With the coronavirus epidemic subsiding and Croatia getting closer to joining the Schengen Area, interest by Slovenian citizens in real estate in Croatia is once again on the rise, particularly in Istria, Slovenian media reported.

“Last year, our clients bought real estate in Slovenia because of the pandemic and Schengen, and now that trend has turned around,” realtor Daniel Lovsin told the Slovenian Delo daily on Tuesday.

“Croatian real estate has become interesting again, while there are hardly any offers in Slovenia,” he added.

Prices on the Slovenian coast are “astronomical” because of the poor supply, Lovsin said and added that some Slovenian families are even moving to Croatia because real estate is cheaper there.

“A 100-square-metre flat on the Slovenian coast costs up to €270,000, whereas on the Croatian side you can get a big house for that amount,” Lovsin said. Slovenians hope that Croatia will join the Schengen Area soon, which will facilitate movement, he added.