Start with the lifestyle, not the listing
The most satisfied buyers we work with started by defining how they want to live in Istria — summers only, or all year? Walking to a café, or waking to vineyards? The answers narrow the map quickly, from coastal towns like Poreč, Rovinj and Novigrad to the hilltop villages of the green interior.
Set the full budget early
Beyond the purchase price, plan for roughly 6-7% in transaction costs: real estate transfer tax or VAT, notary and court fees, and agency commission. If you plan to renovate a stone house, ask for realistic local construction estimates before you commit.
The practical first steps
- Obtain an OIB (Croatian personal identification number) — a quick administrative step we help arrange.
- Open a Croatian bank account if you intend to transfer funds for the purchase.
- Decide whether you buy as a private person or through a company; for most EU citizens, buying as a private person is simple.
Title comes first
Before any deposit, the land registry extract must be clean: registered ownership, no encumbrances, and a building that matches its permits. This is the heart of our work and the reason buyers sleep well.