If you are a foreign national planning to purchase real estate in Croatia, one of the first documents you must obtain is an OIB (Personal Identification Number).
- Conclude a valid real estate purchase agreement
- Register ownership in the land registry
- Pay the real estate transfer tax
- Open a bank account in Croatia
The OIB is a key requirement throughout the property purchase process.
The OIB (Osobni identifikacijski broj) is a unique personal identification number issued by the Croatian Tax Administration.
It is used by all public institutions in official records—from municipalities and courts to banks and the land cadastre.
Once assigned, the OIB remains valid for life and does not change, even if your name, address, or citizenship changes.
- All Croatian citizens
- All legal entities based in Croatia
- Foreign natural and legal persons who:
- Purchase real estate
- Open a bank account
- Establish a company
- Become liable for taxes in Croatia
If you are buying real estate, having an OIB is mandatory. Without it, you cannot legally sign a purchase agreement or be registered as the owner in the land registry.
You can request an OIB:
- A valid passport (or EU ID card)
- An OIB application form
- Your lawyer can apply on your behalf with a notarised power of attorney in Croatian.
Foreign companies must submit:
An application for an OIB
A certificate of incorporation or an excerpt from the business register (in Croatian or a certified Croatian translation)
A power of attorney (if submitted by someone other than the legal representative)
Once assigned, you can request a Certificate of OIB from the Tax Administration. This is an official public document proving your OIB. (Note: It is not an ID document.)
If you are purchasing real estate in Croatia, our law firm can assist with the entire process. We can:
