How to Get / Apply for an OIB Croatian Identification Number (All You Need to Know)

by Welcome Center Croatia | Last updated Jan 30, 2022 | Published on Jan 30, 2022

When a person becomes a Croatian citizen, wants to do business in Croatia, or buys real estate, it is necessary to obtain an OIB. This identification number serves mainly as a VAT ID for tax purposes but has to be obtained in some other circumstances as well.

In the following paragraphs, we’re going to share everything you need to know about OIB and step by step tutorial on how to apply for it.

What Is OIB

OIB is a personal identification number (Osobni Identifikacijski Broj in Croatian) used for easier data exchange between different government authorities and a cleaner overview of properties owned by both citizens and legal bodies. It has replaced all other identification variations and enabled the modernization of public institutions.

OIB consists of eleven (11) digits and is unique to every person or legal entity, which makes exchanging data much easier and more convenient.

How Do I Know If I Need Croatian OIB

By the Personal Identification Number Act, foreigners need an OIB in several different scenarios:

  • When a person registers Croatia as your habitual residence in the Ministry of internal affairs (e.g., when one applies for a work permit in Croatia)
  • If a person becomes a taxpayer under special regulation such as opening a company or a sole proprietorship in Croatia
  • If a person wants to buy a property in Croatia
  • When a foreigner buys a property in Croatia, that person becomes a taxpayer since there are various fees related to it, such as the real estate transfer tax, registry into land books, etc.). Learn more about buying a property in Croatia here.
  • If you'd just like to rent a property, you don't need an OIB, but you can use your passport number.
  • If a foreign person is registered in official records but doesn't have a status of a taxpayer

How to Apply for OIB

Once you have established that you need an OIB, you need to go through a relatively easy application process and can be done online. The whole process is outlined below as a complete guide to getting an OIB in Croatia in 2022.

Start With an Application Form

The first step is to fulfill the Application for the determination and assignment of the personal identification number (OIB). In this form, the applicants should provide their personal information.

The same application is used for natural persons and legal entities. If you are a natural person, you should fulfill the data under sections 1.1., 1.2., and 1.3., while companies and other legal bodies need to enter data under section 2.1.

The list of documents attached needs to be completed by both natural persons and legal entities. Below you can find the links to the application forms in Croatian, English, and German.

  • Croatian version
  • English version
  • German version

Once you fill in all information, you have to print the application form and sign it.

Attach an ID Document

To confirm all information listed in the OIB application, an applicant must enclose an identity document. That can be a copy of a European identity card or a copy of your passport.

Keep in mind that if you are applying for an OIB with a power of attorney, you must also attach it to the application.

Companies that want to apply for an OIB need to enclose proof of establishment, a registry extract from the court. The document has to be translated to Croatian by a certified court interpreter.

Send the Documents Online

Until the COVID-19 pandemic, the documents had to be delivered in person, but now you can also do it online.

How to do it step-by-step:

  1. Access the Tax Administration’s contact form here
  2. On the menu “Odabir teme” on the bottom of the page select “Zahtjev za određivanjem i dodjeljivanjem OIB-a”.
  3. On the "Odabir podteme" submenu, select "Zahtjev za određivanjem i dodjeljivanjem OIB-a."
  4. On the menu "Područni ured," choose the location of your tax administration.
  5. Under the "Sadržaj upita," briefly write why you want/need an OIB.
  6. In the "Priložene datoteke" section, upload the scanned and signed application form and the identity document.
  7. The following section is reserved for contact info - "Kontakt podaci."
    1. Leave the OIB field empty.
    2. In the "Ime i prezime," input your name and surname.
    3. In “Adresa e-pošte” write your email.
    4. Write your phone number in the "Telefon" field, and don't forget to enter the country code.
  8. Mark the option "UPOZNAT SAM SA SVRHOM OBRADE PODATAKA" to comply with GDPR and submit the request by clicking on the button "Pošalji."

The other way is to send the documents and a short email with your request to oib@porezna-uprava.hr.

The Tax Administration usually takes up to eight (8) days to process the OIB requests, and an applicant should get it via email. However, the Certification of OIB needs to be taken over in person.

In-Person

If you are currently in Croatia, you can also hand in your application and the identity document in person in your Tax Administration office (find the addresses and contact info here).

This is a more speedy process and, depending on the workload of the administration clerks, you can get it in a few minutes. If the office is busy, you can pick it up usually the next day or receive the OIB via email. The same rule goes for the Certification - you have to do it in person.

There are no fees or taxes when applying for an OIB, making the process free of charge for everyone.

OIB - Croatian Identification Number

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