Riverside village where houses sell for 10p in bid to boost population - but there's a catch

24 January 2024, 18:58 | Updated: 24 January 2024, 19:06

Legrad in Croatia
Legrad in Croatia. Picture: Alamy
Kieran Kelly

By Kieran Kelly

A village in eastern Europe beloved by Brits is offering citizens the chance to buy homes for just 10 pence in a bid to boost resident numbers.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Legrad, which is based in northern Croatia, started a campaign to boost resident figures six years ago, and is now home to around 2,000 people.

Its population had been falling following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian empire over one hundred years ago, but it is on the rise once again.

The Croatian government's latest initiative is to offer new residents the chance to buy homes for just 10 pence - but there's a catch.

Aerial view of the confluence of Mura and Drava rivers
Aerial view of the confluence of Mura and Drava rivers. Picture: Alamy

Firstly, you must be under 45 to buy the house.

You must also be in a marital or extramarital relationship, and have no criminal history.

You must also be a first-time buyer.

Local officials and the Croatian government see the scheme as a big success.

Read More: Man held near Taylor Swift’s New York townhouse after reported break-in attempt

Read More: 'Villages actually exist': British man who goes to college in the US reveals the 'dumbest' things Americans have asked him

"A total of five houses ready for occupancy have been sold. Three families have already moved in, and what delights us is that all three families welcomed a new member during their move-in," Ivan Sabolić, the mayor of Legrad, told local outlet HRT.

"This has increased the number of children in the daycare centre."

Aerial view of Drava river and Legrad village, Podravina region of Croatia, border with Hungary
Aerial view of Drava river and Legrad village, Podravina region of Croatia, border with Hungary. Picture: Alamy

Danijel Harmnicar is one of the young men who took up the initiative and bought a house for his wife and small children.

"It is much nicer to live in your own place than to be a tenant. Staying 15 years here is not a problem for us, we don't plan to move," he added.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Two more cases of a new strain of mpox have been detected in the UK, officials say

Two more cases of new mpox strain detected in UK

Anya Taylor-Joy and her musician husband were the victims of a terrifying robbery

Anya Taylor-Joy and musician husband victims of burglary at London mansion

Exclusive
Nigel Farage speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari about new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch

'The Remainers are back in town': Nigel Farage says Kemi Badenoch will bring 'no change whatsoever' to Tories

Amy Dowden

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden will not return to show this year following 'medical emergency'

Scott Paterson murdered his landlady Annette Smith

Tenant murdered and dismembered elderly landlady before posing as her by sending Christmas cards to family

Robert Jenrick, Priti Patel and Mel Stride will all serve in Kemi Badenoch's Shadow Cabinet

Kemi Badenoch names former leadership rivals Robert Jenrick and Priti Patel to Tory Shadow Cabinet team

Bridget Phillipson has confirmed the tuition fee rise

University tuition fees to rise for first time in eight years, as Tories accuse Labour of 'declaring war on students'

Sara Sharif had suffered dozens of injuries in the weeks leading up to her death, a court has heard

Video of Sara Sharif smiling and dancing 'days before murder' shown to court

Transport for London (TfL) has warned passengers that no Tube services are expected on Thursday 7 November

November Tube strikes to bring London to a halt this week despite RMT calling off action

Stuart Gogg during the Six Nations rugby match between France and Scotland in Saint-Denis, 26 February 2023

Former Scotland rugby captain pleads guilty to domestic abuse over five-year period against former partner

Kie Joyce, 21, was sentenced for his role in at least 35 phone thefts.

WATCH: Moment phone snatchers are arrested in London chicken shop after spree of thefts

One of two assassination attempts made towards the former President was carried out in Pennsylvania

Trump says he would not 'mind' if journalists were shot at Pennsylvania rally

A 10-year-old girl who was mauled to death by her family's dog had a 'close, loving relationship' with the pet that killed her, police have said.

'Devastated' family pay tribute to 'wonderful' 10-year-old girl mauled to death by pet dog

Trump has been fixated on crowd sizes throughout this election cycle

Trump's latest crowd size brag backfires as camera pans to reveal sea of empty seats

Harris overtakes Trump in new polls as VP's rally is moved due to safety concerns on eve of 'knife-edge' US election

Harris overtakes Trump in new polls as VP's rally is moved due to safety concerns on eve of 'knife-edge' US election

Tuition fees are set to rise with inflation

Government set to increase university tuition fees for first time in eight years