How a mortgage payment is calculated
Most loans in Croatia are repaid as annuities: you pay the same amount every month, but the split changes. At the start most of the payment goes to interest, at the end to principal. That is why the debt falls slowly in the first years, as the repayment plan shows.
Example: €150,000 over 25 years at 3.5 % costs about €751 per month, with total interest of about €75,300. Over 30 years the payment drops to about €674, but interest rises to about €92,500.
How much can you borrow in Croatia?
Since 1 July 2025 the Croatian National Bank (HNB) limits apply to all banks:
- DSTI 45 %: all monthly loan payments together may be at most 45 % of income for a mortgage, 40 % for a personal loan.
- LTV 90 %: a loan secured by property may be at most 90 % of its value. You pay the rest, plus purchase costs, from savings.
- Term: at most 30 years for mortgages and 10 years for personal loans.
Mortgages for foreigners in Croatia
Croatian banks lend to EU citizens, including non-residents, but usually ask for a higher down payment, proof of income, a Croatian OIB tax number and a bank valuation of the property. Non-EU buyers often find it harder to get a Croatian mortgage and may need approval to buy property first. Many foreign buyers finance the purchase in their home country instead, secured against property there.
Fixed or variable rate
With a fixed rate the payment stays the same for the whole term or part of it (for example the first 5 or 10 years). A variable rate follows a reference rate, usually Euribor, and the payment changes. Try 1 to 2 percentage points higher to see how much a variable payment could rise.
Compare offers by APR
All banks use the same annuity formula; the difference is the rate, term and fees. Ask two or three banks for the European Standardised Information Sheet (ESIS) and compare the APR (EKS in Croatian) and the total amount repaid, which include fees and insurance.
Remember the purchase costs: 3 % property transfer tax on resale properties, notary, agent and valuation. Calculate them with the property buying costs calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners get a mortgage in Croatia?
How much can I borrow for a mortgage in Croatia?
What is the maximum mortgage term in Croatia?
What is the monthly payment on a €200,000 mortgage?
Updated: November 2026 · Supremio Digital, Zagreb
