Apartment prices are rising while sales fall: what does it mean for you?

· · Market News

Apartment prices in Croatia continue to rise, even though significantly fewer purchases are being completed than a year ago. For buyers and sellers, this is an unusual combination. Below, we present the latest data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics and explain how to adapt to it.

What the latest apartment price data shows

According to provisional data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics (DZS), residential property prices in the second quarter of 2026 were on average 12,7% higher than a year earlier. Compared with the first quarter, they rose by 2,7%.

The growth is not uniform everywhere. On an annual basis, it looks like this:

  • existing properties: up 14,1%, and new builds up 9,2%
  • City of Zagreb: growth of 15,7%
  • Adriatic (including Istria): growth of 9,0%
  • other areas: growth of 15,8%

According to the same data, the number of residential properties sold was 33,3% lower than in the second quarter of 2025. For existing properties the decline is 35,9%, and for new builds 25%. The total value of properties sold fell by 24,5%.

There is also a different way of looking at the same figures. Compared with the first quarter of 2026, the number of properties sold increased by 23,2%, so the market appears to have recovered at least partially.

Why apartment prices are rising despite weaker sales

A drop in turnover alongside rising prices seems illogical at first glance. Industry experts cite limited supply as the main reason, especially of affordable apartments in larger cities and on the coast. When there are few quality apartments, sellers are under little pressure to lower prices.

At the same time, some buyers drop out because of high prices and stricter financing conditions. Since 1 July 2025, the Croatian National Bank has applied restrictions on consumer lending criteria. The result is fewer completed purchases, but not necessarily lower prices.

Even so, considerable caution is warranted. The DZS notes that the second-quarter data are provisional due to changed circumstances in the delivery of data from the administrative source. Transactions reported after the deadline are only included in later releases, so the drop in the number of sales may still be revised.

There is no simple answer about the direction ahead. According to analyses published in October 2026, the first signs of cooling are appearing and loan affordability is weakening. Experts nevertheless do not expect a sharp fall, but rather stabilisation with short-term fluctuations.

What this means for buyers

A slower market gives buyers more time to choose and more room to negotiate. That does not mean you can expect a big discount on every listing. Well-located, quality properties in Zagreb, Split, Zadar or Pula are still in demand.

We recommend that buyers:

  • check your creditworthiness and the bank's terms in advance
  • compare the price per square metre with actual sales in the neighbourhood, not just with listings
  • verify ownership, encumbrances and documentation before negotiating
  • factor in additional costs, from taxes to fees and building reserve fund contributions
  • don't decide under pressure, but don't delay a good opportunity for too long either

What this means for sellers

Rising prices do not guarantee a quick sale. When there are fewer buyers, an unrealistically high asking price means a listing stays on the market longer. A longer time on the market often ends with a bigger discount than if the price had been realistic from the start.

The foundation is a price based on comparable, actually completed sales in the same neighbourhood. It is also important that the apartment is legally in order, that the documents are ready and that the presentation is of high quality. Buyers are more selective today, so the difference between a well-prepared and a poorly prepared property quickly shows.

Supply also varies by region. Zagreb is recording stronger growth than the Adriatic coast, and local conditions in Split, Zadar or Pula may differ from the national average. That is why a valuation for a specific location is more useful than national figures.

Conclusion

The real estate market is currently sending two signals at once. Prices are still rising, while the number of sales is significantly lower than last year. It is therefore wise to base decisions on local data and a realistic valuation rather than on headlines. If you are thinking about buying or selling, the Imperium Immobiliare agents in Zagreb, Split, Zadar and Pula will be happy to go through the numbers with you and agree on the next step.

Sources

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