Croatian Citizenship & Passport – Complete Guide 2026

Legal bases

On what basis Croatian citizenship is acquired

The Croatian Citizenship Act provides for acquisition by descent, by birth in Croatia, by naturalisation and under international treaties (Art. 3). Below are the bases most often relevant to people from Serbia; applications are decided by the Croatian Ministry of the Interior (MUP).

By descent (Art. 4 and 5)

Art. 4 and 5

Citizenship by descent is acquired by a child whose parents are both Croatian citizens at the time of birth, and by a child born in Croatia one of whose parents is then a Croatian citizen (Art. 4).

A person born abroad with one parent who was a Croatian citizen at the time of birth must be registered for entry in the citizenship records before turning 21 (Art. 5(1)).

The transitional period that also allowed registration for those over 21 expired on 1 January 2023 (MUP).

Members of the Croatian people and emigrant descendants (Art. 16 and 11)

Art. 16 and 11

A member of the Croatian people without registered residence in Croatia may acquire citizenship if they respect the legal order, have settled public dues and there are no security obstacles (Art. 16). Belonging is proven by earlier declaration in legal transactions and public documents.

An emigrant and their descendants may acquire citizenship without the conditions of residence in Croatia, release and the language check (Art. 11).

The Act says "may acquire" — each application is decided by MUP.

Marriage to a Croatian citizen (Art. 10)

Art. 10

A foreigner who is married to a Croatian citizen, has been granted permanent residence and lives in Croatia may acquire citizenship provided they respect the legal order, have settled public dues and there are no security obstacles.

The Act does not prescribe how long the marriage must have lasted; marriage alone, without permanent residence in Croatia, is not a basis.

Regular naturalisation (Art. 8)

Art. 8

Requires 8 years of continuous registered residence in Croatia and approved permanent residence, knowledge of the Croatian language and Latin script, Croatian culture and social system, and release from your current citizenship.

In addition: respect for the legal order, settled public dues and no security obstacles.

Informational quiz

Which basis for Croatian citizenship is worth checking?

Answer two questions to see which article of the law your answers point to and what it requires. The quiz is informational — applications are decided by the Croatian Ministry of the Interior.

01 Situation

Which of these best describes your situation?

02 Birth and age

When were you born and how old are you?

02 Residence

Have you been granted permanent residence in Croatia, and do you live there?

02 Length of residence

Do you have 8 years of continuous registered residence in Croatia and approved permanent residence?

02 Ancestors

Which of these is true for you or your ancestors?

👪

Basis worth checking: descent (Art. 4 and Art. 5(1))

Based on these answers, the basis worth checking is acquisition by descent. If both parents were Croatian citizens at the time of birth, or one parent was and the child was born in Croatia, Article 4 applies. If the person was born abroad and one parent was a Croatian citizen, Article 5(1) requires that they be registered, before turning 21, at a Croatian consular office or a registry office in Croatia for entry in the citizenship records.

According to the Croatian Ministry of the Interior (MUP), a parent files for a child, while an adult who has not yet turned 21 files in person; this procedure is handled by registry offices, not by MUP. Ask the consular office which documents to attach.

Citizenship for children → How the procedure works Consular offices

This is not legal advice or an assessment of your case. Applications are decided by the Croatian Ministry of the Interior (MUP); registration by descent is handled by the competent registry office in Croatia.

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Basis worth checking: descent under Article 4

Under Article 4, citizenship by descent is acquired by a child whose parents are both Croatian citizens at the time of birth, and by a child born in Croatia one of whose parents is then a Croatian citizen. That article contains no 21-year deadline.

According to MUP's instructions, persons over 21 file their request for entry in the register of citizens under Article 4 with MUP, on the questionnaire form for determination of Croatian citizenship; those living abroad file through a consular office. MUP also states that Articles 4 and 5 apply only to persons born after 8 October 1991.

