Obtaining Croatian Citizenship

Croatian citizenship grants immigrants the legal right to reside in a European country with full civic rights. A local passport allows holders to settle in Croatia, pursue education, engage in employment or entrepreneurship, and access a range of public and financial services. Citizens can travel visa-free to 172 countries, access banking services, receive quality healthcare covered by insurance, and claim social benefits.

Citizenship can be acquired by birth, through repatriation, or via naturalization. Once naturalized, an immigrant becomes a citizen of the European Union and receives an EU passport.

Who Is Eligible for Croatian Citizenship?

According to the Croatian Citizenship Act, the following categories of applicants are eligible to apply:

• Children born or found on the territory of the Republic of Croatia.
• Emigrants who left Croatian territory before October 8, 1991, and settled in countries outside the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY), as well as their descendants.
• Foreign nationals who have legally resided in Croatia for a period defined by law and have successfully integrated into society.
• Children born abroad who wish to acquire citizenship if one or both parents hold Croatian citizenship.

Applicants for citizenship through naturalization are expected to be of legal age. They must have resided continuously in Croatia for at least 5 years with a temporary residence permit and more than 3 years with permanent residence status. Additional requirements include proficiency in the Croatian language (reading, writing, and speaking), knowledge of national culture, and respect for local customs and traditions. Applicants must also not pose a threat to national security and must have no criminal record.

Naturalization candidates are typically required to renounce their existing citizenship. However, if the country of their current citizenship does not allow renunciation or imposes unreasonably burdensome conditions, a written declaration of intent to renounce the original citizenship is sufficient for the Croatian authorities.

In some EU countries, it is possible to obtain citizenship without renouncing your current nationality or fulfilling long-term residency requirements. To better understand your individual eligibility and legal options, it is advisable to consult with a qualified migration specialist.

Ways to Obtain Croatian Citizenship

Applicants born in Croatia, repatriates, and those who have undergone naturalization may be eligible for Croatian citizenship. The country does not offer any citizenship-by-investment programs. Foreign nationals cannot acquire citizenship by purchasing real estate such as an apartment or house. Additionally, giving birth on Croatian territory does not grant automatic citizenship to the child.

By Birth

Individuals born abroad may apply for Croatian citizenship if at least one parent is a Croatian citizen. The application must be submitted through a diplomatic mission or consulate before the applicant turns 21. Citizenship is also available to individuals born on Croatian territory if one or both parents are Croatian citizens or stateless persons. Supporting documents include the parents’ citizenship certificates and the applicant’s birth certificate.

By Naturalization

Naturalization requires prior legalization of stay through a temporary residence permit, followed by a permanent residence permit (PR), provided eligibility is maintained. Grounds for legal stay may include family reunification, study, humanitarian reasons, employment, or scientific research.

According to the legal requirements, immigrants must reside legally in Croatia for over 8 years and hold a permanent residence permit. Evidence of legal residence may include:

• a marriage or civil union registration certificate or a joint child’s birth certificate (for spouses);
• an employment contract or work book (for employees);
• a cooperation agreement with a scientific research institution (for researchers).

By Repatriation

Emigrants who left Croatia before October 8, 1991, and their descendants, may apply for Croatian citizenship. Applicants with ethnic Croatian heritage who actively participate in sports, scientific, or cultural activities abroad in the interest of the Croatian state may also be eligible.

Applicants must provide documents such as:

• an original or certified copy of their labor book, military ID, or civil registry extracts (birth, marriage, etc.) confirming Croatian heritage (for descendants);
• certificates or other proof of active participation in relevant activities as representatives of Croatia (for ethnic Croats living abroad).

Several other EU countries offer alternative repatriation-based citizenship programs that enable applicants to obtain EU citizenship within approximately 12 months and relocate to Croatia for permanent residence. For details, consulting a migration specialist is recommended.

Required Documents

Applicants seeking assistance with the Croatian citizenship process will receive guidance on the specific documents required for their individual case. Typically, the standard application dossier includes:

• Application form.
• Motivation letter.
• Notarized copy of an identity document.
• Extract from the civil registry (birth, marriage, etc.).
• Criminal record certificate issued within 6 months before the application date (original or certified translation).
• Written consent allowing verification of the authenticity of foreign documents.
• Marriage or partnership registration extract (if applicable).
• Payment receipt for the state fee.

Step-by-Step Procedure for Obtaining Croatian Citizenship

Acquiring Croatian citizenship involves several key steps:

