Croatia Approves Laws to Address Housing Crisis

Croatian Prime Minister Marko Primorac announced new legislation aimed at curbing the rising housing prices driven by tourism, despite concerns from property owners about the impact on their businesses. The draft laws, recently approved by parliament, will increase taxes on rental properties and aim to create more affordable market-rate options for locals. This move follows similar measures implemented in other European cities like Barcelona and Athens, which have sought to address short-term rental issues. Dubrovnik has already banned new rental permits in its historic Old Town to retain younger residents amid escalating costs. While some locals support the legislation as a means to revitalize their communities, property owners fear that heightened taxes could jeopardize their investments and financial stability. The proposed laws are still subject to further discussions and potential amendments before becoming final.