The following is a summary of the stages of the Croatia property buying process and assumes that if you are buying with a Croatian company, that the company has already been established for the purchase.
- Register with First Property Croatia
- Give us a detailed description of the type of real estate in Croatia you are looking to buy
- First will then point you to relevant properties on the internet site or alternatively provide you with information of properties that have not yet been put up or are off-market.
- Arrange a viewing time that suits your schedule
- Find a property you like and on your instruction, FIRST will open negotiation.
- Assuming an acceptable price and key terms can be agreed your designated lawyer in conjunction with the vendors’ lawyer (if he has one) will draw up the Croatian real estate purchase agreement.
- You open a foreign currency bank account (with internet banking), assisted if need be.
- The contract is then signed and exchanged in the presence of a Croatian notary public. However, if the buyer is not present, the contract can be signed in their country of residents or a power of attorney given to their designated representative or lawyer.
- Payment is made
- The documents are submitted to the local land registry department.
- Your lawyer will also register the Croatia real estate purchase agreement with the local tax authority. On receipt of the tax calculation for the property from the tax office, you have 30 days to pay before penalties interest of 17.5% is accrued.
- Where necessary the application for permission to purchase is prepared by your lawyer and sent to the Croatian Ministry of Justice. In this case after gaining approval and within 30 days, your lawyer must register the purchase agreement with the tax authorities.
