Buying real estate: what to check before signing a preliminary agreement
Land registry checks, encumbrances and the deposit — the steps that protect buyers from the costliest mistakes.
Area 02
Property and land registry law
A purchase without risk: from land registry due diligence to registered ownership.
The costliest real estate mistakes happen before signing. We verify the land registry status, encumbrances and documentation, draft preliminary and final agreements and see the process through to registration of ownership.
We also resolve more complex situations: discrepancies between the land registry and cadastre, legalisation, condominium division, dissolution of co-ownership, easements and building rights.
In disputes we protect ownership and possession — from trespass claims to actions for declaration of ownership and deletion of entries.
Frequently asked questions
- What should be checked before buying property in Croatia?
- At minimum: ownership and encumbrances in the land registry, consistency with the cadastre, building and use permits, and any pending entries. For flats, also the building’s condominium status.
- How long does ownership registration take?
- Depending on the court’s backlog, from several weeks to several months. Proper documentation — especially the clausula intabulandi — is key to avoiding rejection.
- Can foreigners acquire real estate in Croatia?
- EU citizens are treated the same as Croatian buyers (except for agricultural land). Non-EU citizens need reciprocity and ministry consent, or they acquire through a Croatian company.
Articles in this area
All articles
Condominium division: when it is needed and how it works
Establishing ownership of individual units in practice.
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