High-Risk Credit Card Processing in Croatia. Better Payments. Safer Payments.
If you are operating in a high-risk industry in Croatia and selling products or services like CBD, adult ecommerce, gaming, or other offerings that are not suitable for standard payment processors then you already know how difficult it can be to find the right payment processor willing to say yes.
In Croatia and other nations within the European Union, payment processors often shy away from industries with slightly higher chargeback rates or those that are highly regulated. That is why so many high-risk merchants struggle every day in Croatia. Many such merchants end up working with unreliable offshore processors that are based outside the European Union. This can put the funding of the merchant and the future of the business at risk. Some merchants even accept high fees, heavy rolling reserves, and extended payout hold times.
That is where QuadraPay comes into the picture. We are specialist consultants who help merchants obtain high-risk payment services through our partner service providers. We assist Croatian merchants like you in getting approved so you can accept international payments and scale globally.
Our policy is to deliver fast, affordable solutions that are fully compliant. Remember, we only work with the finest credit card processing companies, and when you work with us, you gain access to these trusted partner providers.
You’re not alone — [see how other merchants navigate high-risk processing.]
What Makes a Business “High-Risk” in Croatia?
Not all businesses are treated equally by sponsor banks and credit card payment processors in Croatia and the EU. Certain industries are flagged as “high-risk” due to the nature of their operations, financial instability, or regulatory uncertainty.
This classification does not generally reflect the legitimacy or potential of your business, it simply means you need a specialised solution tailored to your risk profile.
Your business may be considered high risk if it involves:
High chargeback or refund ratios: Industries such as travel, adult entertainment, and online coaching often face high refund rates or disputes.
Subscription billing, adult content, or ticketing: These business models carry elevated continuity risks and also raise reputational concerns for the payment service provider. For example, an adult e-commerce website or a ticketing platform can be flagged for potential violations or fraud exposure.
Crypto and forex: Any financial product involving cryptocurrency or speculative trading is subject to intense regulatory scrutiny, not only within the EU but also across other countries. That is why most payment service providers avoid working with such industries.
CBD, vape, nutraceuticals, or unregulated supplements: Even if CBD, vape, and similar products such as nootropics are legal in many countries, finding a payment gateway can be tough due to regulatory volatility across different jurisdictions.
Dropshipping or reselling models: Long shipping times, supply chain issues, and unclear ownership structures can make businesses in these industries high risk from both a chargeback and fulfilment standpoint.
Poor processing history or limited banking credibility: Any business with a bad credit score or limited banking credibility may find it extremely challenging to get a merchant account. Most low-risk payment service providers or regular sponsor banks prefer to work with merchants that have long-standing, established operations and a proven transaction volume.
Most will say “no” to high-risk. We say yes, with the right infrastructure.
Here’s how QuadraPay supports your onboarding:
- We match you with a risk-tolerant acquirer: We maintain strong connectivity with EU-based payment service providers and ISOs that actively work with selected high-risk industries.
- Provide end-to-end KYC and onboarding support: We help you prepare all the required compliance documents, optimise your website for approval, and assist in managing communication with the acquiring bank.
- Set up AI-powered fraud filters: With our solutions, you can implement advanced fraud prevention tools such as 3D Secure 2.0, Address Verification System (AVS), IP geolocation, and behavioural scoring. These tools help reduce chargebacks and improve authorisation rates.
- Offer rolling reserves with scalable terms: While most solutions come with a rolling reserve of 10% to 15%, our partner providers offer more reasonable terms, ranging from 5% to 10%. These can improve over time based on your volume and processing history.
“High-risk isn’t a roadblock, it’s a signal to work smarter, not harder.”
ONBOARDING PROCESS: HOW WE GET YOU LIVE FAST
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Submit Inquiry to QuadraPay | Kick off your journey with a quick form submission. |
| Website & Risk Category Review | We evaluate your site and business type to identify suitable high-risk processors. Introduction to the most compatible processor. |
| Match with Suitable Acquirer | Based on business model and region, we align you with a fitting acquiring institution. |
| KYC Document Collection by PSP | The payment service provider gathers required compliance documents. |
| Underwriting & Approval | The acquirer reviews and approves based on risk appetite and documentation. |
| Integration Support | Our team assists with API/hosted integration. |
| Account Activation & Payment Acceptance | Start accepting payments globally. Fast, secure, and scalable. |
Most high-risk Croatian merchants are live and accepting payments within 3–7 business days, provided they submit all the required documents at once and their profile is clean.
KYC Documents Required for Croatian Merchants
To ensure a smooth and speedy onboarding process for high-risk merchant accounts in Croatia, it is important to have your KYC documentation ready. Payment service providers and acquiring banks are legally obligated to conduct detailed due diligence, this is especially important for businesses operating in high-risk sectors.
By preparing the following KYC documents in advance, Croatian high-risk merchants can significantly reduce approval times and demonstrate credibility, compliance, and operational readiness to the underwriting team.
