ZAGREB, 5 April 2022 - Agricultural land in Croatia is the cheapest in the EU, more than 20 times cheaper than in the Netherlands, which has the most expensive agricultural land, show data from the EU's statistical office Eurostat.

Eurostat has established that one hectare of farmland in the Netherlands cost as much as €69,632 in 2019, noting that all Dutch regions are above the average of other EU countries.

Croatia had the cheapest arable land, with the price of one hectare being €3,440 in 2020.

Among the regions, the most expensive are the Spanish Canary Islands, where one hectare of arable land in 2020 cost €120,447.

Sweden's Oevre Norrland was the cheapest, with a hectare of agricultural land costing only €1,822 in 2020.

Eurostat did not have data for Germany, Portugal and Cyprus.

In the period from 2011 to 2020 the price of farmland grew the most in Romania and the Czech Republic, more than five times.

Prices of farmland grew significantly also in Estonia and Lithuania, as well as in Bulgaria, Hungary and Poland.

Farmland prices grew also in other EU countries albeit less, the only exception being Greece, where farmland in 2020 was as much as 18% cheaper than in 2011.

Eurostat had data for Croatia only for the period from 2015 to 2020, and they show that the price of farmland in that period grew 26.2%.

Croatia in the company of Baltic countries

Renting agricultural land was most expensive in Italy, an average €837 per hectare annually. The Netherlands was close, with an average €819 a year.

Among the regions, the highest average price of farmland rent was reported in 2020 in Italy's Friuli-Venezia-Giulia at €1,714 per hectare.

In Croatia, renting a hectare of agricultural land in 2020 cost €73. Latvia and Estonia followed, with €71 and 76 respectively.

Renting agricultural land was cheapest in Slovakia, a mere €57 per hectare annually.  

A big cash cow will be coming to Zagreb early next year, just after Christmas, when thousands of European diplomats and officials who need accommodation will arrive in the city for Croatia's six-month EU Council presidency.

Up to 30,000 EU Officials Expected

According to Deutsche Welle, official sources are saying that about 25,000 people will descend on Zagreb in early 2020, while other estimates say that the figure will be closer to 30,000. Many won't be staying in Croatia for the entire six months nor will they all be arriving at the same time. In any case, this is creating real chaos in the tenant world. Simply put, Zagreb landlords can earn more by expelling their current tenants and renting their apartments to EU officials.

Zagreb does not have many hotels. In fact, Jutarnji List notes that there are only 24 four or five-star hotels in the city, which is by no means enough capacity to accommodate the large number of high-level diplomats and EU officials arriving soon.

Zagreb Landlords Are Evicting Tenants

Stanka, a student from Zadar, experienced the nightmare of moving because of the upcoming EU Council presidency, according to Zagrebinfo on December 2, 2019. She had just moved to Zagreb to pursue her college degree.

“My landlady bought my apartment and acquired me with the inventory. During our negotiations, she indicated that she would be upgrading the furniture and raising the rent. She also disclosed that we would not be signing a lease because she had plans to rent the apartment to diplomats in early 2020 for a much higher price. However, then she decided to completely renovate the apartment prior to their arrival, so I had to move out in September,'' the student reported, and claims she had less than a week to move everything out of an apartment where she had lived for only three months.

With the boom in Zagreb tourism over the last few years, a sizeable chunk of apartments which used to be rented monthly, are now being rented out to tourists by the day. This has greatly increased the average apartment rental rates.

“Of the approximately three and a half thousand who are officially registered, there are perhaps ten thousand available beds. And I believe that a large portion of this housing pool is ready to respond to the demands of the Eurobureaucrats," said Zoran Dragun, administrator of the Zagreb Private Landlords Association to Jutarnji list.

He claims that Zagreb has now become a year-round tourist destination, but also believes that rents in Zagreb have not increased as much as publicly reported. The current focus for private landlords is Advent (December); then they'll begin preparing for the big EU opportunity.

No Tenant Rights

Nedjeljko Marković, president of the Pragma social association, has a different opinion.

"The unpredictability of market movements is our biggest problem, because nobody in Croatia oversees these changes. We simply do not have any public housing policies,” he emphasized while referencing the unfortunate circumstances that many Zagreb tenants will soon face.

He claims that his sources from the association, which deal with tenant issues, have already received reports that scores of Zagreb tenants are facing eviction, and will soon be without a roof over their heads due to the arrival of EU bureaucrats and diplomats.

For more information on the housing situation in Croatia, check our our Lifestyle page here.

In line with its reputation for being expensive in all manners, flat tax is set to rise in Dubrovnik next year, much to the dismay of the city's very many private renters.

As Marija Crnjak/Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 27th of December, 2018, although private renters have already argued that the new law on income tax will significantly increase their burdens, based on the decisions taken by local authorities, it seems that only a few will actually decide to go for more drastic measures in the next year, while a good deal of 2019's taxes will remain at this year's level.

According to the results of Poslovni Dnevnik's mini poll, it would appear that only Dubrovnik will see the flat tax rate increase significantly, with projections suggesting that the optimal amount will be 750 kuna for renters in ''tourist class A'' areas, which along with Dubrovnik includes Orašac, the nearby islands of Lopud and Koločep (Kalamota), as well as Šipanska Luka.

In addition, increases in the aforementione tax are expected in Bol on the island of Brač, but at this moment in time the amount isn't known. Most of the local self-government units that Poslovni Dnevnik contacted stated that they still have to create a draft proposal for a decision on the flat tax amount.

All of them are waiting for a new order to come into force, which defines the method of the determining and the calculating of flat tax. After that, the decision-making procedure on the amount of flat tax will be launched, which takes us into 2019, and could be possible by the end of January next year.

