Croatia: housing

Are house prices rising in Croatia?

Dwelling prices in Croatia were 12.7% higher in the second quarter of 2026 than a year earlier, according to the DZS House Price Indices release. Prices rose 2.7% on the previous quarter. Existing dwellings rose 14.1% on the year and newly built ones 9.2%. In the City of Zagreb prices were up 15.7%, on the Adriatic coast 9.0%.

DZS notes that the second-quarter data are provisional because of changes in how data are delivered from the administrative source. The index measures price change, not price levels.

Official sources: DZS: House Price Indices, Q2 2026 - Provisional · DZS: House price indices releases

How much does a new flat cost per square metre in Croatia?

New dwellings sold by companies cost an average of 3,012 euro per square metre in the first half of 2026, according to the DZS release on prices of sold new dwellings. That was 8.9% more than a year earlier. Including state-subsidised (POS) flats, which sold for 1,410 euro per square metre, the overall average was 2,994 euro.

The figures are averages for the whole country, so prices in Zagreb and on the coast are higher than the average. They cover new dwellings sold by legal entities only, not resales between private owners, which are covered by the house price index.

Official sources: DZS: Prices of Sold New Dwellings, first half of 2026

What share of people in Croatia own their home?

91.4% of people in Croatia lived in a home owned by their household in 2025, according to Eurostat. 83.5% lived in a home with no mortgage or housing loan and 7.8% in one with a mortgage. 8.6% were tenants, and only 1.7% paid rent at market price.

The figures come from the EU Survey on Income and Living Conditions and count people, not dwellings. Because so few people rent at market rates, average rent figures are based on a small part of the population.

Official sources: Eurostat: Distribution of population by tenure status

How many building permits are issued in Croatia?

972 building permits were issued in Croatia in July 2026, 1.6% more than in July 2025, according to the DZS Building Permits Issued release. For January to July 2026 the number was 12.1% lower than a year earlier. The July permits provide for 1,537 dwellings with an average floor area of 95.6 square metres.

87.2% of July permits were for buildings and 12.8% for civil engineering works; 80.3% were for new construction. Permits show planned building, so not every permitted dwelling is completed. Completed dwellings are published in a separate annual release.

Official sources: DZS: Building Permits Issued, July 2026

What share of Croatia is urban?

According to the UN Population Division, the share of people living in urban areas in Croatia was 57.8% in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 42nd highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 69.6%. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 116th highest.

How many people in Croatia live in slums?

In 2022, the share of city dwellers living in slums in Croatia was 0.5%, according to UN-Habitat. That is the highest since at least 2006. It is 16th highest of 43 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 0.3%. Worldwide: 132nd of 170.

How many people in Croatia have electricity?

100.0%: that is the share of people with access to electricity in Croatia for 2024, according to the World Bank. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 1st highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 100.0%. World rank, highest first: 1st of 193.

What share of people in Croatia have safe drinking water?

In 2024, the share of people using safely managed drinking water in Croatia was 87.3%, according to WHO and UNICEF. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 96.7%, and Croatia placed 37th highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 56th of 134.

How many people in Croatia have a safe toilet?

According to WHO and UNICEF, the share of people using safely managed sanitation in Croatia was 74.7% in 2021. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 34th highest of 46 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 89.8%. Worldwide: 52nd of 136.

How many people in Croatia cook with wood or charcoal?

The WHO puts the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Croatia at 97.0% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: 99.0%; Croatia is 35th highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 71st of 192.