New Construction Law: What It Brings to Everyone Planning to Build on the Island of Krk

Changes to the Construction Law are currently, alongside property legalization procedures, one of the most relevant topics in the real estate and construction market in Croatia.

As we have previously written in detail about legalization procedures in our article New Legalization Rules, this text provides a concise overview of the most important amendments related to the Construction Law.

Below, we highlight several key changes that primarily affect anyone planning to build, whether it is a family home or an investment project on the island of Krk.

Digitalization of Permit Procedures

One of the most significant changes relates to the digitalization of the building permit process and the submission of project documentation.

All projects, applications and supporting documentation are submitted electronically, and the status of each case can be monitored through the official system.

Building Permit Based on a Conceptual Design for Less Complex Buildings

For less complex buildings, a building permit can now be obtained based on a conceptual design. However, the main design project must still be completed before the actual start of construction.

What Is Considered a Less Complex Building?

The term “less complex building” refers to residential buildings with a gross construction area not exceeding 400 m².

What This Means in Practice for Planning a Construction Project

The possibility of obtaining a building permit based on a conceptual design allows for an earlier start of the administrative process and clearer planning of the project timeline.

An earlier administrative start may lead to an earlier commencement of construction works, and consequently to a faster completion of the project.

In markets such as the island of Krk, where many properties are purchased with the intention of building a holiday home or an investment property for rental purposes, the project timeline often plays an important role in the decision-making process.

Notification of Construction Start

According to the new amendments, construction can begin as early as five days after the official notification of commencement of works, whereas previously this period was eight days.

This change affects the operational phase of launching construction and further shortens the time between administrative preparation and the actual start of works.

The Importance of Proper Documentation and Project Preparation

Despite certain simplifications in the procedure, proper documentation preparation remains the foundation of every construction project.

In practice, this includes alignment of ownership documentation, geodetic surveys, access roads, infrastructure connections, and other conditions required for obtaining a building permit.

High-quality preparation of documentation and good coordination between all project participants remain essential for the successful realization of any construction project. Through our daily work on legalization procedures, property-law matters, and preparation of project documentation, we regularly encounter the practical challenges involved in coordinating all phases of the process.

Conclusion – What These Changes Mean in Practice

The new Construction Law introduces concrete accelerations in both the administrative and operational phases of project realization.

Digital procedures allow electronic submission of documentation and tracking of application status, while the possibility of obtaining a permit based on a conceptual design speeds up the launch of an investment.

For less complex buildings, the process of obtaining a building permit is now faster.

Additionally, construction can now begin five days after notification of commencement of works, compared to the previous eight-day period, further shortening the overall project timeline.

Although deadlines are shorter, thorough preparation of documentation remains a key prerequisite for successful construction.

If you are already in the documentation preparation phase or looking for an architect for your future project on the island of Krk, feel free to contact us via our contact form.