Company Registration Documents: Ensure your business is formally incorporated as a d.o.o. (limited liability company) or j.d.o.o. (simple limited company) in Croatia. This confirms your business is legally established.
Director’s Identification & Address Proof: You’ll need to submit a clear copy of the director’s passport or government-issued photo ID. Alongside this, you must provide a recent utility bill or bank statement, no older than three months as proof of address.
Proof of Domain Ownership or Hosting: You must demonstrate full control of your business website by providing domain registration documents or hosting provider invoices.
Past Processing Statements (if available): Never hide your previous processing history. Underwriters will typically identify your previous providers using smart tools. By presenting your processing history, even if it’s from PayPal or Stripe, you allow underwriters to assess transaction volume, chargeback ratio, and past merchant behaviour. This is critical for high-risk businesses.
Business Bank Account: You need to submit a letter from your bank confirming your account details, or provide a bank statement showing your account information. This is required to validate your settlement account.
Licences or Authorisations: If your business operates in a regulated sector such as crypto, financial services, or healthcare then you must include relevant local or international licences to prove compliance with applicable laws. Similar licences are also required for businesses involved in travel, air ticket bookings, and airlines.
What Payment Methods Can You Accept with QuadraPay?
One of the key advantages of partnering with QuadraPay for high-risk merchant accounts in Croatia is gaining access to a wide range of optimised payment methods that your customers can use when making payments. Whether you sell digital products, physical goods, or subscription services, we help you scale with a diverse payment ecosystem tailored to your high-risk vertical.
With our payment solutions, you will be able to accept the following payment instruments:
Major Credit & Debit Cards: Most merchants qualify through our acquiring partners to accept credit cards from major brands such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and JCB. This is done with advanced fraud filters and chargeback mitigation tools in place, which help protect your business and revenue.
SEPA Bank Transfers & EU Instant Payments: For B2B payments and high-ticket transactions, SEPA and instant bank transfers offer safe and efficient solutions.
Apple Pay, Google Pay, and eWallets: Merchants can tap into the growing market of mobile-first shoppers by enabling digital wallet payments. These methods provide customers with a smooth and secure checkout experience, and help merchants improve conversions. Wallet payments are especially popular among younger and international customers in Croatia.
Subscription Billing, MOTO, and IVR Payments: Our solutions support virtual terminal processing for phone orders (Mail Order/Telephone Order – MOTO). If your business requires an interactive voice response (IVR) system for card-not-present transactions, we can also enable that through our partners.
Pay-by-Link & Contactless Flows: You can offer custom payment links to your customers. This is ideal for social media sales, invoice payments, and in-store online checkouts.
These diverse payment methods can be of strategic importance to your business. They are optimised for international buyers, high-velocity sales, and multi-channel checkout experiences. Whether you’re selling through an eCommerce website, mobile app, call centre, or subscription platform, we provide the tools to help your business get paid faster, safer, and globally.
Core Features of Our Gateway Solutions for Croatia
Choosing the right payment gateway is extremely critical, especially for high-risk businesses. At QuadraPay, we have engineered gateway solutions that deliver not only top-tier performance and global compatibility, but also full transparency and flexibility which are key factors for long-term merchant success.
Multi-Currency Support + Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC): With QuadraPay, your Croatian business will be able to accept payments in multiple currencies, including Euro, US Dollar, HRK, GBP, and more. This is ideal for businesses targeting international buyers and operating multi-regional storefronts. Through Dynamic Currency Conversion, your customers can pay in their local currency while you receive settlement in your preferred base currency. This reduces friction and increases card conversion rates.
Low Fees with Interchange++ Pricing: Transparent pricing fosters trust and sustainable growth. That’s why we offer the Interchange++ pricing model to all merchants. This gives you clear insight into actual card network fees and the markup structure. While many providers promote flat-rate pricing, we encourage our merchants to prefer and demand Interchange++ pricing for greater savings and accountability.
Easy Integration Across All Major Platforms
Our gateway solutions are built for maximum compatibility. Whether you run a standalone e-commerce site or a custom-built high-risk platform, integration with QuadraPay is quick and seamless.
We support a wide range of e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and PrestaShop. In addition, we support OpenCart, Joomla, custom PHP, .NET, and HTML-based websites.
From one-click plugin installations to fully custom backend integrations, you’ll have access to ready-made plugins as well as developer-friendly APIs for smooth implementation. Our support team will be with you at every step of the process.
Most merchants can complete the integration themselves, but if you require assistance, please note that we also offer professional payment gateway integration services in Croatia. Feel free to contact us if needed.
Flexible Setup Terms Tailored to Your Risk Profile
At QuadraPay, we understand that merchant needs vary depending on industry type, processing history, and business model. That’s why we offer flexible, risk-adjusted onboarding solutions tailored for both standard (low-risk) and high-risk businesses operating in Croatia.
Standard-Risk Merchants:
Also known as low-risk merchants, these businesses are generally onboarded with zero setup fees. They benefit from fast KYC processing and highly competitive transaction rates. These solutions are ideal for e-commerce stores, service-based businesses, or any other low-risk industries.
