Situated on the Adriatic coast is a small and beautiful country called Croatia. Famous for its sprawling Yacht industry, the place is growing as a tourist destination. Croatia has everything on offer for the average tourist. Nature lover, adventure seeker, History enthusiast or shopping lover, Croatia will definitely satisfy them with its splendor. Nature lovers have everything to choose from including Scuba diving, mountain biking, hiking and much more. The country also has a unique history. It was earlier a part of Yugoslavia. It also has a mixture of cuisines and many internationally recognized hotels.
It has miles of beautiful unexplored coastline. White sands, clear blue waters and coral reefs, the coasts of Croatia have it all. Croatia also has magnificent mountains and clean rivers. Tourists usually come to Croatia for its beaches and sand, but nature lovers can never miss the 8 national parks over here. The parks are overflowing with Flora and Fauna and cascading waterfalls. The wildlife here is varied from the bear, wild sheep to the Lynx. Most of the land over here is protected. There are some 44 types of herbal species, which are protected, and 381 species of wildlife.
There are many unexplored caves, mountains etc in the forests. If that was nature, the shopping and nightlife in Croatia is sprawling as well. Head off straight to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia and explore the museums that the place has. Zagreb is also called the city of museums, as there are more museums per square foot in this place than any other place in the world. This place is not so popular with tourists and hence you can enjoy a silent evening sitting in one of the cafes and simply watch the world go by.
Trogir is another magnificent city that Croatia has to offer. This is one of the best places to stop on the Dalmatian coast. St.Lawrence church is one of the grandest structures in Trogir. Besides this, Croatia also has over 20 naturist resorts, nudist beaches and a lot more.
Keep your passports and other documents in order while entering Croatia to ensure a safe and pleasurable trip without hassle.
When you want to buy property in Croatia there are some things that you will want to take into consideration before you buy any property. There are also some things that you will have to do in order to buy property in Croatia.
Croatia is becoming more and more popular as a holiday destination. This is why it is becoming more popular for people to purchase property in Croatia. Here are some things that you need to know before you try and acquire property in Croatia.
One: You need to decide where you want to purchase the property at. In what area of Croatia is it that you want to reside in when you are there for your holiday?
Two: Find a guide that can assist you in all areas of purchasing. This is where we can help and take the worry out of purchasing abroad, as we can help you choose legal representatives, the ones we recommend or your own.
Three: You will want to find a real estate agent to help you find the perfect property in Croatia for you. They will have a better understanding of what needs to be done. They will also be able to tell you more about the area that the property is in. We sell in certain areas and can assist completely if you wish to purchase within these areas.
Four: You need to find out what the regulations are for non-Croatian citizens who are purchasing property in Croatia. The best place to go is to the U.S. Embassy in Zagreb to help you understand the regulations and legal documents that are required. This is the best place to start when you want to own property in Croatia. The regulations that you need to know about are in place for valid citizens of all countries that have a reciprocal agreement, meaning countries in which Croatian citizens can purchase property and vice versa. The countries that are covered by this are all EU countries except Italy, and the Russian Federation, and Hungary. For the citizens of Italy, Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, you can only purchase property in Croatia if you intend to settle in Croatia on a permanent basis. When you are deciding where you want to buy property in Croatia you will need to do some research to help you find out about the different regions. This will give you a better understanding of the area that you are looking at for your property.
So take the time to do your research before you decide on what property in Croatia you want.
Countries that are members of the EU do not need any permissions from the ministry to purchase a property in Croatia, you can purchase property the same as a Croatian citizen, all that is needed is proof that you are from the EU and you are a foreign citizen, this can be done with a copy of your passport. Also required will be contact details and proof of address and earnings.
Istria: Easy and inexpensive access, including by public transport from Italy. Istria is often called the Croatian Tuscany - there are lovely historic coastal towns (Porec, Rovinj, Pula) whilst the interior is very picturesque. The climate includes warm summers and cooler winters. Property is quite expensive due to high demand and Istrias proximity to the rest of Europe.
Kvarner Riviera: The main town is Rijeka, which has an airport on the nearby island of Krk and also has reasonable access from Zagreb (bus/train journey is just over 3 hours). Lovely coastal resorts include Crikvenica (one of the Croatians' favourites), Kraljevica and Novi Vinodolski. The climate is warm in the summer but some winter days can get quite cold. Bargains are hard to find as this area is close to the Croatian interior and therefore popular with many Croats.
Nothern Dalmatia: Some lovely historic towns (Zadar, Sibenik, Trogir) with small coastal resorts between them. Warm in the summer with mild winters, although some strong winds occasionally. Some bargains to be had, particularly in the smaller towns! Southern Dalmatia The main town is Split, with good transport links by ferry to the Italian port of Ancona. Rather long journey times if travelling to/from Zagreb by bus or train.
The Makarska Riviera and the ancient town of Dubrovnik are amongst the most attractive places, although both these locations are quite expensive to buy property, especially due to the popularity of Dubrovnik. Very warm summers and mild winters. The Islands There are thousands of them - just take your pick, although only about 60 are inhabited. On the other hand, if you are really determined, you could splash out and purchase a whole Croatian island of your very own!
Inland Croatia Zagreb, as the capital, is where property can get very expensive, although it is, of course, still cheaper than comparative property in other European countries. Many smaller towns in Northern Croatia, in which property is very cheap, are close to Austria and Hungary and might be suitable for those wanting the quiet life.
Advice on purchasing Croatia Property: If you decide to purchase a property you will need a proof of citizenship: your passport has then to be notarised in Croatia. Legal Fees and Taxes The property transfer tax in Croatia is currently 5%. If you buy newly-built property like off plan apartments, this 5% will be levied just on the cost of the land. If the property is older, the 5% will be on the entire property value.
Mortagages: At the present time, mortgages are not available to foreigners in Croatia secured on property in Croatia. The Contract On the assigned day of completion, the buyer and seller (or their authorized representatives) will be presented at the office of the Notary (Javni Biljeznik) to sign the title deed (Ugovor or Kupoprodaji Nekretnine). The Croatian Notary does not check any terms when buying property in Croatia, but certifies that both parties have agreed to the terms stated, (the Notary is in place to witness both parties' signatures). At that stage your agent will prepare a copy of your contract and all other (see below the list of documents needed) necessary documents to be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Croatia. A clause in the contract allows you to take advantage of your property with immediate effect while you wait for the paperwork When acquiring a property in Croatia, foreign citizens need to obtain the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia. This is a formality that requires 12 to 18 months to complete. Applications are not refused unless the individual has an adverse history with relation to Croatia. In Croatia the ultimate proof of ownership is entry of the owners name in the local Land Registry (Zemljisne Knjige) on that specific property.
The local courts will not allow a foreign citizen to be entered in the Land Registry without the MFA approval. Here is a list of the documents, which have to be supplied to the MFA when requesting an approval to purchase property in Croatia: The sales contract; An excerpt from the land registry for the particular property (In Croatian ZK izvadak). This document is usually obtained in each municipality (Opcina) at the local municipal court (Opcinski Sud); it's land registry division (Gruntovni Odjel); A document from the local municipality (Opcina), from the following department: “Ured za prostorno planiranje”. The document is called “Uvjerenje o namjeni”, for the particular property; Proof of citizenship for both buyer and seller (photocopy of passport); any photocopies have to be notarised by a Croatian Notary Public. When buying property in Croatia, a clause in the contract safeguards your finances, protects your rights and allows you to take advantage of your property with immediate effect while you wait for the paperwork. Once the approval arrives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Croatia your agent will fax it to the local Land Registry and confirm you as a new owner, then the final step is to pay the tax for your new property in the Taxation Office.
These guidelines are meant for guidance only and describe a straightforward purchase scenarios. However this information is not meant to replace proper legal advice, which we always insist you take.
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