Economic relations between Croatia and the United Kingdom have been growing steadily in recent years. After the challenges of Brexit, relations between the two countries have shown resilience, and there is room for further strengthening of the partnership in sectors with high added value. It is expected that the new agreement between the UK and the EU, which redefines relations after the UK’s exit from the EU, will contribute to this in the coming years.
“This year, the United Kingdom and the European Union adopted a comprehensive agreement that provides for deeper cooperation in the areas of defense, energy, fisheries and youth mobility. This opens up space for easier exchange of goods and services and simplification of border procedures, which should further facilitate trade for Croatian exporters. We see potential for strengthening economic cooperation in the IT sector, especially in the areas of fintech and artificial intelligence, then in the renewable energy, tourism and defense industry sectors,” said Igor Pokaz, Vice President of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce for Trade and Internationalization.
The total trade in goods between Croatia and the United Kingdom, excluding Northern Ireland, in 2024 amounted to 416.3 million euros, which represents an increase of 11.3 percent compared to the previous year. Croatian exports reached 269.7 million euros, while imports amounted to 146.6 million euros, resulting in a surplus of more than 123 million euros. The surplus continued in the first seven months of this year with exports of 156.5 million euros and imports of 74 million euros.
“Croatia is in a period of strong investment, industrial and energy momentum. Sectors such as manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, ICT and defence are recording growth and opening new partnerships. Through new national plans, we are accelerating the transition to a new generation of industry based on innovation, sustainability and skills development. At the same time, we are strengthening our position as a regional energy hub through projects such as the expansion of the LNG terminal on Krk and the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley. We continue to build a predictable and enabling environment for investors with competitive incentives,” said Goran Romek, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economy, adding that today’s Forum and cooperation between Croatia and the United Kingdom will bring concrete projects and clear benefits to both economies and citizens.
The United Kingdom is among the ten largest foreign investors in Croatia. From 1993 to the end of 2024, British companies invested EUR 1.65 billion, and in 2024, an investment inflow of EUR 123 million was recorded. Croatian companies withdrew 1.5 billion euros from the United Kingdom during the same period.
“As the second largest investor in Croatia outside the EU, the United Kingdom wants to take our economic cooperation to an even higher level, and we can best achieve this by connecting businesses in our two countries and creating a space for the direct exchange of ideas and concrete practices. Croatian entrepreneurs and companies will have the opportunity to hear what the UK is doing to enable faster, easier and more profitable business and investment. On the other hand, Croatia offers many exciting opportunities for British companies, so with this forum we are connecting markets and encouraging the joint growth and strengthening of our economies,” said Javed Patel, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Croatia.
Cooperation with Northern Ireland makes up a smaller but growing segment of total trade – in 2024 it amounted to 11.5 million euros, with Croatian exports of 4.2 million euros and imports of 7.3 million euros. By August 2025, goods worth 7.7 million euros were exchanged, with Croatian exports of 2 million euros and imports of 5.5 million euros.
“British companies considering entering or expanding their operations in the European Union should consider Croatia as a location for trade or investment because Croatia has a highly educated, English-speaking workforce, a developed service sector, advanced manufacturing and technological capabilities, and a dynamic start-up environment. Croatian companies find the UK interesting because of the wealth of business opportunities it offers, but also as a springboard to the rest of the world. Today we present British and Croatian entrepreneurs with practical insights into their successes,” said Paul Suchar, President of the British Chamber of Commerce in Croatia.