Important things to know before applying for Croatian citizenship [2026 Guide]

UPDATED: December 2025

Interest in Croatian citizenship by descent has grown considerably since the government removed the language test requirement for applicants with Croatian lineage. Many descendants of Croatian emigrants now see an opportunity to reconnect with their heritage or build a new life in the country where their ancestors were born.

Before beginning your citizenship application based on descent, you should understand both the process and the complications that can arise. The following information reflects current regulations and practical considerations that affect most applicants.

1. The timing and destination of your ancestor's departure matters

Article 11 of the Croatian Citizenship Act allows descendants to claim citizenship, but the date your ancestor left Croatia affects eligibility.

If your ancestor departed Croatia before October 8, 1991 (when the Homeland War began), your claim remains valid. If your ancestor left after October 8, 1991, the right to citizenship through that lineage is canceled for all descendants, regardless of where they went.

From January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022, older children of Croatian citizens had the option to register for citizenship through a simplified process. That deadline has passed. Those who did not register during that window must now apply under Article 11, which is the standard application process for citizenship by descent.

Where your Croatian ancestor moved after leaving Croatia may also affect whether their descendants can apply for citizenship.

If your relative left Croatia for another country that was part of the former Yugoslavia, the right to citizenship is lost for all descendants under the law. If your relative left Croatia for a country outside the former Yugoslavia, the right to citizenship is preserved, provided they left before October 8, 1991.

This distinction is written into the citizenship law and affects eligibility regardless of other factors.

2. Name discrepancies can create obstacles

When Croatians emigrated to English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and South Africa, government officials often changed or simplified their surnames. Maronović might have become Maronovich, for example.

These name changes can cause problems during the citizenship application process, depending on how different the names are. If your grandfather's name appears as Kovačić on his Croatian birth record but shows as Kovachich or Kovach on your mother's birth certificate from Seattle, you may need to prove they are the same person before your application can proceed.

You may need to correct the records in the foreign country to match the Croatian records, or you may need to provide documentation from the foreign country that explicitly confirms the name change.

If any of your Croatian ancestors or relatives in your direct lineage have name discrepancies, check with a lawyer before submitting your application. Proper documentation of name changes can prevent delays or rejection.

3. Document legalization is required

All documents issued by foreign governments must be legalized before they can be accepted by Croatian authorities. Legalization authenticates a document through the government authority that issued it, helping prevent fraud.

Many countries participate in the Apostille Convention, which allows for a standardized, single-step legalization process. If your country is part of this convention, you will need to obtain an apostille for each document.

An apostille is a certificate (often with a seal) that a country attaches to documents issued within its borders. This certificate allows the document to be recognized and accepted in other countries that are party to the same convention.

If your country is not part of the Apostille Convention, your documents will need full legalization, which can involve two or more steps, along with official translation into Croatian.

4. Where to submit your application and how consulate requirements may vary

If you are not a legal resident of Croatia, you must apply for citizenship at the Croatian embassy or consulate closest to your place of residence. This rule has been in effect since January 1, 2020. A complete list of Croatian diplomatic missions and consular offices abroad is available through the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

If you are already a Croatian citizen and wish to register your child for citizenship, you can complete this process either in Croatia or abroad.

There is also a residence program designed for people of Croatian descent who want to live in Croatia before obtaining citizenship. This program allows Croatian diaspora members and their descendants to apply for temporary residence in Croatia.

While you must apply for citizenship from your country of residence through an embassy or consulate, the actual approval comes from the Ministry of the Interior in Zagreb. All applications are sent to Zagreb for review and processing.

Different consulates and embassies sometimes have different requirements for citizenship applications, even though the Ministry of the Interior makes the final decision. Some consulates may tell applicants that a spouse cannot apply at the same time as a descendant, which is not accurate.

Consulates and embassies fall under the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, not the Ministry of the Interior. They accept and forward applications but do not decide on approvals.

5. Criminal background check restrictions

Your application must include a criminal background check from the national authority in your country of citizenship. This document requires legalization and official translation into Croatian.

The background check must come from a national authority, not from a state, provincial, or private institution. If your background check shows any misdemeanors, this will not prevent you from obtaining citizenship. Felonies, on the other hand, can result in denial of your application.

Some countries do not distinguish between misdemeanors and felonies on background checks. If your background check lists any offenses and your country does not categorize them clearly, consult with a Croatian lawyer who specializes in citizenship matters before submitting your application.

6. Spouses have different pathways to citizenship

The rules for spouses differ depending on whether they are married to a Croatian citizen or to a non-Croatian with Croatian heritage. Two primary pathways exist: Article 11 (based on descent) and Article 10 (based on residence).

A spouse may apply under Article 11 if they are married to a Croatian descendant whose ancestor permanently moved abroad, or if they are married to a Croatian citizen who left Croatia before October 8, 1991, and also moved abroad permanently.

A spouse may apply under Article 10 if they are married to a Croatian citizen and hold permanent residence in Croatia. Permanent residence becomes available after four continuous years of residence based on family reunification.

7. Croatia’s citizenship registration deadline has passed

Children of Croatian citizens once had a faster option called "registering" for citizenship rather than "applying" for it. From January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022, older children of Croatian citizens could use this registration process.

That deadline has now expired. If you did not register before December 31, 2022, you must now apply through the standard Article 11 process. You have not lost your right to apply altogether, but you must follow the longer application route rather than the simplified registration.

8. Only naturalization requires giving up non-Croatian citizenships

If you are applying for Croatian citizenship through naturalization (not citizenship by descent) because you have lived in Croatia long enough (not through descent or marriage to a Croatian citizen), you will be required to relinquish your other citizenship(s) before Croatian citizenship can be granted.

This requirement applies only to those naturalizing and does not affect spouses of Croatian citizens or people applying based on Croatian heritage. The group affected by this rule represents a small portion of citizenship applicants.