Croatian citizenship is a full legal status that grants an EU passport, the right to Croatian nationality, and all guarantees provided by national legislation. Unlike temporary or permanent residence permits, citizenship does not require renewal, is not tied to the purpose of stay (work, study, business), and gives full access to social, political, and economic rights.

Croatia, as a member of the European Union (since 2013) and the Schengen Area (since 2023), offers its citizens the opportunity of free movement across the EU and visa-free travel to more than 170 countries worldwide. Thanks to a stable economy and advantageous geographical location, Croatian citizenship is becoming increasingly attractive to foreigners.

In this article, we will explain in detail how to obtain Croatian citizenship in 2026: who is eligible, what the available pathways are, how to submit documents, timelines, the cost of application, and what benefits a Croatian passport offers. We will also cover common mistakes, language requirements, the possibility of dual citizenship, and answer frequently asked questions.

Benefits of Croatian Citizenship

Croatian citizenship opens access to the entire European Union and beyond. Here are the key advantages it offers:

• Freedom of movement and residence. A Croatian citizen automatically becomes an EU citizen, which gives the right to permanently reside, study, run a business, and work in any EU country without additional permits. Moreover, the Croatian passport ranks high globally (in the top 10) and provides visa-free entry to approximately 169–171 countries, including EU nations, the UK, the USA, Canada, and more.
• Social benefits and education. Citizens of the Republic of Croatia are entitled to free or subsidized medical care in public clinics, receive pensions, allowances, and other social benefits on par with local residents. Children and adults holding a Croatian passport can study at Croatian universities on preferential terms and apply for state-funded places, as well as benefit from the European education and student exchange systems.
• Property rights and entrepreneurship. Foreigners with Croatian citizenship no longer need any permits to purchase property in Croatia — they can freely acquire housing, land, and other assets. Croatian citizens have the unrestricted right to register businesses, open companies, and conduct entrepreneurial activities both within Croatia and in any other EU country. They also have advantages in employment over residence permit holders, both domestically and across the EU.
• Political rights and security. Upon acquiring citizenship, you become a full participant in society: you can vote in local and national elections, take part in referenda, and hold public office. Croatia is a safe and economically stable country, and its passport only obliges you to respect the Constitution and laws, pay taxes, and uphold public order.

Get a free consultation on the Croatian citizenship application process

Fill in the short form below and a Mycitizenagency specialist will contact you as soon as possible

Free Consultation

Who Can Obtain Croatian Citizenship

The Croatian Citizenship Act defines several categories of foreign nationals who have the right to submit an application for Croatian citizenship:

1. Children of Croatian citizens. A child born to Croatian parents acquires citizenship by right of blood (from the mother and/or the father). Even if only one parent is a Croatian citizen, the child usually has the right to inherit that status. This also applies to children born out of wedlock or adopted by Croatian citizens — an adopted foreign child becomes a Croatian citizen from the date of adoption. In addition, if a newborn baby of unknown origin is found on the territory of Croatia, citizenship of the country is granted to them (until the circumstances are clarified).
2. Persons permanently residing in Croatia. Foreign nationals who have legally immigrated and lived in the Republic for an extended period may naturalize. This category includes holders of permanent residence (PR) — labor migrants, entrepreneurs, family reunification applicants, refugees, as well as spouses of Croatian citizens who have met the residence requirement. The main conditions for them are successful integration into society, knowledge of the language and culture, compliance with the law, and a sufficient period of residence in the country (details on requirements are provided in the Requirements section below).
3. Foreigners with Croatian roots, including descendants of emigrants. The right to citizenship by origin applies to foreigners of Croatian descent, direct descendants of persons who emigrated from Croatia, as well as former citizens of the SFRY (Yugoslavia) who lived on the territory of the republic before the declaration of independence on October 8, 1991. This category of repatriates can restore Croatian citizenship through a simplified procedure without long-term residence and without some of the standard requirements (for example, knowledge of the language or renunciation of previous citizenship is not mandatory for them).
4. People with special merits to the state. In exceptional cases, the Croatian government may grant citizenship to a foreign national who represents a special interest to the country. This includes outstanding scientists, renowned athletes, cultural figures, or valuable specialists whose contributions are recognized as significant for Croatia. Such persons may be granted citizenship through a simplified procedure by decision of the competent authorities, even if they do not meet all standard conditions.