Document list → Consular offices

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The deadline for registration by descent (Art. 5) has passed — what is worth checking

For a person born abroad with one Croatian-citizen parent, Article 5(1) requires registration before the age of 21. Paragraph 2, which also allowed registration for those over 21, was temporary: according to MUP, requests could be filed from 1 January 2020 to 1 January 2023. Under paragraph 3, citizenship is acquired only by a person who would otherwise be stateless.

The bases worth checking are naturalisation as a descendant of an emigrant (Article 11) or as a member of the Croatian people without registered residence in Croatia (Article 16). If both of your parents were Croatian citizens, go back one step — Article 4 applies in that case.

Belonging to the Croatian people (Art. 16) → Through grandparents

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Basis worth checking: determination of citizenship (Art. 30(1))

According to MUP, Articles 4 and 5 apply only to persons born after 8 October 1991. For those born earlier, the question is whether they acquired Croatian citizenship under the rules in force at the time of their birth. A person who did, but is not entered in the register of citizens, files a request for determination of Croatian citizenship (Article 30(1)) — from abroad, through a consular office.

MUP specifically notes that for citizens of the states that emerged from the former Yugoslavia, the decisive fact is whether, under the rules in force until 8 October 1991, they acquired the citizenship of another Yugoslav republic; in that case the conditions for determination are not met. It is then worth checking naturalisation under Article 11 (emigrants and descendants) or Article 16 (members of the Croatian people).

Document list → Belonging to the Croatian people (Art. 16)

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Basis worth checking: marriage to a Croatian citizen (Art. 10)

Article 10: a foreigner who is married to a Croatian citizen, has been granted permanent residence and lives in Croatia may acquire citizenship by naturalisation without meeting the conditions in Article 8(1) points 1–4 (age 18, release from foreign citizenship, 8 years of residence, language check). The condition in point 5 remains: respect for the legal order, settled public dues and no security obstacles.

The application is filed in person at the police administration or police station for the place of approved residence.

Citizenship through marriage → Document list

💍

Marriage alone is not a basis — what is worth checking

Besides the marriage, Article 10 requires approved permanent residence and living in Croatia. The Croatian Citizenship Act does not prescribe how long the marriage must have lasted; the conditions for permanent residence are set by the Aliens Act.

The exception is Article 11(2): a foreigner married to an emigrant or a descendant of an emigrant may acquire citizenship without the conditions in Article 8(1) points 2–4 (release, residence in Croatia, language check).

Citizenship through marriage → FAQ

🏠

Basis worth checking: regular naturalisation (Art. 8)

Article 8(1) requires: age 18; release from foreign citizenship or proof that it will be granted; 8 years of continuous registered residence in Croatia and approved permanent residence; knowledge of the Croatian language and Latin script, Croatian culture and social system; respect for the legal order, settled public dues and no security obstacles.

Knowledge of the language, culture and social system is checked; persons over 60 do not have to meet that condition. The application is filed in person at the police administration or police station for the place of approved residence.

Document list → Dual citizenship and release

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The residence condition in Article 8 is not yet met

Regular naturalisation requires 8 years of continuous registered residence in Croatia up to the application, and approved permanent residence (Article 8(1) point 3).

The law does not require this of: a person born in Croatia who lives there and has permanent residence (Article 9), the spouse of a Croatian citizen who has permanent residence and lives in Croatia (Article 10), emigrants and their descendants (Article 11), and members of the Croatian people without registered residence in Croatia (Article 16).

Compare the bases → FAQ

🧳

Basis worth checking: emigrant and descendants (Art. 11)

Article 11: an emigrant and their descendants may acquire citizenship by naturalisation without meeting the conditions in Article 8(1) points 2–4 (release, residence in Croatia, language check). An emigrant is a person who left the territory of Croatia before 8 October 1991 with the intention of living abroad permanently.

