Croatian Citizenship by Descent - Rules and Legal Steps

Foreigners wishing to obtain Croatian citizenship by descent must follow a few rules and formalities. Although the process is uncomplicated, it is important to consider the legal assistance provided by one of our immigration lawyers in Croatia. They have experience in this field and can handle the required formalities from the very beginning. Find out in this article the steps to follow to obtain the citizenship.

Quick Facts
Means to acquire citizenship in Croatia	Through ancestry, birth within Croatian territory, naturalization, in accordance with international treaties
Special requirements to get Croatian citizenship by descent	The applicant must have a familial connection to at least one Croatian citizen.
Access to citizenship based on the relation with Croatian grandparents (YES/NO)	Yes, it is possible to gain Croatian citizenship by descent based on a relation with grandparents or great-grandparents.
Access to citizenship based on the relation with other Croatian ancestors (YES/NO)	No, it is not possible.
Authority in charge with the issuance of Croatian documents	Ministry of Interior in Croatia
Permanent residence requirement	No, there is no permanent residency requirement to apply for citizenship by descent in Croatia.
Degree of difficulty in obtaining citizenship	In Croatia, obtaining citizenship by descent is considered the most straightforward method.
Requirement to live in Croatia	It is not required to live in Croatia before filing an application for citizenship by descent.
Possibility to pass on citizenship to descendants (YES/NO)	Yes, it is possible.
Possibility to obtain citizenship as a spouse of a Croatian descendant	A notable factor about the Croatian citizenship by descent program is the inclusion of spouses, who are also eligible to acquire citizenship through this program.
Support in applying for citizenship by descent	Our team of immigration lawyers in Croatia is well-equipped to provide comprehensive assistance and support throughout the process of acquiring citizenship by descent.
Legislation	Croatian Citizenship Act
Proof of descent	Prospective applicants are required to furnish substantial proof of their Croatian lineage, including but not limited to birth certificates and pertinent historical documentation.
Dual citizenship	Allowed
Other immigration services	Our services extend beyond assistance in obtaining citizenship by descent. We also provide support for acquiring citizenship through marriage or naturalization, as well as securing permanent residency in Croatia.
Language requirement for citizenship by descent in Croatia	No Croatian language test is required for citizenship acquired through descent.
Processing time for descent-based applications	Applications typically take between 6 to 12 months to be processed, depending on documentation.
Application submission location	Applications can be submitted at Croatian consulates abroad or at the Ministry of Interior in Croatia.
Interview requirement	An interview is generally not required for descent-based applications unless documents are unclear.
Citizenship certificate issuance	Once approved, a citizenship certificate is issued by the competent municipal authority.
Common reasons for rejection	– incomplete documents, – insufficient proof of lineage, – failure to meet legal descent criteria
Translation of documents	All foreign documents must be officially translated into Croatian and certified by a court interpreter.
Application fees for citizenship by descent in Croatia	Fees vary depending on the consulate or authority processing the request, but typically range between €100 and €250.
Citizenship for adopted descendants	Adopted children may be eligible if legal ties to Croatian citizens are proven.
Legal stay during application review	Applicants can remain abroad while the application is being processed.
Citizenship renunciation from another country	Not required—Croatia permits dual or multiple citizenships.
Age limit for applicants	There is no upper age limit for applying for citizenship by descent.
Citizenship rights after approval	Full rights as any other Croatian citizen, including voting and EU mobility.
Digital application submission	While some documentation can be prepared online, final applications for Croatian citizenship by descent must be submitted in person or via consulate.
Inclusion in Croatian civil registry	Once citizenship is granted, the applicant is registered in the Croatian civil registry.

How can your lawyers help with Croatian citizenship by descent?

We can help you obtain Croatian citizenship by descent with the following services:

Eligibility analysis: analyzing the applicant’s case and selecting the appropriate basis for the application;
Ancestry proof: proving the relationship with the Croatian ancestor;
Documentation: checking all the necessary documentation, such as: births, marriages, and citizenship certificates;
Legalization of documents: where necessary, helping legalize foreign documents;
Application drafting: preparing and examining the Croatian citizenship application;
Authorities communication: contacting the competent Croatian authorities and supplying extra documentation;
Procedure assistance: providing you with legal assistance during the citizenship application procedure until its completion.

Which are the requirements for obtaining Croatian citizenship by descent in 2026?

People with Croatian ancestors, such as parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents, are ideal candidates to apply for citizenship, and the following formalities are important:

Documents, such as birth certificates, are required to prove family ties.
The Ministry of Interior in Croatia is the institution that oversees the process of obtaining Croatian citizenship by descent. The institution checks the documents brought by the applicants.
If the documents provided are accepted, then the candidates will receive a positive decision for their respective citizenship.
Next, the declaration of citizenship through ancestry is mentioned by the Book of Births at the office of registration of persons.
Once the citizenship is obtained, the respective candidates receive new birth certificates, with the help of which they can apply for IDs and passports.

We also invite you to watch the useful video below on how to obtain citizenship by descent in Croatia:

Which documents are needed for Croatian citizenship by descent in 2026?

This will depend on the legal grounds of your application and individual situation of an applicant. Usually, the documents needed to obtain citizenship by descent in Croatia may consist of:

completed application for citizenship and questionnaire;
passport or another identity document;
birth certificate;
marriage certificate;
foreign citizenship certificate;
certificate of good conduct;
curriculum vitae and personal statement;
evidence of relationship to Croatian ancestor;
evidence of Croatian origin of the ancestor.

Here is an infographic about how to obtain citizenship by descent in Croatia:

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How the application process works to obtain citizenship by descent in Croatia in 2026?

Application procedures are:

Creating legal grounds for obtaining citizenship by descent;
Gathering the necessary documentation;
Apostillizing foreign documentation, if necessary;
Obtaining official Croatian translation;
Sending an application to the appropriate Croatian authority;
Awaiting review of the application by the authorities and their decision.

How the procedure of Croatian citizenship by descent works for children?

Standard forms must be completed with personal data.
It is necessary to have legalized and notarized copies of the birth certificate and the marriage certificate (if applicable). Those of the parents are also required, even those of another origin.
Document certifying foreign citizenship is necessary.
Certificate of registration of the parent who had Croatian citizenship at the time the applicant citizen was born, also needed.
Optionally, other documents, such as working or military books, can be offered.

Can spouses of Croatians apply for citizenship by descent in 2026?

Yes, according to the Croatian Citizenship Act, the spouses of foreign nationals who have obtained citizenship through ancestry may also apply for citizenship. The same is available for those who qualify for citizenship by descent in Croatia and who are going to apply for this status. We are by your side in your efforts, offering complete legal services.

How long does it take to get Croatian citizenship by descent?

Normally, each case is special and treated accordingly. If all the conditions and formalities are met, the process of obtaining Croatian citizenship by descent or through naturalization should not take more than 18 months. It is very important in this case to have specialized assistance available, as our lawyers in Croatia can offer. Our customers can enjoy a fast and uncomplicated process of getting citizenship through ancestry.

Want to know more about citizenship by descent in Croatia? We invite you to contact our law firm in Croatia and ask for legal help. Our lawyers can also help you set up a business in Croatia.