CroatiaCitizenship

Naturalisation in Croatia

Naturalisation is the process by which a foreign national acquires Croatian citizenship by meeting the conditions laid down by law. The main requirement is continuous residence in Croatia with a registered place of residence. The applicant must be an adult with legal capacity and must renounce their previous citizenship or confirm the intention to do so. It is also necessary to demonstrate knowledge of the Croatian language, the Latin script, and the culture and social organisation of the country, as well as to respect the legal order and to meet all financial obligations to the state.

Visa term

You become a Croatian citizen on the day the positive decision is handed to you.

Work

A Croatian citizen does not need a work permit.

Source: mup.gov.hr — Koji je redovit način stjecanja hrvatskog državljanstva

Who can apply for naturalisation

The naturalisation programme is intended for foreign nationals who meet certain criteria as to residence and knowledge.

Basic candidates

Foreign nationals aged 18 and over
People with a permanent residence permit in Croatia
Those who can renounce their previous citizenship or confirm the intention to do so
People who know the Croatian language and culture

Categories with relaxed conditions

Refugees with more than ten years of residence
People over the age of 60 (exempt from the language requirements)
Residents who have lived in Croatia since 1991
Foreign nationals who have completed secondary or higher education in Croatia

When the programme is not a fit

The person is under 18

Naturalisation is available only to adults. Children of foreign nationals may acquire citizenship through other family members or on reaching the age of majority.

Less than 8 years of continuous registered residence in Croatia

You have to wait until the period of continuous residence is complete, or consider other ways of acquiring citizenship.

You cannot renounce your previous citizenship

Where renunciation is technically impossible, you can apply for a temporary residence permit and wait for the relevant changes in the law or in the conditions.

Serious problems with the law or unpaid taxes

All legal and financial matters must be settled before the application is filed.

Who it suits

Documents

A curriculum vitae explaining why you want Croatian citizenship. An extract from the register of births. Proof of your current citizenship — a passport or an identity document. A certificate of no criminal record from the competent authority of your country, issued within the last 6 months. A valid document with a photograph. For a child, the second parent gives consent. The application is filed in person at the police administration for your place of registered stay, or, where there is none, through a Croatian embassy or consulate.

How the process runs

Naturalisation in Croatia consists of several stages, from checking the conditions to obtaining citizenship.

1
Check that you meet the conditions
up to 2 weeks
Before filing the application, make sure that you meet all the requirements: the age of 18 or over, continuous residence for the prescribed period, the ability to renounce your citizenship, and knowledge of the language and culture. You can get advice at your local police administration.
2
Prepare the documents
1-3 months
Collect the documents required for filing, including proof of civil status, certificates of no criminal record, documents confirming residence in Croatia and evidence of knowledge of the language.
3
File the application
1 day
File the naturalisation application in person at the police administration for your place of registered residence. If you have no registered place of residence or permanent permit, file the application through a Croatian diplomatic mission or consulate in your country.
4
Language and culture check
2-4 weeks
People under the age of 60 have to take a test: knowledge of the Croatian language is proved by a certificate or an education document, and knowledge of the culture is checked by a test of 15 questions (at least 10 correct answers are required).
5
Review of the application
3-6 months
The police administration checks that all the conditions are met: credit history, criminal record certificates, financial obligations and the authenticity of the documents. Additional certificates may be requested if necessary.
6
Receive the decision
1 day
The police administration issues a decision granting or refusing naturalisation. If the decision is positive, you will receive a document confirming the acquisition of Croatian citizenship. Citizenship takes effect on the day the positive decision is received.

Timelines and rights

Residence

The application is filed in person at the police administration or police station for the place of authorised temporary or permanent stay; where there is no such status — at a Croatian diplomatic mission or consulate

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

Stalni boravak status is required before filing. Residence is counted by registered stay: 8 continuous years are required.

Route to citizenship

The conditions apply at the same time: the age of 18 and legal capacity; release from the previous citizenship or confirmation that it will be granted upon admission to Croatian citizenship; 8 years of continuous residence in Croatia with a registered place of residence before filing the application and valid permanent residence status; knowledge of the Croatian language and the Latin script, of Croatian culture and social organisation (people over 60 are exempt from proving this knowledge); the applicant's conduct must show respect for the legal order and the customs of Croatia

Frequently asked questions about Naturalisation

How many years do I need to live in Croatia without a break for naturalisation?

You need to live continuously for eight years with a registered place of residence and valid permanent residence permit status. Residence is counted by registered place of stay in the prescribed manner.

Do I have to renounce my previous citizenship to obtain Croatian citizenship?

Yes, you have to confirm release from your previous citizenship or provide evidence that it will be granted upon admission to Croatian citizenship. This is one of the mandatory conditions of naturalisation.

What are the requirements for knowledge of the Croatian language?

You have to demonstrate knowledge of the Croatian language and the Latin script. This can be proved by an examination certificate, a diploma from a Croatian educational institution or a certificate of completion of a Croatian language course at level B1. People over the age of 60 are exempt from this requirement.

How is knowledge of Croatian culture and social organisation checked?

Knowledge of Croatian culture and the social order is checked by completing a questionnaire of fifteen questions. To pass, at least ten questions must be answered correctly. People over the age of 60 are exempt from this requirement.

Can refugees with ten years of residence use a simplified procedure?

Yes, refugees who have lived in Croatia for more than ten years are entitled to demonstrate knowledge of the language by completing the naturalisation application form in front of an official, instead of providing an examination certificate or a diploma.

When do I become a Croatian citizen?

You become a Croatian citizen on the day the positive decision of the police administration is handed to you in person. The decision has to be collected in person at the police administration or another authorised body.

Other ways to move to Croatia

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.