Investment property: Croatia
Croatia is an Adriatic resort market: Istria, Dalmatia, the islands and Dubrovnik, plus Zagreb as the capital market.
Since the country joined the eurozone and Schengen in 2023, foreign interest in the coast has grown noticeably. EU citizens can buy property without restrictions. Buyers from third countries need reciprocity between countries and consent from the Ministry of Justice, or the purchase is structured through a Croatian company - a common and fully legal route. Agricultural land is largely closed to foreigners. There is no golden visa in Croatia: buying property does not by itself grant any right to reside, and it is worth knowing this from the start.
We help you choose a property that fits the goal - a house by the sea for your own use, an apartment for tourist rentals or long-term capital preservation - and determine the right purchase structure upfront: direct or through a company. We then verify ownership, the property's history and the legality of the buildings (a frequent issue on the coast), support the transaction through the notary and the land registry and structure ownership. If you need status in the country, we will honestly explain which residence grounds exist beyond simply owning property.
Buying property in Croatia as a Russian citizen
For non-EU citizens, ownership in Croatia rests on reciprocity and the prior consent of the justice minister. Russia is on the list of reciprocity countries published by the justice ministry, so a Russian citizen can buy a flat or house in their own name. In practice EU sanctions on Russian banks get in the way: money has to come through an EU bank with source of funds documents. The second route is buying through a Croatian company, but its bank checks just as strictly. Farmland is not available to foreigners.
We will calculate online the full purchase cost for your budget: taxes, fees and transaction costs.
Buyer and owner taxes
| Tax | Amount |
|---|---|
| Property transfer tax | 3% of market value; new builds sold with VAT are not subject to it |
| Property tax from 2025 | €0.60 to €8 per m² a year, ~$0.70-9, for homes not lived in permanently and not let long-term |
| Sale within 2 years | 24% of the gain unless it was the seller's own home |
How the deal works
- A personal identification number from the tax administration.
- A preliminary contract and deposit.
- An application for the justice minister's consent for a non-EU buyer.
- The main contract with notarised signatures and entry in the land register.
- A tax return within 30 days of the contract and payment of the 3% tax.
What we do
- Property shortlist for your investment goal
- Legal due diligence on the property
- End-to-end transaction support
- Ownership structuring (company, trust)
- Property management and letting
See also
Company formation · Business account · Personal account · Country taxes · All country programs
FAQ
Can a foreigner buy property in Croatia?
Does buying property in Croatia lead to residency?
Where do we start?
Can a Russian citizen buy property in Croatia?
What tax applies to buying property in Croatia?
Is there an annual property tax in Croatia?
Can you buy property in Croatia through a company?
What tax applies when selling property in Croatia?
Want to buy property in Croatia?
We check whether your citizenship requires purchase approval, shortlist properties on the Croatian coast or in Zagreb and review the documents. Every country is in the searchable catalogue.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
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