Limitation in paragraph 5: a person who moved their residence to another state that was then part of the same state union as Croatia is not considered an emigrant. If that applies to your ancestor, Article 16 is worth checking. According to MUP, a certified copy of the document on the basis of which the person emigrated is attached, and descendants also prove their family relationship to that person.

Through grandparents → Document list

📄

Basis worth checking: member of the Croatian people (Art. 16)

Article 16: a member of the Croatian people who has no registered residence in Croatia may acquire citizenship if they meet the condition in Article 8(1) point 5 (respect for the legal order, settled public dues, no security obstacles). Belonging is established by earlier declaration of it in legal transactions, by its being stated in public documents, by protecting the rights and promoting the interests of the Croatian people, and by active participation in Croatian associations abroad. A person whose parents' belonging has been indisputably established does not have to attach evidence.

As examples of documents, MUP lists the employment booklet, military booklet, school certificate, student record book and extracts from the registers of births and marriages.

How Croatian ethnicity is proven → Baptism certificates and church records Document list

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These answers do not point to a legal basis

The Act provides for acquisition of citizenship by descent, by birth in Croatia, by naturalisation and under international treaties (Article 3). Without a Croatian-citizen parent, marriage combined with permanent residence, residence in Croatia, an emigrant ancestor or documents showing belonging to the Croatian people, the answers do not point to any of those bases.

If you are not sure what your parents' and ancestors' documents say, check that first and then repeat the quiz. Put questions about a specific case to the consular office.

Through grandparents → FAQ Consular offices

The process

From decision to EU passport

There is no officially published time limit for the citizenship decision, and this is usually the longest part of the process. Once you have the decision and the domovnica, you can apply for the passport.

Gather documents and translations

Book an appointment at the consular office

Submit the citizenship application

MUP decision and entry in the citizenship records

Apply for the passport 🎉

View the full process →

Documents and certified translations

Depends on the number of documents

Consular office appointment

Belgrade: consular portal · Subotica: by phone

Citizenship decision

Time limit not officially published

Domovnica

Issued by a registry office in Croatia

🎉 Passport application

Decision on the application: within 30 days

Costs

Estimated total: about 250–600 €

Citizenship fee under the MUP tariff 139.36 € (confirm the amount if applying at the consulate) · Passport 74.32 € (consulate, 21+) · Domovnica · Translations: per page (official tariff RSD 1,500)

See full cost breakdown →

Interactive Checklist

Document Checklist

The required documents depend on your legal basis. Check off each document as you collect it.

01 Select a basis

Which legal basis are you checking?

Descent (Art. 4 and Art. 5(1)) Entry in the citizenship records for a child, or a person who has not yet turned 21, whose parent was a Croatian citizen at the time of birth. The procedure is handled by registry offices; from Serbia the registration is filed through a consular office.

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Registration for entry in the citizenship records On the MUP list

A parent files for a child; an adult who has not yet turned 21 files in person (MUP).

Proof that the parent was a Croatian citizen at the time of birth Info

Citizenship is proven by a valid Croatian identity card or passport, or, failing those, by a domovnica — the Croatian citizenship certificate (Art. 29 of the Act). 💡 No official source says the parent's domovnica must have been issued within the last 6 months. Confirm before your appointment which proof, and in what form, the consular office accepts.

Birth certificate of the child / person being registered Info

Confirm with the consular office whether the international form or a translation is required. For documents from Serbia an apostille is as a rule not required (NN-MU 6/98, Art. 19).

Identity documents Info

Of the parent who files, or of the person being registered.

No official list is published for Belgrade and Subotica Info

MUP publishes no list of attachments for this procedure because it is handled by registry offices. Confirm the exact list, legalisation and the consular fee with the consular office. Appointments: Belgrade — konzularniportal.mvep.hr; Subotica — by phone on +381 24 656 900, working days 12:00–13:00.

The list follows the official MUP lists and is not legal advice. The competent authority may ask for additional documents; applications are decided by the Croatian Ministry of the Interior (MUP).

