Regional Information - Foreign Ownership > Croatia, Europe

Feature Island

Regional Information

Croatia’s sublime stretch of Adriatic coast makes it hard to believe this was ever home to a bloody war that tore the country apart. The country’s physical charms persist and private islands are one of the best and most beautiful deals in Europe. Croatia is situated between central, southern and eastern Europe. It has a rather peculiar shape that resembles a horseshoe, which explains its many neighbours. Croatia's climate is a mixture of continenstal, Mediterranean and highland. This country is set to join the European Untion very soon – real estate deals can still be found.

Croatia, Europe

Foreign Ownership of Islands in Croatia, Europe

It is possible to for foreigners to purchase islands in Croatia, but patience is required from buyers. Inconsistent and changing regulations on coastal property ownership have in the past provided challenges for foreign investors. The basis rule is that foreign investors need the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice - an approval process that can take up to one year. However, the right of foreigners to acquire property in Croatia is based on reciprocity. If your country of citizenship allows Croatians to buy land, then you have reciprocity with Croatia. The U.S. and Croatia share reciprocity. Permission to purchase is seldom denied if there is reciprocity.

There is also another way for foreigners to buy property in Croatia. Any foreign investor, incorporated as a Croatian legal entity, may acquire and own property without restriction. A foreign person incorporated under Croatian law is considered to be a Croatian person. Foreign citizens that establish, or already have an established company in Croatia, can purchase real estates on behalf of this company.
Cleaning up Croatia’s land registry system has been an on-going process and the country is still resolving backlogged cases. Potential investors should seek a full explanation of land ownership rights before purchasing a private island in Croatia. You will need the assistance of a good lawyer because sometimes there are conflicting claims to land, making it necessary to verify that the seller holds clear title.

Regional Statistics for Croatia, Europe

Location:: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia
Population:: 4,494,749
Languages:: Croatian, Serbian, Italian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, German
Capital:: Zagreb
Currency:: Kuna
Climate:: Mediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast
Temperature Range:: +5 to +36
Terrain:: geographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian border, low mountains and highlands near Adriatic coastline and islands
Natural Hazards:: destructive earthquakes