🇭🇷 Short-Term vs Long-Term Rentals in Croatia: What You Need to Know About Rental Permits

If you’re thinking about renting out your Croatian property, whether for passive income, part-time living, or long-term investment, understanding the rules around rental permits is key. Croatia offers excellent opportunities for both short-term tourist rentals and long-term leases, but the regulations (and taxes) differ significantly as of 2025.

This guide breaks down exactly when you need a rental permit, what’s changing with Croatia’s 2025 property tax laws, and how to decide which rental strategy fits your goals best.

🏖️ Short-Term (Tourist) Rentals: What You Need to Know

If you plan to rent your property on Airbnb, Booking.com, or any platform for stays shorter than 30 days, you’re offering tourist accommodation — and you’ll need a rental permit. They are not limited as of now, so no worries on that. However, if you buy a property, even if it is already registered as a short-term rental, you will need to reregister it.

This document is officially called:

“Rješenje o odobrenju za pružanje ugostiteljskih usluga u domaćinstvu”(Decision on the provision of hospitality services in a household)

It’s issued by your local tourist board (Turistička zajednica) once your property meets certain legal and safety requirements.

✅ Requirements:

• Proof of ownership

• Valid energy certificate

• Floor plan or use permit

• Safety features (fire extinguisher, first aid kit, smoke detector, etc.)

• Inspection and approval by the local tourist board

  
  

Once approved, your property will receive a categorization rating (e.g., 3★ or 4★), and you can begin legally renting it to tourists.

You’ll also need to:

• Register every guest through eVisitor, Croatia’s online tourism system.

• Pay a flat-rate tourist tax and tourist board membership fee per bed, annually.

• Declare your income and pay applicable income taxes.

Important: With the new 2025 property tax reforms, tourist rental owners may see new tax categories and reporting requirements — so it’s worth reviewing whether short-term renting still makes financial sense for your setup.

🏡 Long-Term (Residential) Rentals: A Growing Alternative

If you rent your property for more than 30 days to one tenant, whether it’s a local, an expat family, or a digital nomad, it’s considered a residential lease, not a hospitality business.

This means:✅ No tourist permit is required.✅ No eVisitor registration.✅ Simpler tax reporting and fewer bureaucratic steps.

Long-term rentals are treated as private rental contracts, registered at your local Tax Administration Office.

⚖️ Short-Term vs. Long-Term: Which Is Right for You?

	Short-Term (Tourist)	Long-Term (Residential)
Permit Needed?	✅ Yes (Tourist Board)	❌ No
Typical Duration	1 night – 30 days	1 month – 1+ year
Taxes	Tourist tax + income tax	Exempt
Profit Potential	Higher in summer	Steady year-round
Legal Complexity	More documentation	Simpler contracts
Best For	Holiday homes & Airbnb investors	Expats, digital nomads, retirees

💡 Why Many Owners Are Switching to Long-Term Rentals

With the upcoming property tax changes, many foreign investors are reconsidering short-term tourist rentals and exploring long-term strategies instead.

Platforms like Flatio and Facebook expat or nomad groups are increasingly popular for finding reliable tenants looking for 6–12 month stays.

Pros of long-term rentals:

• Avoid tourist permit and seasonal tax costs

• Steady income year-round

• Less property wear and tear

• Simpler reporting and compliance

Of course, the trade-off is lower nightly rates — but over a year, many owners find the peace of mind (and reduced paperwork) well worth it.

🧭 Breeza Abroad Pro Tip

If you’re unsure which option suits your property best, consider a hybrid approach — rent short-term during peak season, and offer a long-term lease in the off-season.

You’ll maximize your summer revenue while maintaining occupancy during the quieter months — and you can always reach out if you’d like help setting your rates or structuring a legal rental plan that works for your goals.

🪶 Final Thoughts

Croatia’s property market remains one of the most flexible in Europe for foreign investors — but success depends on staying compliant and strategic. Whether you choose short-term, long-term, or a mix of both, knowing when you need a rental permit (and when you don’t) can make all the difference in protecting your investment and maximizing returns.

💬 How I Can Help

If you're ready to explore owning a vacation rental, second home, or long-term investment in Croatia, I offer personalized services to make the process easy and stress-free—even if you’re doing it all remotely.

I help you: ✔ Understand the buying process, costs, and legal landscape ✔ Identify the best areas based on your goals ✔ Get connected to vetted agents, lawyers, and notaries ✔ Set up your property for Airbnb or long-term rental (swap utilities, set up lock boxes, assist in finding cleaners, handymen, create your listings for Airbnb, VRBO etc., property management coaching/help) ✔ Navigate taxes, visa options, and expat life

Whether you just need guidance or want full support from start to finish—We’ve got you.

https://www.breezaabroad.com/