Determination (Art. 30(1)) For persons who acquired Croatian citizenship under the rules in force until 8 October 1991 but are not entered in the register of citizens. Persons over 21 relying on Article 4 (both parents Croatian citizens) file on the same questionnaire.

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Application form for determination and completed questionnaire On the MUP list

The prescribed MUP form.

CV (životopis) On the MUP list

Birth certificate On the MUP list

Plus a marriage certificate for married persons.

Proof of citizenship status On the MUP list

MUP: a citizenship certificate showing when and on what basis the foreign citizenship was acquired; if possible, also a certified copy of the decision granting it.

Certified copy of a valid identity document On the MUP list

Parents' domovnica certificates, or registry-office confirmations of their entry in the registers of citizens On the MUP list

MUP: certified copies of the domovnica or registry-office confirmations for the parents or one parent; if both parents are Croatian citizens, attach them for both to speed up processing. 💡 MUP sets no maximum age for a parent's domovnica.

Registry-office confirmation that you are not entered in the registers of citizens On the MUP list

For the place where your parents are registered or where they resided when you were born, or a confirmation that the registers were destroyed or lost.

Parents' extracts from the registers of births, marriages or deaths If you have it

If you have them; MUP states they may be of an older date of issue.

Proof of former Yugoslav citizenship If applicable

Only for persons who emigrated from Croatia to outside the territory of the former Yugoslavia: old passport, citizenship certificate, military or employment booklet.

Where the application is filed Info

In person at the police administration or station for your place of approved residence in Croatia; if you have no approved residence in Croatia — through a Croatian consular office (appointments: Belgrade — konzularniportal.mvep.hr; Subotica — by phone on +381 24 656 900, working days 12:00–13:00).

Consular fee Info

For an application filed at a consular office, it is paid there on filing (Regulation on the Tariff of Administrative Fees, Tariff No. 22). Confirm the amount with the consular office.

Important for citizens of former Yugoslav states Info

MUP: the decisive fact is whether, under the rules in force until 8 October 1991, the person acquired the citizenship of another Yugoslav republic — in that case the conditions for determination are not met.

The list follows the official MUP lists and is not legal advice. The competent authority may ask for additional documents; applications are decided by the Croatian Ministry of the Interior (MUP).

Art. 16 and Art. 11 Naturalisation of members of the Croatian people without registered residence in Croatia (Art. 16) and of emigrants and their descendants (Art. 11). Evidence for the specific basis is added to the basic attachments.

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Application form for acquiring citizenship by naturalisation On the MUP list

The prescribed MUP form (for an adult, for an adult and children, or for children only).

CV (životopis) On the MUP list

MUP: a CV that also briefly states the reasons for applying.

Birth certificate (extract from the register of births) On the MUP list

MUP: issued on the form prescribed under international treaties and conventions. Not needed if you were born in Croatia.

Marriage certificate (if married) If applicable

Not needed if the marriage was concluded in Croatia or is entered in the Croatian register of marriages.

Proof of citizenship status On the MUP list

MUP: a citizenship certificate or a certified copy of a valid travel document or identity card.

Certificate of no criminal record On the MUP list

From the competent authority of the state whose citizen you are and of the state where you have permanent residence; original or certified copy with a translation into Croatian, not older than 6 months.

Valid identity document — certified copy On the MUP list

With a clearly visible photograph.

If the application also covers minor children If applicable

The child's birth certificate, proof of the child's citizenship status and the written consent of the other parent (it can also be given on the form when filing; the law provides exceptions).

Documents showing earlier declaration of nationality in legal transactions On the MUP list

Examples listed by MUP: original or certified copy of an employment booklet, military booklet, school certificate, student record book, extract from the register of births or marriages.

Evidence of protecting the rights and promoting the interests of the Croatian people, or of active participation in Croatian associations abroad If you have it

Cultural, scientific and sports associations (Art. 16(2)).

