Buying property in Croatia as a foreigner
Steps, costs and timelines for buyers from abroad. General rules, not legal advice: every case is checked by a lawyer or notary.
EU and EEA citizens
Buy on the same terms as Croatian citizens. No ministry approval is needed. Agricultural land has special rules; the agent checks them for each plot.
Non-EU citizens
Need approval from the Ministry of Justice, subject to reciprocity with their country. It usually takes several months. Some buyers purchase through a Croatian company.
OIB
Every buyer needs a personal identification number. The Tax Administration or a Croatian consulate issues it free of charge against a passport, also via a proxy.
1 day to 1 week
Reservation and checks
A preliminary contract usually comes with a deposit of up to 10 %. We check ownership in the land registry, encumbrances and permits.
1 to 2 weeks
Purchase contract at the notary
You sign the contract and the notary certifies the signatures. If you do not speak Croatian, a court interpreter attends.
1 day
Land registry entry
The application goes to the municipal court. Once registered, you are the official owner.
2 to 8 weeks
Property transfer tax
The buyer pays 3 % of the market value within 30 days of the tax office's decision. New builds from a VAT-registered seller carry VAT in the price instead.
Buyer's costs on top of the price
- Transfer tax
- 3 % (not for new builds with VAT)
- Agency commission
- per price list, + VAT
- Notary and court fees
- usually a few hundred euros
- Lawyer (recommended)
- by agreement, often about 1 %
- Court interpreter
- if needed
Commission price list
- Sale: buyer
- 3 % of the agreed price, minimum €2,000
- Sale: seller
- 3 % of the agreed price, minimum €2,000
- Long-term rent: tenant
- one month's rent
- Long-term rent: landlord
- one month's rent
- Viewing
- free and non-binding
Prices exclude VAT (25 %). Commission is due only once a contract is signed.
Commission price list (PDF)Holiday letting needs a categorisation decision and an annual flat fee per bed. Croatian banks rarely lend to non-residents; most buyers finance at home.
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