Please note: a basic requirement applies to all applicants — majority age (18+ years), or the application must be submitted by legal representatives (parents) for minor children. A citizenship applicant must not pose a threat to Croatia’s national security or public order. If the applicant’s history includes serious offenses or convictions, this may be grounds for refusal of the status.

Ways to Obtain Croatian Citizenship

The law officially provides several basic grounds for acquiring Croatian citizenship. The ways to obtain the status of a citizen can be conditionally divided as follows.

Birth and Descent (Right of Blood)

Most Croatian citizens acquire their status by descent. Birth from a Croatian citizen automatically grants the right to Croatian citizenship to the child. If both parents are Croatians, citizenship is granted unconditionally; if only one parent is a citizen, the child usually receives Croatian nationality as well, especially if born on the territory of the republic. Even if the child was born abroad but one of the parents is Croatian, citizenship can be obtained for the child provided they are registered at their place of residence in Croatia or by the parent-citizen’s application (in accordance with the requirements of the Citizenship Act).

In addition, adoption by Croatian citizens grants a foreign-born child Croatian citizenship, considering them a citizen from the date of birth. Conversely, the fact of being born on the territory of Croatia by itself is not a basis for citizenship if the parents are foreigners. An exception is made only for babies of unknown origin or stateless persons found on the territory of the republic — such newborns are temporarily granted Croatian citizenship; if it is found before the age of 14 that both parents hold foreign citizenship, this status will be annulled. Thus, Croatia operates under the principle of “right of blood” (jus sanguinis), not “right of soil” — citizenship is passed through the parents, not by place of birth.

Naturalization (long-term residence in the country)

Naturalization is a way to obtain citizenship based on prolonged and legal residence in the country. It is available to almost any foreigner willing to move to Croatia for permanent residence and meet the legal requirements. The main criterion is the residence period: one must live continuously in the country for approximately 8–10 years in a legal status.

Initially, a foreigner obtains a temporary residence permit (TRP) on one of several grounds: employment, business establishment, studies, family reunification, refugee status, or even investment in the economy (although there is no direct “citizenship by investment” program, large investors can first obtain TRP).

A foreign citizen may apply for permanent residence in Croatia after five years of legal stay on a TRP, provided they meet the integration requirements, demonstrate financial stability, and have no migration violations. After approximately three more years with permanent residency status, the person becomes eligible to apply for citizenship. Thus, the standard naturalization period in Croatia is at least 8 years of uninterrupted legal residence.

In addition to the required length of stay, the applicant must meet several criteria: knowledge of the Croatian language, familiarity with the basics of history and culture, stable income and housing, clean criminal record, and renunciation of previous citizenship (see the Requirements section for details).

The naturalization process is quite lengthy, but it is available to everyone who has no Croatian roots or citizen relatives. It is worth noting that Croatian citizenship cannot be purchased directly — investments in real estate or the economy do not automatically lead to a passport. However, financially independent applicants may qualify for business immigration (e.g., starting a company with a capital of ~$3,000, which grants the right to TRP), or other long-term programs — but ultimately, the result is still naturalization under general rules.

Marriage to a Croatian Citizen

A foreigner who marries a Croatian citizen is eligible for an accelerated naturalization process. The spouse first obtains a temporary residence permit based on marriage (usually issued for 1–2 years and renewable). After 4 years of uninterrupted residence within the marriage, one can apply for permanent residence and then immediately apply for citizenship. It is important that the marriage remains valid at the time of application (a divorce before completing 5 years of marriage disqualifies the applicant from the simplified procedure).

The main advantages of this path are a shorter residence requirement and the absence of a language exam — knowledge of the Croatian language is not mandatory for spouses of citizens when applying for citizenship. Additionally, such applicants are usually allowed to retain their original citizenship (see section 8 on dual citizenship).

Thus, the approximate timeframe for obtaining a passport through marriage is around 5–6 years from the start of residence, compared to 8–10 years via standard naturalization.

Note: cohabitation or a common-law partnership does not qualify for citizenship — the marriage must be legally registered. Also, having children with a Croatian citizen does not automatically simplify the process for the foreign parent (though the children themselves will receive citizenship by birth). Still, marriage to a Croatian citizen offers several benefits: in addition to the shortened timeline, as mentioned, the foreign spouse is exempt from the language test and may keep their current citizenship.

