Croatian citizenship grants both natives and foreigners the same legal rights. Investors from other countries who do business in Croatia may apply for citizenship after five years of residency and are given permanent residence if they marry a Croatian citizen. Before applying for nationality in Croatia, foreigners may apply for permanent residency under the Croatia Residency Investor Program, with no minimum investment requirements.
Croatian citizenship eligibility
Citizenship in Croatia is available to those born abroad, to Croatian parents, to people adopted by Croatian parents, and to foreigners married to Croatian nationals. Lineage citizenship relates to Croatian migrants and their direct descendants, such as children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The good news is that, as of the beginning of 2020, there are no cultural and language tests. Croatia recognizes dual nationality. People having dual nationality may profit from two social assistance systems, the ability to reside lawfully in one of the respective nations, and the ownership of a variety of possessions.
Naturalization-based citizenship
Naturalization for Croatian nationality is constrained by several conditions. It’s exclusively accessible to individuals with a minimum eight-year residency in Croatia and permanent resident status. The nationality is granted to those who have relinquished their foreign nationality. Furthermore, minor children will be awarded Croatian nationality alongside their parents. You may apply for a second passport via the Croatian Citizenship Program. Even though the dual nationality procedure seems to be complicated, this passport may be acquired quickly. As a result, you will be allowed to travel freely in select countries, including Schengen member states.
Citizenship in Croatia based on specific interests
If the government believes that foreigners would benefit Croatia, citizenship via naturalization may be conferred on them. There is still a one-year residence requirement. Furthermore, family members may petition for residence based on family reunification. The Ministry of Interior of Croatia, together with other significant ministries, decides on the particular interest in giving the nationality.
Obtaining citizenship by marrying a Croatian national
Croatian nationality may be gained by marriage. The regulation was updated in 2020, and the need to live in the country is no longer applicable. This indicates that being married to this country’s native is sufficient to get citizenship. Croatian citizenship by marriage is obtained immediately after marriage by securing permanent residency in this country. Naturalization is used to attain this status. Several processes and conditions must be followed to get the nationality by marriage, including the following:
- Applicants should be 18 and above.
- The candidate must have lived in the nation continuously for the last eight years.
- An understanding of Croatian language and culture.
- Upon receiving citizenship, the applicant must renounce their original nationality as a binding commitment.
- Applying to the police station nearest to the registered address or at the consulates.
Documents needed for Croatian citizenship by marriage
When applying for Croatian nationality through marriage, the most crucial document to provide is the marriage certificate. Additionally, authorities will require a residence permit, a valid passport, a birth certificate, and a copy of the criminal record to verify a clean criminal history. The basic need is to have a permanent residency permit in Croatia. The candidate for Croatian nationality by marriage must have resided in Croatia for at least 8 years. Eligibility, like naturalization, requires proving competency in the native language and culture by completing a qualifying exam.
Obtaining nationality in Croatia after one year of residence
There is another way for foreigners to get citizenship in this country. The Ministry of Interior might get engaged in special interest cases and accept those who need citizenship quickly. Foreign people who benefit the country and demonstrate adherence to laws and traditions may get citizenship immediately after one year of lawful presence in Croatia.
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