How to Get Croatian Citizenship by Descent
A comprehensive step-by-step guide to help Canadians navigate the process of obtaining Croatian citizenship through ancestry.
Step-by-Step to get Croatian Citizenship
Simple if you know what you are doing
Eligibility Check
Before anything, you'll want to confirm you're eligible. If you have Croatian ancestors, especially through your parents or grandparents, you're probably in luck.
Take our 2-min eligibility quiz
Document Collection
This part takes time. You'll need things like your birth certificate, proof of Croatian lineage (often from the archives), criminal background checks, and more. Some documents will need to be apostilled and translated, which can take 2–4 months if you're doing it solo.
Consulate/Embassy Meeting
Once you have everything ready, you'll book a meeting with your nearest Croatian embassy or consulate. This step sounds simple, but getting an appointment during the short window when your documents are valid can be tricky. Expect some back-and-forth — sometimes up to 1–3 months.
Ministry Review
Here's the long haul. After submission, your application is reviewed by Croatia's Ministry of the Interior. This usually takes 12–18 months, so patience is key. Checking in (gently) can help keep things moving.
Application Approval
Once your application is approved, you'll be notified by the consulate. This part is usually straightforward and takes about 1–2 months to finalize everything locally.
Croatian Citizenship Certificate
You'll officially become a Croatian citizen when you receive your Domovnica, the document that proves your citizenship. This step usually takes around 2 months, depending on consulate processing times.
Croatian Passport
Last but not least, you can apply for your Croatian passport. This is typically the easiest and fastest part — under a month in most cases.
Rather let an Expert Handle It?
Talk to us. We'll help you understand your eligibility and guide you through the next steps.
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