How to Get Croatian Citizenship by Marriage
Learn how to get Croatian citizenship by marriage or how to get Croatian citizenship as a spouse. Eligibility, Articles 10 & 11 explained, and expert legal help for spouses of Croatians.
David, Croatian Citizenship Expert
November 10, 2025
🇭🇷 Many people are surprised to learn that Croatian citizenship by descent can also extend to spouses — not only to direct descendants of Croatian ancestors.
If your husband or wife is of Croatian descent, especially if their ancestor emigrated from Croatia before 1991, you may also be eligible to apply for Croatian citizenship through marriage. This process is grounded in Croatian law, which provides two distinct legal pathways for spouses seeking citizenship.
Croatian Citizenship by Descent (Through a Spouse of Croatian Origin)
🇭🇷 Croatian Citizenship by Marriage (Article 11)
This is by far the most common and favorable route for couples living outside Croatia. If your spouse is a Croatian citizen by descent — typically through a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent who emigrated from Croatia before 8 October 1991 — then you, as the foreign spouse, can also qualify for citizenship under Article 11 of the Law on Croatian Citizenship.
🟢 You don't have to wait for your spouse to become a citizen first.
If your spouse qualifies for Croatian citizenship by descent but hasn't applied yet, you can apply together at the same time. Both applications are processed in parallel at the Croatian consulate abroad.
📜 Article 11 (Excerpt)
"An emigrant and their descendants may acquire Croatian citizenship by naturalization even if they do not meet the conditions from Article 8, paragraph 1, points 2–4 of this Act. A foreigner who is married to a person from paragraph 1 of this article may acquire Croatian citizenship even if they do not meet the conditions from Article 8, paragraph 1, points 2–4 of this Act."
🔗 See full legal text: Croatian Citizenship Law – Article 11
✅ Why This Path Is Popular
No requirement to live in Croatia
Applies to spouses of Croatian emigrants or their descendants
You don't have to wait — both spouses can apply at the same time
Straightforward process handled via Croatian consulates abroad
Many couples qualify because one partner's ancestor emigrated decades ago — often to countries like the USA, Canada, Australia, or Argentina — and that heritage still opens the door to citizenship for both spouses today.
Croatian Citizenship by Marriage (After Living in Croatia)
The second option applies to couples living in Croatia, where a foreigner married to a Croatian citizen can apply after obtaining permanent residence. This path is established by Article 10 of the same law:
📜 Article 10 (Excerpt)
"A foreigner who is married to a Croatian citizen and who has approved permanent residence and lives on the territory of the Republic of Croatia may acquire Croatian citizenship by naturalization even if they do not meet the conditions from Article 8, paragraph 1, points 1-4 of this Act."
✅ Who This Path Is For
Couples who live together in Croatia
The foreign spouse must have permanent residence
Useful for long-term residents or digital nomads who settled in Croatia
Key Benefits and Exemptions for Article 11 Spouses
The spousal application under Article 11 offers a simplified naturalization process, exempting the foreign spouse from the standard requirements outlined in Article 8 of the Law. This is why it is the most popular route for those living abroad:
| Requirement (Article 8 Standard) | Status for Article 11 Spouses |
|---|---|
| Residency in Croatia | WAIVED (No requirement to live in Croatia) |
| Renunciation of Foreign Citizenship | WAIVED (Dual citizenship is permitted) |
| Croatian Language/Culture Test | WAIVED (No exam required) |
| Eight Years of Continuous Residence | WAIVED |
Document Checklist for Spouses Applying via Article 11
As the spouse of a Croatian emigrant's descendant, you and your partner can apply concurrently through the Croatian Consulate in your country of residence. Your documents, along with all birth/marriage certificates, must be legalized (via Apostille or relevant bilateral agreement) and officially translated into Croatian by a certified court translator.
Required Documents for the Foreign Spouse:
Completed Application Form (The specific form for Naturalization)
Extract from the Birth Register (Birth Certificate) - Legalized and translated
Extract from the Marriage Register (Marriage Certificate) - Not older than 6 months, legalized, and translated
Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Motivational Letter - Describing your background and the motivation for acquiring citizenship (must be in Croatian)
Certificate of No Criminal Record - Issued by your country of citizenship/residence, not older than 6 months, legalized, and translated
Certified Copy of a Valid Identity Document (e.g., Passport)
Important Note on Dual Application:
You do not have to wait for your Croatian-descendant spouse to complete their process. By applying simultaneously, the Ministry of the Interior (MUP) processes the applications in parallel, and both of you can receive your decisions around the same time.
How Our Croatian Lawyers Can Help
Our team of Croatian citizenship lawyers and legal translators can assist you in:
Determining which of the two paths (Article 10 or 11) applies to your situation
Preparing you a full action plan to start and track your Croatian Citizenship application
Helping you prepare your documents for submission
Representing your case in front of Croatian authorities
Get personalized guidance and guaranteed application management.
Key Takeaways
| Scenario | Legal Article | Residency Required | Applies To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse of a Croatian emigrant or descendant | Article 11 | ❌ No | Couples living abroad |
| Spouse living in Croatia with permanent residence | Article 10 | ✅ Yes | Couples residing in Croatia |
Both options allow foreign spouses to become Croatian citizens — either through descent or through residence and marriage.
David – Croatian Citizenship Expert
If you're married to a Croatian descendant or plan to apply together, our team can help you confirm eligibility, prepare documents for submission, and represent you in front of the Minister of the Interior in Zagreb, Croatia. Contact us today for a free consultation
Ready to Start Your Croatian Citizenship Journey?
Get personalized guidance from our team of Croatian citizenship experts. We'll help you navigate the entire process from start to finish.