Buyer Advisory for Foreign Buyers

Foreign buyers purchasing a property in Croatia for the first time usually have the same concerns: can they even buy property as a foreigner, what taxes apply, do they need a lawyer, and what happens if something goes wrong with the paperwork. Rebecca Croatia guides foreign buyers through the entire purchase process in Pula and Istria, from the first conversation to handing over the keys, in a language you understand.

Can foreigners even buy property in Croatia

EU citizens buy property in Croatia under exactly the same conditions as Croatian citizens, with no additional permits or approvals. Non-EU citizens need approval from the Croatian Ministry of Justice before the ownership registration, unless their country has a reciprocity agreement with Croatia, which applies to most European countries and many others, including the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. This process sounds more complicated than it is, in practice it is an administrative step we handle for you and it does not prevent you from viewing properties and signing a pre-contract right away.

Transaction costs to expect

Real estate transfer tax of 3 percent, paid by the buyer.
Notary fees for certifying the contract, depending on the property's value.
Lawyer's fee, if you engage a lawyer for an additional legal review, which we recommend for larger transactions.
Land registry entry fee.

We calculate all these costs in advance and include them in the overall budget before you sign the pre-contract, so there are no surprises at the end of the process.

Do you need a lawyer

It is not a legal requirement, but for foreign buyers we recommend an independent lawyer who speaks your language and reviews the contract before signing, especially for a larger transaction like a house or villa. We check the basic legal soundness of every property before we ever present it, but an additional independent check gives you extra peace of mind. We can recommend lawyers our clients have had good experience with.

Opening a bank account and payment

Most foreign buyers pay the purchase price by bank transfer from their own account, without needing to open a Croatian account first, though some choose to open one for ongoing costs like utilities. We explain your specific options based on your country and situation.

Guidance in your language, every step of the way

We guide you through every step in a language you understand, translate and explain every document before you sign, and check the property's legal status in advance so there are no surprises later. We have worked with clients from Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States, and we know the typical questions and concerns of each of these groups.

For apartments, see our apartments for sale page, for houses our houses for sale page, and for the higher segment our luxury villas page. If you are selling a property rather than buying, see our seller representation page.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the whole purchase process take for a foreign buyer? Usually four to eight weeks, longer if Ministry of Justice approval is needed, which we handle in parallel with the other steps.

Do I need to come to Croatia in person for the whole process? Not necessarily, many steps can be handled remotely or through a power of attorney, though we recommend at least one in-person visit to view the property before signing.

Can you help with a mortgage as a foreign buyer? Yes, we connect you with banks and mortgage brokers who work with foreign nationals.

Whether you are buying an apartment in Pula or a house in Ližnjan, we check every document and any liens before you sign.