Croatia sees EU’s second-highest rise in rents

Croatia is among the European countries to have recorded a particularly sharp increase in residential rents, highlighting the growing challenge of housing affordability for tenants.

Rents increased in all EU countries when comparing the second quarter of 2026 with the annual average for last year.

The highest rises were registered in Romania (+41.2%), Croatia (+22.1%) and Slovenia (+10.2%), Eurostat said, while the lowest were in Estonia and Finland (+0.1% each), and Luxembourg (+1.2%).

The figures reflect a wider European trend in which rental housing has become more expensive, although the scale of the increase varies considerably between countries and cities.

For Croatia, housing affordability has become an increasingly important issue as demand for accommodation competes with limited supply in some urban and coastal markets.

Zagreb attracts students, workers and people relocating for employment, while coastal destinations face additional demand associated with tourism and seasonal work. These pressures can affect the availability and cost of long-term rentals, although the factors differ between locations.

How much does it cost to rent in Croatia?

The cost of renting varies significantly across Croatia, with the largest cities and popular coastal destinations generally more expensive than smaller inland centres.

Recent advertised-price data puts Croatia’s national average at around €15.33 per square metre per month in September 2026. That would translate to around €766 for a 50-square-metre apartment at the national average asking rate, although actual prices depend on the location, size and condition of the property.

According to the European Employment Services (EURES), average monthly apartment rents are approximately €923 in Zagreb, €904 in Split, €763 in Rijeka and €487 in Osijek. These figures exclude utilities, which typically add another €120 to €240 per month. 

Higher rents can have consequences beyond the housing market. Households that spend a larger share of their income on accommodation have less money available for food, transport, education and other expenses.

The effect can be particularly pronounced for younger people entering the labour market, students and workers whose earnings have not kept pace with housing costs.