Scaling into Europe Made Easy: Semos Cloud’s Journey with Native Teams’ EOR Services

Expanding into new markets is one of the most exciting milestones for any growing business, but it is rarely a straightforward process. For American companies in particular, Europe can feel like a complex landscape of country-specific labour laws, tax systems, and compliance requirements. What begins as an exciting growth opportunity can quickly turn into a road filled with legal risks and administrative challenges.

Semos Cloud, a leading HR technology provider, faced this challenge first-hand when expanding into Croatia. Their story demonstrates how the right Employer of Record (EOR) partner can transform international hiring from an overwhelming burden into a flawless process that fuels growth.

Meet Semos Cloud

Semos Cloud delivers HR solutions that help organisations strengthen employee engagement and workplace culture. Headquartered in the United States, the company operates across North Macedonia, Germany, Croatia, and beyond. Their mission is simple: to help businesses build happier, more engaged teams through innovative HR technology.

“Native Teams’ onboarding process was highly professional, and I can only talk with superlatives. I enjoyed the collaboration with your CSM team because I learned a lot about the Croatian employment system, and I was confident that each step we took was in compliance with the laws.” – Semos Cloud representative

The journey: Expansion meets complexity

When Semos Cloud set its sights on Croatia, it quickly encountered the realities of European expansion. Local labour laws were detailed and non-negotiable, and ensuring compliance without in-house expertise was discouraging. Beyond compliance, the team needed a way to integrate new employees smoothly while keeping their HR team focused on strategic initiatives, rather than being overwhelmed by paperwork.

Without the right support, the expansion risked delays, compliance pitfalls, and rising administrative costs. What should have been a straightforward step forward in their growth journey was beginning to feel like a roadblock.

Behind the solution: Partnering with Native Teams

This is where Native Teams stepped in. As a trusted Employer of Record partner, Native Teams offered the expertise and infrastructure Semos Cloud needed to hire confidently in Croatia without the burden of setting up a local entity.

Why Native Teams?

• Compliance expertise: Deep knowledge of Croatian labour laws and tax regulations.
• Smooth onboarding: End-to-end handling of employee registration, documentation, and payroll setup.
• Scalable flexibility: Whether onboarding a single employee or building an entire team, Native Teams could adapt to Semos Cloud’s needs.

Implementation was swift and smooth. With Native Teams handling the complexities, Semos Cloud’s new hires were onboarded quickly and in full compliance, freeing their HR team to focus on driving strategy and growth.

“With such amazing collaborators from Native Teams, we now have a reliable partner for our future expansion.” – Semos Cloud representative

The turning point: Results that matter

The partnership delivered measurable results:

• 100% legal compliance — every new hire met Croatian labour requirements.
• Faster onboarding — administrative burdens were eliminated, accelerating productivity.
• Cost savings of up to 60% per employee — streamlined processes significantly reduced overhead costs.
• Strategic HR focus — by outsourcing complex compliance and payroll tasks, the internal HR team redirected its efforts towards growth and innovation.

The difference was clear: what began as a daunting challenge turned into a smooth and cost-efficient success story.

Lessons for other businesses

Semos Cloud’s journey highlights several lessons for businesses planning to expand into Europe. First and foremost, compliance is non-negotiable. Labour laws vary across countries, and overlooking even minor details can expose companies to significant risks. 

Beyond compliance, the quality of onboarding plays a critical role in growth. A streamlined process not only helps new employees become productive more quickly but also reinforces a strong employer brand in competitive markets. Finally, the choice of partner can make all the difference. 

By working with an Employer of Record such as Native Teams, businesses can expand internationally without the delays, costs, and complexities of establishing local entities. For Semos Cloud, having the right partner ensured a smooth entry into a new market and laid the foundation for sustainable global growth.