When applying for Croatian citizenship, some applicants are required to pass the Croatian citizenship test as part of the requirements. This test is actually two tests that evaluate your understanding of the Croatian language as well as culture and history.
The Croatian citizenship test is broken into two parts:
Poznavanje hrvatskog jezika i latiničnog pisma (Knowledge of Croatian language and Latin alphabet)
Poznavanje hrvatske kulture i društvenog uređenja (Knowledge of Croatian culture and social structure)
This article covers the most important information about both tests. The official testing rules are available by Narodne Novine on their site here.
All you need to know about the Croatian citizenship test
Who is required to take the Croatian citizenship test?
When applying for Croatian citizenship, you will be required to take the citizenship tests if you are applying for citizenship based on residence (naturalization).
Citizenship test #1 – Knowledge of the Croatian language and Latin alphabet
Poznavanje hrvatskog jezika i latiničnog pisma (Knowledge of the Croatian language and Latin alphabet) can be confirmed by providing one of the following documents:
Certificate showing you passed the Croatian language and Latin alphabet – the exam can be taken at:
Visoko učilište (higher education institution)
Srednjoškolska ustanova (secondary school)
Ustanova za obrazovanje odraslih (adult education institution), which has the approval of the Ministry of Education
Certificate of completion of primary, secondary, or higher education in Croatia
Certificate from a foreign educational institution or a certificate of B1 proficiency in the Croatian language
A list of institutions that conduct the Croatian language and Latin alphabet test is available here.
Certain people can prove Croatian language knowledge by completing their application for acquiring Croatian citizenship if they are:
People with izbjeglički status (refugee status) for at least 10 years
People with status korisnika programa povratka, obnove ili stambenog zbrinjavanja (status of the user of the return, renovation, or housing program) and held a permanent Croatian address called prebivalište on October 8, 1991
In this case, you must fill out the application in front of an officer at MUP (administrative police station), Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova (The Ministry of Internal Affairs), or at a diplomatska misija (diplomatic mission)/konzulatni ured (consular office abroad).
You must fill out the form completely on your own, without another person’s presence or assistance.
Citizenship test #2 – Knowledge of Croatian culture and social structure
Poznavanje hrvatske kulture i društvenog uređenja (Knowledge of Croatian culture and social structure) consists of 15 questions in the fields of government, history, culture, customs, art, literature, sports, economy, tourism, and geographical location of the Republic of Croatia.
There are 110 possible questions. Of these 110 questions, 15 questions will be selected, and you must answer at least 10 questions correctly to pass the test. You have 60 minutes to take the test.
All 110 questions are available here (scroll down until you find the section “PRILOG 1”).
Where will you take the test?
Poznavanje hrvatske kulture i društvenog uređenja is administered by an officer at MUP (administrative police station), Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova (The Ministry of Internal Affairs) or at a diplomatska misija (diplomatic mission)/konzulatni ured (consular office abroad).
The kind of questions on the test
There are 2 types of questions on the test:
Multiple choice
Fill in the blank
Getting your results
After you finish the test, the official person evaluates it immediately and informs you whether you passed. To pass the test, you must answer correctly 10 of 15 questions.
If you didn’t pass the test, you can request to see what you got wrong and right, but you can’t take the test with you out of the institution.
Need help with your Croatian citizenship application?
Interested in applying for Croatian citizenship but not sure where to start? We can point you in the right direction.
Our expat-vetted lawyer network can take care of your application from beginning to end. We have excellent English-speaking lawyers across the country that specialize in citizenship and are in constant communication with the ministry. These are the same lawyers who help us vet all of our information on this site. Learn how we built this network here.
You do not have to live in Croatia to take advantage of this service.
For one flat rate, they can:
Validate your claim (which includes confirming if you qualify and checking the citizenship status of your relative)
Prepare a plan specific to your case to ensure you have the best chance of approval
Target possible red flags and prepare solutions
Collect birth records in Croatia (new copies are required)
Confirm exact requirements with your embassy or consulate and coordinate with them on your behalf
Provide guidance on preparing a successful CV biography (and coordinating translation into Croatian)
Prepare your family tree
Prepare supporting documentation
Coordinate translations for foreign documents, as needed
Assist with any issues or questions that arise after submission. They are with you throughout the process from start to approval.
As part of this service, you’ll have a dedicated Expat in Croatia caseworker who will follow up periodically to ensure you’re getting everything you need. You’ll also be able to reach out to them as well if any issues arise.
Having Expat in Croatia and our lawyer network on your side will give you the best shot at approval. It takes 1-2 years on average for applications to be processed, so best not to risk denial. This is nationality, after all, and obtaining nationality is a big deal.
View reviews from people who have used our services for citizenship here, or jump to this section to view the last 20 reviews.
To get help with your application for citizenship, complete the form below, and will match you with an expert.
