Overview of the Call
HAMAG-BICRO, in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family, and Social Policy, offers entrepreneurs loans with an extremely low interest rate and the option of partial principal forgiveness. These loans aim to support:
- the establishment of new businesses,
- job creation (especially for vulnerable groups),
- encouraging investments, and
- maintaining and/or expanding operations.
Loans are classified as de minimis aid.
Eligible Loan Beneficiaries
- Micro and small enterprises with over 50% private ownership that are:
- Young businesses (up to 3 years since incorporation), or
- Majority-owned by members of vulnerable groups: persons with disabilities, individuals over 55, young people (18–29), and those without a completed secondary education.
- Applicants must not have had bank accounts blocked for more than 30 days in the last six months, cannot be under debt enforcement, have no outstanding obligations to the state, and cannot be in the first year of receiving self-employment support from the Croatian Employment Service (HZZ).
Microloans for Growth and Inclusion
Loan amount: EUR 1,000 – 25,000
Interest rate: 0.5% (fixed for the entire repayment period)
Grace period: up to 12 months
Repayment period: 1 to 5 years (including grace period)
Purpose: investment in fixed assets (tangible and intangible) and up to 30% for working capital
Special benefit: principal forgiveness of up to 30% with the employment of vulnerable groups
Other Loan Schemes within the HAMAG-BICRO Instrument
- Small Loan for Rural Development:
- Amount: EUR 25,000.01 – 100,000
- Interest rate: 0.1% or 0.25%, depending on the development level of the investment area
- Grace period: up to 12 months (up to 60 months for perennial crops)
- Repayment period: up to 10 years (up to 12 years for tourism in less-developed areas)
- Purpose: at least 70% for fixed assets, up to 30% for working capital
- Microloan for Rural Development:
- Amount: EUR 1,000 – 25,000
- Interest rate: 0.1% or 0.25%, depending on the development level of the investment area
- Grace period: up to 12 months
- Repayment period: up to 5 years (up to 7 years for tourism in less-developed areas)
- Purpose: at least 70% for fixed assets, up to 30% for working capital
Type of Aid
This financing is classified as de minimis aid, meaning it is not considered traditional state aid.
Deadline and Availability
Loans are available until funds are exhausted, but no later than June 30, 2026.
