Market Insight: Property Market in Croatia

Properties for Sale in Croatia

Would you like to find a good investment opportunity in Europe? Do you want to move to a beautiful country to live in? You may consider Croatia. During the last decade, Croatia has drawn a lot of attention from foreign visitors and investors. The property price of Croatia continues rising in 2021. In this article, we will analyze the benefits of the real estate market in Croatia.

Properties in Croatia with vineyard view are available.
A vineyard in Croatia.

Price trends of property in Croatia 2021

The property price of Croatia continues rising in 2021. Reports show that the country is receiving tourists and it’s back to the level of 2019 the pre-covid level. There are numerous driving forces of the real estate market in Croatia: the beautiful landscape of the country, rising property prices around the globe, and the good safe investment environment in the country. It’s expected that Croatia property prices will continue to rise in the years to come.

Benefits of Owning a Property in Croatia

There are a lot of benefits to owning a property in Croatia. First, it is a popular tourist destination. It will be a good opportunity to receive passive income from holiday rentals. Second, Croatia has strong laws to protect property rights and ownership to the locals. It is a relatively stable market for those who want to live there. The local regulations aim to protect the locals from crazy property prices. The policy can also avoid speculation of the property market. Third, the country offers a beautiful landscape. Its mild climate is suitable for tourists and retirees.

stone house for sale croatia
In Croatia, there are a lot of beautiful stone houses for sale.

It is possible to buy properties in Croatia and live there

If you are a non-EU citizen, the current visa regimes of Croatia may allow you to live there for up to 2 years if you want to buy properties in Croatia. However, after that, you need to leave Croatia for a longer time.

If you want to take up residency by buying properties in Croatia, you need to research more.

Can I be granted permanent residency or citizenship of Croatia if I buy properties in Croatia?

If you are a non-EU citizen, the simple answer is no.

Non-EU citizens can consider getting a temporary visa for 6 months. Under Croatian law, non-EU residents may get a temporary residence permit if they would like to buy a property there. Please note the following details:

• Foreigners can obtain a temporary residence permit for 6 months per year.

• Under temporary residence, work is not allowed in Croatia.

• Temporary residence visa cannot pave the way to permanent residency or citizenship.

• You must live in this property.

• Property buyers can apply for this temporary residence permit in Croatia.

If you want to take up employment in Croatia, you must sign an employment contract with a Croatian company first and then go through the work permit application process.

Modern villa for sale croatia
Modern villa for sale in Istria Peninsula, Croatia

Are all non-EU citizens allowed to purchase properties in Croatia?

The answer is yes and no.

Like in many other countries, Croatia does have limitations on the properties foreigners can buy. In general, foreign buyers must get permission from the Croatian government to buy the property in Croatia unless he or she is an EU/EEA citizen. Normally, the Croatian government will check if the buyer’s home country signed any reciprocity agreements with Croatia. Such agreements regulate whether you are allowed to buy properties in Croatia or not.

If your home country signed an agreement with Croatia, usually you can buy properties under your name. But please note that you may not be able to buy a certain class of properties in Croatia. For example, agricultural land and forests can only be bought by Croatian citizens. Before you want to buy properties in Croatia, you are recommended to consult with the local lawyer to guide you through the process.

Before you want to buy properties in Croatia, you are recommended to consult with the local lawyer to guide you through the process.

Contact us here if you want to know whether you are qualified to buy properties in Croatia.

What kinds of property are available in Croatia?

If the foreigner’s home country signed a reciprocity agreement with Croatia, the foreigner can buy properties like houses or apartments in Croatia. It is a general case. For land plots or commercial buildings, foreigners may have limitations on the property for sale in Croatia. It can be subject to the buyer’s nationality or the value of the property he or she intended to purchase. Therefore, it is highly recommended that foreigners seek guidance from the real estate agents first before they decide.

There are limitations on certain categories of properties in Croatia. For example, foreigners are highly not like to be able to buy buildings of cultural and historical value, agricultural lands, lands of natural parks, lands for military and defence purposes.

Foreigners are highly not like to be able to buy buildings of cultural and historical value, agricultural lands, lands of natural parks, lands for military and defence purposes.

nature in croatia
Agricultural land and forest in Croatia can be purchased by citizens only.

Which areas or cities in Croatia should I buy properties?

Vodice

Vodice is a very small town in the southern part of Croatia. It is a very small town in the southern part of Croatia. With good accommodation and a number of beaches, it becomes heaven for tourists. If you are looking for a quiet place to relax and enjoy the Mediterranean climate, Vodice can be a good choice for you to buy properties in Croatia. A stone house in Vodice costs about EUR 129K. Some luxurious villas with panoramic views can cost up to EUR 700K.

