Of all the attachments to the application, the CV (životopis) is the only one you write yourself. The Croatian Ministry of the Interior (MUP) lists it first among the attachments to an application for citizenship by naturalisation: "a CV, which also briefly states the reasons for filing the application". That is also everything that has been officially published about its content. Its form, length and layout are not prescribed — what follows after the first section is our suggestion, not an official rule.
What is officially prescribed
- A CV is filed with the application — MUP lists it both for acquiring and for determining Croatian citizenship.
- It also briefly states the reasons for applying (MUP's instructions on naturalisation).
- Language, length and form — MUP does not state them. The procedure is conducted by a Croatian authority, so it is reasonable to write the CV in Croatian, in Latin script. If you intend to file it in Serbian, first ask the consular office whether it accepts it that way and whether it requires a translation.
What we suggest the CV should contain
- Personal details — full name, date and place of birth, address, citizenship, marital status.
- Family and origin — who your parents are (and your ancestors, if they are the basis of the application), where they are from and how the family is connected to Croatia.
- Education — schools and universities, chronologically, briefly.
- Work experience — what you do and where you have worked.
- Connection to Croatia — for example membership of and activity in Croatian associations, if any. For the basis of belonging to the Croatian people, the Act (Article 16(2)) also takes into account active participation in Croatian cultural, scientific and sports associations abroad, so support such statements with evidence.
- Reasons for applying — this is the only part MUP expressly requires. State them briefly and truthfully.
End with the place, date and your signature.
An example you can adapt
My name is [full name], I was born on [date] in [place], and I am a citizen of the Republic of Serbia. I live in [city], [marital status]. My father/mother [name] was born in [place] and moved to [city] in [year]. I completed primary school in [place] and [secondary school/university] in [place]. I work as [occupation] at [employer]. I am connected to Croatia through [family/origin/activity in an association — 2–3 sentences]. I am applying for admission to Croatian citizenship because [reasons — 2–3 sentences]. In [place], [date]. [Signature]
This is only an example layout — it is not an official form. Write in your own words and state only what is true.
What to watch out for
- Consistency with your documents. Dates, places and names in the CV should match the extracts and other documents you file. MUP states that the consular office may later call on the applicant to remedy defects if the application is "unclear, incomplete or contains other formal defects" — we describe the course of the procedure in how long the decision takes.
- Reasons for applying. Do not leave them out — this is the part MUP expressly requires.
- Accuracy. Do not state anything you cannot support.
- Length. MUP says "briefly"; a lengthy text is not needed.
A little help with Croatian
If you are a Serbian speaker writing in Croatian, watch for the most common differences: tačka → točka, uslov → uvjet, porodica → obitelj, preduzeće → poduzeće or tvrtka, pasoš → putovnica, opština → općina. If you are unsure, ask a Croatian speaker to read the text. If the consular office asks for a translation, who may translate is explained in the article on the court interpreter for Croatian. Terms used in the procedure are explained in the glossary, and the list of other attachments is on the Documents page.
Sources
- MUP — Procedure instructions: acquiring Croatian citizenship
- MUP — Procedure instructions: determination of Croatian citizenship
- Croatian Citizenship Act (zakon.hr) — Article 16
Note: this website is an unofficial information guide. Check the content of the application and attachments in MUP's current instructions or with the Croatian consular office before filing — regulations change.