Ethnic Origin (Repatriation)

Croatian legislation offers favorable conditions to members of the Croatian nation living abroad and descendants of emigrants. Repatriation is a special simplified pathway to citizenship for individuals with Croatian ancestry or those who identify as ethnically Croatian. This also includes former residents of Croatia who left the country before October 8, 1991, and their direct descendants. Such applicants are granted significant advantages when applying for a Croatian passport:

• No requirement for long-term residence in Croatia before applying. Repatriates are exempt from the usual residency requirement — they do not need to have lived in Croatia for 5 years with permanent residency, as required in standard naturalization. An application can be submitted as soon as all documents proving ancestry are prepared.
• No need to renounce current citizenship. When applying for a Croatian passport by origin, the applicant may retain their existing citizenship and become a holder of dual citizenship. The law permits dual status specifically for ethnic Croats applying through repatriation.
• No language or cultural knowledge exam required. Direct descendants of emigrants and persons of Croatian ethnicity are exempt from having to prove knowledge of the Croatian language or pass a cultural test. In other words, the exam requirement is waived for them, unlike for standard applicants.
• Faster processing times. Citizenship registration via repatriation typically takes around 1 year (sometimes up to 12 months), while standard naturalization can take several years. In practice, the only time-consuming steps involve gathering the documents and waiting for the decision of the competent authorities.

To take advantage of the repatriation program, the applicant must document Croatian origin or ethnicity. This may include birth records of ancestors, archival certificates, confirmations from diaspora communities, etc. Active involvement in preserving Croatian culture abroad is also welcomed (e.g., participation in Croatian organizations, organizing cultural events).

Close family members of the repatriate — spouses and underage children — are also eligible for citizenship. As a rule, children receive status together with the parent, and a spouse may undergo accelerated naturalization based on being in a family unit with a Croatian citizen.

Other Grounds and Programs

As previously mentioned, Croatian citizenship cannot be purchased through investments — there is no official “golden passport” program. However, wealthy individuals may invest in the Croatian economy, open a business, or purchase real estate in order to obtain a residence permit, and after the necessary number of years, citizenship via naturalization.

For example, registering a company with a minimum capital of approximately €3,000 gives the right to obtain a residence permit, provided jobs are created and other conditions are fulfilled.

It is also worth noting that birth in Croatia to foreign parents does not grant citizenship — Croatia does not apply the principle of jus soli (right of the soil), so “giving birth in Croatia” is not a workaround to immigration requirements.

Some foreigners may acquire a Croatian passport based on international treaties — though in practice such agreements are rare. For example, citizens of former Yugoslav republics may sometimes apply under simplified procedures if they previously held Yugoslav citizenship.

Lastly, individuals granted refugee status in Croatia may also be eligible for naturalization if they have lived in the country for the required period and integrated successfully.

Below is a summary of the key pathways to obtain Croatian citizenship, including minimum timeframes and specific conditions for each route:

Procedure for Obtaining Croatian Citizenship

If you fall under one of the eligible categories and decide to obtain a Croatian passport, it is important to organize the process correctly. Below is a step-by-step procedure for acquiring citizenship through naturalization (a general scheme that most applicants go through, with slight variations):

