[REVISION HISTORY]
Urban development and housing policy in Serbia and Croatia
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2026-10-16 19:21 UTC → 2026-10-20 08:01 UTC ·
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In Serbia, homeowners performing unauthorized apartment renovations—such as enclosing terraces or partitioning rooms—face risks of official construction inspections and high costs. In Belgrade, specific safety concerns persist regarding a building at Karađorđeva 53, which residents claim has been illegally expanded by two and a half floors despite demolition orders. In Zagreb, Croatia, urban development continues with a 42 million euro residential and commercial project in the Zagreb’s Podbrežje neighborhood, intended to provide approximately 300 social and affordable rental apartments by the first half of 2027. To address the city’s a housing crisis and an estimated 55,000 vacant apartments, Mayor Tomislav Tomašević proposed increasing the Zagreb City Assembly officially voted on October 15, 2026, to increase the annual real estate tax from five to eight euros per square meter. This measure targets owners of vacant properties or those utilizing them for short-term rentals via platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. Deputy Mayor Luka Korlaet clarified that Supported by the higher rate is intended to incentivize long-term leasing Možemo! and stabilize rental prices, noting that residents living in their homes or long-term tenants will not face additional tax burdens. Mayor Tomašević described SDP parties, the measure as “absolutely necessary” takes effect on January 1, 2027, and defended it against opposition criticism, asserting the policy is driven by housing needs rather than revenue generation. The increase is expected to generate an additional six million euros for the city budget. Minister of Construction Branko Bačić stated that the proposal aligns with the National Housing Policy Plan, suggesting that the revenue could be used to reduce Zagreb’s income tax, thereby increasing local salaries. On October 15, 2026, Mayor Tomislav Tomašević defended the Zagreb City Assembly officially voted policy as “absolutely necessary” to approve incentivize long-term leasing, while opposition members from HDZ-DP-HSU and the Drito party criticized it as an attack on private property rights. Beyond Zagreb, Zadar has also announced substantial real estate tax increase, set increases to take effect on January 1, 2027. align with other coastal municipalities. The decision was supported by new proposal includes rates of five euros per square meter for the Možemo! Peninsula area, three euros for mainland areas, and SDP parties. two euros for islands, up from a previous rate of 60 cents. Critics in Zagreb have noted that because the tax is not based on property value, it may fail to effectively influence market behavior or curb rising prices.
Versions
- 2026-10-20 08:01 UTC Urban development and housing policy in Serbia and Croatia
- 2026-10-16 19:21 UTC Urban development and housing policy in Serbia and Croatia
- 2026-10-15 16:47 UTC Urban development and housing policy in Serbia and Croatia
- 2026-10-14 08:08 UTC Urban development and housing policy in Serbia and Croatia
- 2026-10-13 10:03 UTC Urban construction and development in Serbia and Croatia
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