Presentation of Croatia’s bid to seat EUCA

On 6 February 2026, State Secretary for Europe Andreja Metelko-Zgombić, Director General of the Croatian Customs Administration Mario Demirović, and Deputy Director General of the Croatian Customs Administration Miroslav Lučić presented Croatia’s candidacy for the seat of the EU Customs Authority (EUCA) to diplomats of the EU member states.
 
As part of the reform of EU customs legislation, the establishment of a new customs agency - the European Union Customs Authority (EUCA) - is envisaged. Nine member states, including Croatia, have submitted bids to host the seat of the new agency. In the next phase, the location of the seat will be jointly decided by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.
 
State Secretary for Europe Andreja Metelko-Zgombić underlined that this candidature is of particular importance for Croatia, as no decentralised EU agency is currently headquartered in the country. Croatia’s application fully meets all required criteria, and the establishment of EUCA in Zagreb would contribute to a more balanced geographical distribution of EU agencies across the Union. From a security perspective, Croatia ranks among the safest countries in Europe. Zagreb offers a stable, secure, and welcoming environment in which EUCA staff and their families can live and work while benefiting from strong public services. Croatia is ready to assume the role of host country immediately, with a modern, functional, and secure building available for the new EU agency.
 
Director General of the Croatian Customs Administration Mario Demirović explained that Croatia is offering a completely new, freestanding building owned by the state and fully compliant with all relevant EU standards. The facility is ready for immediate use, enabling EUCA to commence operations without delay and without the need for additional investment. A further operational advantage of the Croatian bid is the proximity of the newly established Customs Training Centre in Bregana, intended for joint EU-level customs training, which can serve as a centre of excellence for capacity-building within EUCA’s mandate. In addition, Croatia offers one of the most cost-effective solutions for hosting the future agency.
 
Deputy Director General of the Croatian Customs Administration Miroslav Lučić presented the key technical features of the building, constructed in 2019. The freestanding facility has a gross floor area of over 17,000 sqm, with more than 12,000 sqm of usable space. The building is modern and adaptable, comprising nearly 2,400 sqm of office space and 45 accommodation units. It can accommodate a total of 350 persons, with capacity for 275 from the outset. Particular attention has been paid to protection against electromagnetic interference, with materials compliant with TEMPEST standards.
 
Link: EUCA Zagreb Croatia

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