Regional differences inside European Union and between membering countries have always been a barrier to a harmonized development and an achievement of cohesion, which is the reason why regional policy is one of the oldest Union policies. To be able to successfully lead regional development policy on a national aswell as regional level, to manage local development, to be able to lead development of economy and economic sector, to manage business sector development, both economic and other entities, it is of exceptional importance to know priorities and goals of European union for a relevant program period. These goals can be achieved with financial support to EU membering states via structural funds. The theoretical part of this work explains the definition of regional policy and structural funds, as well as other basic concepts related to regional policy and structural funds. The analytical part covers the history and development of regional policy, current regional policy of relevant program period 2014-2010 and different forms of structural and investment funds. The last part covers the influence of EU regional policy on Republic of Croatia in the pre-accession period and in the period after joining the EU.