How to Open a Campsite in Croatia
A large number of entities, both legal and natural persons, intend to invest in opening a campsite in the Republic of Croatia.
Currently, Croatia has a total of 70,000 registered campsite plots. The reasons for investing in campsite development vary, with the most common being the fast return on investment compared to other types of tourist accommodation (hotels, rental apartments, etc.).
Legal Structures for Opening a Campsite
The investment can be realized through:
Sole proprietorship (craft/obrtnik) – suitable for smaller campsites,
Commercial company – e.g., limited liability company (d.o.o.) or simple limited liability company (j.d.o.o.),
Family agricultural farm (OPG) – if the campsite is located on agricultural land and meets the conditions for a “campsite resting area” or “farm-based camping.”
Land Requirements
To open a campsite, the land must:
Have an appropriate zoning designation in the spatial plan (usually “tourist zone – campsite” or a similar label),
Have access to a road, electricity, water supply, drainage, and waste management.
Construction and Permit Process
Once suitable land is secured, the investor must:
Obtain a building permit from the relevant spatial planning and construction office,
Proceed with construction of the campsite,
After construction, apply for a use permit.
Once the use permit is granted, the campsite can officially begin operating.
Farm-Based Campsites
A campsite can also be opened as part of a family agricultural farm (OPG), following regulations for farm-based campsites:
In this case, a building and use permit is not required,
The campsite must meet the conditions set by applicable tourism regulations,
A farm-based campsite can have a maximum of 20 camping units.
Conclusion
Tourist accommodation in Croatian campsites is a growing sector, attracting both domestic and foreign investors due to its fast return on investment.
If you plan to invest in a campsite, contact us with confidence. Our extensive experience in representing domestic and foreign clients ensures legal support at every stage, from company formation, property acquisition, obtaining necessary permits, to starting campsite operations.
