Citizenship by descent in Croatia
The programme is intended for foreign nationals who can prove their descent from Croatian citizens, their belonging to the Croatian nation, or the status of an emigrant and their descendant. People born abroad to at least one parent who is a Croatian citizen may be entered in the register of Croatian citizens. The application is filed at a police administration, a police station, or at a Croatian embassy or consulate. A positive decision amounts to the acquisition of citizenship on the day it is handed over.
Source: mup.gov.hr — Citizenship
Three routes to Croatian citizenship
The programme is open to three categories of foreign nationals. Choose your situation to find out the requirements.
Born to Croatian citizens
- One or both parents were Croatian citizens at the time of birth
- Birth outside Croatia
- Entry in the register of Croatian citizens
People of Croatian origin
- Documents in which nationality was previously declared (employment and military record books)
- Participation in Croatian cultural, scientific and sporting organisations abroad
- Documentary proof of Croatian origin and identity
Emigrants and their descendants
- Evidence of departure from the territory of Croatia
- A direct ancestor was a Croatian citizen before emigrating
- Documents on the family link with the emigrant
When the programme is not a fit
You cannot provide documentary proof of Croatian origin or of emigration
Contact the Croatian Ministry of the Interior for advice on other grounds for naturalisation
You have a criminal record from the past few months
Wait until the period without a criminal record has passed before filing the application
What it costs
| Administrative fee for the acquisition of citizenshipCharged in the event of a positive decision; no fee is required if the application is refused | 139,36 EUR |
|---|---|
| Copy of the decision on admission to citizenship | +13,94 EUR |
Paid separately
- Consular fees — When filing abroad, additional consular fees are charged (the amount should be checked with the particular diplomatic mission)
Documents to gather
The standard set of documents for all categories of applicant
- An extract from the register of births (the original or an apostilled copy)
- An extract from the register of marriages (where applicable)
- A valid document with a photograph (a passport or an identity card)
- A certificate of no criminal record for the last 6 months, issued by the competent foreign authority
- A curriculum vitae
- Documents proving Croatian origin: employment record books, military documents, education certificates, extracts from the registers of marriages and births
- For emigrants: evidence of departure from the territory of Croatia
- For descendants of emigrants: documents on the family link with the emigrant
How the process runs
Acquiring citizenship by descent involves several stages
- 1
Prepare and collect the documents
Collect all the documents required for your category of applicant. All foreign documents must be apostilled in accordance with the Hague Convention. Translations of documents must be made by a translator registered in Croatia.
- 2
File the application
File the application in person at a police administration, a police station or a Croatian embassy or consulate, depending on where you live. Exception: where the applicant has a disability, the application may be filed through an authorised representative.
- 3
Review of the application
The Croatian Ministry of the Interior reviews your application. You may be asked to provide additional documents or information.
- 4
Receive the decision
You are handed the decision granting or refusing citizenship. You become a Croatian citizen on the day the positive decision is handed over. Where the decision is positive, the administrative fee has to be paid.
Timelines and rights
Residence
The application is filed at a police administration, a police station, or at a Croatian diplomatic mission or consulate
Who you can bring with you
Family members may be included in the procedure if the conditions are met
Minor children
A spouse
What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship
Route to permanent residence
A Croatian boravak is not required in order to file. If you have neither temporary nor permanent stay in Croatia, the application is accepted at an embassy or consulate.
Route to citizenship
Citizenship is acquired by descent, by birth, by naturalisation and under international treaties. For those born abroad to at least one parent who is a Croatian citizen, entry in the register of citizens is provided for. A certificate of no criminal record from the competent foreign authority is required; when filing for minor children — an extract from the register of births and proof of citizenship
Frequently asked questions about Citizenship by descent
Which documents prove belonging to the Croatian nation?
Where can I file the application if I live abroad?
When I receive a positive decision, do I become a Croatian citizen?
What happens if my citizenship application is refused?
Other ways to move to Croatia
- Residence and work permitWork
- Seasonal work permitSeasonal work
- Study residence permitStudy
- Family reunificationFamily
- EU Blue Card for highly qualified specialistsHighly qualified work
- EU long-term residenceLong-term residence
- Permanent residencePermanent residence
- NaturalisationCitizenship
Every route in one list — migration programmes: Croatia.
The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.