Special SME Segments Investment under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP)

The Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) informs borrowers that, as of July 31, 2024, due to the current use of funds, the receipt of applications for Special SME Segments Investment under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) will be closed.

All information on the continuation of the program as well as on other favorable programs for entrepreneurs will be available on the HBOR website in due course.

From the funds of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), HBOR implements, on its own behalf and for the account of the Republic of Croatia, the Financial Instrument of HBOR Direct Loans above EUR 100,000 for Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises.

The period of the Programme implementation (final deadline for the execution of loan contract) is until the disbursement of the available NRRP funds, but no later than 30 June 2026.

1. Borrowers

Micro, small and medium-sized private sector business entities* - companies, crafts businesses, self-employed natural persons, family farms in the VAT system, cooperatives and institutions that meet at least one of the following conditions**:

start-up entrepreneurs,
young entrepreneurs,
female entrepreneurs,
entrepreneurs investing in special areas of the Republic of Croatia (supported areas, hill or mountain areas, the islands),
entrepreneurs investing in the commercialisation of projects that are based on research, development and innovation (RDI).

Entities that belong to the category of companies in difficulties are not eligible to be the borrowers.^** A borrower must be established in the Republic of Croatia at least before the disbursement of the loan.

* In accordance with the Recommendation of the European Commission 2003/361/EC of 6 May 2003 concerning the definition of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises
** Conditions for defining eligible borrowers can be found in the Operational Programme for the Implementation of the Financial Instrument of HBOR Direct Loans above EUR 100,000 for Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises under the NRRP (hereinafter: Operational Programme), that is a constituent part of this Programme.

2. Purpose of Loans

NRRP funds are intended for the financing of investments in the Republic of Croatia as follows*:

in green transition and/or
in digital transition and/or
in strengthening competitiveness and resilience.

A loan can be approved for the following purposes:

fixed assets (tangible and intangible assets) with the aim of starting a business, modernising operations, introducing new technologies, increasing capacities (including tourism capacities), developing and introducing new products or services, digitalisation of business, investing in environmentally friendly production processes and resource efficiency, research and development etc.;
working capital necessary for the implementation of investment and business growth of borrower: up to 30% of contracted loan amount.

Investments must comply with the Do No Significant Harm principle.**

Not eligible:

financing of VAT,
financing of ineligible activities***,
refunding of existing loans.

* Features of investment in green transition, digital transition and strengthening of competitiveness and resilience available in the Operational Programme that is a constituent part of this Programme.
** Criteria and examples of meeting the DNSH principle can be found in the Operational Programme that is a constituent part of this Programme
*** Ineligible activities are listed in the Operational Programme that is a constituent part of this Programme.

3. Manner of Implementation

Direct lending to borrowers - application and related documentation shall be submitted to HBOR by the borrower

4. Loan Amount

The loan amount depends on the specific features and creditworthiness of the borrower, the purpose and structure of investment and the rules related to state aid, with the following restrictions:

loan amount: higher than EUR 100,000.00;
maximum loan amount for start-up entrepreneurs: EUR 500,000.00;
maximum loan amount for other borrowers: EUR 1,000,000.00.

The loan may amount to a maximum of 85% of the estimated value of investment, VAT not included. Exceptionally, in case of loans in the amount of up to EUR 150,000, up to 100% of the estimated investment value can be financed, VAT not included.

5. Loan Currency

Loans are approved in EUR

6. Interest Rate

0.80% per annum, fixed
0.40% per annum, fixed, for investments in:
- green transition and/or
- digital transition, and/or
- RDI based projects.

In certain cases, interest rate can be even higher as follows:

for borrowers that perform business activity and cannot obtain state aid and/or de minims aid, effective interest rate (EIR)* cannot be lower than the reference interest rate for a single borrower (RIR)**, all in accordance with the regulations on the award of state aid

*Effective interest rate (EIR) is an interest rate that shows total costs of a loan in accordance with the valid Decision on Effective Interest Rate of the Croatian National Bank
**Reference interest rate (RIR) is the base rate (calculated and published by the European Commission), increased by a certain number of basis points (margin) that depend on the client’s rating (credit rating) and the assessment of collaterals, in accordance with the Communication from the Commission on the revision of the method of determining reference and discount rates (OJ C 14, 19.1.2008). It is applied for the calculation of aid in loans approved with promotional interest rates. The range of valid RIR is available in the Information on Base and Discount Rates and Reference Rates.

7. Fees

No fees:

loan application processing and administration fee,
commitment fee.

Other fees are charged in accordance with the Ordinance on Fees for HBOR Services valid on the day of calculation.

8. Period and Manner of Loan Disbursement

Generally, disbursement period is up to 12 months. Depending on the purpose and dynamics of investment, it is possible to approve a longer loan disbursement period;
Part of the loan intended for the financing of fixed assets is disbursed by payment into the account of seller/supplier/contractor on the basis of the documentation evidencing the use of loan for specified purposes;
Part of the loan intended for the financing of working capital can be disbursed by payment into the account of the borrower with obligatory justification by documentation evidencing the use of loan for specified purposes.

9. Repayment Period

Up to 15 years, depending on the purpose and structure of investment, up to 3-year grace period included

10. Manner of Repayment

Generally, in equal monthly, three-monthly or semi-annual instalments
As an exception, in certain cases due to specific features of investment, it is possible to approve other loan repayment dynamics

11. Collateral

Obligatory collateral: bills of exchange and debentures of borrower, guarantor payer and co-debtor
Pledge of property financed from the loan with property insurance policy covering usual risks endorsed in favour of HBOR
Depending on the assessment of risk pertaining to investment and borrower, HBOR retains the right to request additional collateral: immovable property, movable property, guarantee, bank guarantee, assignment, pledge of business interests, patents and other collateral usual in the banking business

12. Related documentation /attachments

Operational Programme for the Implementation of the Financial Instrument of HBOR Direct Loans above EUR 100,000 for Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises under the NRRP
NRRP - Self-assessment questionnaire, Attachment 1 to the Questionnaire, Attachment 2 to the Questionnaire
General Eligibility Criteria
List of Documentation
Decision on General Terms and Conditions of Lending Activities of HBOR
Information on Base and Discount Rates and Reference Rates

13. Miscellaneous

In the implementation of financial instruments, beneficiaries of EU funds and other third parties providing information on EU programmes use the EU emblem with a statement on funding that reads: „Funded by the European Union - NextGenerationEU“, available at the link:
ttps://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/information/logos_downloadcenter/
Generator of samples: https://www.euinmyregion.eu/generator

The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.