Who Can Get Croatian Citizenship by Descent?

Croatian citizenship by descent is one of the most generous programs in Europe for descendants of Croatian emigrants.

If you have Croatian ancestry, you may already qualify for citizenship by descent, even if your family left Croatia generations ago. The Law on Croatian Citizenship allows emigrants and their descendants — including children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren — to reclaim their heritage and obtain an EU passport.

Four Main Pathways to Croatian Citizenship by Descent

The Law on Croatian Citizenship defines several categories of people who may be eligible to apply. Here are the four main pathways for obtaining Croatian citizenship by descent:

Citizenship by Origin

Article 5 - Direct descendants of Croatian citizens

Croatian Emigrants

Article 11 - Emigrants and their descendants

Spouses

Article 11 - Spouses of Croatian descendants

Ethnic Croats

Article 16 - Members of the Croatian people

1. Direct Descendants of Croatian Citizens (By Origin — Article 5)

If at least only one parent was a Croatian citizen at the time of your birth, you are considered a Croatian citizen by origin (po podrijetlu). However, if you were born abroad and your birth was never registered with Croatian authorities, you must submit an application for acquiring Croatian citizenship (registration) to officially be recognized as a citizen. The process begins with an application form.

📜 Article 5 (Excerpt)

"A person born abroad whose one parent is a Croatian citizen at the time of birth acquires Croatian citizenship by origin if they are registered at a diplomatic mission or consular office of the Republic of Croatia abroad or at a registry office in the Republic of Croatia for entry into the records as a Croatian citizen before reaching the age of 21."

🔗 See full text: Croatian Citizenship Law – Article 5

⚠️ Important:

To qualify under citizenship by origin, the application should ideally be submitted before turning 18, and in all cases before age 21. After 21, the procedures for acquiring Croatian citizenship become more complex and may require applying under Article 11 instead — as a descendant of a Croatian emigrant.

✅ Why apply early:

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Applications before 18 require registration only and are the fastest.

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After 21, additional legal steps are required.

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Parents can apply on behalf of minor children for easier registration.

Processing time: 6 – 18 months

2. Croatian Emigrants and Their Descendants (Article 11)

If you or your ancestor emigrated from Croatia before 8 October 1991, you may be eligible for citizenship under Article 11 of the Croatian Citizenship Act. This article covers both:

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The Croatian emigrant themselves (even if they lost or never registered their citizenship), and

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Their descendants — children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren — who live abroad today.

📜 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 text: Croatian Citizenship Law – Article 11

📖 Full Guide: Croatian Ancestor Eligibility Requirements

This means both the emigrant and their descendants can apply even if they never lived in Croatia, don't speak Croatian fluently, and have no property there.

✅ Key Requirements:

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Proof that the emigrant was born in Croatia or in a territory that belonged to Croatia at the time.

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Proof of emigration (e.g., ship record, passport, or immigration identity card).

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Birth certificates for each generation linking the applicant to the emigrant.

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Demonstrating affiliation with Croatian culture (e.g., attending Croatian school, being a member of a Croatian club, or having knowledge of the Croatian language and customs). Note: While not a fluency test, showing a bond to Croatian identity is usually required for adult descendants.

3. Spouses of Croatian Descendants

If your spouse is eligible for Croatian citizenship by descent, you may also qualify, even if they haven't applied yet. Both of you can apply together under Article 11 — you don't need to wait. Some applicants may qualify through an international agreement.

🔗 Read full guide: Croatian Citizenship by Marriage

This route is especially popular among couples abroad who wish to obtain Croatian and EU citizenship together as a family.

4. Ethnic Croats and Members of the Croatian People (Article 16)

Even if you can't prove direct descent, you may still qualify as someone who belongs to the Croatian people (pripadnik hrvatskog naroda) under Article 16 of the Law on Croatian Citizenship.

📜 Article 16 (Excerpt)

"Croatian citizenship may be acquired by a person who belongs to the Croatian people and does not have Croatian citizenship, if that person submits a request and meets the conditions prescribed by this Act."

🔗 Read full text: Croatian Citizenship Law – Article 16

📖 Full Guide: Proof of Belonging to Croatian People

Applicants can provide evidence such as:

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A Croatian family name

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Membership in Croatian cultural organizations abroad

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Baptism or parish records indicating Croatian ethnicity

This category often applies to descendants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vojvodina (Serbia), and other former Yugoslav republics.

How Hard Is It to Get Croatian Citizenship?

In most cases, it's not hard — but it's detail-sensitive. The procedures for acquiring Croatian citizenship are straightforward when your documents clearly establish ancestry and emigration. You must submit in person at a consular office or police station in the Republic of Croatia.

Common challenges include:

Missing or mismatched records, requiring a certified copy of documents.

Name spelling variations.

Proving emigration before 1991.

In all cases, you must supply a document proving identity and clean record, such as a lack of a criminal record check from your country of residence. All final decisions are made by the Ministry of the Interior.

Working with our team of Croatian Citizenship Experts, Croatian lawyer partners and genealogists partners can help avoid long delays and ensure your application for acquiring Croatian citizenship is accepted the first time.

Example Scenarios

Scenario	Eligible?	Basis
Your grandmother was born in Croatia and moved to the USA before 1950	✅ Yes	Article 11 (descendant of emigrant)
You yourself emigrated from Croatia decades ago	✅ Yes	Article 11 (emigrant)
Your father was a Croatian Citizen before you were born	✅ Yes, if you apply by 21	Citizenship by origin
You're married to someone eligible by descent	✅ Yes	Article 11 (spouse of descendant)
You only have a Croatian last name, but no documents yet	⚠️ Possibly	Article 16 (member of Croatian people)

Disclaimer: These examples provide general guidance. Additional requirements, documentation, and potential disqualifications may apply to individual cases. Consult with Croatian citizenship experts for personalized assessment.

Start Your Application the Right Way

If you're ready to begin — or want to find out how to obtain Croatian citizenship and avoid delays — we can help.

Our expert team manages your entire process:

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📜 Document collection & apostilles

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📅 Consulate booking

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⚖️ Legal representation

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📋 Application preparation & submission

Our process includes a Croatian Lawyer to ensure your eligibility assessment and citizenship application are fully compliant with Croatian law.

Key Takeaways

Question	Answer
Who can get Croatian citizenship?	Croatian emigrants, their descendants, and spouses may qualify.
Is it hard to get Croatian citizenship?	Not if your ancestry and emigration are well-documented.
Who is eligible for Croatian citizenship?	Direct descendants, emigrants, and ethnic Croats abroad.
Who can apply for Croatian citizenship?	Anyone meeting descent or ethnicity criteria — even while living abroad.

David – Citizenship Expert

Helping descendants, emigrants, and families around the world secure Croatian citizenship by descent and marriage — with our network of Croatian Citizenship Experts and Lawyers.