The latest arrival in the EU, Croatia is a small peripheral country best known as a fashionable tourist destination. However, many other economic sectors contribute to its healthy economy. This is the case for road transport, even though 70% of the economy is already focused on the service sector. Croatian transport companies have carved out a respectable place for themselves in the European market.

The Croatian pavilion ranks 20th in terms of international activity in Europe. Activity between third countries, for example, is twice that of Belgium and nine times that of France. Another booming activity, cabotage, mainly carried out in Germany and Austria, has grown from non-existent before EU accession to 161 million tonne-kilometres in 2017.

Croatia has several comparative advantages that ensure its competitiveness among European flags: high annual mileage per vehicle (around 134,000 km) and low driving costs (€10.66 per hour, including salaries, bonuses, charges and travel allowances, explained in particular by a national minimum wage of €506/month and very low employer contributions (16.8% of gross salary).

The total cost of the vehicle internationally is estimated at €0.705/km, or approximately 63% of the cost of a French HGV (excluding structural costs).

Discover the new CNR study dedicated to Croatian TRM. It is supplemented by a summary that includes comparisons with France.