1. Obtaining Legal Stay in the Country. The initial step is long-term immigration to Croatia. Generally, this requires a national D visa (long-term) or an existing residence permit from another EU country. The D visa can be obtained through the Croatian consulate in your country approximately two months before your trip; it is issued for up to six months and serves as a basis for applying for a residence permit. Upon arrival in Croatia, the foreign national must register at the local police station within 30 days and submit an application for a residence permit. Usually, a temporary residence permit (TRP) is issued for one year (or two years for spouses of Croatians), with the possibility of extension. This stage repeats until the required period of residence (5 years for permanent residence) is accumulated.
2. Obtaining Permanent Residence (PRP). After 5 years of continuous residence in Croatia based on temporary permits, you can apply for permanent residence status (boravak stalni). PRP confirms that you are integrated into the country and have long-term interests in staying. After PRP is approved (which usually takes several months), you will receive a permanent resident card. Important: for spouses of Croatian citizens, the PRP residency period is shortened — they can usually apply after 4 years of marriage. Obtaining PRP is a key requirement for applying for citizenship.
3. Testing: Language and Culture Examination. Before submitting documents for citizenship, you must prove proficiency in the Croatian language at a level no lower than B1 and knowledge of the basics of the state system, history, and culture of the country. Language proficiency can be demonstrated by a course certificate or a diploma from an educational institution where Croatian was studied. If no such documents are available, an exam must be taken at the Ministry of the Interior. The culture and society test is held at the local police department: the candidate receives a questionnaire of 15 questions about Croatian history, structure, and traditions, and must answer at least 10 correctly. The test duration is 60 minutes. Some categories are exempt from the test: retirees aged 60–65+, minors, individuals with disabilities, as well as applicants under the repatriation program and spouses of citizens (they are not required to know the language).
4. Collecting Required Documents. At the same time, you should compile the full set of documents for submitting the citizenship application. The official application form can be downloaded from the website of the Ministry of the Interior (MUP) of Croatia and must be filled out in Croatian. It should be accompanied by the following main documents: the applicant’s national passport (foreign passport, notarized copy), the applicant’s birth certificate (translated into Croatian and apostilled), marriage certificate (if marriage is the basis) or other proof of eligibility — for example, documents proving Croatian origin (birth records of parents/grandparents, archival certificates). Also required: a certificate of no criminal record from your country of citizenship and countries of residence (issued no earlier than 6 months prior to application, with a sworn translation into Croatian and apostille); a document confirming your current legal stay in Croatia (valid TRP or PRP); CV or resume; proof of housing and income (rental or ownership agreement, employment confirmation or bank statement); two color photographs in the specified format (3×3.5 cm).
   If renunciation of your previous citizenship is required — a notarized statement of renunciation or proof of release must be attached (if already obtained). For children, consent from the second parent is required if the child is naturalizing together with you.
   Tip: All foreign documents must be properly legalized (apostille) and translated into Croatian by a sworn translator. The completeness and correctness of your application package determine the success of your case — incomplete documentation is one of the most common reasons for rejection.
5. Submitting the Application and Paying the Fee. The completed application form and collected documents must be submitted in person by the applicant. In Croatia, this is done at the nearest territorial police department (Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova, MUP) at the applicant’s place of residence. If you live abroad, documents can be submitted through a Croatian consulate or embassy — they will be forwarded to the MUP. Upon submission, an officer will check your file and issue a payment slip for the administrative fee. The standard fee for reviewing a citizenship application is approximately €140 (paid in kuna or euros at a bank or post office). An additional small fee may be charged for a copy of the citizenship decree (around €14). Your application will be registered, and you will be issued or informed of a case number, which can later be used to track the status (via the MUP website or upon request).
6. Review and Decision by the MUP. The citizenship application is reviewed individually by the Croatian Ministry of the Interior. The average processing time is around 2–3 months. In some cases, the process may take up to a year if additional checks are required. The decision may be positive (approval of citizenship) or negative. Rejection is usually due to failure to meet requirements (e.g., insufficient residence period, lack of language skills), submission of false information or incomplete documents, or when the applicant’s naturalization is deemed contrary to state interests. The applicant is notified in writing of the rejection, but the specific reasons are generally not disclosed. You have the right to appeal the decision in court or to correct the issues and reapply later.
7. Receiving the Certificate and Taking the Oath. If the MUP makes a positive decision, your data is transferred to the Civil Registry (matica office) at your registered address to be entered into the citizenship register. A certificate of citizenship (Uvjerenje o stjecanju državljanstva) is issued — this is essentially the MUP’s decree of naturalization. You will be notified when the document is ready — usually, collection takes place at the same police department where the application was submitted. Upon signing the decree, you officially become a Croatian citizen, but to gain full rights, you must also take the oath of allegiance to the Constitution. The oath ceremony usually takes place during the certificate collection — the applicant reads and signs the oath text. From this moment, you acquire all the rights of a citizen.
8. Issuing the Passport and ID Card. The final step is to obtain your Croatian passports: internal (ID card) and international (passport booklet). The citizen submits a separate application for the passport at the police department or through the consulate. You must provide the citizenship certificate, a recent photograph (35×45 mm), a receipt of payment for the administrative fee, and, if needed, additional documents (e.g., application for an ID). Biometric data (fingerprints, signature) will be taken again when applying for the passport.
   The standard passport production time is up to 30 days, and the fee is approximately €42. An expedited passport can be issued in 2 working days for a fee of about €62. The internal passport (personal ID card) is produced similarly.
   The ready documents can be picked up at the police department or delivered to your home (for an additional fee). As a result, you will receive a plastic ID card for domestic use and a biometric international passport with a black cover for foreign travel. The Croatian passport allows visa-free entry to 171 countries, so you often won’t need visas anymore.

