Serbia and Croatia see sharp surge in real estate prices

In the Serbian suburb of Grocka, near Belgrade, the price of new apartments has jumped to between €1,500 and €2,000 per square metre, roughly double the 2020 level of €830‑€970. Agents say view of the Danube can add another €300 per square metre, and demand from young families, diaspora buyers and investors is driving rapid construction of smaller units.

In Zagreb’s Trešnjevka district, advertised prices far exceed the official average of €3,052 per square metre. A listed three‑room flat of 80.3 m² is priced at €5,093 per square metre, about 67 % higher than the government figure. Experts note that advertised offers reflect sellers’ targets, not final transaction amounts, and that the official average includes older, lower‑priced units, while the market is now dominated by newer, higher‑priced properties.

Both markets illustrate a widening gap between official price statistics and what buyers actually pay, affecting eligibility for state housing subsidies and prompting concerns about affordability for first‑time buyers.