Nationality of Croatia: all obtaining pathways
Croatia requires eight years of residence with permanent stay for ordinary naturalization; marriage sets no minimum period once the stay is approved. Members of the Croatian people abroad and emigrants with their descendants may naturalize with no residence requirement.
1Naturalization by residence (prirođenje)
Naturalization by residence (prirođenje)
Requirements
- Minimum age of 18
- Continuous residence in Croatia with a permanent-stay permit during the 8 years before the application
- Command of the Croatian language and Latin script, culture and social organization (B1 exam)
- Respect for the Croatian legal order
- Payment of overdue public contributions
- No security impediments
- Obtain the release from the previous nationality or prove you will obtain it if granted the Croatian one
- Language/culture requirement waived for applicants over 60 (art. 8 para. 4 of the Croatian Citizenship Act)
Documentation
- Application for the acquisition of Croatian citizenship by naturalization
- Passport and permanent-stay permit
- Criminal record certificates from Croatia and the country of origin
- Croatian and Latin-script proficiency certificate (level B1)
- Questionnaire on Croatian culture and social organization (15 questions, minimum 10 correct)
- Proof of income and housing
- Legalized birth and marriage certificates
- Document of release from the previous nationality or declaration of renunciation
2Naturalization through marriage
Naturalization through marriage
Requirements
- Married to a Croatian citizen
- Have approved permanent stay in Croatia
- Live in Croatia
- Respect for the Croatian legal order
- Payment of overdue public contributions
- No security impediments
- Release from the previous nationality is not demanded (dual nationality is allowed)
- Includes same-sex de facto partners (life partnership) under the Life Partnership Act
Documentation
- Application for the acquisition of Croatian citizenship
- Marriage certificate
- Permanent-stay permit
- Criminal record certificate
- Birth certificate
- Proof of means of subsistence
3Citizenship by descent (ius sanguinis)
Citizenship by descent (ius sanguinis)
Requirements
- Both parents are Croatian citizens at the time of birth: the child acquires the citizenship automatically
- One parent is Croatian and the child is born in Croatia: automatic citizenship
- One parent is Croatian and the child is born abroad: must be registered before age 21 at a Croatian consulate or in the Croatian civil registry
- Applies only to people born after 8 October 1991 (entry into force of the Croatian Citizenship Law)
Documentation
- Birth certificate of the child
- Birth certificate of the Croatian father/mother
- Croatian passport of the father/mother
- Application for registration at the Croatian consulate or civil registry (if born abroad)
4Naturalization for members of the Croatian people abroad
Naturalization for members of the Croatian people abroad
Requirements
- Belong to the Croatian people (prior declaration in official documents)
- Active participation in Croatian cultural, scientific or sports associations abroad
- No regulated stay in Croatia is required
- Release from the previous nationality is not demanded (dual nationality is allowed)
- Promotion and protection of the interests of the Croatian people
Documentation
- Naturalization application
- Birth certificate and documentation proving membership in the Croatian people
- Certificates from Croatian associations abroad confirming active participation
- Official documents demonstrating membership in the Croatian people
5Naturalization for Croatian emigrants and their descendants
Naturalization for Croatian emigrants and their descendants
Requirements
- Be a Croatian emigrant or the descendant of a Croatian emigrant
- No regulated stay in Croatia is required
- Release from the previous nationality is not demanded (dual nationality is allowed)
- Applies to spouses of emigrants and their descendants
Documentation
- Naturalization application
- Birth certificate and documentation proving the status of Croatian emigrant or descendant
- Birth certificate of the emigrant ancestor
- Criminal record certificate
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Croatia
How many years of residence does Croatia require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Croatia (Naturalization by residence (prirođenje)), the term is 8 years (with continuous permanent stay). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Can the nationality of Croatia be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Naturalization through marriage pathway (No minimum residence period required (with approved permanent stay)). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Croatia require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Application for the acquisition of Croatian citizenship by naturalization; Passport and permanent-stay permit; Criminal record certificates from Croatia and the country of origin; Croatian and Latin-script proficiency certificate (level B1); Questionnaire on Croatian culture and social organization (15 questions, minimum 10 correct); among 3 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Croatia?
Croatia provides 5 pathways: Naturalization by residence, Naturalization through marriage, Citizenship by descent, Naturalization for members of the Croatian people abroad, Naturalization for Croatian emigrants and their descendants.
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