High-Risk Merchants:
High-risk merchants benefit from a customised approval process, which includes a fair reserve structure and Interchange++ pricing. Some merchants may be required to pay a setup fee to the payment processor, and in certain cases, formal high-risk merchant account registration may be necessary in accordance with card scheme guidelines.
Whatever the case, the underwriting team will keep you informed at every step. Occasionally, payment processors may request a small setup fee to verify the legitimacy and commitment of the business.
Whether you’re a start-up entering a regulated sector or an established business operating in a high-risk vertical, our solution is built to help you grow, not hold you back.
Top Benefits for Croatian High-Risk Merchants
Operating in a high-risk industry shouldn’t mean being locked out of reliable payment solutions. We specialise in supporting Croatian merchants who face underwriting challenges due to their business model, industry type, or processing history. Our payment gateway and merchant account solutions are purpose-built for resilience, compliance, and global reach.
Accept Payments in HRK and 100+ Global Currencies
We empower Croatian businesses to accept payments in HRK (Croatian Kuna) as well as over 100 global currencies, including Euros, US Dollars, GBP, Australian Dollars, and more. Multi-currency capability not only enhances your customer experience but also expands your cross-border sales potential, making internationalisation smooth and scalable for your business.
Built-in Fraud Scoring, 3DS2, and Chargeback Alerts
Our payment gateway solutions are equipped with advanced fraud prevention tools, including machine learning-based fraud scoring, 3D Secure 2.0 (3DS authentication), and near real-time chargeback alerts. These features help minimise risk, reduce chargeback ratios, and ensure full compliance with card network and acquiring partner policies.
Multi-Channel Payment Acceptance
We support a variety of payment channels, including eCommerce websites, MOTO (Mail Order/Telephone Order), interactive voice response (IVR), and mobile apps. Whether you’re selling subscriptions, digital downloads, or physical products, you’ll have the tools to reach your customers, wherever they are and however they choose to pay.
Dedicated Onboarding Consultant
Every Croatian merchant receives onboarding assistance from a dedicated QuadraPay consultant. Your consultant will guide you through document submission, integration steps, compliance checks, and go-live support.
Most Popular Payment Methods in Croatia (2025)
To maximise conversions and meet local customer expectations, it’s important to align your checkout options with how Croatian consumers actually prefer to pay. We help high-risk merchants stay competitive by supporting the top payment methods used in Croatia in 2025.
Credit and Debit Cards
Visa, MasterCard, and American Express remain the most widely used payment methods for both online and offline purchases in Croatia. Card acceptance is essential for local customers and international buyers, especially in high-risk verticals where card-not-present transactions dominate.
SEPA Transfers via Croatian Banks
Bank transfers through SEPA are especially popular for high-ticket purchases and B2B transactions. Croatian consumers frequently use local banks such as Zagrebačka banka, PBZ, and Erste Bank for smooth euro-based transfers within the EU.
Apple Pay and Google Pay
Mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay are growing rapidly in Croatia, particularly among younger consumers and mobile-first shoppers. These payment methods offer a frictionless shopping experience and are ideal for boosting checkout conversions on smartphones and tablets.
E-wallets and Pay-by-Link Options
Digital wallets and pay-by-link functionality are also becoming increasingly popular, especially among businesses that accept payments via social commerce, invoice links, or remote checkout. These flexible methods allow merchants to send payment requests via email, SMS, or chat apps, making it easy to close sales outside traditional e-commerce flows.
Prepaid and Contactless Cards
The use of prepaid debit cards and contactless tap-to-pay cards continues to grow in Croatia, particularly for everyday retail purchases and subscription-based services.
Instant Payments via Local Digital Banking
The Croatian banking infrastructure now supports real-time instant payments, enabling customers to complete bank transfers within seconds. This is a preferred option for consumers seeking fast settlement and enhanced control over payment confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Croatian startups apply for a high-risk account?
Yes. Even new businesses can apply provided they have a live website, complete compliance documents, and a clear business model.
How fast can I start accepting payments?
Approval for a high-risk merchant account through our partner processors typically takes between 3 to 7 business days after KYC submission. Integration can usually be completed within 24 to 48 hours using our ready-to-use plugins.
Are Apple Pay, Google Pay, and wallets supported?
Yes. These payment methods are supported by many of our EU-based payment processing partners.
Will I need a reserve?
For high-risk merchants, the payment processor may require a rolling reserve of 5% to 10%, held for 90 to 180 days. This reserve can be revised once the merchant demonstrates sustainable and consistent transaction volume with minimal risk.
Ready to Accept Payments in Croatia?
Whether you’re a regulated entity, a global e-commerce brand, or a local startup with a non-traditional model, QuadraPay will work with you to launch, integrate, and thrive in this dynamic economy.
Email: [email protected]
Apply Online: https://quadrapay.com/contact/
“Don’t let your payment gateway hold back your ambition.”