What did Croatia's new 2026 act change?

It raised insurance to €100,000 per claim and €300,000 a year, set fines of €15,000–30,000 for brokering without a decision, limited agents to working for a single broker, and required existing agents to prove within 30 days that they still qualify.

Where do I check a Croatian agency?

In the Register of Brokers and the directory of agents kept by the Croatian Chamber of Economy; both are publicly available online.

Real estate agency licensing: Croatia

Licence required

In July 2026 Croatia got an entirely new brokerage act replacing the 2007 one. The two-step system stays — a ministry decision, then entry in the HGK register — but insurance limits and fines are markedly higher, and an agent may be employed by only one broker.

Legal framework

Real Estate Brokerage Act (new)

Published in:: Narodne novine 69/2026 (published 29 June 2026) — replaced NN 107/07, 144/12, 14/14 and 32/19
In force since:: 7 July 2026

Authority and register

The Ministry issues the compliance decision; the Croatian Chamber of Economy (HGK) keeps the Register of Brokers and the directory of agents and runs the professional exam.

Requirements for brokers

A decision from the competent ministry; HGK then enters the broker in the register within 15 days.
An agent needs at least secondary education and a pass in the HGK professional exam.
The exam covers company law and contracts, property rights, taxation, financial operations, marketing and spatial planning.
An agent may be employed by only one broker at a time.
Professional indemnity insurance with an insurer from the EU/EEA.

Mandatory insurance

At least €100,000 per claim and €300,000 per year.

What a listing must contain

The broker must publish its business name and the address of its seat or offices in the ad.
Advertising a property without a prior contract with the client is prohibited.

Commission and contract

The commission is earned when the contract is concluded. When the broker acts for both sides on the same property, the total commission may not exceed the tariff maximum; if only one side pays, the cap is half the tariff.

Penalties

Brokering without the ministry's decision: €15,000–30,000 for a legal entity or sole trader and €3,000–5,000 for the responsible person.

Important notes

Existing agents must, within 30 days of entry into force, submit proof that they still meet the conditions — otherwise they are removed from the directory.
The minister adopts three rulebooks and HGK four general acts within six months; until then the earlier implementing rules apply.

How to check an agency

Before you sign a brokerage contract:

Find the agency in the official register and match the name and company number against the contract.
Ask for its register number — in most countries it must appear in the listing itself.
Ask to see the professional indemnity policy and check that it is current.
Insist on a written contract stating the fee and exactly when it falls due.
Do not pay any advance on the commission before the deal closes — in most countries in the region that is expressly prohibited.

Frequently asked questions

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