Buying a Holiday Home
Houses and apartments for holidays by the sea or in nature, for personal use or occasional rental.
Buying a vacation property is often an emotional decision, but the value for money and practicality of the location matter just as much as the feeling the property gives you. Hermes Nekretnine helps clients find a vacation house or apartment that suits their way of using it, whether purely for the family or with occasional rental when the property isn't in use.
Owning a vacation property lets you have a secure, familiar spot for the family holiday every year without worrying about accommodation availability or rising seasonal rental prices. Besides personal enjoyment, this kind of property can also be a solid investment, since it can be rented out to tourists outside your own periods of use, partially or fully covering maintenance costs. Owning a vacation property removes the yearly uncertainty of booking accommodation and lets a family build its own tradition tied to one place. Beyond emotional value, a vacation property can also be a long-term investment.
Larger tourist centres offer a rich range of amenities, while quiet bays and islands are better suited to a complete escape from city bustle. The choice of destination depends on whether you're looking for a property primarily for personal use or for rental, since more attractive tourist locations usually deliver a higher rental yield, while quieter spots offer more privacy.
The Adriatic coast, from Istria through the Kvarner islands to Dalmatia, is traditionally the most sought-after area for buying a vacation property among both Croatian and foreign buyers. Each region offers a different character, from quieter Istrian towns suited to family holidays to livelier Dalmatian destinations with a developed tourist offering. Mountain areas like Gorski Kotar attract those seeking a break from summer heat and the option of winter activities, usually at more affordable prices than the coast.
A vacation property that stands empty most of the year needs special attention to avoid problems like dampness, pest infestation, or damage from burst pipes during winter. We recommend arranging regular check-ins by a local caretaker or neighbour, and, if possible, installing a remote monitoring system for temperature and humidity.
Preparing the property for use. After the purchase, we arrange the details around insurance, utility services and, if relevant, preparation for occasional rental. This follows the standard steps of a preliminary contract, financing if needed, and notarisation of the contract with land registry entry.
Besides a standard mortgage, buyers of vacation properties sometimes use a combination of their own funds and a loan secured against an existing property, especially if this is a second or third property they own. Depending on your financial situation, we help you connect with banking advisors who can offer a solution tailored to the specifics of buying a vacation property.
Banks sometimes treat a loan for a second property, one that isn't your primary residence, differently from a first mortgage, which can mean a higher down payment requirement. If you plan to use expected income from occasional rental as part of your repayment capacity, it's important to clarify in advance with the bank how that income is factored into the creditworthiness assessment.
Since vacation properties aren't permanently occupied, we recommend an insurance policy that covers not only standard risks like fire and flooding, but also damage occurring during periods when the property stands empty, as well as liability toward third parties if the property is rented out to guests. Good insurance provides peace of mind, especially for owners who live far from the property itself.
If you plan to rent the property out occasionally, you need to register the rental activity and pay income tax on rental earnings according to your chosen taxation model. It's also worth checking the local regulations of the tourist destination regarding rentals in advance, as these can vary between municipalities.
Is it better to buy a house or an apartment for vacation use? A house offers more privacy and space, while an apartment requires less maintenance worry and is often easier to rent out through organised building management. Can foreigners buy property on the Croatian coast? EU citizens can buy under the same conditions as Croatian citizens, while citizens of non-EU countries are subject to reciprocity rules, which we check case by case. If, instead of a coastal holiday home, you're considering a city apartment to rent out to tourists, take a look at our apartments for sale as well. What if I want to sell the vacation property later? Properties in attractive tourist locations.
Our team helps you compare destinations, assess realistic maintenance and rental income expectations, and guides you through every step of the purchase, from financing to insurance and the final handover, so you can enjoy your vacation property with complete peace of mind.