Croatia is a popular destination for foreign investors, particularly in the real estate sector, especially those located in the southern, coastal, and seaside areas of the country. This is because their tourist potential is far superior to that of properties used for tourism in other parts of Croatia. Naturally, when it comes to such investments, the speed of return is crucial, if not decisive.

The primary legal act governing the legal status of foreigners (persons who do not hold Croatian citizenship) is the Foreigners Act (hereinafter: FA) and the Regulation on the Residence and Work of Highly Qualified Third-Country Nationals in the Republic of Croatia, which is fully aligned with Council Directive 2009/50/EC of 25 May 2009 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of highly qualified employment (OJ L 155, 18 June 2009).