See what our clients have to say about working with us…
Our Reviews
September 23, 2023
Lori P.
United States
Consulting, Introduced to a Professional
We needed assistance with purchasing property and moving forward with applying for Croatian citizenship. We had a great conversation with Sara and CAM, they explained both processes clearly and provides us with numerous resources. They have also facilitated contact with a Croatian lawyer to work with us on both processes. It has been helpful to understand timelines and requirements, and they have provided contact with professionals that can be responsible for the aspects that we cannot do on our own.
September 18, 2023
Megan B.
United States
Consulting, Introduced to a Professional
My sister and I are working on our Croatian citizenship via our heritage and cannot be more thankful for Expat in Croatia. Lorena was able to connect us with the immigration attorney who helped guide us through the process. I highly recommend connecting with this website as they offer a variety of helpful services.
September 18, 2023
Nick C.
United States
Introduced to a Professional
There was a 6 month wait at the consulate to get an appointment to submit my application, in addition to the time it takes to actually process the application, so this can be a lengthy process. With that in mind, I feel confident my application is without error – thanks to Expat In Croatia and their legal network. They really took the uncertainty out of the process, and demonstrated the highest level of professionalism from start to finish, which included locating a 19th century birth certificate. In addition to this, their website is probably the most comprehensive resource on the internet. Expat In Croatia will make a genuine effort to help you, and they know what they’re doing.
September 7, 2023
Monique A.
United States
Introduced to a Professional
Lorena guided us to the legal support of Andrea, who has been crucial in helping us with our application for Croatian Citizenship by Descent. Without Andrea’s help, we would be lost! Thank you Lorena for getting us to the right person for our family’s application process. We really appreciate it!
August 29, 2023
Lindsey F.
United States
Consulting
My husband and I met with Sara to discuss our options regarding moving to Croatia. My husband is of Croatian descent but we were unsure of what we would need to present and to who, once we arrived in Croatia. Sara, through her expansive knowledge, was able to direct us to the correct experts and offer alternatives. She made navigating the Croatian immigration process much easier. Sara and her team are exceptional. I cannot recommend them enough; I look forward to continued correspondence with her as we continue through the process.
August 23, 2023
Michael C.
Australia
Consulting
Very good service. If you are thinking of immigrating to Croatia a chat with Sara is mandatory. There are so many things one must consider. e.g. Immigration procedures and mandatory health care payments etc.
August 9, 2023
Bernadette B.
United States
Consulting, Introduced to a Professional
My experience to date with Expat in Croatia has been terrific. The website contains a wealth of information which is vetted and updated regularly. After reviewing the website, I scheduled a consultation with Sara Dyson to discuss the process of obtaining citizenship by descent for myself and my siblings. In less than an hour Sara provided a comprehensive, detailed explanation of the process. She answered all my questions about housing, healthcare, and life in Croatia; and the references provided in a follow-up email were extremely helpful. I am especially impressed with the service they offer matching people applying for citizenship with Croatian lawyers who can assist them. It’s not a simple handoff; an Expat in Croatia representative remains engaged through the entire process and acts as a liaison between the client and the attorney. We will definitely be taking advantage of that service as we pursue our dream of obtaining Croatian citizenship. I look forward to working with Sara, Carol Anne and the entire Expat in Croatia team.
August 8, 2023
Anna G.
United States
Introduced to a Professional
My brothers and I reached out to Expat in Croatia, knowing nothing about the process or if we were even eligible to apply for citizenship. We worked with Steve, who determined that were eligible and connected us with Ines, our Croatian attorney. Ines was incredibly helpful throughout the process, answering all of our questions and helping to guide all 7 of us to get the paperwork needed to submit. The process took some time, but that mostly was on the end of the United States documentation needed, as we had to jump through a lot of hoops with various states to get the paperwork needed (especially in the State of NY, where we had to effectively sue to release our ancestral records). Once we had everything assembled (a Herculean effort as we dealt with records from 6 different states, including NY, which was tough!), we made our appointment with the consulate in Chicago and the consulate employee was also very helpful. Our meeting lasted about an hour, as she went through all of our documents and made sure we had everything we needed. We had everything we needed and even some additional documentation that was recommended and drafted by Ines. The Consulate even mentioned that it was a VERY good idea to work with an attorney for this, as it will help the process go even smoother. I cannot say enough good things about Expat in Croatia and Ines. Without them, we never would have been able to get this done! And now we wait for a few years for our approvals 🙂
August 8, 2023
Anna O.
United States
Consulting, Introduced to a Professional
I am very grateful for Sara and the EIC team! I stumbled across Sara & EIC a few years ago and have acquired so much useful and interesting information through them. Sara and team are so friendly, professional and passionate with everything Croatia! I had a consulting session with Sara a few weeks ago, and it was very helpful. I’m so excited to hear where the team and services are heading. They offer so many invaluable services. I am also trying to achieve dual citizenship through lineage (both grandparents born in Croatia) and worked with one of their vetted professional lawyers, Ines, through the process. Ines is also wonderful. It’s so reassuring to know that if I am able to get to Croatia, there are people to help support me and show me the ropes. Thank you Sara & Team!
