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Buying Real Estate in Croatia for Foreign Citizens
AdviceYou have found a property in Croatia that you want to buy, but you are a foreign citizen and you do not know what special rules apply? To help you, we've gathered all the essential information in one place.
The purchase of real estate for foreigners usually has two courses, depending on whether you are a citizen of the European Union or a citizen of a country outside the European Union.
If You Are a Citizen of the European Union
We have great news for you - citizens and legal entities from EU member states can acquire the right of ownership over real estate in Croatia under the same conditions that apply to citizens of Croatia.
We have prepared a list and information on the documents required for the purchase and sale of an apartment for you here, and for the purchase and sale of a house here.
This category also includes citizens of the Swiss Confederation, who are additionally obliged to submit a certificate of registration of temporary residence when submitting a proposal for registration of ownership to the land registry court.
If You Are a Citizen of a Non-EU Country
Citizens of countries outside the European Union can exercise the right to register ownership of real estate only if it is a country with which there is reciprocity in the acquisition of property rights.
Information on reciprocity in the acquisition of property rights between the Republic of Croatia and other countries can be found on the website of the e-Citizen service
If you are a citizen of a country with which there is reciprocity in the acquisition of property rights, you must apply to the Ministry of Justice and Administration to acquire the rights. The rest of the process is the same as for Croatian citizens.
Request for Acquisition of Property Rights of Foreign Persons on Real Estate
The written request should be accompanied by:
- a legal basis for acquiring the title (sales agreement, gift agreement, sustenance support agreement et al.) in original or authenticated copy
- proof of ownership of the seller/alienator of the real property in question or land registry extract, in original or authenticated copy
- confirmation of the administrative body in charge of urban and spatial planning, according to the location of the real property, on the real property legal status (whether the real property is within the borders of a construction zone envisaged by urban planning).
- proof of nationality of the acquirer (authenticated passport copy et al.) or proof of status for legal entities (court register extract), if the acquirer is a foreign legal entity
- in case that the person submitting the request is represented by a proxy, a power-of-attorney should be submitted in original or authenticated copy
- if the person submitting the request has not determined the proxy to represent him or her and is abroad, he or she shall determine the proxy for receiving written notifications, having residence in the Republic of Croatia
Along with the request, in addition to the listed documents, you must also enclose proof of payment of the administrative fee in the amount of HRK 35.
Administrative Fees
Administrative fee of HRK 70,00 is also paid for decision on acquiring real estate and HRK 15,00 for every contingent supplement of claim (in case of missing documents).
Fees can be paid through the e-fee system (e-pristojbe) and to the prescribed account, i.e. through a universal payment order to the account of the State Budget of the Republic of Croatia:
- IBAN HR1210010051863000160,
- and number 64 (model) should be written in the first box of the standardized orders for payment,
- and number 5002 in the second box
Croatian citizens have to write down their OIB next to number 5002, and foreign citizens have to write down number 721 and their OIB next to 5002.
Written claim is submitted directly to the Administrative Office or is sent by mail to the address:
Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Croatia
Civil, Commercial and Administrative Law Directorate
Ulica grada Vukovara 49,
10000 Zagreb.
Conclusion
It is easiest for EU citizens to buy real estate in Croatia, because the procedure is the same as for Croatian citizens.
Citizens of other countries need to make sure their country has reciprocity in the acquisition of real estate ownership rights with the Republic of Croatia. If this condition is met, you will only need the consent of the Ministry of Justice and Administration to register ownership. The rest of the procedure does not differ from that for Croatian citizens.
Although in both cases the procedure is not significantly more complicated than that for Croatian citizens, buying and selling real estate is a serious transaction, so we recommend that you hire a real estate agent. Be sure to read the tips on how to choose an agent, tailored to the real estate market in Croatia.