1. Obtaining a Type D Visa.
   This visa allows the applicant to stay in Croatia for up to 90 calendar days within a 180-day period. A Type D visa can be issued by a Croatian consulate or diplomatic mission based on grounds such as family reunification, lifelong partnership, study, employment, scientific research, or humanitarian work. In addition to submitting the required documentation, applicants must justify their right to legal stay in Croatia—for example, by providing proof of employment or university admission.
2. Applying for a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP).
   The temporary residence application must be submitted either at a diplomatic mission or a local police station in Croatia. Alongside the Form 1a application, the applicant must provide a document confirming the purpose of their stay (e.g., a marriage certificate or employment contract). The initial permit is typically valid for up to one year. If the permit is granted on the basis of a lifelong partnership or family reunification with a Croatian citizen, it may be valid for up to two years. The permit can be renewed if the grounds for residence remain unchanged. The application for renewal must be submitted no later than one month before the current permit expires.
3. Applying for Permanent Residence (PR).
   Permanent residence is available to Russian citizens and other foreign nationals legally residing in Croatia. An applicant married to a Croatian citizen (either legally or in a registered partnership) can apply for PR after 4 years of continuous stay in the country. Refugees who have resided in Croatia for 10 years, and held a temporary residence permit for the last 3 years, are also eligible. A minor child living in Croatia may apply for PR if at least one parent has a valid temporary or permanent residence permit. For all other immigrants, permanent residence becomes available after 5 years of uninterrupted legal stay. Applications must be submitted to the police, and the final decision is made by the Ministry of the Interior.
4. Passing the Citizenship Test.
   Before submitting a citizenship application, the applicant must pass a language and cultural knowledge exam, which includes Croatian language proficiency, history, and cultural awareness. The history/culture portion is administered at the police department and consists of a questionnaire. A passing score requires correct answers to at least 10 out of 15 questions. Applicants are expected to demonstrate Croatian language skills at B1 level or higher.
5. Submitting the Citizenship Application.
   The citizenship application must be submitted in person at the local police station. If the applicant has a disability, a legal representative may file the application on their behalf. If the applicant does not yet hold a residence permit, the application must be submitted through a Croatian diplomatic mission or consulate. The application must be completed in Croatian; the official form is available on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. A consular fee must be paid upon submission.
6. Receiving the Decision and Taking the Oath.
   If the application is approved, the applicant must collect the citizenship certificate from the office where the application was submitted. The applicant is then required to take the citizenship oath. The procedure for the oath ceremony is regulated by the Ministry of the Interior.
7. Obtaining National Identity Documents.
   Once citizenship is granted, the new citizen may apply for a Croatian national ID card. The passport can be obtained from the police department or, for those abroad, from a consulate.
   • The ID card is valid for 5 years for individuals under 21.
   • For all others, it is valid for 10 years.

    
   To travel internationally, the applicant may also request a Croatian international passport.

Timeframes and Costs for Obtaining Croatian Citizenship

To estimate the approximate cost of obtaining Croatian citizenship, one must consider the fees established by the country’s immigration legislation.

The final cost of obtaining Croatian citizenship may be higher due to additional expenses related to relocation, such as travel, accommodation, and translation services.

Croatian Passport: Appearance and Benefits

The internal Croatian passport is issued in the form of an ID card containing the holder’s personal information. This biometric document enables visa-free travel within the EU and the Schengen Area. For international travel beyond the EU, Croatia issues a biometric black-cover passport with an embedded chip.

Key Advantages of a Croatian Passport:

• Visa-free entry to 117 countries and simplified visa procedures for another 48.
• Access to higher education at Croatian universities with internationally recognized degrees.
• Residency in a country that does not impose double taxation on foreign income.
• Opportunity to work or do business under a favorable tax regime (e.g., 5% VAT on bread, dairy products, baby food, and medications).
• Living in a safe country with a low crime index (25.97).
• Access to high-quality public healthcare covered by insurance.

Citizens of other EU countries enjoy the same rights as Croatians. Many obtain EU citizenship through simplified procedures in countries like Bulgaria, Romania, or Poland, and later relocate to Croatia. You can assess your eligibility for EU citizenship during a free consultation with a migration specialist.

Dual Citizenship in Croatia

Under the Croatian Citizenship Act, applicants are generally required to renounce any existing citizenship before being granted Croatian nationality. The law prohibits dual or multiple citizenship, meaning that individuals cannot simultaneously hold full rights and obligations in two countries—such as choosing where to perform military service or receive social benefits.

Croatia does not allow dual citizenship where both countries recognize all reciprocal rights and obligations. However, there are exceptions where applicants may retain their original nationality:

• Foreigners married to Croatian citizens and holding permanent residence.
• Repatriates (descendants of Croatian emigrants).
• Individuals whose naturalization serves the national interest of Croatia.

Testimonials from Croatian Passport Holders

According to feedback from successful applicants, the main motivation for moving to Croatia is the ability to work or launch a business in a country that does not impose double taxation on foreign-earned income. Other factors include clean environmental conditions (e.g., a high drinking water quality index of 86.34), a mild climate, and scenic landscapes.

Many immigrants from Russia and other non-EU countries first obtain EU citizenship (e.g., via repatriation programs in Romania, Bulgaria, or Poland) and then relocate to Croatia. As EU citizens, they benefit from unrestricted access to the Croatian labor market. You can explore these alternative paths to EU citizenship during a free consultation.

Assistance with Second Citizenship

Immigrants often note that obtaining a second citizenship involves significant challenges, including navigating complex legal systems and assembling the necessary documentation. The chances of approval increase significantly when working with a professional.

A migration specialist can:

• Analyze your family history to determine eligibility for fast-track citizenship by descent.
• Request official documents from state archives to prove lineage.
• Help compile a complete and compliant application file.
• Accompany you to the authorities during the submission process, increasing the likelihood of success.