Short-term rental owners in Croatia protested against proposed tax hikes, claiming the measures unfairly target low-income earners and threaten their livelihoods. The government argues the changes aim to tackle a housing crisis driven by tourism demand.
Owners of short-term rental properties gathered in protest in Zagreb on Saturday, 23rd November, opposing the Croatian government’s proposed draft laws aimed at addressing a tourism-related housing affordability crisis.
The legislation, which was approved by lawmakers last week but awaits final approval following broader consultations and potential amendments, includes measures to raise taxes on short-term rental properties and increase the lump-sum tax on tourist rentals. However, long-term rental properties remain unaffected.
Protesters argued that renting out properties is a vital source of income for many, helping pensioners and their families avoid poverty. "We have gathered here to express our opposition to the entire legal package proposed by our government with the sole and exclusive aim of reducing the number of beds in our property. These laws are anti-social and hit those with the lowest incomes the hardest," said Vedran Tomac, a protester from Rijeka.
Brankica Grmoja, from the coastal resort town of Makarska, highlighted how the laws would hurt families like hers. "My father started building it (house) when he was 18 years old. They (her parents) together have a (monthly) pension of 1100 euros, and they both worked full time. If it weren't for that, they would be just poor, and like this, they can go to restaurants, go on trips," she explained.
Tourism is a cornerstone of Croatia's economy, contributing around 20% of the nation’s GDP, with millions of visitors arriving annually. Approximately 125,000 people are employed in the home rentals sector.
The Spanish agricultural sector has been placed on high alert following the confirmation that African Swine Fever (ASF) has resurfaced in the country ...
The Japanese government is preparing to host a landmark summit with the leaders of the Central Asian states, expected to take place in Tokyo in Decemb...
The Kremlin is set to evaluate a new diplomatic proposal aimed at halting the hostilities in Ukraine, with high-level discussions involving a Washingt...
The European Union’s high-stakes strategy to leverage hundreds of billions in frozen Russian capital to prop up Ukraine’s defence has hit a critic...
Rescuers in Sri Lanka are racing against rising floodwaters and treacherous terrain today after a powerful storm system slammed into the island nation...
A Türkiye-registered Air Tractor AT-802F crashed in western Croatia on Thursday, killing the pilot, local authorities and media reported.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev welcomed a Croatian delegation led by Gordan Jandroković, Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, marking his first official visit to Azerbaijan.
On July 11–12, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov took part in the “Dubrovnik Forum” held in Dubrovnik, Croatia, under the theme “Channelling the Change.”
Croatia’s ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) has emerged as the dominant force in the country’s second round of local elections, securing a series of key mayoral and regional victories, according to results reported by local media Monday.
At least 47 people have died and another 21 are reported missing following ten days of heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides across Sri Lanka, local media reported on Thursday (27 November).
Hong Kong fire authorities said they expected to wrap up search and rescue operations on Friday after the city's worst fire in nearly 80 years tore through a massive apartment complex, killing at least 128 people, injuring 79 and leaving around 200 still missing.
A passenger aircraft from Polish carrier LOT veered off a taxiway at Lithuania's Vilnius airport after arriving from Warsaw on Wednesday, halting all traffic, the airport operator said.
Netflix crashed on Wednesday for about an hour in the U.S. as it launched season five of "Stranger Things", with the service becoming inaccessible to many subscribers within minutes of the episodes going live at 8 p.m. local time.
Thousands of Bulgarians took to the streets of Sofia on Wednesday to protest against the government’s draft budget for 2026, the first to be prepared in euros ahead of the country’s planned eurozone entry on 1 January 2026.
The Kremlin is set to evaluate a new diplomatic proposal aimed at halting the hostilities in Ukraine, with high-level discussions involving a Washington envoy scheduled for the coming days in Moscow.
The European Union’s high-stakes strategy to leverage hundreds of billions in frozen Russian capital to prop up Ukraine’s defence has hit a critical roadblock, with Belgium warning that the move could torpedo fragile diplomatic openings aimed at ending the conflict.
A simmering diplomatic feud between Washington and Pretoria has erupted into a full-scale crisis, with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa describing U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to ban South Africa from the 2026 G20 summit as "regrettable" and based on "misinformation."
Making his diplomatic debut in Türkiye, the first American Pope warned a "piecemeal" World War III endangers humanity. Leo XIV met President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the 1,700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed on Thursday (27 November), urging an end to global conflicts.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 28th of November, covering the latest developments you need to know.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment