Building legalization
Since May 2026 a new legalization law is in force in Croatia: applications can be submitted permanently, with no deadline, and exclusively online through the eDozvola system. The condition is that the building existed by 21 June 2011. With us you get everything in one place — from a free check of whether your building qualifies to the final decision and registration. We regularly assist foreign property owners.
What the new 2026 law brings
The amendments to the Act on the Treatment of Illegally Constructed Buildings were published in Official Gazette 48/2026 and have been in force since 16 May 2026. Four changes matter most:
- No application deadline — a legalization application can now be submitted at any time; the previous deadline, which expired back in 2018, has been abolished.
- Digital procedure — applications are submitted exclusively through the eDozvola system, and the geodetic survey is produced in the prescribed digital (GML) format.
- Water contribution abolished — the total cost of legalization is lower than in previous rounds.
- A second chance for rejected applicants — anyone previously rejected over incomplete documentation or an unpaid fee can now apply again.
What can and cannot be legalised
Buildings and reconstructions carried out without a permit, or contrary to one, can be legalised — houses, extensions and added storeys, garages, farm and auxiliary buildings — provided they are visible on the State Geodetic Administration digital orthophoto of 21 June 2011 or were recorded in the cadastre by that date. Legalization is not possible for:
- buildings erected after 21 June 2011,
- buildings in planned or exploratory corridors of transport, energy and utility infrastructure,
- buildings on maritime domain or on state forest and water land,
- buildings in nature parks, on archaeological sites, cultural heritage and UNESCO-protected areas.
Four building categories and documentation
The scope of documentation depends on the size and type of the building. The as-built geodetic survey — which we produce — is required for everything except the simplest auxiliary buildings:
| Category | Criterion | Required documentation |
|---|---|---|
| Demanding building | over 400 m² (agricultural over 1,000 m², public-use buildings) | geodetic survey + architectural survey + structural engineer’s statement on mechanical resistance and stability |
| Less demanding building | up to 400 m² | geodetic survey + as-built survey |
| Simple building | up to 100 m² | geodetic survey + statement of area and calculation values |
| Auxiliary building | one storey, up to 50 m², serving the main building | application with a copy of the cadastral plan |
The procedure step by step
- 1Free check — we establish whether the building is visible on the 2011 orthophoto, what is already registered and which category it belongs to.
- 2As-built geodetic survey — we produce it in the field, in the prescribed digital (GML) format.
- 3Remaining documentation — the architectural survey and structural statement, where required, are arranged with our licensed partners.
- 4Submission via eDozvola — we file the complete application electronically and track the procedure for you.
- 5Fee and decision — upon the office’s request the retention fee is paid (instalments possible), after which the legalization decision is issued.
- 6Municipal contribution — calculated after the decision, according to the regulations of your municipality or town.
- 7Registration in the cadastre and land registry — we register the legalised building in both records. Only then is the property fully in order.
What legalization costs
The cost has three parts: preparing the documentation (depending on the size and category of the building), the retention fee (depending on size, location and use, payable before the decision with instalments possible) and the municipal contribution under local regulations. The water contribution has been abolished by the new law. After a free assessment of your building you receive a clear, fixed-price quote for our part of the work.
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Frequently asked questions
Which buildings can be legalised under the new law?
Buildings and parts of buildings constructed without a permit, or contrary to one, by 21 June 2011 — houses, extensions, garages, farm and auxiliary buildings. The key evidence is visibility on the 2011 State Geodetic Administration orthophoto, which we check for you free of charge.
Until when can I apply?
The new law abolished the deadline — an application can be submitted at any time. Still, waiting rarely pays off: a sale, mortgage or inheritance will not wait, and the offices will only get busier over time.
My building is not clearly visible on the 2011 imagery — what now?
The orthophoto is not the only evidence: a building recorded in the cadastral map or another official cartographic base by 21 June 2011 also meets the condition. We check every case individually — before charging anything.
My application was rejected in the previous round — can I apply again?
Yes, if it was rejected or dismissed on formal grounds — incomplete documentation or an unpaid fee. The new law explicitly allows such applications to be resubmitted.
How much does legalization cost?
The sum of three items: documentation, the retention fee and the municipal contribution — the water contribution has been abolished. Our part of the work is offered at a fixed price, quoted after a free assessment of the building.
How long does the procedure take?
The survey and documentation are typically ready within two to three weeks. The duration of the administrative procedure depends on the workload of the competent office — which is exactly why a complete, correct application submitted early matters.
My house is legalised but not registered — what now?
The legalization decision is only half the job: the building still needs to be registered in the cadastre and land registry. We do that step with a cadastral survey report — get in touch and we will complete the registration.
Need this service?
Send an inquiry with basic details about your parcel or project — quotes are free and we respond quickly.