How to go about purchasing property
Having read the regulations here about purchasing property in Croatia, and if you are eligible (if not, you can most likely still purchase property via the company route), check either with property agents or with a property finder/consultant firm (links on this and previous page) to just get a feel of what is available and at what price. We strongly urge prospective purchasers not to rush and to inspect all suitable properties before making final decisions. We have been told by several Croats that the best time to look for property on the Adriatic Coast is after the main tourist season is over: September, October and November. Our advice would also be that after selecting an area or location, you should go and stay there for a period of time (from one week to a month) to get a good feel of the locality, environment, people, transport links and so on.

We feel that for a non-Croatian speaking foreigner, the easiest route to purchasing a property is to either go through an agency, who are likely to have staff who speak a foreign language, such as English and, who have probably had foreign clients in the past and who will look after your application.

Alternatively, there are a few specialised consultancy or property finder firms who will act for you in searching, advising,negotiating and seeing through to completion your acqusition. The advice is impartial and unbiased.This is a useful service if you don't have time to speak to agents or prefer to deal with one contact, and need a genuine hand to guide you through the complex property procedure.

Please note that normally in Croatia, even the purchasers pay about 2-3% of the purchase price to agents. (The seller also pays a similar amount.)

Of the property agents and property consultant firms featured in this section, all offer a very reliable service. We have received many positive responses from purchasers. If you have any feedback, please let us know.

If you want any additional information about the purchasing process, please check out our message board. Your query may already have been answered there - if not, post it up!

What to expect once you buy
Wherever you settle, you are more than likely to find some English speaking people. For example, in Dubrovnik there is a small community of English people, including a family we know who settled there 20 years ago who, at that time, were a couple in their early-50s and four teenage children (who are now all married to locals and having their own children!). The parents absolutely love it there and are full of praise for the city itself and the country.

In many other coastal places, you are bound to find an English person or two, or at least a local who was a seaman for some 30 years and who speaks good English!

We also have a Living in Croatia message board; again, peruse it and leave any questions you might have on it!

Croats are friendly and decent people. It is highly unlikely that you will be unwelcome or taken advantage of in some way. But common sense tells you to always get advice from either somebody you know well or your estate agent before making decisions such as getting builders, buying furniture etc.

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