Service
Building Permits: Location, Construction and Occupancy
Studio Archaos manages building permits in Croatia end to end, together with location and occupancy permits. For most investors, the administrative side of building is the most unpleasant part, for us, it is routine. We run the whole procedure for building permits: communication with the competent authorities, public bodies and utility companies, from the first application to a legally valid permit.
Contact us →What building permits require
01
Location permit
Required for more complex projects and for building in protected areas or the coastal zone. Preparation of the conceptual design and management of the procedure for projects that require it.
02
Building permit
The core document that allows construction to start. Since 1 January 2026, the new Zakon o gradnji sets a roughly 30-day timeframe for the procedure, including the deadline for public bodies to issue special conditions through the eDozvola system.
03
Occupancy permit
Confirms the building was constructed in accordance with the building permit. Without it, a building cannot legally be used or registered in the land register.
Permits on the Dalmatian islands
Building on Hvar, Vis and Brac, and inland from Sibenik and Zadar, comes with its own conditions, shaped by heritage-conservation requirements and coastal-zone protection.
Studio Archaos has experience with permits on all these islands and knows the criteria the relevant authorities apply when reviewing documentation.
SplitHvarVisBracSibenikZadar
Technical data
- location
- Split, Dalmatia, Hvar, Vis, Brac, Sibenik, Zadar and the rest of Croatia
- permit types
- location, building, occupancy permit
- project types
- new construction, renovation, legalization, change of use
- authorities
- Ministry of Physical Planning, county administrative departments, heritage-conservation departments
FAQ
How long does it take to obtain a building permit in Croatia?
Since 1 January 2026 the new Zakon o gradnji sets a roughly 30-day timeframe for the procedure, including the deadlines for public bodies to issue special conditions. In practice, the duration still depends on how complete the submitted documentation is. Studio Archaos prepares complete submissions so this timeframe can realistically be met.
Do I always need a location permit?
No. A location permit is required only for specific types of projects defined by law; most family houses and standard buildings go directly to the building permit procedure.
What is required for an occupancy permit?
A technical inspection of the completed building, which verifies it was built in accordance with the building permit. Studio Archaos prepares the documentation and manages the procedure through to the permit.
What if a building was constructed without a permit? Is legalization possible?
Legalization is possible, but under the current law it applies only to buildings constructed without a permit before 21 June 2011. Buildings constructed after that date cannot be legalized under this law. Studio Archaos checks the status of a building and advises on the realistic options.
Can a foreign buyer obtain permits for a property in Croatia?
It depends on citizenship. EU citizens build and acquire property under the same conditions as Croatian citizens. Citizens from outside the EU first need consent from the Ministry of Justice and Administration, subject to reciprocity with their home country. Studio Archaos works with international investors and provides support in English.