Croatian Citizenship Through My Grandfather

Why I Applied: Connecting it through your grandparent and by descent

My grandfather, Jakov Tomic, was born on the stunning island of Korčula, a gem along Croatia’s Dalmatian coast. Like many Croatians of his generation, he left the country, but our family’s connection to Croatia remained strong. Years later, I realized that his heritage could unlock Croatian citizenship for me—a second passport, access to the EU, and a deeper tie to my roots. This journey wasn’t just about paperwork; it was about honoring my family’s history.

Check out my visit to Korčula, where I explored my grandfather’s homeland:

🏛️ Who Can Apply for Croatian Citizenship by Descent?

Under Croatian law, you may be eligible if you meet these criteria:

• You have a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent who was a Croatian citizen at birth.
• You can prove your lineage with official documents like birth certificates.
• Your Croatian ancestor’s citizenship wasn’t forfeited through naturalization in another country (some exceptions apply).

I applied through my grandfather, Jakov Tomic, which is a common route, though the process requires careful attention to detail.

📋 Documents I Needed

Here’s what I had to provide for my application:

• My grandfather’s birth certificate: Sourced from Croatia, proving his citizenship.
• His marriage certificate: If applicable, to connect the family line.
• My parent’s birth certificate: To establish the lineage to me.
• My birth certificate: Apostilled and translated into Croatian.
• Proof of my citizenship: A copy of my passport or national ID.
• Police clearance certificate: A background check, issued within the last 6 months, apostilled and translated.
• Application form: Obtained from the Croatian consulate, filled out in Croatian.
• Letter of intent: A statement explaining my desire to reconnect with my Croatian heritage.

Note: Every consulate may have slightly different requirements, so always check their official checklist.

📍 Where and How to Apply

You can apply at a Croatian consulate in your country of residence or directly in Croatia through the Ministry of the Interior. I chose the consulate route—it’s slower but more straightforward for those living abroad.

Expect to:

• Book an appointment well in advance (some consulates are booked out for months).
• Submit notarized and translated documents into Croatian by a certified court translator NATI (sudski tumač).
• Pay a fee, which varies by location (typically €200–€400 abroad).

I worked with Croatian by Descent, a professional service that guided me through the process. They handled document preparation, translations, and ensured everything was filed correctly, saving me time and stress. Click here to start your application with their expert support.

⏳ How Long Does It Take?

The timeline varies depending on where you apply:

• Outside Croatia: 12–24 months, sometimes longer due to consulate backlogs.

My application is still in progress, and I’ve learned that Croatian bureaucracy moves slowly. Patience is key, but the reward is worth it.

🌟 Why It’s Worth It

Beyond the emotional connection to my grandfather’s homeland, Croatian citizenship opens incredible opportunities:

• Live and work anywhere in the European Union.
• Visa-free travel to over 180 countries with a strong Croatian passport.
• Access to EU healthcare, education, and work rights.
• A “Plan B” passport for global mobility in an uncertain world.

🧠 My Tips for Success

Lessons I learned the hard way:

• Start early: Tracking down Croatian documents, like my grandfather’s birth certificate, can take months.
• Triple-check translations: Errors in translations can cause significant delays.
• Join expat forums: Reddit, Facebook groups, and embassy pages offer valuable insights from others in the process.
• Consider professional help: Services like Croatian by Descent can handle paperwork, translations, and filing, saving you time and stress.

Watch my in-depth explainer on how I got my Croatian citizenship and the detailed process I went through:

🤝 Need Help?

Navigating the Croatian citizenship process can be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone. I partnered with Croatian by Descent, a professional service that made my application much easier. They handled document preparation, translations, and ensured everything was filed correctly.

Start Your Application with Croatian by Descent

Ready to explore your Croatian heritage?