After receiving the passport, you officially obtain the status of a citizen with all associated rights. If necessary, you can then register your address, update your driver’s license to a Croatian one, and complete other formalities.

Contact us

Find out how to obtain citizenship faster

Contact us

Requirements for Applicants

Let us now consider the main requirements for those wishing to obtain Croatian citizenship through naturalization (general procedure). The law sets out the following conditions for applicants:

• Age and legal capacity. The applicant must be of legal age (18 years or older) and legally competent. Children can acquire citizenship together with their parents, but the application is submitted by legal guardians. Minors are usually automatically included in the parents’ applications or receive citizenship at birth.
• Residency period (length of stay in the country). It is necessary to reside in the territory of Croatia for an extended period. The standard requirement is at least 8 years of legal residence, of which a minimum of 5 years must be as a permanent resident (PRP). For spouses of Croatian citizens, the period is reduced to approximately 4–5 years, and for repatriates and special cases (see above), the residency requirement may be waived. In any case, at the time of submitting the application, you must have a valid TRP or PRP in the Republic.
• Renunciation of previous citizenship. Croatia does not officially recognize multiple citizenships, so naturalized foreigners are generally required to renounce their current citizenship. The document package includes a statement of intent to renounce the citizenship of another country or a certificate confirming the upcoming renunciation. Exceptions are made for repatriates and spouses of Croatians — they are allowed to retain their second passport (see section on dual citizenship). A waiver is also granted if the foreign country automatically revokes your citizenship upon naturalization, or if it does not allow renunciation (in this case, a written promise to renounce is sufficient).
• Language proficiency and integration. The applicant must have satisfactory command of the Croatian language and Latin script, as well as knowledge of the Constitution, culture, and social structure of the country. Formally, a level not lower than B1 is required. This is assessed through an exam (15 questions on social studies and history) or by providing a certificate/diploma. The applicant’s conduct is also expected to reflect respect for Croatian laws, absence of immigration violations, and observance of local customs. In other words, it’s important to demonstrate integration into Croatian society.
• No criminal record or violations. A clean record is a mandatory requirement. The applicant must not have any serious or outstanding criminal convictions, either in Croatia or other countries of residence. Both criminal records and immigration violations (e.g., deportations, visa infractions) are checked. A certificate of no criminal record from the country of citizenship and, if necessary, from other countries of residence must be provided. Any legal issues may result in rejection.
• Financial stability and housing. Although the law does not directly state a required income level, in practice, the immigrant is expected to have legal means of subsistence and a place of residence. When applying for citizenship, documents are often required: income statements (from work, bank), proof of housing (rental agreement or property deed). This demonstrates that the person will not be a burden to the state and is socially adapted.
• Compliance with immigration procedures. All previous migration stages must have been completed legally. You cannot apply for citizenship while violating residence terms or without valid status. The applicant must also not lie or submit false documents — doing so can result not only in rejection, but also possible deportation or criminal charges.

A separate point is national security concerns: if the security services consider granting citizenship to a particular individual a threat to the interests of the Republic of Croatia, they may refuse without explanation. However, this is irrelevant for most ordinary people.

It is important to understand that each case is assessed comprehensively. Even formal compliance with the criteria does not guarantee automatic approval — the decision is made by the Ministry of the Interior. But if you meet all the conditions, the chances of obtaining the coveted Croatian passport are very high.

