Croatia Real Estate News

Key Trends & Current Data

1. Declining Transaction Volumes

   • In the first half of 2025, property sales were down ~15% compared to the same period in 2024.

   • More pronounced drops for certain types: houses (-26%), building land (-17%), garages/parking (-12%)

2. Prices Still Rising, Though Growth Slowing

   • Even though fewer homes are changing hands, prices continue to increase, especially in prime/coastal areas.

   • Zagreb older flats saw ~16% year-on-year growth in price per sq. m in H1 2025.

   • On the Adriatic coast, annual price rises of ~16% have been reported.

3. Regional Differences

   • Coastal/tourist-heavy counties (Split-Dalmatia, Primorje-Gorski Kotar, Istria) are more exposed: high asking prices, but falling transaction numbers, likely because of low affordability for many buyers.

   • Inland areas and some smaller/university towns like Varaždin are bucking the trend: increases in sales volumes and more “reasonable” pricing.

4. New Legislation & Tax Changes

   • Starting Jan 1, 2025, Croatia introduced a real-estate tax on vacant and short-term rented properties. Properties rented out ≥10 months/year or used as primary residence are (in many cases) exempt.

   • The government is pushing to shift some tax burden to property owners, especially those whose real estate stays empty or is primarily used for short-term/tourist rentals. This is part of broader efforts to improve housing availability.

5. Affordability Pressure

   • Young buyers find it harder to enter the market. Many homes are being bought with mortgages now more than ever, but high prices / rising interest rates etc. are challenges.

   • The gap between asking price and what buyers are willing or able to pay is growing.

6. Commercial Real Estate & Sectors

   • Logistics and industrial real estate are strong, with new warehouse space under construction or being planned.

   • Office sector: low vacancy (especially in Zagreb), and increasing rents.

   • Retail is evolving: more retail parks rather than traditional malls.

7. Outlook

   • Experts expect housing prices to keep rising, though more moderately than in years with very rapid growth.

   • The market is shifting: less speculative activity, more focus on long-term rentals, regulatory stability, and housing supply

Notable Recent Developments (2025)

1. Affordable Housing Plan: 9,000 Apartments by 2030
   Under Croatia’s new National Housing Plan (adopted March 2025), the government aims to deliver 9,000 new affordable housing units by 2030.

   • Half of those units will be for non-profit rentals, and the other half sold at a price capped at €2,104/m².

   • The Agency for Legal Transactions & Real Estate Brokerage (APN) is tasked with oversight.

   • Municipalities must prepare housing programs by 2026, identifying land and needs.

   • The scheme also contemplates an Affordable Rental Program, where private owners lease to APN at regulated rates; the state would partially subsidize the difference.

2. New Rules for Shared Property / Co-ownership
   Since 2025, Croatia has introduced reforms to the “Real Estate Management and Maintenance” law.

   • Co-owner communities (e.g. condominium associations) are now legal entities with registration, their own ID numbers, and formal responsibilities.

   • Decision thresholds vary (urgent works, investment maintenance, structural changes), and liability is extended to not only building managers but co-owners who act outside legal rules.

3. Price Levels & Market Activity

   • Residential property prices in Croatia continue to rise: as of mid-2025, average apartment prices are ~€3,834/m², and houses ~€3,303/m².

   • In elite areas (front-line, sea view, historic centers), prices can soar much higher (e.g. >€10,000/m² in prime Dubrovnik).

   • However, despite rising prices, transaction volumes are declining. In H1 2025, total real estate sales dropped ~15% year-on-year, with house sales down ~26%.

   • In coastal / tourist hotspots, the premium is steep: coastal houses often cost 50–130% more than inland equivalents.

4. Foreign Buyers & Rules

   • Foreigners can purchase real estate in Croatia, but they must obtain approval from the Minister of Justice.

   • Rental of property by foreign owners must be done via a Croatian legal entity.

   • Real estate is regarded as relatively liquid: quarterly price growth ~2% is observed in many segments.

5. Short-Term Rentals Under Greater Scrutiny

   • The government is moving to tighten regulation of short-term tourist rentals (e.g. Airbnb / holiday lets) to relieve pressure on housing availability for residents.

   • Proposed measures include higher taxes on rental properties, stricter permits, and restricting new private rental licenses in historic city centers.

6. Luxury / High-end Listings & Notable Properties

   • A standout luxury listing: a €55 million seaside compound in Croatia (25 bedrooms) has entered the market.

   • Other high-value villas: e.g. one in Split-Dalmatia priced ~€3.45M, and waterfront properties in Dubrovnik, Šibenik region are being actively marketed.

7. Tourism & Real-Estate Link

   • Croatia has recorded record tourist numbers in 2025 (15.5 million arrivals, 79.2 million overnight stays by August), with spending up ~10.4%.

   • The strong tourism rebound continues to fuel demand for holiday rentals, which in turn pressures residential housing in coastal areas.