Croatia now offers one of Europe’s most flexible citizenship laws for descendants of Croatians and members of the Croatian diaspora. The Law on Croatian Citizenship offers two main pathways to citizenship: Article 11 (for emigrants, their descendants, and spouses) and Article 16 (for members of the Croatian nation). With these two pathways, Croatia has a “catch-all” citizenship law which allows essentially any member of the Croatian diaspora to apply for citizenship admission.
Legal Basis
Subject to a few exceptions, Article 11 allows all emigrants from Croatia (regardless of ethnicity) and their descendants to apply for admission to citizenship in the Republic of Croatia. The ancestor must have emigrated from modern-day Croatia prior to 1992 (or modern Croatian territory under its predecessor states, such as Yugoslavia, or even the predecessor states under Austro-Hungarian or Hapsburg rule). There is no generational or time limit, meaning you can qualify even if your great-great-great-great-grandparent was the last person who emigrated from Croatian territory. Exceptionally, there is also the possibility for a qualifying “emigrant” to be an ethnic Croat from another Yugoslav state, such as an ethnic Croat from modern Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Article 16 functions similarly. Any ethnic Croat (described in the law as a “member of the Croatian nation” — a person of Croatian ethnic/cultural nationality), regardless of place of birth, may apply for citizenship under this provision.
Whether submitted under Article 11 or Article 16, the requirements for documentation can be particularly burdensome. The Ministry of the Interior in Zagreb decides upon all applications. However, individual consulates, to which applications from abroad must be submitted, may have additional documentary requirements in practice. Certain documents must be both obtained and submitted within a short time frame. As a result, it is a highly recommended to work with an expert throughout the process to ensure lost time and money.
Benefits of Croatian Citizenship
Croatian citizenship opens your doors not just to Croatia but the entire European Union (EU). As a Croatian citizen, you may freely work, live, and study in Croatia or anywhere else in the EU. From Germany to France and Italy, you may live anywhere in the 27 member state block upon obtaining your Croatian citizenship.
Not only will you become more connected to your Croatian ancestors through the process, but the benefits also extend to your immediate family. Admission to citizenship is available for your children and, in the case of Article 11, also your spouse. Create a generational legacy and give the gift of a Plan B in the European Union!
Additionally, if you are interested in moving to Croatia specifically, you may be eligible for special fiscal benefits.
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Our experts have years of experience with not only the law and practicalities of the Croatian citizenship procedure, but also with obtaining the necessary genealogical documents from Croatia and around the world. In our consultation, we can help determine your eligibility for Croatian citizenship and explain the procedure.
While we would be honoured to assist you on your Croatian citizenship journey from A to Z, rest assured: this consultation is free of risk and cost.
Please note that the information contained in this article is for informational purposes only, and its accuracy is not guaranteed. Contact our specialists for personalised assistance specific to your case. This article does not represent an offer from Pravas Global Limited or legal advice. Pravas Global Limited is not a barrister or firm of solicitors.