Additional costs when buying property in Croatia

Real Estate Transfer Tax in Croatia:

As a rule (purchase as a private individual), buyers in Croatia incur costs of 3% of the purchase price for the RETT (Real Estate Transfer Tax).

In some (rather rare) cases (e.g., in certain situations involving new construction), the seller is a company registered in the Croatian VAT system. If this company must charge and pay VAT of 25% on the property, the 3% tax is waived for the buyer, as the VAT was already included in the purchase price.

Under certain conditions, buyers may also reclaim the mentioned 25% VAT. This tax benefit can be relevant, for example, when operating tourist rentals. A prerequisite is that both the buyer and seller act as companies registered in the Croatian VAT system. We are happy to recommend qualified experts for further tax structuring advice in the context of corporate purchases in Croatia.

Broker’s Fee in Croatia:

The usual brokerage commission for a property buyer in Croatia is 3% plus Croatian VAT.

Legal Fees for Purchasing Property in Croatia:

As a general rule, qualified lawyers in Croatia charge between 1% and 1.5% (depending on the contract structure and level of complexity) for handling a property purchase.

Since official tariff rates are often considerably higher, we recommend hiring fair and above all experienced lawyers (there is no specialized real estate law qualification in Croatia). As Croatian property law undergoes occasional changes, we strongly advise engaging lawyers who work with real estate transactions regularly and are up to date. Panorama Scouting has a network of competent attorneys.

Notary Fees and Other Charges (translation fees, land registry registration):

Unlike in Germany, notary fees are significantly lower, as Croatian notaries typically do not draft purchase agreements but merely certify the signatures at contract signing.

Translation fees (court interpreters), registration fees, and administrative charges for registration or change of ownership also apply, though generally in the lower three-digit range.

Example Calculation of Additional Costs – Purchase Price: 100,000 EUR, private purchase for EU citizens (private seller)

*Legal fees, translation fees, registration charges, and administrative costs may vary depending on local tariffs and contract complexity. The provided calculation serves as a typical example.