Useful information

  • Currency: Croatia joining euro is planned for 2019 but for now the national currency is kuna with one equal to 100 lipas. In Italy and Slovenia euro is the official currency.

  • General Emergency Number: 112

  • Dialing codes: Italy +39, Slovenia +386, Croatia + 385

  • Travel documents: Custom regulations are in harmony with EU standards meaning that a valid passport will be sustainable for European visitors or even a national ID (for EU members)

  • Healthcare: The European Health Insurance Card is valid in Croatia, Slovenia and Italy allowing access to public healthcare services for the card holder

  • Obtaining travel insurance is advised for all EU and non-EU citizens travelling to the area.

  • Power supply: 230V/50Hz

  • Drinking water: Tap-water is safe to drink all over Italy, Slovenia and Croatia if not explicitly stated otherwise

  • Timezone: Italy, Slovenia and Croatia are in the Central European Time (CET) Zone, 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), and observes Daylight Saving Time

  • WiFi coverage: There are numerous WiFi public hotspots in Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. Also many cafes, restaurants, hotels, stations and airports offer free access points.

Real estate purchase useful information:

ITALY

There are no restrictions on foreign ownership in Italy. Upon choosing an estate and signing a preliminary contract with the seller a deposit is asked from 10-20% of the selling price. Closing the deal usually takes from six to eight weeks and is performed by a notary public. After that, your property needs to be officially registered in the Land Registry, this takes around 15 days. Transaction cost table for buying real estate consists of Registration Tax (3-7% of declared value for homes or 8% for building land), Land Registry Tax and Cadastral Tax (fixed price) or VAT for buying a new property (ranging from 4-25.5%), Notary Fees (1-2.5% of declared value), Legal Fees (1-2% of the declared price) – note: Notary and Legal fees are subject to 22% VAT and finally Agency Fee.

CROATIA

Property in Croatia is bought using Euro, not the National Currency. Anyone from the EU has been given the same rights for property purchase as national citizens. For individuals who are not EU citizens an approval from Croatian Ministry of Justice is needed. The table of costs for buying a real estate in Croatia includes: CPS fees, Legal Fees for Property sales and Property tax (Real estate transfer tax or RETT). The RETT is a flat rate of 4% if payed in the duetime of 15 days. It is charged on the sale price if the property is older than 1998. With estates younger than 1998 and within a VAT system the tax relates to the value of „land and infrastracture“ – a 25% VAT is calculated and is usually included by the seller into the price. VAT can be refunded if the buyer is using the property for commerical purposes.

SLOVENIA

Foreigners have been able to buy property from February 2003 on a reciprocal basis. Before purchasing property in Slovenia, the buyer should obtain a tax number and EMSO number from the local authority. After finishing the process of choosing and signing preliminary contract with a 10% deposit, a title search is conducted which can take as quick as two days. Finalizing the deal means first preparing a new copy of the land registry entry, community confirmation that no commual rights are claimed on the property and official evaluation for tax payment before paying the remaining balance. The transactions included in the process are Registration Fee which is minimal – 0.50% of the property value, Notary Fees, Real Estate Agent’s Fee and Transfer Tax or VAT.

For more information our agents will be here to help and guide you through the procedures.

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