Answers to the questions clients ask us most often about commission, selling, buying and renting property in Zagreb and Croatia.
Agency Commission and Fees
What is the real estate agency commission in Zagreb?
At Imperium Immobiliare, the brokerage fee for selling or buying a property is between 3% and 6% of the agreed purchase price + VAT, with a minimum of €1.000 + VAT. The exact amount is agreed in the Brokerage Agreement before any work begins. Details are in the price list.
Does the buyer pay a commission to the agency?
Only if the buyer has signed a separate Brokerage Agreement with the agency. Imperium Immobiliare does not charge a brokerage fee to a buyer who has not signed such an agreement.
What is the commission for renting an apartment?
Up to 75% of one month's rent for tenancies shorter than 6 months, up to 100% for tenancies of 6 to 59 months, and up to 150% for tenancies of 60 months or longer, always + VAT. It is paid by the party that signed the Brokerage Agreement with the agency.
When is the commission payable?
The right to the fee arises once the contract the agency brokered has been concluded (most often a preliminary contract or a sale and purchase agreement). The exact moment and payment deadline are set out in the Brokerage Agreement.
What is included in the brokerage fee?
The fee includes a market price valuation, land registry (zemljišna knjiga) and document checks, photography and advertising, viewings, negotiations, coordination with the lawyer, notary and bank, and assistance with the handover. The costs of lawyers, notaries and other professionals are not included unless otherwise agreed.
Selling an Apartment
How long does it take to sell an apartment in Zagreb?
It depends on the location, condition and price. Realistically priced apartments in sought-after locations in Zagreb often sell within a few weeks to a few months. Correct documentation, good photos and a realistic price do the most to shorten the sale.
What documents do I need to sell an apartment?
You will usually need an extract from the land registry (ownership certificate), an energy performance certificate, proof of the building's legality (e.g. occupancy permit or certificate of as-built status), and the owner's ID card. For an inherited apartment, you also need the inheritance decision, and for an apartment in a building, a certificate showing there are no arrears in building maintenance fees (pričuva) is useful.
Do I need an energy certificate to sell or rent out an apartment?
Yes, as a rule the seller or landlord must provide the buyer or tenant with an energy performance certificate, and the energy class must also be stated in the advertisement. The certificate is issued by an authorised person.
Do I pay tax when I sell an apartment?
Income tax at a rate of 24% is paid on the difference between the selling price and the purchase price only if you sell the property within two years of acquiring it. It is not payable if you or members of your immediate family lived in the property, or if you sell it after more than two years. Source: Tax Administration.
How is the value of an apartment assessed?
The value is assessed by comparison with recently sold and currently advertised similar apartments in the same neighbourhood, with adjustments for floor, condition, year of construction, energy class, parking and orientation. Imperium Immobiliare provides a free property valuation. For a loan or court proceedings, a court-certified appraiser is required.
Can I sell an apartment that is not registered in the land registry or divided into condominium units?
Yes, but the sale is slower and the pool of buyers is smaller, because buyers using a mortgage need a property registered in the land registry. We recommend resolving the land registry status before selling; our agent will check what is missing.
Buying an Apartment
What is the real estate transfer tax?
Real estate transfer tax is 3% of the property's market value and is paid by the buyer within 15 days of receiving the Tax Administration's decision. When buying a new property from a developer who is a VAT payer, VAT, which is included in the price, is paid instead of transfer tax. Source: Tax Administration.
What costs does a buyer have besides the price of the apartment?
In addition to the price, the buyer generally pays real estate transfer tax (3%), contract drafting (lawyer), notarisation of signatures, the court fee for land registry entry and, if buying with a mortgage, valuation and loan processing costs. The buyer pays a brokerage fee only if they have signed a Brokerage Agreement with the agency.
How do I check that an apartment has a clear title?
Check the land registry extract (owner, mortgages, annotations and other encumbrances), consistency with the cadastre, proof of the building's legality, and arrears in building maintenance fees and utilities. An Imperium Immobiliare agent checks the land registry and cadastral status before advertising.
What is a deposit and how much is it?
A deposit (kapara) is an amount the buyer pays when signing the preliminary contract as a guarantee that the contract will be concluded. In practice it is usually around 10% of the price, but the amount is agreed between the parties. If the buyer withdraws, the seller generally keeps the deposit; if the seller withdraws, the buyer may demand double the deposit amount.
How does buying an apartment with a mortgage work?
First, ask the bank for an indicative offer and a creditworthiness check. Once you have chosen an apartment, a preliminary contract is signed with a deadline for loan approval, the bank commissions a property valuation, and after approval the sale and purchase agreement is signed and the mortgage is registered.
Is it worth buying an apartment in Zagreb in 2026?
It depends on your investment horizon, financing and location – there is no universal answer, and this is not financial advice. To decide, compare asking prices by neighbourhood in our market analysis, the rent-to-price ratio and the cost of borrowing. When buying to live in, the most important factors are location, the condition of the building and legal clarity.
Can a foreigner buy an apartment in Croatia?
Citizens of the EU and EEA can buy property in Croatia under the same conditions as Croatian citizens. Citizens of other countries generally need reciprocity and approval from the competent ministry.
Is an annual property tax payable?
From 1 January 2025, cities and municipalities may impose an annual property tax of €0,60 to €8,00 per m² of usable floor area. As a rule, it is not payable on a property where someone lives or which is let on a long-term basis; the exact conditions are set by law and by the decision of the city or municipality. Source: Tax Administration.
Prices and Rents in Zagreb
How much does an apartment in Zagreb cost per m²?
Based on 140 active Imperium Immobiliare listings (1.11.2026.), the median asking price of an apartment for sale in Zagreb is €3.600/m², and the middle half of listings range from €3.086 to €4.730/m². Prices vary significantly by neighbourhood – see the overview in our market analysis.
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Zagreb?
Based on 223 active listings for apartment rentals in Zagreb (1.11.2026.), the median asking rent is €800 per month, or €14,0/m². Utilities are generally not included.
What must an apartment lease agreement contain?
An apartment lease agreement is concluded in writing. It contains the details of the parties, a description of the apartment, the amount of rent and method of payment, the duration of the lease, the amount of the security deposit, who pays utilities and building maintenance fees, and the termination conditions. The landlord must report rental income to the Tax Administration.
About Imperium Immobiliare
Where are the Imperium Immobiliare offices located?
Our offices are at the following addresses: Zagreb – Ilica 87; Zagreb – Maksimirska 23; Split – Kralja Zvonimira 14/3; Zadar – Ante Starčevića 21B; Pula – Scalierova ulica 14. The main phone number is +385 1 4920 800, e-mail info@ii.hr. Opening hours and map.
Is Imperium Immobiliare a licensed agency?
Yes. Imperium Immobiliare d.o.o. (OIB 74860673682) is a licensed real estate agent, entered in the Register of Real Estate Agents at the Croatian Chamber of Economy, registration no. 146/2018 (KLASA: UP/I-330-01/18-01/372, URBROJ: 526-05-01-01-01/2-18-2).
Which cities do you operate in?
Imperium Immobiliare operates in Zagreb and all Zagreb neighbourhoods, in Split, Zadar and Pula and their surroundings, and covers the rest of Croatia through its online office.
How do I request a free property valuation?
Fill in the form on the Property Valuation page or call +385 1 4920 800. An agent will view the property and suggest a realistic market price.
Updated: 1.11.2026. The answers are for information purposes only and do not replace legal or tax advice.