Evidence of the parents' declaration of nationality If applicable

If you rely on your parents' belonging to the Croatian people (MUP).

Baptism certificate and church records Info

They record religion, not ethnicity, and MUP does not list them among its examples of evidence; they can help prove family relationships.

Certified copy of the travel or other public document on the basis of which the person emigrated from Croatia If applicable

MUP, attachments for emigrants.

Proof of family relationship to the person who emigrated If applicable

For descendants of emigrants (e.g. register extracts linking the generations).

Where the application is filed Info

In person at the police administration or station for your place of approved residence in Croatia; if you have no approved residence in Croatia — through a Croatian consular office. Appointments: Belgrade — on the consular portal (konzularniportal.mvep.hr); Subotica — according to the consulate's official page, by phone on +381 24 656 900, working days 12:00–13:00.

Legalisation and translation of foreign documents Info

MUP: foreign public documents must first be legalised, unless international treaties provide otherwise. For documents from Serbia that is the case: legalisation was abolished by the Treaty on Legal Assistance between Croatia and Serbia (NN-MU 6/98, Art. 19), so an apostille is as a rule not required. MUP expressly requires a Croatian translation for the criminal record certificate. 💡 Before you pay for any certification or translations, confirm with the consular office that they ask for nothing more for your documents.

Fee Info

Application filed in Croatia: €139.36 for the decision granting citizenship, paid when the decision is collected. Application filed abroad: a consular fee is paid on filing — confirm the amount with the consular office.

The list follows the official MUP lists and is not legal advice. The competent authority may ask for additional documents; applications are decided by the Croatian Ministry of the Interior (MUP).

Marriage (Art. 10) Article 10 requires marriage to a Croatian citizen, approved permanent residence and living in Croatia. Points 1–4 of Article 8(1) are not required (release, 8 years of residence, language check); the Act does not prescribe a minimum length of marriage.

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Application form for acquiring citizenship by naturalisation On the MUP list

The prescribed MUP form (for an adult, for an adult and children, or for children only).

CV (životopis) On the MUP list

MUP: a CV that also briefly states the reasons for applying.

Birth certificate (extract from the register of births) On the MUP list

MUP: issued on the form prescribed under international treaties and conventions. Not needed if you were born in Croatia.

Marriage certificate (if married) If applicable

Not needed if the marriage was concluded in Croatia or is entered in the Croatian register of marriages.

Proof of citizenship status On the MUP list

MUP: a citizenship certificate or a certified copy of a valid travel document or identity card.

Certificate of no criminal record On the MUP list

Valid identity document — certified copy On the MUP list

With a clearly visible photograph.

If the application also covers minor children If applicable

The child's birth certificate, proof of the child's citizenship status and the written consent of the other parent (it can also be given on the form when filing; the law provides exceptions).

Marriage entered in the register of marriages in Croatia On the MUP list

gov.hr: if the application is based on marriage to a Croatian citizen, the marriage should be entered in the register of marriages in the Republic of Croatia.

Approved permanent residence and living in Croatia Info

A condition of Article 10. The conditions for permanent residence are set by the Aliens Act.

Where the application is filed Info

In person at the police administration or station for your place of approved residence in Croatia; if you have no approved residence in Croatia — through a Croatian consular office. Appointments: Belgrade — on the consular portal (konzularniportal.mvep.hr); Subotica — according to the consulate's official page, by phone on +381 24 656 900, working days 12:00–13:00.

Legalisation and translation of foreign documents Info

Fee Info

The list follows the official MUP lists and is not legal advice. The competent authority may ask for additional documents; applications are decided by the Croatian Ministry of the Interior (MUP).

Regular naturalisation (Art. 8) Article 8(1): age 18, release from foreign citizenship, 8 years of continuous registered residence and approved permanent residence, knowledge of the language, script, culture and social system, respect for the legal order.

