Which areas does the new cadastral survey programme cover?

The programme is being implemented in 57 local government units across all 20 counties, covering more than 132,000 cadastral plots.

Why are cadastral surveys important for citizens?

Aligning the cadastre and land registry with the actual situation makes it easier to sell, inherit, build on, or use property as collateral for loans.

What is expected from property owners?

They must show the boundaries of their plots and verify recorded data in a timely manner; oversights can lead to property disputes.

Croatia

Cadastral Surveys to Cover More Than 132,000 Plots in 57 Cities and Municipalities

H.D. · Prije 1 dana | 2 min

Government adopts 2026 Annual Programme, continuing a multi-year plan running until 2030

Summary

Cadastral surveys will be carried out in 57 local government units, covering more than 132,000 plots.
The programme continues the Multi-Year Programme through 2030 and was presented by DGU Director General Antonio Šustić.
The goal is to align data for safer real estate transactions and spatial planning.
Citizens must participate by showing boundaries; otherwise, lengthy disputes may ensue.

For 2026, the Government of the Republic of Croatia adopted the Annual Programme of Cadastral Surveys for Construction Areas. The programme will be implemented during this year and next across 57 local government units in all 20 Croatian counties, covering more than 132,000 cadastral plots.

Antonio Šustić, Director General of the State Geodetic Administration, presented the document at a government session, defining the tasks, areas, deadlines, activity holders, and funding sources. This continues the Multi-Year Programme of Cadastral Surveys for Construction Areas from 2021 to 2030, which the Croatian Parliament adopted in October 2021.

Goal: Align the Cadastre with the Actual Situation on the Ground

The programme's primary goal is to align and update property data in construction areas and their immediate vicinity. Up-to-date cadastral data are essential for safer real estate transactions, drafting spatial plans, issuing building permits, and implementing various development projects.

This is especially important in locations where the cadastre and land registry records do not match the actual situation on the ground. The State Geodetic Administration notes that such discrepancies often make it difficult for owners to sell, inherit, build on, or use property as collateral for loans.

Citizens Will Need to Show Plot Boundaries

Updated data should ease the work of cities, municipalities, and counties when planning residential, economic, and infrastructure projects. However, the surveying process is not merely technical record-keeping; it also requires active participation from citizens. Owners will need to show the boundaries of their plots and promptly verify the recorded data. Oversights in this process can later lead to lengthy and costly property disputes.

An orderly cadastre and harmonised land registry, the Government stresses, are the foundation of legal certainty. Without reliable ownership data, it is difficult to attract investment, build roads, or resolve housing issues. The programme's real benefit will therefore depend on the speed of implementation and on whether the new data are transferred to the land registry without unnecessary delays.