As stipulated by the law, from the present maximum amount of 300 kuna, the flat tax amount can't be less than 150 kuna, or more than 1500 kuna per bed or accommodation unit in a camp or Robinson accommodation.

A decision should still needs to be made by by Rovinj, Zadar, Split, and Pag. At the meeting of the leaders of the local self-government units of the Opatija Riviera (Opatija, Lovran, Matulji and Mošćenička Draga), a single amount of flat tax per bed or accommodation unit was agreed in mid December, and the highest amount of flat tax was 345 kuna, corresponding to the flat tax amount of sojourn fees for 2019.

The highest amount of flat tax will of course be reported by those areas in Croatia which are classified as class A tourist destinations, they state from Opatija, which will also formalise its decision after the adoption of the order.

The Mayor of the City of Poreč will send a proposal to the City Council that the flat tax for rent per bed or accommodation unit in a camp remains the same as it is to date, ie 300 kuna per bed, and 350 kuna per accommodation unit in a camp.

The City of Šibenik has stated that the flat tax rate will not alter. Similarly, the flat tax rate has no intention of being raised in the Primošten municipality either. Responses from Zagreb, Novalja, Crikvenica, Hvar, and Mali Lošinj are still awaited.

Make sure to stay up to date with our dedicated lifestyle and business pages for much more.

Click here for the original article by Marija Crnjak for Poslovni Dnevnik

On the lookout for an apartment?

Even local tourist boards admit that the holiday home zone is a grey area where commercial activity is suspected.

Good news for both private renters and tourists in the Pearl of the Adriatic as three major Dubrovnik companies merge to provide better service for all.

We may as well admit it, it isn't surprising.

Unirent is a local car rental agency with offices in all major cities in Croatia as well as other international airports in the country. 

They have a varied fleet from budget vehicles to luxury SUVs, manual and automatic transmission, Vans, and 4x4s. Cooler yet, your preferred pick-up and drop-off location is not in a city with a Unirent office, Unirent can organize you get your car anywhere in the country if need be. 

Unirent is one of the cheapest rental agencies in Split with cards available for less than 200KN per day, depending in the time of year. 

Additionally, Unirent run a chauffeur service where they will drive you in comfort in a luxury vehicle with all the frills to your Croatian destination of choice. 

Other than in the airport in Kaštela, the downtown office in Split is conveniently located near Riva by the Church of St. Francis up the Šperun street. 

Central Reservations

Tel: +385 (0)21 797 327

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W: www.uni-rent.net

A well-established transportation rental company from Hvar opened a branch office in Split under the name, Split Rent Agency. Split Rent Agency has a stall along near Riva in the season on Obala Lazareta 3. Here you will find every holiday transportation tool under the stars from boats, cars, scooters, bikes, and motorcycles. Additionally services include transfers, excursions, and accommodation.

Scooter Rental

When the sun is shining, Split’s citizens whip out their scooters from their garages and this becomes their favorite source of transportation in the months to come. Beat the traffic and blend in with the locals by opting for a scooter during your stay in Split.

Split Rent Agency has an expansive scooter fleet ranging from smaller 50cc engines, 125cc and larger 250cc engines. The prices for a day rental ranges from 250-400KN and a reduction in price should you opt for a one-week rental. Aprilla, Gilera, Piaggio are the preferred brands and inclusive in the price are all necessary insurances and taxes, and for a surcharge you can get a GPS device to make you Split navigation easier.

Boat Rental

The best way to explore the Adriatic is by boat so why don’t you grab a boat for the day and explore the coast along Split or hop onto the nearby islands of Brač, Šolta, Hvar, or even Vis to discover secluded coves and ancient villages.

Split Rent Agency has a varied fleet of boats from basic to deluxe inflatables with 70-280hp engines and an upscale 25ft Four Winns powerboat. For 200-400KN per day, you can enjoy the freedom of sea cruising on the Adriatic.

Additionally, you can rent cars such as Opel Astra of Fiat Punto, BMW motorcycles, and KONA.

Split Rent Agency

www.split-rent.com

Obala Lazereta 3

21000 Split

Tel: +385 (0) 1 742-946

Mob: +385(0) 91 591 7111


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Oryx rent-a-car has a fleet of over 1700 vehicles, ranging from small to medium class. Volkswagen, Seat, Škoda and Audi are ORYX’s preferred brands starting with the hip eco-friendly VW Up and luxe options such as the Audi Q7 available.

ORYX have offices throughout Croatia; in the hinterland and stretching the coastline from Istria to Dubrovnik. This makes Oryx and ideal choice for travellers as you can select a varying pick-up and drop-off locations in Croatia.

All vehicles are air-conditions and on request you can get extra frills that make your travelling more comfortable such as children car seats, roof carriers, GPS, DVD, TV, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

ORYX offer various packages that will meet your demands, such as affordable long-term rentals, leasing, cargo rentals, and chauffeur services.

ORYX Rent-a-Car

www.oryx-rent.hr

In Split there is a branch office in the airport arrivals hall and in Split town center:

Split City

Sv. Petra Staroga 1

21000 Split

Tel: +385 (0)21 318 800


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Open Monday—Friday: 08:00—15:00
and Saturday: 09:00—14:00. Sundays on Request.

Split Airport

Kaštela

Tel: +385 (0)21 895 164


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Open
Monday—Sunday 08:00—20:00

Central Reservation Office

Ljudevita Posavskog 7a, Sesvete

Tel: +385 (0)1 2900 333
Fax: +385 (0)1 2900 306
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Open Monday—Friday: 08:00—16:00

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