Status of "small business entity" in accordance with Article 1 of the Annex to the European Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC, which means it must be a micro, small or medium-sized enterprise.
2. Registered place of business and activity in the Republic of Croatia.
3. Registered for the activity for which you are applying for the loan.
4. At least one full-time employee.
5. The giro account must not have been continuously blocked for more than 30 days in the last six months and must not be blocked at the time of application.
6. You regularly settle existing debts, that is, the company must not be in difficulty.
7. No outstanding obligations to the state or a repayment plan has been agreed and is being properly fulfilled.

Submission of loan applications began on 15.10.2025 via online application on the official website of the Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovation and Investment.

Activities excluded from applying are agriculture, fisheries, finance, insurance, cryptocurrency trading, real estate business, and leasing activities.

The loan cannot be used for:

• refinancing existing loans or leases
• double financing with grants exceeding total costs
• purchase of securities and equity stakes
• purchase of assets from related parties
• investments for personal use
• purchase of personal vehicles
• investments that have already been physically completed or fully implemented
• development of products and services
• purchase of assets outside the territory of the Republic of Croatia
• purchase of residential real estate
• production, processing, and marketing of tobacco and tobacco products

Loan funds are used by payment to a special-purpose account of the final recipient, not to the giro account!

Best saved for last - lowest interest, highest chance

No worries, we haven’t forgotten the third financing program. The sweetest comes last, and that is the Small Loans for Women Entrepreneurs and Beginner Entrepreneurs.

These small loans are not primarily intended for the least developed local government units, meaning that the preferred groups are companies majority-owned by women and beginner entrepreneurs. They can count on the following:

• Amount: from 25,000.01 EUR to 100,000.00 EUR
• Interest rate: 0.50% fixed
• Grace period: up to 12 months and is included in the repayment term, which can go up to a total of 10 years.
• Security instruments: promissory notes by the owner and other security instruments depending on risk assessment
• Purpose: investment in fixed assets (tangible and intangible assets), with working capital allowed up to 30% of the loan amount

The general conditions are similar to those of the other two loans, with one additional incentive related to employment.

Namely, users of the Small Loan for Women Entrepreneurs and Beginner Entrepreneurs have the possibility of a write-off of up to 50% of the used loan principal in the case of regular repayment of the loan and additional employment, according to the following calculation:

• 10% of the used loan principal for each newly employed person or
• 15% of the principal if the newly employed person is a woman and/or a young person (up to 30 years of age)

Those interested can find more information on HAMAG’s website.

If that caught your interest - or something else did - the faster way is to contact us directly. ;)

 

 

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