About Croatia

The crystal clear waters, magnificent islands, authentic fisherman villages, beaches, vineyards, Roman village ruins and medieval towns are just part of the treasure that makes Croatia a tourist paradise. Described by many as the 'Spain 20 years ago' and 'The Mediterranean as it once was', its landscapes and coastlines are irresistible. The combination of Italy and Greece, Tuscany and the Azure coast creates the perfect balance of rich cultural and historical heritage. With 1244 islands Croatia seems really unique.

TOTAL AREA:
56.548 km²

LAND AREA:
31.067 km²

POPULATION:
4.800.000

CAPITAL CITY:
Zagreb, population: 890.000

TOTAL LENGHT OF COAST:
5.835 km (1.777 km Mainland coast and  4.058 km Island coast)

NUMBER OF ISLANDS:
1.244, of which 67 inhabited islands

THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN:
Dinara 1.831m

CLIMATE:
Dalmatian region has a Mediterranean type of climate with mild winters and warm, sometimes even hot and sunny summers. The coast is backed by the high mountains of the Dinaric Alps - rising up to 1800 m (Velebit, Biokovo) Winter rainfall in this part of Croatia is quite heavy. Sunshine averages in Croatia are from about four hours a day in winter and from ten to twelve hours a day in summer. Moving towards continental part of Croatia, inland climatic conditions swiftly become more typically Eastern European with cold winters and warm summers. Summers in continental Croatia tent to get the wettest season too. Much of inland Croatia is mountainous and hilly. Winters in Continental Croatia are full of snow that stands for long periods in the higher Croatian regions. Slavonia and Eastern Croatia is mostly fertile flat land in the valleys of the river Danube (Dunav), river Drava, and River Sava where winters are very cold with snow and ice.

GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION:

Croatia extends from the foothills of the Julian Alps in the northwest, across the Dinaric, Adriatic coast to the west and south, to the Pannonian valley to the east. Croatia is cut by the 45th parallel north latitude.

POLITICAL SYSTEM:
multi-party parliamentary republic.

TERRITORIAL SYSTEM:
20 counties + City of Zagreb, 124 towns and 426 municipalities

NATIONALTY:
The majority of the population are Croats. National minorities include Serbs, Moslems, Slovenes, Italians, Hungarians, Slovaks...

RELIGION:

The majority of the population are Catholics, but there are also Orthodox, Muslim and other Christian faiths. In Croatia there are 40 religious communities.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE:
Croatian

OFFICIAL SCRIPT:
Latin

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Foreign citizens and purchase of real estate in Croatia

When foreigners want to purchase property in Croatia on their own name can acquire property in following manner :

• CConclude the purchase contract, the purchaser enters into possession of the property and pays the full amount of the purchase price of the seller (previously it may make preliminary, where the parties commit themselves to conclude the main contract and the purchaser handing down payment which is usually about 10% of total cost)
• The Land Registry recorded the existence of the recordation of a lien on the property to the customer
• From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested approval for the acquisition of property. Consent may only require nationals of countries which have signed an agreement on reciprocity with the Republic of Croatia: citizens of Austria, Great Britain, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany, France, Holland, Hungary, USA, Australia, Belgium, Venezuela, Spanish, Polish, the Russian Federation, Egypt, Luxembourg, Ireland and Ukraine. In Italy, there are factual reciprocity and is connected with approved permanent formation and operation.
• Within 30 days of signing the purchase contract the buyer is legally obligated to report the tax liability Tax Administration office in whose territory the real estate is located (on particular the prescribed form). Real estate transfer tax is paid at a flat tax rate of 5%, and within 15 days of receipt of the decision.
• After he was granted the approval, the foreign person has the right to register the property as owner.

When the buyer is a foreign person who founded a company in Croatia and wants on register the property on behalf of the newly established enterprises. The usual way of acquiring the property is:

• The buyer establishes a limited liability company (d.o.o.) in Croatia . The buyer is the owner of all the shares of that company.
• The Croatian company signs a contract with the seller of the property , pays the full amount of the purchase price of the seller , enters into possession of the property. Sometimes the sellers ask for deposit that usually amounts to 10% of total cost before full payment of the amount stated in the contract.
• Buyer is recorded as owner of the property in the land registry.
• Within 30 days of signing the purchase contract the buyer is legally obligated to report the tax liability to the Tax Administration office in whose territory the real estate is located (on particular the prescribed form). Real estate transfer tax is paid at a flat tax rate of 5%, and within 15 days of receipt of the decision.

Useful links

Croatian National Tourist Board

Goverment of the Rupublic of Croatia

Meteorological and hydrological institute of Croatia

Croatian National Bank