Since joining the EU, Croatia has been attracting increasing attention from international clients looking for investment opportunities in one of the most emerging regions in the Mediterranean.
Croatia is widely known for its natural beauties, rich cultural and historical heritage, and mild Mediterranean climate, allowing you to enjoy outdoor activities almost all year round.
The most attractive destinations in Croatia offer a wide array of prestigious modern properties in unique locations by the sea and traditional rustic style villas that represent a perfect fusion of authentic stone exterior and attractive interior that combines modern amenities with autochthonous details that won’t leave you indifferent.
Record numbers of visitors and tourist overnights and a stable economic environment of our country are just some of the reasons that provide investors with security and optimism in planning new investments.
Josip Krnić Photography
Who can buy real estate in Croatia?
- EU citizens
Natural and legal persons from EU member states are entitled to ownership rights of real estate in the Republic of Croatia under the same conditions as Croatian citizens. - Non-EU citizens
Foreign nationals from outside the EU can buy real estate according to the reciprocity principle. When buying a real estate it is necessary to seek approval from the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Croatia. Foreign nationals without mutual consent/reciprocity can buy real estate on behalf of a company. The company needs to be founded with a registered seat in the Republic of Croatia. In that case, the real estate is purchased by a Croatian company in foreign ownership.
Villa Sealine
Purchase Costs
If you decided to buy luxury real estate in Croatia or indulge in an investment and development project you should know there are some additional costs.
The most of property purchasing expenses are paid by the buyer:
- Notary and registration fees: 50 – 150 €
- Official translator’s costs approx.: 200 – 300 € including Contract translation
- Agency fee: normally 3% of contract value + VAT
- Advocate’s fee: 0,5 – 1,25% of contract value + VAT
- Property transfer tax: 3% of tax office property estimate
If you want to purchase luxury real estate in Croatia or any other property from a legal entity, please pay attention to whether VAT is already included in the price. The standard VAT rate in Croatia is 25%. We also recommend that you hire an established real estate agency with extensive experience in the real estate market and local expertise, as well as internal legal support.
Josip Krnić Photography
Personal Identification Number – OIB
Before the conclusion of the legal matter it is necessary to obtain a personal identification number issued by the Tax Administration:
- Natural persons have to submit passport copy certified by a public notary, home address, and basic information on both parents.
- Legal persons have to submit the extract from the court register translated into the Croatian language, not older than 30 days.
Without the personal identification number, it is not possible to sign any contract or to establish a company.
Real Estate Taxation
- Real Property transfer tax is calculated and paid on acquisition of property in the Republic of Croatia when no VAT is to be paid on such acquisition. The real property transfer tax base is the market value of the real estate at the moment of acquisition. and is calculated at the rate of 3%. Real property transfer tax taxpayer is the acquirer of the real estate – the buyer.
- Value-added tax (VAT) is calculated and paid by the taxpayers who are registered in the VAT payers registry when they deliver, give or in any other way transfer a construction land and a building or parts of the buildings (as well as the land on which they are built) if those buildings and their parts have been inhabited or used for less than 2 years. The VAT for delivering real estate is to be paid at a rate of 25%.
- Income tax on assets based on property alienation is calculated and paid:
a) if the natural person is alienating the real estate within 2 years from the day of its purchase, under the condition that he/she hasn’t used it for residential purposes.
b) if the natural person sells, exchanges, or does any other taxable ownership transfer on more than 3 properties that are the same type in the period of 5 years since the day of their purchase.
We hope that this blog hides the answers to some of the questions you should have resolved before deciding on buying or selling real estate in Croatia.
For all additional information and advice, our team of experienced real estate agents and legal experts will be happy to provide support with the highest degree of discretion and professionalism.
