Mortgages in Croatia: conditions, interest rates, documents and how much you can borrow
Published 09. October 2026 · Updated 13. October 2026 · 2 min read
Banks finance up to 80 % of the value, the instalment may be at most around a third of your income, rates are fixed, variable or combined. How to prepare and what banks require from foreigners.
How much you can borrow
Two limits determine the loan amount:
- Loan-to-value (LTV): banks usually finance up to 80 % of the appraised value, so you need at least 20 % of your own funds plus purchase costs.
- Instalment-to-income ratio: the monthly instalments of all loans generally may not exceed about 40 % of net income, and the legally protected part of the salary must remain after the instalment.
Our mortgage calculator gives a quick estimate of the instalment.
Types of interest rate
- Fixed for the whole term: highest certainty, usually a slightly higher rate.
- Variable, tied to a reference rate (EURIBOR or NRS): lower at the start but with the risk of increases.
- Combined: fixed for the first 5 to 10 years, then variable. The most common choice in Croatia.
Compare the effective interest rate (EKS), which includes all fees, not only the nominal rate.
Term and currency
Loans run for 5 to 30 years, and the borrower usually may not be older than 70 to 75 at the end of the term. All loans are in euros.
Documents the bank requires
- ID card or passport and OIB,
- employer's salary confirmation and the last three payslips, or tax return for the self-employed,
- bank statements for the last 6 to 12 months,
- preliminary contract or offer for the property,
- land registry extract and appraisal by a licensed appraiser,
- building insurance (often also life insurance assigned to the bank).
Mortgages for foreigners
Croatian banks lend to non-residents too, but on stricter terms: lower LTV (often 50 to 70 %), proof of income from the country of residence translated into Croatian and sometimes an account with the bank. Buyers from Germany and Austria often finance through a loan at home secured on a property there.
Tips
- Get offers from at least three banks and compare the effective rate and the total amount repaid.
- Ask about early repayment fees.
- Do not borrow to the maximum; keep a reserve for purchase costs, renovation and the unexpected.
General information for 2026. Conditions differ between banks; only the bank's offer is binding.