Check your chances of getting a passport in Croatia free of charge

Leave a request for a free consultation with an immigration specialist at your convenient time

Free Consultation

Timeframes and Costs of Obtaining Citizenship

How long does it take to get Croatian citizenship? The timeline depends on the basis under which you apply:

• Naturalization (general procedure) takes around 8–10 years: a minimum of 5 years before obtaining PRP, followed by 3 more years as a permanent resident, sometimes longer. Add ~3 months for application review and 1 month for passport issuance.
• Marriage to a Croatian citizen allows you to shorten the path to approximately 5–6 years, as after 4 years of marital cohabitation, you can apply for PRP and immediately for citizenship. In some cases, the marriage must have lasted at least 5 years at the time of passport issuance (as proof of a stable union).
• Repatriation is the fastest route. An ethnic Croat or descendant of emigrants can obtain a passport in 6–12 months, without waiting years of residence. Time is mostly spent on document verification and formalities.
• Children of Croatian citizens acquire the status almost immediately — either at birth or shortly after the application is submitted (processing takes days or weeks until the citizenship certificate is issued).
• Exceptional contributions may lead to very fast citizenship — in some cases, athletes have been granted passports within a few months before competitions. However, this is decided individually.

How much does Croatian citizenship cost? There is no direct “price for citizenship” (it cannot be bought), but the final cost consists of state fees, document preparation expenses, and indirectly, costs of living in the country over the required period. Below are approximate costs:

• TRP & PRP: State fee for issuing a temporary residence permit is approx. €50 (≈350 HRK) annually, and for permanent resident status — around €80. Plus, the cost of plastic ID cards: €30–60 each (for temporary and permanent residence).
• Citizenship application: Government fee is €140. Issuance of the citizenship certificate (ministerial decree) costs €14.
• Passport: A biometric passport costs €82 (standard) or €110 (express). Internal passport (ID card) — approx. €42 (standard) or €62 (express).
• Documents and translations: Apostille on foreign documents — around €15 per document, certified translation — €10–20 per page. Notary services for certifying copies — around €50–100 per file. On average, document preparation costs €200.
• Medical check-up, insurance: Not mandatory for citizenship, but health insurance is required for initial TRP (~$70/month based on business immigration data).

All in all, the citizenship process (excluding living costs) costs approximately €500–800 in official fees and related services. For instance, immigration consultants estimate the total naturalization process at around €700 in government fees.

Of course, if you use lawyers or agencies for assistance, their fees will be added. However, many people prefer professional help to properly prepare their file on the first try and save time.

Important: Croatia does not require investment contributions for citizenship (unlike some other countries). The main costs are administrative fees and personal living expenses during the required residency period (rent, food, taxes, etc.).

Dual Citizenship

The issue of dual citizenship in Croatia should be addressed separately, as it often concerns immigrants. Croatian legislation does not encourage multiple citizenship (bipatrism). Under standard naturalization, a foreigner is required to renounce their previous citizenship. In other words, the official position is that a new Croatian citizen should exclusively hold Croatian citizenship. Moreover, in dealings with Croatian authorities, a person with dual nationality is recognized only as a Croatian citizen.

However, in practice, dual citizenship is allowed under certain circumstances. Croatia does not require renunciation of the original citizenship if you acquire a passport by birth, through marriage to a Croatian citizen, or by repatriation. This means that ethnic Croats restoring their citizenship and foreign spouses of Croatian nationals can retain their original nationality and simultaneously be Croatian citizens. Also, children who acquire dual citizenship by birth from parents of different nationalities keep both.

At the same time, Croatia does not have a formal “dual citizenship agreement” — meaning, there are no treaties that establish automatic mutual recognition of citizenships (as is the case between some other countries). Therefore, in each individual case, holding a second passport is a private matter. Croatian authorities do not inform another country that you have acquired Croatian citizenship, and vice versa — if your home country allows dual citizenship, you can keep both statuses. However, when entering or leaving Croatia, you are required to use your Croatian passport, while in the territory of your other country — its passport. In essence, each passport “works at home.”

To sum up: dual citizenship with Croatia is not legally prohibited, though it is not actively promoted. Thousands of naturalized Croats effectively hold two passports — a Croatian one and their original. The key is to check during the application whether you are required to renounce your previous citizenship. If you are applying through a simplified procedure (repatriation, marriage), you can become a Croatian citizen without losing your original nationality. In other cases, you will likely need to give up your previous citizenship.

Obtaining Croatian citizenship is achievable for those who are ready to meet the legal requirements and patiently go through all stages. In 2026, Croatian citizenship is particularly attractive: it grants an EU passport, free movement across Europe, high quality of life, and numerous opportunities.

