If you were born abroad and have a parent who was a Croatian citizen at the time of your birth, then you may qualify to register for Croatian citizenship based on Article 5 of the Citizenship Act.
Registering for Croatian citizenship is not the same as applying based on descent.
You may register for citizenship if you meet ALL of the following requirements:
If you don’t meet all of these criteria or your parents did not gain citizenship until after you were born, then you must apply for Croatian citizenship by descent. To get help with your application for citizenship by descent, click here.
We recommend using a Croatian lawyer specializing in citizenship to obtain all the required documents within Croatia and to prepare your application to increase your chances of approval on the first try.
Sara Dyson, creator of Expat in Croatia, has personally vetted a network of lawyers across Croatia that are specialized and experienced in citizenship. All of them speak excellent English and are currently helping people across the world register for Croatian nationality.
Learn how we vetted our lawyer network here.
For one flat rate, they can:
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.
If you live abroad, you must register for citizenship at an embassy or consulate. While a lawyer cannot file applications on behalf of those living outside Croatia, they can prepare the application so all you have to do is turn it in.
The first step is to complete the form below so that we can better understand your situation. Next, Expat in Croatia will help validate your claim for citizenship.
If you meet the qualifications based on the Citizenship Act, we will provide you with the estimated cost of what a lawyer would charge to prepare your application. If you wish to move forward, we’ll then connect you with a vetted lawyer in Croatia best suited to handle your case.
The lawyer will schedule a FREE consultation with you to learn more about your family and situation. Based on this consultation, they will give you the exact cost for the preparation of the application for yourself (or your family).
Everything up to this point is completely free and without obligation.
If you decide to move forward, you’ll be provided with a dual English/Croatian language contract that outlines everything you’ll get and the terms of the service so you know exactly what to expect.
During the process, a dedicated member of the Expat in Croatia team will follow up periodically to make sure you’re getting everything you need. We will always be there for you throughout the process.
If you’re ready to take the first steps towards Croatian citizenship, complete the form below.
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.
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.
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.
