HomeCroatia

🇭🇷 Croatia

Vibrant country with strong tourism, emerging tech sectors, and a business-friendly environment for investors and remote workers.

Citizenship via descent, marriage, or naturalization
Stable and growing economy with opportunities in tourism, IT, and manufacturing
Developing financial and business hubs in Zagreb, Split, and Rijeka
Emerging tech and startup ecosystems in major cities
Croatia landscape photo

Croatia Citizenship and Naturalization

Passport Cover

Grade:

A

Global Rank: 40

Dual Citizenship:Yes

Visa-free Access

151 out of 195 countries

Access to Major Destinations

  • European Union
  • United Kingdom
  • Canada
  • United States
  • China
  • Russia
  • Japan
CategoryDetails
Citizenship by Descent
  • Ancestry Eligibility: Parents, Grandparents
  • Requirements: Proof of Croatian ancestry (birth certificates of parent(s) or grandparent(s)) Applicant's own birth certificate Documentation linking applicant to Croatian ancestor
Naturalizations
  • Minimum Residency: 8 years
  • Physical Presence: At least 6 months per year during the residency period
  • Language Test: Yes (Croatian)
  • Renounce Original Citizenship: Yes, unless exempted for descendants or national interest cases
  • Minor Dependants: Yes
Spouse Naturalization
  • Living in Country: 3 Marriage to a Croatian citizen for at least 3 years and continuous residence in Croatia
  • Living Abroad: 3 Marriage to a Croatian citizen for at least 3 years; proof of marriage and Croatian spouse citizenship required
  • Language Test: Yes (Croatian), exceptions may apply for minors or special cases
  • Renounce Citizenship: Yes, unless specific exemptions apply
Birthright Citizenship
  • Description: Children born to at least one Croatian parent acquire citizenship automatically
  • Conditions: At least one parent is a Croatian citizen at the time of birth No requirement of residency in Croatia for child to acquire citizenship
Economic Citizenship (Investment)
  • Allowed: No
  • Investment Requirements:
  • Restrictions:
Other Provisions
  • Child is Citizen: No special naturalization or residency benefits for parents if child is citizen
  • Specific Nationalities Benefits: Descendants of Croatian emigrants may have simplified naturalization process
Citizenship by Exception
  • Allowed: Yes
  • Details: Exceptional services to Croatia Notable cultural, scientific, or economic contributions Government-approved cases of national interest

Taxation Overview

Personal Tax Overview: Croatia 🇭🇷

Key information about personal taxation in Croatia

Taxation system
Residence based
Personal Income Tax Rate (Up to)
33%

Tax Residency

Normal rule: 183 days

Special rule: No information

Special Tax Regime

No information

Croatia does not have a general special tax regime for individuals, but targeted reliefs exist: returning citizens and certain emigrants may be fully exempt from annual tax on employment for five years; young taxpayers (up to 25) are fully exempt and those 26–30 get 50% exemption on the lower bracket; pensioners get 50% reduction; self-employed in designated regions or R&D activities may reduce taxable income; other incentives include reductions for new employee wages and education/training grants.