Property for Sale in Croatia

Location, climatic conditions, and economy

Croatia (officially Republic of Croatia) is located in the southern part of Central Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula, in the west it is washed by the Adriatic Sea. It is a member of the UN, OSCE, NATO, and Council of Europe.

Climate: in the northern part - continental, in the central - mountainous, on the coast - Mediterranean.

Developed industries: shipbuilding, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, electronics, food production and textiles, woodworking, chemistry and pharmaceuticals. The country has eight universities, many historical and natural attractions. Due to the steady growth of the economy, it became possible to launch the process of joining the country to the eurozone, the transition to the euro is expected by January 2023.

Market and real estate prices in Croatia

The housing market continues to grow, with the largest share of sale and purchase transactions taking place on the Adriatic coast and the capital, Zagreb. The developers of the new residential complexes are building in large numbers and quickly. Customer reviews confirm that the primary property complies with European building standards. Demand is increasing due to foreign investors. The Croats themselves are also willing to invest in new buildings.

The choice of secondary real estate is also quite diverse. Apartments in old houses are not as in demand due to their condition, which became apparent during the 2020 earthquake. The most valued housing is in old, well-renovated stone buildings in historical locations.

Buyers are increasingly interested in offers in rural areas near major cities, including Zagreb, Krapinsko-Zagorsk and Virovitsa-Podravina counties. Foreign investors are also very attracted to Istria, Gorski Kotar and Zagreb. Almost every fourth buyer of real estate in Croatia is a foreigner.

Investing in commercial facilities (hotels, guesthouses, office space, cafes) is a fairly profitable investment. In terms of overall leasing activity, hi-tech leasing companies are expected to be the main drivers in the coming period.

The cost of real estate in Croatia is affected by:

•  the area of the housing,
•  condition (quality of repair),
•  location (city and proximity to the center, coastal zone and proximity to the sea).

Estimated property price (per sq.m.):

• apartments (new building) - from 2100 USD,
• elite cottages (seaside area) - from 4000 USD,
• houses (secondary market) - from 2000 USD,
• commercial premises - from 2000 USD,
• land plots - from 35 USD.

Benefits of investing in Croatia:

• developed economy,
• location in the center of Europe (Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Hungary are within driving distance),
• modern infrastructure,
• popular with tourists
• ecologically clean region.

Property types for sale

Real estate is divided into:

• apartments
• family houses
• agricultural land
• land for building
• commercial real estate

Currently, only Croatian citizens and companies can buy agricultural land.

Real estate website in Croatia (full catalog)

It is safer to use the information of experts and follow their recommendations. Investor can benefit from using GEOLN.COM - real estate website that contains a full catalog of objects for sale.

Buying property in Croatia: the nuances

Buying residential property is a great way for foreigners to get permission for a residence permit. Foreign investors are allowed to buy certain types of real estate depending on their nationality, since the possibility of buying is based on reciprocity agreements between Croatia and a number of countries.

Since 2021, it has become much easier to come to the country, in particular, Russians are allowed to enter on tourist visas.

What to do after choosing a property:

• look at property records for encumbrances in the registry,
• check the type of property (refers to residential or agricultural),
• draw up an agreement (a prerequisite is a 10% deposit, you should use the services of an expert),
• request permission to purchase from the Ministry of Justice (citizens of the EU/EEA can skip this step, consideration is up to 60 days),
• pay the remaining 90% of the cost,
• register the purchase in the Land Registry.

If there is an intention to sell the property before the expiration of 3 years from the date of purchase, you will have to pay 35% tax on the value of the property.

Buying property in Croatia is beneficial for a stable income from renting the property out, living in a country with a developed economy, and relaxing on the cleanest Adriatic Sea.