How to Obtain Croatian Citizenship

Croatian citizenship can be obtained by birth or descent. A simplified procedure is available to those who have an ethnic connection to the nation. However, for most applicants, the most relevant pathway is naturalization. To obtain a passport, it is necessary to reside in Croatia for at least 8 years, including 5 years as a permanent resident. Additional requirements include knowledge of the Croatian language, Latin script, culture, and social system, as well as a clean criminal record and compliance with immigration laws.

From 2024–2026, Croatia, as a full member of the EU and the Schengen Area, maintains standard naturalization requirements, although certain categories of applicants benefit from simplified conditions. For example, individuals of Croatian origin may obtain citizenship without long-term residence, and in some cases without renouncing their previous nationality. It is also important to note that application processing times can range from several months to several years, depending on the grounds and completeness of the submitted documents. In recent years, authorities have placed increased emphasis on verifying the origin of funds and applicants’ backgrounds.

Each pathway to Croatian citizenship has its own characteristics, so below we will review all available options for obtaining this status.

Pros and Cons of Obtaining Second Citizenship in Croatia

Since joining the European Union in 2013, Croatia has granted its citizens all the rights and opportunities associated with EU membership. The Croatian passport ranks among the strongest in the world, providing a high level of travel freedom.

Among the key advantages of Croatian citizenship are:

• the right to work in all 27 EU countries without additional permits or restrictions;
• access to free or subsidized education and healthcare within the EU;
• the ability to invest and run a business freely across EU countries, including opening branches;
• access to favorable tax regimes and business support programs within the EU;
• the opportunity to participate in EU grants and programs aimed at supporting entrepreneurship;
• tax incentives and support for IT businesses.

Although Croatia’s tax system is considered favorable for businesses and startups, it requires strict compliance with regulations, especially for new entrepreneurs.

At the same time, obtaining Croatian citizenship involves certain challenges, including the need for long-term residence in the country, proof of proficiency in the national language and basic constitutional knowledge, and in most cases, renunciation of existing citizenship.

Ways to Obtain Croatian Citizenship

Croatian citizenship can be obtained by birth, through ethnic origin, or by naturalization (standard or simplified). The conditions, requirements, and procedural details are set out in the Law on Croatian Citizenship.

It is not possible to obtain a Croatian passport through investment in the country’s economy or by purchasing real estate.

Citizenship by Naturalization

The main pathway to obtaining Croatian citizenship is naturalization. According to the law, the key requirements for applicants include:

• reaching the age of majority;
• having no criminal record;
• 8 years of legal and continuous residence in Croatia (5 years as a temporary resident and 3 years with permanent residence).

The required period of residence can be fulfilled on various grounds, including employment, education, family reunification, marriage or partnership with a Croatian citizen, scientific activity, humanitarian reasons, or remote work as a digital nomad.

Applicants must also demonstrate knowledge of the Croatian language, legal system, and cultural characteristics of the country. Additional requirements include not posing a threat to national security and having no outstanding tax obligations. In most cases, applicants are required to renounce their current citizenship or provide a written commitment to do so in the future.

Spouses of Croatian citizens are eligible for a simplified naturalization procedure. Under this option, the language requirement is waived, and dual citizenship is allowed. The required period of residence is reduced to 4 years, and an application can be submitted immediately after obtaining permanent residence.

Citizenship by Birth

Children whose parents are Croatian citizens automatically acquire citizenship by descent. A child born in Croatia obtains citizenship if at least one parent holds a Croatian passport.

If a child is born outside Croatia and one of the parents held Croatian citizenship at the time of birth, the child may also acquire citizenship by descent. However, this requires registration at a diplomatic mission or civil registry office in Croatia before the age of 21.

Citizenship may also be granted based on the principle of birth within the country, but only if the child was born or found in Croatia and the parents are unknown, stateless, or their citizenship cannot be determined. This status may be revoked if, before the age of 14, it becomes known that both parents are foreign nationals.

Citizenship by Repatriation

Ethnic Croats and former citizens of Yugoslavia who left Croatia before October 8, 1991 (the date of independence) and settled outside the former federation are eligible to restore their citizenship. In such cases, applicants are exempt from the requirement to demonstrate knowledge of the Croatian language, renounce their current citizenship, or meet residency requirements.

The right to obtain citizenship through repatriation also extends to descendants of these individuals, as well as to applicants of Croatian origin who may not reside permanently in the country but can prove active involvement in promoting the interests of the Croatian people.

Dual Citizenship in Croatia

Croatian legislation allows dual citizenship only in exceptional cases. The right to retain a previous citizenship status may be granted to:

• spouses of Croatian citizens;
• emigrants and their descendants;
• individuals of special interest to the state;
• minor applicants;
• persons restoring their citizenship;
• ethnic Croats living abroad.

For all other categories of applicants, retaining a second citizenship is not permitted.

6 Steps to Obtain Croatian Citizenship

Obtaining Croatian citizenship is a process that requires patience and preparation. Let’s take a look at where it begins and what steps you need to complete to eventually become a Croatian citizen.

Documents Required for Citizenship

When applying for Croatian citizenship, you will need a standard set of documents, which includes:

• a CV (application form);
• a completed application form in the prescribed format;
• criminal record certificates issued within the last 6 months from Croatia and the country of previous residence;
• birth and marriage certificates (if applicable);
• a copy and the original of a valid identity document;
• proof of payment of the state fee;
• consent for verification of documents issued abroad.

Depending on the grounds for obtaining EU citizenship, additional documents may be required, such as proof of nationality, ethnic ties, family relationships, or active involvement in the country’s public life. Each case is assessed individually, and the completeness of the submitted dossier directly affects the outcome.

According to legal requirements, documents issued outside Croatia must be translated into the official language by a certified translator, notarized, and apostilled.

Processing Time and Cost of Croatian Citizenship

If you obtain Croatian citizenship through the standard naturalization procedure, the minimum required residence period is 8 years, including 5 years as a temporary resident and 3 years with permanent residence. Repatriation allows applicants to bypass residency requirements, but it is available only to a limited category of individuals, such as descendants of Croatian emigrants or persons of Croatian origin.

Each stage of legalization involves administrative fees. The approximate state fees as of 2026 are shown in the table below:

To prepare the application dossier, documents must be translated and legalized. On average, costs start from around 15 EUR per document.

Overall, obtaining Croatian citizenship through naturalization may cost from approximately 500–600 EUR, while repatriation can start from around 150 EUR. Citizenship by birth is not subject to state fees.

It is important to note that these figures include only administrative costs. Expenses related to living, daily needs, and legal assistance should be considered separately.

Reasons for Refusal of Croatian Citizenship

A refusal to grant Croatian citizenship may be based on one of the following reasons:

• suspicion of providing false information;
• violation of immigration regulations;
• failure to meet the established application deadlines;
• legal issues or a criminal record;
• inability to successfully pass the required tests.

The authority to approve or reject an application lies entirely with the Croatian Ministry of the Interior. Even if all formal requirements are met, an application may still be denied if the competent authority considers the applicant a potential threat to national security. In case of an unlawful refusal, the decision of the Ministry can be challenged in court.