In Croatia, there is a paradox in the housing market: despite an acute shortage of affordable housing (especially for young people, families, and low-income groups), the country has around 600,000 vacant apartments and houses that have remained unused for years. This leads to rising prices for rent and purchase, as well as social issues such as the outflow of youth from cities and inefficient use of resources.

💡To address this problem, the Croatian government has launched the "Affordable Rental" program (Affordable Rental Programme), managed by the Agency for Legal Transactions and Real Estate Brokerage (APN). The program aims to activate vacant properties for long-term rental, increase the supply of affordable housing, and reduce pressure on the market. As part of the national housing policy plan until 2030, it is planned to bring up to 9000 such units into circulation, with a focus on state management and subsidized rentals for those in need.

How it works in practice:
— Owners transfer their property to APN for a period of 3 to 10 years. The agency handles tenant search, management (including payment collection, repairs, and insurance), while tenants pay reduced rent tailored to their income.
— Owners receive a financial guarantee: typically 60% of the total rent amount upfront, with the remainder paid midway through the term.
— At the end of the contract, the property is returned in its original condition, with no risks to the owner (the state covers any potential losses).
— The program focuses on private and public properties to revitalize the market and assist vulnerable groups (youth up to 45 years old, families, pensioners).

🏠Participation in the program is open to owners of vacant residential properties (apartments or houses) in Croatia, including both local residents and foreigners (there are no specific citizenship restrictions). The main condition is that the property must have been unused for at least the last 2 years (neither occupied nor rented out). This is confirmed by data on electricity consumption or other evidence. The program is particularly useful for those living abroad or in another city who cannot manage the property themselves.

📃To participate, you need to submit an application through APN's public call. Required documents:

— Proof of ownership (extract from the land registry);
— Documents on the legality of the property (usage permit or legalization decision);
— Photographs of the property;
— Proof of non-use for the last 2 years (e.g., electricity bills with zero consumption);
— Owner's identification document.
After submission, APN conducts a review and assessment of the property's suitability for habitation. Applications are submitted online or through APN's official channels.

💰Financial incentives: Owners receive fixed payments depending on size, location, and term (for example, for a 60 m² apartment in a typical city from €20,000 to €35,000 over 6–10 years). There are no additional taxes or risks because everything is covered by the state.

🕰️Application deadline: until February 15, 2026. The call opened in December 2025, so it is recommended to apply as early as possible for priority. Official information and the application form can be found on the APN website or the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction, and State Assets.