June 21, 2023
Bruce P.
South Africa
Consulting, Introduced to a Professional
The consultation was very informative and presented professionally with all important points covered. The follow up email was prompt covering all that was relevant with an introduction to the vetted professional.
May 9, 2023
Nick A.
United States
Introduced to a Professional
My family needed help applying for Croatian citizenship. We were put in contact with Krešo, and he was very helpful, providing us with the information we needed to successfully submit our application. I would highly recommend working with Krešo for any similar needs!
May 1, 2023
Vandy S.
United States
Introduced to a Professional
We worked with Ines. Before contacting her, we had collected all the supporting documents ourselves – birth certificates, family tree, evidence of emigration, etc. – and had these ready when we had our initial consultation. At the consultation, Ines laid out the citizenship application process for us in detail. She answered all of our questions then, and also throughout the process.
Ines was an indispensable help to us, especially since we were applying in Montenegro as temporary residents of that country. She handled the translations of all our documents, helped us with our applications and CVs, kept everything in order and on track, and communicated with several officials, both Croatian and Montenegrin on our behalf when English wasn’t their first language. Having Ines in our corner made the process run smoothly. We were glad that we had her expertise behind us.
April 27, 2023
Brett B.
United States
Introduced to a Professional
Expat in Croatia introduced me to Ivona and Ema to guide my family through the citizenship application process. They located my great grandfathers birth certificate, listed the documents I needed to get for each family member, coordinated translations, and helped file with our application and advised us on our appointment with the Consulate. They were so thorough and courteous and we just started receiving our approvals. I cannot recommend Ivona and Ema highly enough, thank you so much Ivona and Ema and thank you Expat in Croatia for the introduction to your vetted partners!
April 17, 2023
Rick M.
United States
Introduced to a Professional
We received help with preparation for citizenship application. Our attorney located Croatian birth certificates, guided us through the process, arranged Croatia translations of documents and prepped us for the consulate meeting. Ljudevit was well organized, punctual, and very articulate in assisting us. He knows the process and requirements well. We couldn’t have asked for better guidance in the process.
March 24, 2023
Matt B.
United States
Free Guidance, Introduced to a Professional
The Expat in Croatia team was quick to respond and efficient connecting me with an attorney who helped me apply for Croatian Citizenship through descent. They took time to answer my questions to make sure I was comfortable with the process before starting. Best of all, the guidance I received from the attorney they recommended made the process a breeze. Submitting my application for citizenship with the consulate was so easy. Fantastic value for the service I received.
February 27, 2023
Nicholas P.
Canada
Consulting, Introduced to a Professional
Sara was extremely helpful in answering our questions regarding applying for Croatian Citizenship. It can be a complicated endeavour, but Sara was able to walk us through it and put us in contact with the right people to start the process. Hvala!
December 12, 2022
Pia S.
Slovenia
Consulting, Introduced to a Professional
Overall, I was very pleased with Ivona, since she helped me through the process, gave me very straightforward information and when I went to the consulate to make the request for determing Croatian citizenship nothing was missing. I do not know the outcome of my request but the whole process left me very pleased.
December 8, 2022
kent p.
United States
Introduced to a Professional
I asked about a Lawyer to help with getting citizenship, and have had nothing but professional help, can’t thank expat enough for pointing us In the right direction,
November 21, 2022
Christine B.
Australia
Introduced to a Professional
My brother and I required help with applying for Croatian citizenship. We found Expat in Croatia to be very helpful, emails were responded to quickly and we were referred to a professional who’s service was second to none. Pricing was very reasonable. We were surprised with the speed at which we received responses and how helpful and supportive the team was. The whole process was extremely daunting at first but the team explained every step in simple terms and checked in on us to offer help when we were stuck. Cannot express how highly we recommend Expat in Croatia, it has been without doubt an absolute pleasure to work with them.
November 21, 2022
Duane R.
United States
Introduced to a Professional
I needed a consultation in regard to temporary residence and potential citizenship and also how I could get an OIB.
Ivona was very helpful explaining the hurdles involved and she was able to procure an OIB for me, an important first step.
Please note: Information provided by Expat in Croatia is only for the purposes of guidance. It does not constitute legal or financial advice in any form. Croatian laws and bureaucratic rules often change, and each personal case is individual, so different rules may apply. For legal advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian lawyer. For financial advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian tax advisor or accountant.
Marija is a content writer, music journalist, and singer. She enjoys traveling, cycling, hiking, and dry-stone walling. Her field of interest is human rights because she believes in humanity, peace, love, and understanding.
