Buy an Apartment or Villa in Lovran, Croatia's Kvarner Riviera Town

Lovran is an old town on the eastern shore of the Istrian peninsula, in the Kvarner Bay, with Austro-Hungarian villas along the front and a long coastal promenade, the Lungomare, that links it to Opatija. Mount Učka rises behind, so many properties offer views over the Adriatic and the islands. The area is known for its chestnuts and for a mild climate that drew holidaymakers in the nineteenth century.

Practically, Opatija is the closest larger resort town and Rijeka is the nearest city, with shops, hospitals and the port. Hill communities such as Kastav, Viškovo and Matulji offer more space and lower prices at the cost of being away from the water, and Kršan lies further inland. Airports at Pula and Rijeka (on the island of Krk), plus Trieste, serve the region.

EU and EEA citizens can generally buy property in Croatia on the same terms as Croatians. Non-EU buyers usually need approval from the authorities and the principle of reciprocity applies; processing can take months, so factor it into your timetable. Buyers pay property transfer tax of around 3% of the value, plus notary, court-registration and agent fees. Croatia uses the euro.

Check the land register, building permits and the legal status of extensions, because older villas often have undocumented additions. Our Croatia guide, financing page and buying process guide explain the stages.