Financial Affairs of Spouses in Croatia: Regulations under Family Law

In the Republic of Croatia, family law governs the financial affairs of spouses. Here is an overview of marital and personal property, as well as the significance of prenuptial agreements:

• Marital Property:
  Marital property includes assets acquired through work during the marriage, as well as wealth derived from them. Spouses are co-owners in equal shares, unless agreed otherwise. Gambling winnings and financial benefits from copyrights and related rights also fall under marital property.
• Personal Property:
  A spouse’s personal property consists of assets owned before the marriage or acquired during the marriage but not through work, gambling, or financial benefits from copyrights. Inherited assets or gifts remain the personal property of the spouse.
• Prenuptial Agreement:
  Spouses can regulate financial matters through a prenuptial agreement. This can be made before or during the marriage, with contracts made before marriage having a suspensive effect. Validity requires written form and notarized signatures.
• Regulations for Non-Marital Cohabitation:
  Legal provisions for financial matters also apply to non-marital cohabitation if it lasts at least 3 years or shorter if a child is born.
• Applicable Law in Case of Dispute:
  In legal disputes over financial matters, the law of the country of which the spouses are nationals applies. If the spouses are nationals of different countries, the law of the country where they reside applies. In the absence of an agreement, the law of the last shared residence or, in case of doubt, the law of the Republic of Croatia applies.