Croatia’s Property Market Slows in 2025
Nationwide Decline in Real Estate Transactions
Croatia’s property market entered a cooling phase in 2025 after several years of strong activity. According to data from the Croatian Tax Administration, 117,359 real estate transactions were recorded during the year, representing 17,829 fewer sales than in 2024. This marks a nationwide decline of approximately 13.2%.
The downturn affected apartments, houses, agricultural land, construction plots, and commercial properties, with double-digit declines across most segments. The figures confirm a broad-based market adjustment amid higher borrowing costs and elevated price levels.
Zagreb Remains the Largest Market Despite Drop
The City of Zagreb continued to record the highest number of transactions nationwide. In 2025, 16,565 property sales were registered, compared to 18,524 in 2024, reflecting a decline of around 10.6%. Zagreb County saw a 12.6% decrease, with transactions falling from 9,825 to 8,586.
Despite the slowdown, the capital remains the most liquid real estate market in Croatia due to its population density and economic concentration.
Adriatic Coast Sees the Steepest Declines
The most pronounced declines were recorded along the Adriatic coast, traditionally one of Croatia’s most active property markets.
Split-Dalmatia County experienced a 23.5% drop in transactions, falling from 10,961 to 8,387. Istria County recorded a 16.5% decline, with sales decreasing from 11,741 to 9,804. Primorje-Gorski Kotar County saw one of the sharpest contractions nationwide, with transactions dropping nearly 32%, from 14,574 to 9,937.
Zadar County was a notable exception, registering growth of approximately 10% and reaching 8,558 transactions in 2025.
Mixed Results in Continental Croatia
In continental regions, changes were generally more moderate. Osijek-Baranja County stood out with a 10.5% increase, rising from 7,748 to 8,558 transactions. Other Slavonian counties recorded smaller declines, while smaller regions such as Međimurje and Lika-Senj reported decreases ranging between 8% and 15%.
Apartments, Houses and Land All Affected
Apartment sales declined by 13%, from 27,191 to 23,561 transactions. House sales fell more sharply by 20%, from 4,054 to 3,226.
Agricultural land transactions decreased by 12.6%, while construction land sales dropped by more than 14%, from 25,257 to 21,622. Additional categories also contracted significantly, with garage sales down 18.3%, parking spaces down 34%, commercial premises down 21.3%, and burial plot transactions falling by 29% year-on-year.
Foreign Buyers Remain Active
Foreign demand continues to support parts of the market. Slovenian buyers led with 2,569 purchases, followed by Germany with 1,963 transactions and Austria with 870. Buyers from the Czech Republic and Bosnia and Herzegovina also remained active.
Outlook for 2026
The latest figures suggest Croatia’s property market is undergoing a period of adjustment following years of elevated demand, particularly in coastal regions. Rising interest rates, high price levels and broader macroeconomic conditions are weighing on transaction volumes.
As reported by experts at International Investment, Croatia’s real estate market is transitioning into a stabilization phase where transaction activity moderates, yet structural drivers such as foreign demand, tourism potential and limited coastal supply continue to underpin long-term investment attractiveness.