If you are buying property in Croatia and have a Croatian certificate of citizenship or passport, the bureaucracy involved in the purchase is relatively straightforward. Since 2009, Croatia has committed to opening the real estate market to citizens of the European Union through the signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement, so all EU citizens are treated equally to Croatian citizens when it comes to purchasing real estate. However, there are numerous regulations and laws in Croatia that govern the process of obtaining property ownership by foreign legal entities and individuals.

All other foreigners can also purchase property in Croatia, but they require approval from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Approval is available to citizens of countries with which the Republic of Croatia has a signed reciprocity agreement, and in exceptional cases, to other countries.

In summary, the process of purchasing property for foreign nationals outside the EU differs in that after signing the purchase contract, this contract, along with specific documentation, is submitted to the relevant ministry. If the ministry approves it, the property is registered. We’ll show you the steps involved in purchasing property in Croatia for foreign nationals.