Inspectors Seal 36 Apartments, Holiday Homes, and Camps Amid Peak Season, Impose Fines Exceeding €81,000
State Inspectorate's intensified inspections uncover 122 cases of unregistered rentals and seize over €343,000 in illegally obtained gains.
State Inspectorate's intensified inspections uncover 122 cases of unregistered rentals and seize over €343,000 in illegally obtained gains.
The State Inspectorate has released the results of a major operation to crack down on unregistered accommodation rentals conducted across Croatia since late April. Inspections focused on illegal advertising on online platforms and the provision of hospitality services without the necessary permits, with 1,441 inspections carried out by July 20.
According to data reported by Riportal, Net.hr, and N1 Hrvatska, irregularities were found in 122 cases. Due to legal violations, 68 administrative measures banning operations and advertising were issued, and a total of 36 apartments, seven holiday homes, one hostel, one campsite, and two rooms were sealed. Sealing of properties lasts at least 30 days, or until irregularities are rectified and the necessary permits are obtained.
Against the violators, 62 misdemeanor charges were filed, and 60 misdemeanor orders were issued. The total amount of imposed fines reached €81,169.08, while simultaneously, illegally obtained property gains exceeding €343,812 were seized, as reported by Net.hr. Slobodna Dalmacija cites the same amount of seized gains, while N1 Hrvatska rounds the figures to over €81,000 in fines and €343,800 in seized gains.
The Law on Prohibition and Prevention of Unregistered Business Activities for Natural Persons prescribes fines ranging from €1,327.23 to €3,981.68, along with the mandatory confiscation of property gains obtained through the violation.
Inspections uncovered irregularities in numerous locations along the entire coast, as well as in the continental part of the country. Among the locations listed by Riportal are Crikvenica, Jadranovo, Selce, Kraljevica, Bakar, Krk, Rab, Ičići, Pula, Pag, Dubrovnik, Split, Makarska, Vodice, and Primošten. Net.hr and Slobodna Dalmacija expand the list to include Zagreb, Samobor, Bjelovar, Ogulin, Karlovac, Sisak, Sesvete, Dugo Selo, Nova Gradiška, Supetar, Drašnice, Vir, Kaštel Lukšić, Prigradica, Sobra, and Žrnovo, among others.
In addition to unregistered individuals, service bans were also imposed on some registered hospitality providers who operated without the approval of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. As reported by Net.hr, these include one boutique hotel, 13 apartments, 24 rooms, and two campsites with mobile homes and glamping tents. In one campsite, four mobile homes and six glamping tents were sealed, while in another, 20 mobile homes were banned.
Among the violators, besides Croatian citizens, were residents from Slovenia, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany. Inspections were planned based on reports from tourist boards and by comparing data from the Tax Administration with listings on online rental platforms.
The State Inspectorate has stated that intensified inspections will continue throughout the tourist season and urges all those renting accommodation without approval to bring their operations into compliance with legal regulations.
