CROATIA ECONOMY AND REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT OVERVIEW

Living in Croatia

Visas aren't necessary for UK and Irish citizens, although if you plan to stay, you will need to apply for one as a prerequisite for first getting an extended stay visa and, later, permanent residence.

Work permit are required for all non-Croatians. Nationals with no tourist visa requirement (most West Europeans and Americans) are allowed to leave and enter Croatia while the work permit application is in process.

The Croatian currency is the kuna, established in 1993. One kuna is worth 100 lipa. Kuna 'notes' come in 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 denominations. Coins are delivered in 5, 2 and 1Kn amounts and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 lipa amounts. MasterCard and Visa are accepted practically everywhere, and your Diner's Club and American Express cards can be utilized in a fair number of establishments too.

For opening a foreign currency bank account you only need to provide your passport and a nominal sum and it can be done in any of the main banks. It's a quite straightforward process and takes a short time. Banks in Croatia open at eight in the morning and close very late at seven in the evening.

ATMs are numerous and are available everywhere. Cards bearing the Visa, Cirrus or Maestro names will work everywhere and often prompt a choice of languages in which to effect the transaction.

The population is 90% Roman Catholic and many aspects of Croatia are reminiscent of Italy, Spain and France, where strong family values remain and churches are well supported.

BROKER, real estate agency team.