A Croatian business playing music gets its license from HDS ZAMP, which also licenses and invoices for HUZIP (performers) and ZAPRAF (phonogram producers).
| Who | What for | |
|---|---|---|
| ZAMP | Hrvatsko društvo skladatelja, Služba zaštite autorskih muzičkih prava | Authors; licenses venues for all three rights |
| HUZIP | Hrvatska udruga za zaštitu izvođačkih prava | Performers |
| ZAPRAF | Udruga za zaštitu, prikupljanje i raspodjelu naknada fonogramskih prava | Phonogram producers |
Under article 233(1) of the Copyright and Related Rights Act (NN 111/21) a user must obtain approval from the society before using protected music in its premises. For hospitality venues, hotels, shops and other business premises the approval comes from HDS ZAMP, which under written agreements also acts for HUZIP and ZAPRAF, as both state on their user pages.
Each right has its own monthly tariff in points multiplied by a point value indexed every year. Hospitality points depend on venue type, closing time, area (Zagreb and tourist places in season, larger towns, smaller towns) and capacity; shops pay per m2 of premises open to the public, with 100 extra points if music is also played outdoors. ZAMP says its hospitality fee was agreed with the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts and the Croatian Chamber of Economy.
2026 example: HUZIP and ZAPRAF set a point value of EUR 0.03355 for hospitality and shops from 1 January 2026. For a café bar in a town over 10,000 inhabitants, open until midnight, for 31 to 100 people, the performers' share is 344 points, which works out at about EUR 11.54 a month. ZAMP's 2026 point value for the authors' share was not verified, so no total is given.
Consumer plans of Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube are licensed for personal, noncommercial use under their own terms, so a private account is not a license to play music to customers. Article 233(1) requires approval from the society before use whatever the source of the music.
Public performance of musical works is collectively managed, and the authorized society is presumed to hold mandates for all domestic and foreign rightholders except those who have told it in writing that it does not manage their rights (article 224(6)); on request it must tell a user who has opted out (article 224(9)). The same presumption applies to performers through HUZIP.
The producers' share of the single equitable remuneration for public communication of phonograms published for commercial purposes is exercised only collectively (articles 142(1) and 218(3)), so ZAPRAF can claim it even for a producer who is not a member and licensed the music directly.
So a venue playing only directly licensed music avoids the authors' and performers' fees only if the authors and performers have opted out in writing, and the producers' share stays payable. A landlord who knew or should have known that a tenant uses music without a license is jointly liable (article 233(6)), and ZAMP, HUZIP and ZAPRAF sue unlicensed venues in the commercial courts.
Dr.DIO Studio makes its own electronic and ambient music, no Dr.DIO track is registered with any collecting society, and the Business plan ($14.99 a month per venue, 14 days free) gives the venue a direct public playback license and a certificate for Dr.DIO music.
In Croatia the societies are presumed to represent all authors and performers unless they opt out in writing, and the producers' share of the phonogram remuneration is collected by ZAPRAF by law. A venue playing Dr.DIO music should therefore expect at least the ZAPRAF share, unless ZAPRAF confirms otherwise.
Ask ZAMP in writing, with the Dr.DIO certificate, which parts of the tariff it will charge for Dr.DIO music before you decide.
Any other music in the venue, such as radio, TV, live music or other playlists, still needs the usual licenses.
This page explains the general rules as published by the societies and laws listed above, checked in October 2026. It is not legal advice; fees and rules change, so confirm with the society before you decide.
It depends on venue type, closing time, area and capacity. The performers' share for a typical town café is about EUR 11.54 a month in 2026; the authors' share is extra.
No. ZAMP licenses and invoices for all three for cafés, hotels and shops.
By m2 of premises open to the public, in points per m2, plus 100 points if music is also played outdoors.
No. Personal plans are for personal, noncommercial use, and the law requires approval from the society before use.
Only if the authors and performers have opted out in writing, and the producers' share is still collected by law.
Yes, jointly, if the landlord knew or should have known that the tenant used music without a license.
