How to buy a flat, house, plot in Croatia? Everything you need to know!

Own house by the sea: permanently or part of the year. A private holiday base with almost a hundred percent guarantee of sunny weather. A profitable business in one of the most beautiful places in Europe. A dream or investment of a lifetime is within reach, but what to do to avoid fear and frustration? How to buy an apartment in Croatia? What to look for when buying a plot of land? We advise you!

Can I buy an apartment in Croatia and how?

Buying Real Estate in Croatia: Formalities and the Purchase Process

In order to purchase real estate in Croatia (finalize the sale and purchase agreement), you must first get OIB number (Individual Identification Weapon), which is the equivalent of the Polish PESEL, used in all official documents, registers, etc. The OIB number can be obtained at the local tax office (you will need an ID card or passport). In our real estate office Valor Real Estate, an agent helps clients at this stage, so there is no stress related to a visit to the office or insufficient knowledge of the language.

To buy a property in Croatia, you don't need to have an account in a Croatian bank, but you may want to consider one, because sometimes it comes in handy (and we support that!).

In terms of formalities, the entire process of buying real estate on the Adriatic consists of several steps:

• Preliminary contract and sale agreement. The seller usually requires the signing of a preliminary contract, and if not, it is worth pushing for it - this is a beneficial practice. It is usually associated with the need to pay a deposit, which protects the interests of both parties. It is a good idea to use the services of a sworn translator, and then consult the contracts with a lawyer, and best of all - cooperate with a real estate agency that provides such services and secures the entire transaction.
• Transfer of ownership of real estate. Contracts are concluded in the presence of a notary. After the entire amount has been paid, the notary sends the documents to the tax office, which calculates the tax due. The obligation to pay tax changes depending on who is buying the property (a legal person or an individual) and on what market (primary or secondary). The buyer also files an application to the local court for the transfer of ownership, which is confirmed by an entry in the land register. 
• Transfer and collection of real estate. At the official handover of the property, the parties sign a handover protocol. It documents and approves the technical condition of the property (including installations, equipment) and water meter readings. The protocol is the basis for the later transfer of media contracts. This requires the completion of various formalities, depending on the medium (e.g. in the case of gas, an additional inspection may be necessary).

Buying a house in Croatia: support from a local real estate agency

Our real estate agency Valor Real Estate can help you at every stage of buying a house or plot of land in Croatia.. Our team includes specialists from many fields – in addition to a licensed agent, there are construction engineers, architects, lawyers and accountants. 

We offer comprehensive services – from finding the right property to entering it in the land and mortgage register. We advise on investments, including short-term and long-term rentals. We help with many formalities: our lawyers represent clients in offices. We also help settle in: transfer media, arrange the interior and garden or do renovations. We invite you!

Buying a plot of land in Croatia

Buying real estate on the Croatian coast or island is difficult, but the most problematic is land. Buying a building plot and building a house requires solid preparation, checking the location, infrastructure and financial issues - you need to make sure that the investment is profitable and safe. That is why we have prepared a short guide to buying a plot in Croatia (although much of the information contained in it can also be applied to houses and apartments).

Currently houses for sale in Croatia they constitute a large part of the market offer, but their supply is limited. That is why many people decide to buy a building plot to build a house according to their own preferences and needs. In this way, the investor can more easily provide himself with a functional layout of rooms, maximum use of space and the possibility of adapting it to changing life circumstances, e.g. family growth.

Location information – Location information

Before you decide to buy land, obtain information about the location from the relevant spatial planning office.. They contain important data on the purpose of the land, possibilities and conditions of construction, as well as the current spatial plan for this specific plot. Our agency helps to obtain them. 

It is also worth checking the distance of the plot from important, daily or frequently visited points (such as shops, restaurants, schools, medical facilities) and public transport stops.

Buying a building plot in Croatia: the most important tips

Before making a decision, be sure to check, whether it is a building plot or is it located in a building zone according to the urban plan. Also find out which part of the plot is permitted for building a house. It may turn out that out of an area of, for example, 1050 m², only 500 m² is in the construction zone, and the rest belongs to the green zone, where construction is prohibited.

Also verify the allowable degree of development and the minimum distance of the building from the neighboring property. This information will allow you to determine whether building your dream home will be possible at all, or whether you will have to make some concessions.

There are two more important issues. The first one is access to the plot – check if the road is connected to a public road marked in the cadastre or whether there is a right of way through the land located between the plot in question and the public road. The second important issue is the slope of the land, which can significantly affect construction costs. Finally, it is worth verifying the stability of the ground and the possibility of water drainage.

Infrastructure, location and accessibility

The key issue is also. Check it out availability of municipal services and utilities such as water, electricity, gas and internet. Remember that the value of a building plot is largely influenced by its location, position and media. If the connections to electricity, water and sewage are not located directly on the plot, then immediately check where you can connect closest. Estimate, at least roughly, the cost of preparing the infrastructure. Sometimes it is significant: and it may turn out that it is more profitable to buy a more expensive, but developed plot.

The location of the plot and access to it also play a significant role. The favorable orientation of the house allows for the maximum use of natural light and regulation of the internal temperature - increasing the energy efficiency of the building and reducing energy costs.

Good access to the plot is important both during the construction stage (for the efficient transport of materials and equipment) and after moving in – it makes everyday life easier.

Valor Restoration

We encourage you to view the plots available in our offer and contact us. We will be happy to help you find the right property and check all the necessary information, and then safely purchase the land.

FAQs:

1. How to buy an apartment in Croatia?

Croatia is a member of the European Union, so any EU citizen can buy real estate here on the same terms as Croatian citizens, without any special permit. However, you must obtain an OIB number and complete other legal and administrative formalities. It is worth working with a real estate agency or a local lawyer.

2. How much does a house cost in Croatia?

The prices of buying a house on the Adriatic Sea are highly dependent on the location and many other factors. However, compared to the Spanish coast, for example, property prices in Croatia are considered more attractive. There are also many houses on the local market that need renovation at a good price: such investments have great potential.

3. Is there a Polish real estate agency operating in Croatia?

In Croatia, Valor Real Estate operates – a real estate agency with a Polish accent, run by a licensed Polish agent who has been living on the Adriatic for several years. The real estate specialist works with architects, engineers, lawyers and accountants, offering clients full investment service.