One way to officially become a citizen of Croatia is to go through the process of naturalisation. Foreigners may become Croatian citizens via a legal process that requires them to meet certain conditions. This route is for those who have lived in the country for a long time and desire to be full members of the community.
Eligibility and residency requirements
To be able to get Croatian citizenship by naturalisation, the person must have lived in the country for a certain amount of time. This typically implies that you have to live in Croatia for at least eight years in a row and have permanent residence status. Before applying, a foreign national must first acquire temporary residency. Usually, this is issued for one year at a time and may be renewed. You may seek for permanent residence in Croatia after living there lawfully for five years. You may seek for citizenship after staying in Croatia as a permanent resident for three more years.
It is important to note that the time spent in Croatia must be continuous, and the applicant must establish that they wish to remain there for a long time. During the residence period, applicants should try to stay in Croatia as much as feasible. As part of their dedication, they should also show that they are becoming a member of Croatian society.
Language and cultural integration
One of the most significant steps in becoming a citizen is being able to speak Croatian proficiently. You must pass a language and culture exam that tests how well you can read, write, and speak Croatian. And how well you know basic facts about Croatian history, society, and social norms in order to apply. This requirement makes sure that new citizens may take part in the country’s social and civic life. People who have studied Croatian in Croatian schools may not have to take this exam. The official writing system in the country is the Latin alphabet, thus you should also know it.
Good character and legal standing
Croatia really cares about the moral character and conduct of those who wish to become citizens. People who wish to apply must not have a criminal record and must not be under investigation or involved in any criminal proceedings, either in Croatia or their home country. You need a certificate of good behaviour from both your own nation and another country to show this status.
The individual also can’t pose a threat to the health of the people or the safety of the country. Croatian authorities conduct background checks on applicants to make sure that their presence in the country is in conformity with the law and morals of the state.
Renunciation of former citizenship
Croatia normally makes those who seek to become Croatian citizens give up their old citizenship first. Before the final citizenship certificate is mailed out, this step usually needs to be done. There are, however, exceptions, notably when it comes to bilateral agreements or where handing up the previous citizenship would be exceedingly difficult or cause complications. Croatian officials could let people preserve their dual citizenship if they come from nations that don’t let people give it up or if they have political or legal issues doing so.
Family and special circumstances
If you are married to a Croatian citizen, you may have an alternative way to become a citizen. A foreign spouse married to a Croatian citizen for three years and residing in Croatia continuously for one year may qualify for citizenship under simplified requirements. People who are Croatian or have Croatian parents may also be able to take an easier path.
People who have made substantial contributions to Croatia in fields like culture, science, economics, or humanitarian activities may also be eligible to become citizens. Even if they don’t match the conventional requirements for residency and language. The Croatian government has the last decision on this, and it rarely happens.
Application process and timeline
The application for Croatian citizenship by naturalisation goes to the local police department (Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova) in the area where the applicant resides. You need to provide evidence of domicile, identity papers, a birth certificate, proof of language skills, proof of financial means, and a criminal background check. Depending on how involved the case is and how much documentation there is, the process might take a long time, from several months to more than a year. Applicants are informed in writing after a decision has been made. If they are allowed to, they must take an oath of devotion to the Republic of Croatia. After then, they are Croatian citizens by law.
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