How to Apply for Croatian Citizenship from Australia & New Zealand

Croatian citizenship opens doors to living, working, and traveling freely across the European Union. If you’re an Australian or New Zealander with Croatian heritage, getting Croatian citizenship can help you reconnect with your roots while gaining valuable EU benefits.

Have a read of our guide outlining eligibility requirements, application procedures, and document preparations needed for your Croatian citizenship journey!

Eligibility for Croatian Citizenship

Wondering if you qualify for Croatian citizenship? Here are the main pathways:

1. Citizenship by Descent (Jus Sanguinis) – If you have Croatian heritage, you can apply by proving your lineage. This is the most common pathway for Australians and New Zealanders with Croatian ancestry seeking to reclaim their heritage.
2. Citizenship by Marriage – If you are married to a Croatian citizen, you may be eligible after meeting certain residency requirements.
3. Citizenship by Naturalization – If you have legally resided in Croatia for a qualifying period, typically at least 8 years, you may qualify to apply.

Your eligibility category determines which documents are required. The Croatian Ministry of Internal Affairs provides a comprehensive list of requirements on their website here.

Required Documents

The documents required vary depending on your eligibility pathway, however all of these are required if Applying for Croatian citizenship by descent:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Motivation Letter – Personal background and professional history.
   • Handy Tip: This CV is like a personal biography of yourself, your family, what you do in life and why you want to be a Croatian citizen. It is usually only one or two pages long and must be in Croatian.
2. Proof of Identity – Current and valid Australian or New Zealand passport or ID.
3. Birth Certificate – Original with Apostille certification.
   • Handy Tip: This should be an official Birth Certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages and not a ‘Baptismal Certificate’ issued by the Church.
4. Marriage Certificate – Original with Apostille certification (if applicable).
5. Proof of Croatian Ancestry – Such as ancestors’ Croatian birth records, family marriage certificates from Croatia, previous Croatian citizenship documents, or parish records.
   • Handy Tip: Every journey to Australia or NZ was different, but importantly you must show an unbroken connection to your Croatian ancestor who first left Croatia.
6. Police Clearance Certificate – Original from the Australian Federal Police or New Zealand authorities with Apostille certification.
   • Handy Tip: The Croatian Authorities only accept ‘Digital National Police Certificates’ from the AFP and not the ‘Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check Certificate’ as issued by State or Territory Police.
7. Completed Application Form – Available at Croatian consulates or embassies.
   • Adults applying for Croatian citizenship for themselves only, will need to fill out this form – Form 2 – ZAHTJEV ZA STJECANJE HRVATSKOG DRŽAVLJANSTVA PRIROĐENJEM PUNOLJETNE OSOBE.
   • Adults applying for Croatian citizenship with children as well, will need to fill out this form – Form 2 – ZAHTJEV ZA STJECANJE HRVATSKOG DRŽAVLJANSTVA PRIROĐENJEM PUNOLJETNE OSOBE I DIJETETA/DJECE.
   • Handy Tip: This form must be completed in Croatian.

Important: All official Australian or New Zealand documents (i.e. from government agencies) must be translated into Croatian by a NAATI-certified Croatian translator.

Where to Apply in Australia & New Zealand

Croatian citizenship applications must be submitted in person at the relevant diplomatic mission:

• Canberra – Croatian Embassy (serving ACT residents)
• Sydney – Croatian Consulate-General (serving NSW, QLD, NT residents)
• Melbourne – Croatian Consulate-General (serving VIC, SA, TAS residents)
• Perth – Croatian Consulate (serving WA residents)

New Zealand residents must apply through the travelling Croatian Consulate by following this link here. This travelling diplomatic mission goes to New Zealand several times a year to process applications.

Certified Translations and Document Authentication

Croatian citizenship applications require proper authentication and translation of all supporting documents:

• Document Legalisation – Foreign documents require legalisation before submission:
  – For Australian documents – Apostille stamps can be obtained through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
  – For New Zealand documents – The Department of Internal Affairs handles Apostille certification.
  • Handy Tip: Obtain all of the Apostilles required before having your documents translated as it will be both cheaper and you can do all of your translations in the on go!
• Professional Translation Requirements – All documents in English must be translated by a qualified professional. NAATI is the only organisation in Australia and New Zealand that certifies professional translators. Our NAATI-certified translators are recognised by the Croatian Embassy and Consulate in Australia.

If you need help with document translations, Balkan Translations provides NAATI-certified translations and authenticated paperwork to streamline your Croatian citizenship application.

Additional Requirements for Croatian Citizenship

1. Language Assessment – Depending on your application pathway, you may need to demonstrate Croatian language proficiency. This requirement is particularly important for naturalization applications.
2. Application Fees – Administrative fees apply to all citizenship applications, varying by application type and processing location.
3. Processing Timeframe – Croatian citizenship applications typically take between 8-24 months to process completely.

Additional Considerations

1. Dual Citizenship Benefits – Australia and New Zealand both permit dual citizenship, allowing you to maintain your current citizenship while gaining Croatian/EU status.
2. European Union Advantages – Croatian citizenship grants full EU member benefits, including freedom to live and work in any EU country.
3. Travel Flexibility – A Croatian passport allows visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Zone and many other countries worldwide.

Final Thoughts

While navigating the Croatian citizenship application process from Australia or New Zealand requires attention to detail, the benefits of securing EU citizenship make it worthwhile for eligible applicants. The key to success lies in thorough documentation preparation and proper translation of all supporting materials.

For current application requirements and processing updates, we recommend contacting the Croatian Embassy or Consulate directly or visiting the Ministry of Interior (MUP) website.

If you require assistance with document translation or have questions about the application process, our team at Balkan Translation is ready to provide expert guidance tailored to your specific situation. Our specialized experience with Croatian citizenship applications ensures your documentation meets all official requirements.