In 2025, the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group allocated €547 million in financing to Croatia, focusing on business growth, green and digital projects, and urban development. More than half of this funding supported small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Mid-Caps, and public entities involved in sustainable and digital transformation projects. The financing package included €325 million from the EIB and €211 million from the European Investment Fund (EIF), along with €11 million from the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility.
Among the key initiatives was a €22 million loan to the city of Split for social infrastructure projects and upgrades to the Žnjan beach area. The EIB also provided substantial loans to Croatian banks, such as €150 million to the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) and €50 million to Privredna Bank Zagreb. In addition, a €100 million guarantee to Erste & Steiermärkische Bank supported SMEs in enhancing their competitiveness and reducing their carbon footprint.
The financing also backed green transport projects, including a €35 million loan to expand electric vehicle charging stations across Croatia and other Central and Eastern European countries. In total, approximately €3 million of this amount was dedicated to charging stations in Croatia.
The EIF made significant strides in supporting Croatia’s innovation sector, acting as an anchor investor in NVision Ventures, a venture capital fund aimed at bolstering Croatia’s startup ecosystem. Through its involvement in the Croatian Venture Capital Initiative 2 (CVCi2), the EIF contributed to the expansion of early-stage and scale-up financing for Croatian businesses. Additionally, the EIF provided over €138 million to Croatian intermediaries to fund projects related to innovation, the green transition, and energy upgrades.
In 2025, the EIB Group also extended its advisory services to several Croatian cities, including Zagreb, Split, Osijek, Rijeka, and Varaždin, to support the development of modern, affordable housing for young families, professionals, and low-income residents. Furthermore, the EIB worked with the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) to enhance its strategic planning capacity and assist small and medium-sized cities with urban development projects.
This financing reflects the EIB Group’s ongoing commitment to advancing Croatia’s green transition, promoting innovation, and improving infrastructure, all of which contribute to the country’s economic and social development.