Vodice Croatia
The town view of Vodice, Croatia

Please check out our properties available here.

Pula

Pula is the largest city of Istria County in Croatia. It is located on the northern coast of Istria, right at the entrance to the Gulf of Pula, and has a population of around 52,000. It is known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic” because of its well-preserved medieval architecture that is concentrated in the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981.

Pula becomes one of the most popular places for buying property in Croatia. You will be able to find many beautiful modern villas for sale in Croatia in Pula. At the same time, you are also able to find beautiful stone houses for sale in Pula. The prices of properties in Pula are a bit expensive. For a small one-bedroom flat, the price tag is about EUR 100K. For a luxurious villa, the cost can be up to EUR 1 to 2 million.

Areana in Pula, Croatia
The arena in Pula Croatia

You may check out the properties for sale in Pula here.

Novalja

Novalja is located in the northwest of Istria, in the region of Pazin. The bay of Novalja is a popular tourist destination. The bay is located between two hills called “Gorica” and “Lošinj”. Activities you can do in Novalja include hiking, walking in the historical town and biking. You will love this place if you want to get some inspiration. It attracts a lot of freelancers and artists to live in Novlja. If you want to invest property in Croatia, you may consider to buy property interested for the digital nomads.

Beautiful villas for sale in Novalja cost about EUR 200K to EUR 500K.

A seaside hotel in Novalja, Croatia
A seaside hotel in Novalja, Croatia

You may check out our properties for sale in Novalja here.

Rogoznica

Rogoznica is located in the north of Istria, in the region of Pazin. It is a popular village for tourists on the Dalmatian coast. The town is famous for its medieval fort called “Konavle”. Activities you can do in Rogoznica include cycling, hiking and swimming. You will be able to do a lot of sightseeing in Regoznica. Usually, tourists come to Regoznica for holiday and stay in a local Airbnb. You can consider buying a property in Croatia for holiday rentals.

A seaside hotel in Novalja, Croatia
A panoramic view of Rogoznica, Croatia

Property in Rogoznica can cost about EUR 500K to EUR 1 million.

If you want to find properties for sale in Rogoznica, please visit here.

Šibenik

Šibenik is located in the northern part of the Dalmatian coast, near Dubrovnik. The place is a popular tourist destination for its old town, over 200 years old. The Old Town of Šibenik is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As Sibenik is just about an hour drive from Split, it is a popular tourist destination for both locals and foreigners. A one-bedroom apartment in Šibenik costs about EUR 100K. Some larger houses in Šibenik may cost more than EUR 500K. It becomes one of the most active markets for buyers of property in Croatia.

City of Sibenik, a popular place for property for sale in Croatia
City of Sibenik, Croatia

Would you like to find a property for sale in Sibenik? If yes, please visit here.

Split

Split has a population of about 100,000, making it the third-largest city in Croatia. It is a popular tourist destination because of its old town. If people love to enjoy plenty of sunshine, they should consider getting a home here.

Property buyers can find a variety of property options in Split, from small charming apartments to large stone houses. Some properties for sale in Split can be quite cheap. With less than EUR 360K, you may be able to get a 5 bedroom apartment.

Night street in Split Croatia. Real Estate Market.
The night view of Split downtown

Check out the properties available for sale in Split here.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a city on the Adriatic Sea in southern Croatia. It is the most popular tourist destination in Croatia. It was once called “Ragusa” (which means “fortress” in Italian). Dubrovnik is famous for its distinctive Old Town.

The types of properties for sale in Dubrovnik are endless. In other words, you can find old stone houses for sale, small apartments with a sea view and luxurious villas facing the sea.

How about the price of properties in Dubrovnik? The cost of the high-end properties can cost more than EUR 1 Million.

Dubrovnik, Croatia, Property for Sale
Dubrovnik is a city on the Adriatic Sea in southern Croatia.

Our site has a lot of property listings in Dubrovnik. You can browse our collections here.

There are endless options for foreigners to buy properties in Croatia. We cannot cover all regions at this moment. If you want to know more about the properties for sale in Croatia, please check out our full listing here.

Can foreigners get a mortgage in Croatia?

It is possible. Above all, it is relatively more difficult.

Like other countries, most banks in Croatia only want to approve mortgages if you are a resident here or have a long-term relationship with Croatia.

If you are an EU citizen, banks in Croatia may consider you eligible for a mortgage. After all, it is all subject to the bank’s own internal regulation. Property buyers should consider getting information from the local real estate consultant or lawyer for more information.

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