Embracing Your Heritage: The Process of Obtaining Croatian Citizenship

Croatia offers the charm of the Mediterranean combined with strategic European Union (EU) access and a deep-rooted cultural tradition.

If you're of Croatian descent, married to a Croatian citizen, or looking to invest, obtaining Croatian citizenship is a strategic move for high-net-worth individuals.

This citizenship opens doors to European markets, international travel, and a high standard of living in one of Europe’s safest countries.

In this article, we’ll walk through the different pathways to Croatian citizenship, the benefits it offers, and the process involved.

What is Croatian Citizenship?

Croatian citizenship grants you the legal right to live, work, and travel as a citizen of Croatia, a member of the European Union. Holding Croatian citizenship unlocks a range of benefits, from personal security to business opportunities across Europe and beyond.

Benefits of Holding Croatian Citizenship

For high-net-worth individuals, Croatian passport offers a wealth of advantages, including:

• Access to the European Union: As a Croatian citizen, you gain the freedom to live, work, and conduct business across the entire EU, including access to European Economic Area (EEA) countries like Norway and Switzerland. This is a major benefit for professionals and entrepreneurs who want to explore new markets or settle within the EU.
• EU Single Market: With Croatia's access to the EU's single market, makes Croatian citizenship particularly attractive for those seeking business and investment opportunities in Europe.
• One of the Strongest Passports: Croatian passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 170 countries, including Japan, Canada, and Australia.
• A Safe and Stable Environment: Croatia boasts one of the safest living environments in Europe, offering peace of mind for both individuals and families, consistently it ranks as one of the safest countries in the world, with the Global Peace Index placing it 15th in 2024. According to the latest data from Numbeo, Croatia also ranks as the safest country in Europe for walking alone at night.
• Healthcare and Social Benefits: Croatian citizens, as EU citizens, have access to healthcare and social services across the EU, including the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which allows you to receive medical care in other EU countries at reduced costs.

• Political Participation and Democratic Rights in the EU: As an EU citizen, holding a Croatian passport also grants you the right to political participation across Europe. This means you can vote in European Parliament elections and in local elections within any EU country where you reside.

How to Obtain Croatian Citizenship

There are several pathways to obtaining Croatian citizenship, including:

1. Croatian Citizenship for Descendants of Emigrants

If you have Croatian ancestry, even if you were born abroad, you can apply for Croatian citizenship. Many of Croatia’s descendants live in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and across South America. To maintain a connection with these individuals, Croatian law offers a special opportunity for those of Croatian descent to obtain or reclaim citizenship. Even if neither you nor your parents were Croatian citizens, this pathway is still available to you.

To qualify, you need to provide proof of your Croatian ancestry, typically through official documents such as birth certificates or records that clearly trace your lineage back to a Croatian ancestor. For instance, presenting the birth certificate of a grandparent or great-grandparent born in Croatia can be sufficient to demonstrate your eligibility.

This citizenship route is widely sought after by descendants born abroad, as it offers a formal way to reconnect with Croatian heritage while unlocking the benefits of Croatian and EU citizenship.

2. Croatian Citizenship by Marriage to a Croatian Citizen

One of the established pathways to Croatian citizenship is through marriage. Under Croatian law, foreign nationals married to Croatian citizens are eligible to apply for citizenship.

If you are married to a Croatian citizen, this option also applies to joint children when a descendant of a Croatian emigrant applies for citizenship, allowing families to obtain citizenship together.

3. Croatian Citizenship for Members of the Croatian Nation Abroad

This pathway is specifically designed for ethnic Croats or individuals who strongly identify as part of the Croatian nation, even if they don't have direct family ties to Croatian emigrants. 

To apply under this category, candidates must provide evidence of belonging to the Croatian ethnic group or demonstrate a deep cultural connection to Croatia. This may include documentation of active participation in Croatian cultural, social, or religious activities abroad. 

4. Croatian Citizenship by Investment

For high-net-worth individuals interested in investing in Croatia's economy, the citizenship by investment route offers a valuable opportunity. In return, investors gain access to both Croatian markets and the wider EU economy.

While it may not be as widely known or promoted as similar programs in countries like Portugal or Malta, Croatia provides the option to obtain citizenship through substantial financial investments in the country.

With a GDP forecasted to grow by 3.3% in 2024 and 2.9% in 2025, alongside rising employment and declining unemployment, Croatia presents a unique opportunity for investors looking to expand into European markets.

Investment options include real estate, business ventures, and government bonds, all of which contribute to the country’s economic growth while providing the investor with a solid gateway to the EU.

The Process of Obtaining Croatian Citizenship

The process varies depending on the path you choose, but here’s how we help streamline the journey:

• Document Preparation and Legalization
  We guide you through obtaining and legalizing all necessary documents, ensuring everything is in order before submission.
• Croatian Documentation
  We assist in securing the required documents from Croatian authorities, including translations certified by a sworn-in court translator.
• Application Submission
  After the documents are reviewed and ready, we will help you complete the necessary paperwork for submission. Applications must be submitted in person through a Croatian consulate or diplomatic mission nearest to your residence.
• Government Processing
  Your application will be reviewed by the Croatian Ministry of Interior, and we stay in constant communication with them to monitor progress. The entire process typically takes 9 to 12 months, but if urgent, we can help expedite it under certain circumstances.

Throughout this journey, we provide legal advice and support, ensuring the process goes as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

The Final Word

Croatian citizenship offers more than just a connection to a rich cultural heritage. It’s your key to a world of benefits, including EU access, a strong passport, and an opportunity to live in one of Europe’s fastest-growing economies.

We provide dedicated support for Croatian citizenship applications, including for members of the Croatian Nation Abroad, descendants of emigrants, and those applying through Investment.

Ready to start your journey toward Croatian citizenship? Contact us at High Net Worth Immigration today to learn more about how we can help.