Buy a House or Property in Croatia

If you intend to purchase a property in Croatia, you can collaborate with our experienced Croatian lawyers. They help you successfully go through all the legal operations involved in the real estate acquisition such as consulting, elaboration of the contracts and real estate due-diligence.

Quick Facts
Can expats buy properties in Croatia?	Yes. EU/EEA citizens buy under the same conditions as Croatian citizens; non-EU citizens need reciprocity and approval from the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation.
Legislation for property purchase in Croatia	– Act on Property and Other Real Rights, – Constitution of the Republic of Croatia
Types of properties you can buy as a foreigner	– houses, – hotels, – villas, – residential properties, – land, – office spaces
Property inspection before purchase (YES/NO)	Yes
Pre-sale agreement required	A pre-sale agreement is issued and then 10% of the value of the property is paid.
Documentation verification made by our law firm in Croatia	The preliminary agreement, the history of the property and title deed are among the documents that can be verified from a legal point of view by our Croatian lawyers.
Content of a sale-purchase contract of a property	– information about former and future owners, – property description, – price, – conditions of acquisition, – payment methods, – signatures of seller and buyer
Real estate tax in Croatia	3% property transfer tax paid by the buyer
VAT for property purchase in Croatia	25% VAT applies to the first supply of newly built properties (no 3% transfer tax is then due).
Can a lawyer in Croatia represent you with a power of attorney?	Yes, our lawyers can represent foreign clients with a power of attorney for real estate transfers. They can manage the paperwork and sign the documents on behalf of customers from abroad.
Possibility to buy without visiting Croatia	Yes, buying a house in Croatia is possible without citizens traveling to this country.
Residence permit issued for buying property in Croatia	Not automatically; a property owner may apply to the Ministry of the Interior for temporary stay for other purposes (up to 6 months a year, in addition to the 90-day visa-free stay).
Citizenship application permitted	Buying property does not lead to citizenship; naturalisation generally requires 8 years of continuous legal residence, permanent residence status and a Croatian language and culture test.
Buying a property in Croatia through mortgage	Available option
Legal services offered for buying a property in Croatia	We can manage the paperwork and verify the documents of the real estate properties you want to buy in Croatia. Legal representation is offered in front of the notary for signing the papers.
Special rules for EU citizens buying properties in Croatia	No special regulations are imposed. Citizens from Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland can also buy properties in Croatia.
Reciprocity agreement	Applied for citizens from third countries, if a treaty is signed by Croatia
Can a property price be negotiated in Croatia?	Yes, but it depends on the seller.
What happens if the vendor refuses to sell the property after receiving the initial deposit?	Normal practice is to refund the paid amount x 2
Who issues the required permissions to buy a house in Croatia?	The Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation issues specific permissions for citizens outside the EU/EEA who want to purchase properties in this country.
Land Registry requirements	The authority asks for a notarized copy of the sale-purchase contract, a copy of the approvals issued by the Ministry of Justice (in certain cases), and a certificate issued by the Directorate for Construction and Property Valuation.
When is the Title Deed issued?	At the time the new owner registered the property with the Croatian Land Registry.
What types of properties you cannot buy in Croatia as a foreigner?	Agricultural land (non-EU/EEA citizens, unless bought through a Croatian company; EU/EEA citizens may buy it since 1 July 2023), protected natural areas, state-owned properties, forests, etc.
US citizens buying properties in Croatia	Buying property does not automatically give a residence permit; a temporary stay permit must be applied for separately with the Ministry of the Interior.
Prices per square meter for a house in Zagreb (approx.)	Around EUR 3,000-3,500 (new apartments, DZS 2025)
Prices for land plots in Croatia (approx.)	About EUR 300,000 for an 1139 sqm. plot on Korčula island
Real estate transfer tax in Croatia	Around 3% of the real estate market value
Retirees purchasing properties in Croatia	EU and non-EU citizens can easily buy properties in Croatia if they want to retire to this country.
Contract review	Made by our Croatian lawyer and also verified by the notary before the property purchase.
Paid administration costs	Necessary before signing the sale-purchase agreement

What should I do before purchasing a property in Croatia?

Here are the main aspects before property purchasing in Croatia:

Find professional assistance for the translation issues;
Our law firm in Croatia can search the property for you in the Land Registry;
Check with the local planning office in case you buy a land; ownership details are in the Land Registry (zemljišna knjiga) and plot data in the Katastar – the property and cadaster registry;
Depending on the state of the property, you might want to invest in some renovation works.

What are the steps for buying property in Croatia?

Here are some simple steps about buying a property in Croatia:

Sign a pre-contract agreement and pay a deposit;
Verify the property’s legal status and prepare the required documents;
Sign the final sale contract;
Have the signatures on the sale contract certified by a notary public;
Pay the applicable property transfer tax and register ownership with the Land Registry (zemljišnoknjižni odjel) of the competent municipal court.

You might want to read the following infographic with information on how to buy a property in Croatia:

What are the documents needed for purchasing a property in Croatia?

Valid passport or identity card of the buyer;
Osobni Identifikacijski Broj (OIB) number, or Personal Identification Number in Croatia;
Proof of residence;
Purchase-sale contract signed between both parties;
Ownership documentation of the property;
Payment proof for purchase and relevant taxes.

Based on the case, more documents can be required by the authorities.

Why is the acquisition of the OIB number important?

The Croatian Personal Identification Number (OIB) is needed for many legal and administrative formalities concerning property transactions. Usually, potential buyers should possess this number before entering into agreements and owning the property.

You can also watch the following video presentation about how to buy a property in Croatia:

What are the legal aspects concerning property acquisition in Croatia?

Since 2009, the terms for property acquisition in Croatia are the same for locals and EU citizens. The only restriction imposed by the Croatian legislation concerns agricultural land, which EU/EEA citizens may buy only since 1 July 2023; non-EU citizens cannot buy it and need reciprocity and ministry approval for other property. Once the sale contract has been concluded, there is a 3% real estate transfer tax that the buyer has to pay together with the submission of the current cadaster verification and of the approvals of construction.

Who can buy a house in Croatia?

Domestic and foreign entrepreneurs who want to establish the business presence in Croatia can acquire a property in this state. An office building is in most cases the choice of business persons who want to expand the operations in Croatia. Warehouses, storages, houses, condominiums and apartments in Croatia can be purchased by foreigners who intend to set up the operations and live in this country.

How to buy a property in Croatia by setting up a company?

Investors from abroad have the possibility of buying properties for commercial use by registering a company first. A pre-sale contract can be issued until the company is registered in the court register (sudski registar).

Are there any fees for property purchase in Croatia?

Among the fees related to a real estate acquisition in Croatia, we mention the property tax, the real estate transfer tax of 3% and the real estate agency fee through which the property is purchased.

Can I ask for legal advice about the contract?

Yes, it is quite important to have legal support by your side when purchasing a property in Croatia as a foreigner. Even though the legislation in the real estate sector is quite permissive, it is good to ask for assistance and understand from the beginning the conditions of property purchase, starting with the pre-contract agreement, that must comprise information about the seller, the buyer, the property, the price, and other related details.

What comes after purchasing a property in Croatia?

After closing a deal, you need to change your contracts regarding utilities and make sure all papers about the property have been changed to reflect your new status.

Don’t hesitate to contact our law firm in Croatia for any property sale-purchase agreement.