How to get Croatian Citizenship by Investment: Golden Visa Guide

Croatia doesn't currently offer a direct citizenship-by-investment or Golden Visa program like Malta or Portugal.

However, investors can still legally obtain Croatian citizenship through a residency-based investment route — by establishing a company, purchasing property, or investing in the Croatian economy and then qualifying for naturalization after several years of lawful residence.

Step 1 – Invest in Croatia to Qualify for Residency

The first step toward Croatian citizenship through investment is to obtain temporary residence. You can do this by:

Starting a business

Investing in property

For personal use or rental income

Launching an innovative project

Tourism or innovation project approved by local authorities

These investments allow you to apply for a Croatian residence permit as an entrepreneur or investor.

Processing time: 1 – 6 months

Step 2 – Maintain Legal Residence in Croatia

Once you have your residence permit, you must live in Croatia continuously to maintain it. Most investors renew their temporary residence annually for five consecutive years. After five years, you can apply for permanent residence, provided you have:

Clean Record

No criminal record

Financial Stability

Stable income and accommodation

Language Skills

Basic knowledge of Croatian

Step 3 – Apply for Croatian Citizenship by Naturalization

After eight years of residence (five temporary + three permanent), you can apply for citizenship under Article 8 of the Law on Croatian Citizenship. Requirements include:

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Continuous residence in Croatia

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Integration into Croatian society

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Basic language knowledge

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Proof of good character and financial stability

EU Citizenship Benefits

Once approved, you'll receive full Croatian and EU citizenship — granting freedom to live and work across the entire European Union.

Average timeline from first investment to citizenship application: ≈ 8 years

Step 4 – Include Your Family

Spouses and dependent children can also obtain residence and, eventually, citizenship through family reunification once your Croatian residence is established.

Investment Options That Work Best

Investment Type	Minimum Value / Notes	Residency Eligibility
Business setup (d.o.o.)	€2500 minimum legal capital (should have more)	✅ Fastest route
Real estate purchase	Residential property for own use	✅ For non-EU citizens
Tourism or innovation project	Case-by-case approval	✅ Eligible
Government bonds / donation	❌ Not available	❌ No direct program

Is There a Golden Visa for Croatia?

At present, there is no official "Golden Visa Croatia" program that grants automatic citizenship or permanent residence for investment alone. However, the Croatian government has discussed future investment-residency incentives, and the legal structure already allows business-based residence leading to citizenship.

Is It Hard to Get Croatian Citizenship by Investment?

It is quite hard if you factor in the 8 years you will need to be a resident of Croatia for. On top of learning the language. If you are determined, it's possible though. Croatia's process is transparent and secure, but success depends on proper documentation and maintaining residence without interruption.

Common Delays Occur When:

Applications are incomplete or mistranslated

Residence renewals are missed

The applicant lacks a Croatian legal representative

Working with professionals avoids these pitfalls.

How We Can Help Investors and Entrepreneurs

Our Croatian-based team can assist you with any Citizenship Applications on top of finding you the right Tax Advisor and Lawyers for a complete solution:

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Company formation and tax setup

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Investor residence applications

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Annual renewals and permanent residence filings

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Full citizenship application preparation

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Legal representation by our Croatian Lawyer partners

Our process includes a Croatian Lawyer to ensure your investment, residence, and citizenship journey are fully compliant with Croatian law.

Key Takeaways

Question	Answer
Does Croatia have a Golden Visa?	No formal program yet — residency via investment is possible.
Fastest path to citizenship?	Start a company → reside 8 years → apply for naturalization.
Is it hard to get Croatian citizenship?	No, but accuracy and legal representation are crucial.
Can property owners apply?	Yes, they can obtain temporary residence.

David – Citizenship Expert

Helping investors, entrepreneurs, and descendants secure Croatian citizenship through descent, business, or long-term investment — with our network of Croatian Citizenship Experts and Lawyers.