Croatia’s stunning coastline has attracted discerning holiday homeowners for some time, but now the country could see a surge in permanent foreign residents, after becoming a Member of the European Union (EU) in July.
Article written by The Overseas Guides Company
Joining the EU opens up trade opportunities for Croatia, gives it access to EU funding and makes it easy for other EU nationals, including British people, to live there. There is little doubt the former Yugloslavian state is attractive to foreigners – it draws around 10 million tourists a year, more than double its population. Thankfully, strict planning laws have kept the Croatian coastline relatively unspoilt and there is a noticeable absence of high-rise apartment blocks in seaside resorts.
But what sort of property is available there and where are the best places to buy? In the north, the Istrian Peninsula has been popular with foreigners for some years – thanks to it’s rolling hills, and abundant olive groves and vineyards, it is often compared to Tuscany, making it an affordable alternative to the northern Italian hot spot. Sought after seaside towns there include Vrsar, Porec and Rovinj. Istria has its own airport at Pula.
Moving down the Dalmatian coast towards Split, pretty family resorts include Vodice, Primosten and Rogoznica, the last being just 30 kilometres from Split’s airport at Trogir.
The most prized areas of Croatia though are the islands off Split, namley Hvar and Brac – both treasured for their crystal clear waters, unspoilt bays and laid-back island lifestyle, and of course stunning Dubrovnik, a World Heritage Site. All of these attract the international jet set, some of whom own private villas tucked away on hillsides – Prince Harry in the past has been spotted at night spots in Hvar!
Brac, home to the unmistakable Zlatni Rat beach at Bol, has property ownership opportunities in the village of Sutivan. Meanwhile, to avoid the premium prices of Dubrovnik, the Sun Gardens complex , located a few kilometres north of the city, has affordable one and two bedroom apartments for sale.
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