The main paths to citizenship include long-term naturalization through residence, as well as faster programs for those with Croatian heritage or family connections. We’ve covered in detail how to get a Croatian passport, what documents are needed, and how much time and money the process typically requires.

The citizenship procedure is quite bureaucratic. It is essential to comply with all legal requirements, renew your residence permits on time, complete application forms correctly, and provide complete and accurate information. Even a minor error or false statement can result in denial without explanation.

Immigrants’ reviews show that self-applying often involves difficulties: language barriers, documentation nuances, changing rules. Many mention long processing times and significant investment of time and resources. Therefore, it often makes sense to seek assistance from experienced immigration consultants or legal experts. These professionals can help you collect documents according to current requirements, file your application without mistakes, and even accompany you at every stage — increasing your chances of success.

Frequently Asked Questions about Croatian citizenship

We have compiled answers to the most common questions about obtaining Croatian citizenship. If you did not find the information you were looking for or want to learn more about the requirements, timelines, and benefits of Croatian passport, contact us for a free consultation.

Does Croatia allow dual citizenship?

Usually, naturalized citizens are required to renounce their previous citizenship, as the law does not recognize multiple nationalities. However, in practice, it is possible to retain a second citizenship if you obtain a Croatian passport through descent (repatriation) or marriage — in these cases, Croatia does not require you to give up your existing passport. Children with dual citizenship also retain both. Croatia has no formal agreements on dual citizenship, but there is also no prohibition on holding two passports. As a result, many new Croatian citizens remain citizens of their original countries as well.

How long do you have to live in Croatia to obtain citizenship?

The standard requirement is at least 8 years of residence: usually 5 years as a temporary resident + 3 years as a permanent resident. After that, you can apply for citizenship. For spouses of Croatian citizens, the period is shorter — around 5 years of living together in marriage. For ethnic Croats, no residency period is required at all — they can get a passport almost immediately, without years of waiting. So, without special grounds, expect about 8–10 years of residence in the country before getting a passport.

Do you need to speak Croatian to obtain citizenship?

Yes, most applicants must demonstrate knowledge of the official language. A minimum proficiency level of B1 is required, along with understanding of basic history and culture. This is assessed through a test. You can also present a language course certificate or a diploma from a Croatian university — in that case, a written exam may not be required.

Can I get Croatian citizenship through investment?

You cannot directly buy Croatian citizenship — the country does not have an official “citizenship by investment” program. The only path for investors is to first invest in the economy, open a business or buy real estate, use that to obtain a residence permit (temporary), then apply for permanent residence after a few years, and finally apply for citizenship via naturalization. In other words, investment can help you immigrate and settle in Croatia, but obtaining a passport still requires meeting naturalization criteria (length of residence, language, etc.).

If a child is born in Croatia, will they get citizenship?

Being born on Croatian soil to foreign parents does not automatically grant citizenship. Croatia does not follow the principle “born here, citizen here.” A newborn acquires citizenship through the nationality of the parents. So if both parents are foreigners (e.g., tourists or temporary workers giving birth in Zagreb), the child receives the citizenship of the parents, not Croatia. Therefore, giving birth in Croatia does not automatically make your child Croatian if you yourself do not have Croatian citizenship.

How much does Croatian citizenship cost?

Government fees are relatively modest. The application fee for citizenship is €140. Issuing the passport costs around €40–80 (depending on urgency). Residence permits also require payment — around €50 for temporary and €80 for permanent status. Add to that the costs for document translations, notary services, apostilles — estimate €200–300 in total. Combined, official expenses usually range from €500–700 for the entire process.

Do I need help obtaining Croatian citizenship?

The procedure is fairly bureaucratic, especially if you lack experience. Immigrants’ reviews show that delays and complications often arise during self-managed applications. That’s why many seek help from immigration lawyers or agencies. Professionals are familiar with the latest legal changes, ask only for the required documents, fill out the forms, schedule appointments, and assist at government offices. This reduces the risk of rejection due to errors and may speed up the process. If your case is straightforward, you can try doing it yourself by carefully following official instructions. But if you have any doubts, it’s better to play it safe and involve professionals — this way, the citizenship process will go as smoothly as possible.