Croatia is a beautiful country, with a stunning coastline, historic towns, and delicious food. It’s no wonder that more and more foreigners are looking to buy property in Croatia. However, buying property as a foreigner can be a confusing and complex process. In this article, we’ll explore the rules and regulations surrounding foreign property ownership in Croatia.
Can foreigners buy property in Croatia?
In short, yes, foreigners can buy property in Croatia. However, there are some restrictions in place. For example, citizens of countries outside of the European Union (EU) must obtain permission from the Ministry of Justice before they can purchase property in Croatia. This process can take some time, so it’s important to plan ahead.
EU citizens, on the other hand, have more freedom when it comes to buying property in Croatia. They are treated the same as Croatian citizens and can purchase property without any additional permissions or restrictions.
What types of properties can foreigners buy in Croatia?
Foreigners can buy any type of property in Croatia, including apartments, houses, and land. However, there are some restrictions in place for certain types of property. For example, foreigners are not allowed to buy agricultural land without obtaining special permission from the Ministry of Agriculture.

How can foreigners buy property in Croatia?
The process of buying property in Croatia is similar for both foreigners and Croatian citizens. Here are the basic steps and some hints:
- Find a property that you want to purchase
This can be done through a real estate agent in Croatia or by finding the property and contacting the property owner directly.
- Hire a reliable real estate agency
Hire a reliable real estate agency that cooperates with a verified law firm or hire a lawyer by yourself. Keep in mind that not all lawyers are experts in the real estate. In fact, they can only provide you with a legal part, but finding and buying real estate usually requires much more than that. Furthermore, lawyers can be far more expensive than the commission you will pay to a real estate agency.
- Sign a Preliminary Contract
Once you’ve found a property that you want to buy, you’ll sign a preliminary contract. This contract outlines the terms of the sale and is usually accompanied by a deposit. The real estate agent or a lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and ensure that everything is done correctly.
- Conduct Due Diligence
Before finalizing the sale, you or your real estate agent will need to conduct due diligence on the property. This includes obtaining property documents, conducting a survey, and ensuring that there are no outstanding debts or legal issues.
- Sign the Final Contract
Once you’re satisfied with the due diligence, you’ll sign the final contract and pay the remaining balance. For example, as your real estate agent, we will prepare the Real Estate Purchase Agreement for you in English (or another) language and check that everything is in order.
- Register the Property
Finally, you’ll need to register the property with the Land Registry. Of course, we can help you with that too.
Our recommendation when buying real estate in Croatia
So, foreigners can buy property in Croatia, but there are some restrictions and regulations in place. EU citizens have more freedom when it comes to buying property, while citizens of countries outside of the EU must obtain permission from the Ministry of Justice. Regardless of your citizenship, for several reasons, and from our experience, we strongly recommend that you hire a reliable real estate agency to help you with the whole process of finding and buying the real estate in Croatia. With the right guidance, buying property in Croatia can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience.