How to buy land in Croatia as a foreigner: UK guide

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Thinking about buying land in Croatia for a future home, holiday escape or an investment opportunity? Croatia’s landscape offers UK buyers many options, from coastal plots to buildable land and olive groves.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to buy land in Croatia and the key requirements for foreign buyers. We’ll also cover the typical costs and the process from start to finish.

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Can foreigners buy land in Croatia?

So, can foreigners buy land in Croatia? Yes, but rules vary depending on nationality and the type of land.

EU citizens and nationals from Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland can buy land in Croatia under the same conditions as Croatian nationals, with some restrictions on agricultural or protected land.¹

Non-EU buyers can buy land in Croatia if their home country has a reciprocity agreement and they receive approval from the Croatian Ministry of Justice.¹ As the UK has a reciprocity agreement, UK buyers are eligible.²

Is land investment in Croatia worth it?

Whether land investment abroad is worth it depends largely on your goals and intended use.

In Croatia, a key benefit is that land can be relatively affordable, especially away from the coast. There is also a mix of land types, from rural plots to areas with development potential. However, there are also pitfalls to consider.

Land doesn’t generate rental income, so any return depends on future development or resale. You also need to apply for purchase permission and it can take up to six months to receive approval.³

📚 Buying property in Croatia

How to invest in Croatia land from the UK

Here are the steps to follow if you decide to buy land in Croatia:

Choose a location

First, choose the area you want. Coastal land usually costs more, while inland plots are cheaper but may take longer to sell. If you plan to build, check whether the land is zoned for construction and what approvals are needed.

Keep in mind that land within approximately six metres of the coastline can’t be privately owned.³

Hire a local lawyer and real estate agent

Working with a Croatian property lawyer and, if you wish, real estate agent is essential. Your lawyer will handle legal due diligence, checks with the land registry and Ministry of Justice approval, while an agent helps with property visits and negotiations.

Make sure they both speak English to avoid misunderstandings. To find a lawyer, you can consult the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for a list of English-speaking property solicitors.⁴

Obtain a Croatian Identification Number (OIB)

You’ll need a Croatian identification number or osobni identifikacijski broj (OIB) in order to buy land here. You can apply through the Croatian embassy or through a Croatian Tax Administration Office.³

Verify ownership and zoning

Before proceeding with the purchase, your lawyer should obtain the land registry extract (zemljišnoknjižni izvadak) and cadastral plans to confirm the land is legally owned by the seller and free of liens or encumbrances. You can also get this yourself from the OSS portal.³

Prepare the preliminary agreement and deposit

Once a price is agreed, a preliminary agreement (predugovor) is typically drawn up. At this stage, you should also arrange the deposit transfer, typically around 10% of the land price. This secures the deal while other checks and approvals are completed.³

Obtain approval from the Ministry of Justice

As a non-EU buyer, you’ll need to apply for approval from the Croatian Ministry of Justice before buying land. Your lawyer usually handles this, and the approval usually takes between two and six months.³

Sign the final sale contract

Once approvals are in place, the final purchase contract (kupoprodajni ugovor) is signed before a notary and submitted for registration in the land registry.³

Is land expensive in Croatia?

Land prices vary widely across the country, but residential land has generally been rising in value. Coastal land in Croatia is often comparable to Montenegro or higher, while overall land prices are usually lower than in Slovenia.⁵

How much does 1 acre of land cost in Croatia?

The average price of residential land in Croatia is €120 per square metre or €485,623 per acre (£422,492). However, you can find inland plots for €40 euros per square metre or €161,874 per acre (£140,830).⁵

Coastal land is significantly more expensive because of tourism demand. The price of residential land here can reach €250 per square metre or €1,011,715 per acre (£880,192).⁵

Where is the cheapest place to buy land in Croatia?

Let’s look at the parts of Croatia where residential land is the most affordable:

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That covers the essentials you need to know before you buy land in Croatia. You should now have a better understanding of the costs, legal steps and what to expect.

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Sources used:

1. GOV.HR - real estate purchase for foreign nationals
2. Ministry of Justice - property ownership reciprocity
3. Investropa - buying land as a foreigner in Croatia
4. GOV.UK - find a lawyer abroad
5. Investropa - how much land costs in Croatia

Sources last checked on date: 09-Feb-2026