Apartment Rentals in Zagreb and on the Coast – Why Are Prices Still Rising?

The apartment rental market in Croatia remains under great pressure in 2025. Whether it is renting in Zagreb, Split or Rijeka, prices keep rising and breaking records. The question troubling both tenants and investors is: why are rents not falling despite rising interest rates and slowing apartment purchases?

📈 Apartment Rental Prices in Zagreb 2025

• The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Zagreb has risen by 10–15% compared to 2024.
• Key reasons for the increase: a steady influx of students and young employees, a shortage of new builds in the affordable housing segment, and rising utility and maintenance reserve fund costs, which landlords pass on to tenants through higher rents.

👉 The search term “apartment rental prices Zagreb 2025” is recording record growth on Google, confirming how topical the subject is.

🌊 Apartment Rentals in Split – Tourism Sets the Pace

In Split, rents are even more sensitive to the tourist season.

• Apartments rented long-term in winter switch to holiday rentals in summer.
• This puts pressure on tenants, who are forced to move or pay more.
• Renting a 50 m² apartment in Split now costs between €700 and €1.000 per month, depending on the location.

👉 The key phrase “rent Split” combines demand from students, digital nomads and tourists – the result is a steady rise in prices.

⚓ Rijeka – Hidden Price Growth

Rijeka was long considered a “cheaper alternative”, but in 2025 prices are rising here too.

• The reason: new investments opening up and the arrival of foreign workers.
• Apartment rents in Rijeka now reach up to €600–800 for a two-bedroom apartment, which is a significant jump.

👉 Searches for “rent Rijeka” show steady growth in interest, especially among younger families and students.

🔑 Main Reasons for Rising Rental Prices in Croatia

1. Lack of supply – the construction of new apartments is not keeping up with demand.

2. High purchase prices – more and more people are staying in rented housing because they cannot afford to buy.

3. Tourism pressure – the coast is particularly affected by short-term rentals.

4. Demographic changes – a growing number of foreigners (digital nomads, seasonal workers) are looking for apartments.

5. Inflation – landlords are passing rising costs on through higher rents.

🗝️ Advice from Imperium Immobiliare

• Tenants: plan for the long term and secure a lease agreement – it is the best protection against sudden rent increases.
• Investors: 2025 is an ideal year to enter the rental sector – returns on investment are stable and rising.
• Landlords: a transparent relationship with tenants brings security and long-term tenancies, which is often more profitable than short-term tourist rentals.

📌 Conclusion

Whether it is Zagreb, Split or Rijeka, apartment rents in 2025 continue to rise. The reasons are clear: limited supply, strong demand and rising living costs.

For buyers, investors and tenants, this means that it is essential to stay well informed and act in good time. In a market like this, choosing the right property can make an enormous difference in the long run.