Croatia, still the youngest EU member, has achieved a great deal in just 12 years of membership. Always striving for better, and believing in the European project, we have continued our success story by acceding to the Eurozone and Schengen Area in times of global political and economic upheaval. We are now on the brink of joining the OECD. We have fully taken on board European values and responsibilities. All of that has been accompanied by strong and steady economic growth, significantly outperforming the EU and euro-area average.
A resolutely pro-European country, Croatia has proven to be an able, credible and constructive Member State. Now we feel ready to take a step further by hosting an EU body on our territory. Currently, Croatia does not host any European Union agency or body. Establishing the EUCA in Zagreb would be an important contribution to the EU’s geographical balance. It would also demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusiveness, fairness and unity, while representing a forward-looking step that reinforces the European Union’s core values.
Croatia has a long and distinguished tradition in customs and trade regulation, spanning over eight centuries. One of the oldest original customs records in Europe, the Dubrovnik Customs Statute (Liber statutorum doane Ragusii) from the 13th century, stands as clear evidence of this rich heritage. Today, Croatia is fully committed to the modernisation and effective functioning of the EU Customs Union, as outlined in the Commission’s May 2023 reform package. This makes Croatia an ideal candidate for hosting the European Union Customs Authority (EUCA) in Zagreb.
Another important aspect of our candidacy is the safety and security that Croatia offers to its residents and guests. With low crime rates and a very low incidence of terrorist attacks, it has consistently been ranked as one of the safest countries in the world for many consecutive years.
We are also effectively managing one of the longest and most frequently crossed EU land borders, supported by capable and efficient customs offices along its entire length.
Safety is not the only asset Croatia boasts. Natural beauty, rich culture, moderate weather, a pleasant lifestyle as well as excellent accessibility and connectivity make Croatia and Zagreb an excellent place to live and work. The hospitality and exceptionally high Englishlanguage proficiency of Croatian citizens — ranking among the very highest in the EU — will make it easier for agency employees and their families to settle in and explore the historical and cultural sites Croatia has to offer. From Zagreb, you can easily visit the beautiful Adriatic coast, mountains and nature parks. Situated at a natural crossroads between Central Europe and the Mediterranean, Zagreb offers excellent connectivity and accessibility. It can be quickly reached from all EU capitals.
The EUCA seat in Zagreb would be hosted in a brand-new, ultra-modern yet fully functional building in an excellent location within the Novi Zagreb business district. From there, the city centre, the airport, international schools and other facilities can be easily reached. Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, is therefore the perfect location for the EUCA to fully execute its tasks and mission, and for its highly qualified and specialised staff to thrive. Croatia offers a strategic location, modern infrastructure and robust national customs expertise, which are essential for the EUCA’s operational needs and for running the critical EU Customs Data Hub. We are confident in our ability to attract qualified and multilingual staff and provide a welcoming environment with excellent living conditions, training opportunities and logistical support for the Authority and its personnel.
Welcome to Croatia!
Dobro došli!