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Croatia moves to change the rules of renting homes - by croatiaweek - in News ZAGREB, 22 August 2026 – Croatia is preparing a new Law on Renting Apartments which could change the rules governing the country’s long-term rental market and potentially encourage owners of empty properties to put them on the market. The draft legislation is currently undergoing public consultation and comes amid a long-standing problem in Croatia’s housing market: many people looking for rental accommodation face high prices and limited availability, while some properties remain unused. According to Jutarnji list, the proposed legislation would introduce a number of changes affecting both landlords and tenants, with the aim of providing greater security and clearer rules for long-term rentals. Among the proposed changes are formal requirements for rental contracts, longer notice periods and new rules concerning rent. The draft also foresees the introduction of additional obligations for local authorities and a role for a new agency in the system. The government has presented the legislation as an attempt to improve security for both sides of the rental relationship and encourage properties to be made available for longer-term housing rather than remaining empty or being used for other purposes. The issue is particularly significant in cities and areas where demand for housing has increased sharply, including locations affected by tourism and population pressures. The legislation is not yet final. It remains subject to the public consultation process and could be amended before being adopted. The proposed changes are being closely watched by both landlords and tenants as Croatia seeks to increase the supply of affordable long-term rental accommodation.