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Application form for acquiring citizenship by naturalisation On the MUP list

The prescribed MUP form (for an adult, for an adult and children, or for children only).

CV (životopis) On the MUP list

MUP: a CV that also briefly states the reasons for applying.

Birth certificate (extract from the register of births) On the MUP list

MUP: issued on the form prescribed under international treaties and conventions. Not needed if you were born in Croatia.

Marriage certificate (if married) If applicable

Not needed if the marriage was concluded in Croatia or is entered in the Croatian register of marriages.

Proof of citizenship status On the MUP list

MUP: a citizenship certificate or a certified copy of a valid travel document or identity card.

Certificate of no criminal record On the MUP list

Valid identity document — certified copy On the MUP list

With a clearly visible photograph.

If the application also covers minor children If applicable

The child's birth certificate, proof of the child's citizenship status and the written consent of the other parent (it can also be given on the form when filing; the law provides exceptions).

Release from foreign citizenship, or proof that it will be granted On the MUP list

Art. 8(1) point 2; exceptions in paragraphs 2 and 3. An applicant without a release at the time of filing may be issued a guarantee of admission valid for two years (Art. 8a).

8 years of continuous registered residence and approved permanent residence Info

Art. 8(1) point 3 — up to the date of the application.

Check of knowledge of the Croatian language and Latin script, culture and social system Info

Art. 8(4); the method is prescribed by an ordinance of the Minister of the Interior. 💡 Persons over 60 do not have to meet this condition (Art. 8(5)).

Where the application is filed Info

In person at the police administration or station for your place of approved residence in Croatia; if you have no approved residence in Croatia — through a Croatian consular office. Appointments: Belgrade — on the consular portal (konzularniportal.mvep.hr); Subotica — according to the consulate's official page, by phone on +381 24 656 900, working days 12:00–13:00.

Legalisation and translation of foreign documents Info

Fee Info

The list follows the official MUP lists and is not legal advice. The competent authority may ask for additional documents; applications are decided by the Croatian Ministry of the Interior (MUP).

FAQ

Common questions

Who is eligible for Croatian citizenship from Serbia?

You may be eligible for Croatian citizenship on the following grounds: • By descent — if one of your parents was a Croatian citizen at the time of your birth (if born abroad: with registration before turning 21) • By ethnicity — if you have previously declared yourself as a Croat in official documents • By marriage — if you are married to a Croatian citizen and have permanent residence in Croatia • Through emigration ties — if your ancestor emigrated from Croatia and the family link can be proven • By naturalisation — after at least 8 years of continuous registered residence in Croatia, with granted permanent residence Applications are decided by the Croatian Ministry of the Interior (MUP). See the "Comparison" page for what the law requires for each basis.

Can a grandchild get Croatian citizenship if their grandfather was Croatian?

Not by descent. Citizenship by descent (Articles 4 and 5 of the Croatian Citizenship Act) is acquired by a person whose parent was a Croatian citizen at the time of their birth. A grandchild can check two naturalisation bases: • Article 11 — an emigrant and their descendants: if the grandfather left the territory of Croatia before 8 October 1991 to live abroad. Under paragraph 5, a person who moved their residence to another state that was then part of the same state union as Croatia is not considered an emigrant. • Article 16 — a member of the Croatian people without registered residence in Croatia, with documents showing earlier declaration of nationality in legal transactions. Applications are decided by the Croatian Ministry of the Interior (MUP). This is general information, not legal advice.

Is it possible to hold Serbian and Croatian citizenship at the same time?

Yes, in most cases that concern people from Serbia. If you acquire Croatian citizenship by descent (a parent or ancestor) or as a member of the Croatian people, Croatia does not require you to give up Serbian citizenship. The exception is general naturalisation (after many years of residence in Croatia), where release from your previous citizenship is normally required. Serbia does not take away your citizenship if you acquire another one — it ends only if you yourself apply for release or renunciation. More on this: the "Dual citizenship" page.

See all questions →

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