Legalisation of Foreign Agreements and Their Legal Validity in Croatia

If you are a foreign national planning to invest, purchase property, or enter into a business agreement in the Republic of Croatia, it is important to know that contracts concluded abroad can have legal effect in Croatia – under certain conditions.

Recognition of Contracts Concluded Abroad

Croatian legislation, specifically the Act on Private International Law, allows for the recognition of legal transactions made outside Croatia if they comply with the law of the country in which they were concluded and do not conflict with the public order (ordre public) of the Republic of Croatia.

This means that if, for example, you have concluded a real estate purchase agreement, prenuptial agreement, business contract, or any other legal document in your country, such an agreement can be recognized and enforced in Croatia – provided that the formal and material legal requirements are met.

Legalisation of Signatures and Documents Abroad

To be legally valid in Croatia, documents signed abroad generally need to be:

Notarized by a public notary or a competent authority in your country,

Authenticated with an apostille – an international certificate of authenticity under the 1961 Hague Convention (applicable in most European and many other countries).

If your country is not a party to the Hague Convention, then full diplomatic or consular legalisation is required for the document to be accepted in Croatia.

Role of Croatian Diplomatic and Consular Missions

Croatian embassies and consulates abroad can assist with the legalisation and certification of signatures and documents. They act in accordance with:

Croatian national law,

International treaties,

The regulations of the host country

Once properly legalised, foreign documents and contracts can be used in official procedures in Croatia – including land registry proceedings, court processes, notarial services, and tax matters.

Recognition of Foreign Court Decisions

If your contract leads to a court decision in a foreign country (e.g. judgment of enforcement, property ownership ruling, or divorce decree), Croatia can recognize that decision – provided that it:

Was issued by a competent foreign court,

Is final and enforceable,

Does not violate Croatian public policy.

Recognition of foreign judgments requires a special legal procedure before Croatian courts.

How We Can Help You?

As a legal team with extensive experience working with international clients, we offer:

Advice on the validity of foreign contracts under Croatian law,

Preparation and legal review of translations and document legalisation,

Representation in court proceedings for the recognition of foreign judgments,

Coordination with notaries and consular offices,

Clear communication in English and German – with full legal accuracy.

Whether you are entering into a business agreement, buying property, or planning to relocate to Croatia, we will ensure your documents are legally valid, properly legalised, and recognised by Croatian authorities.