Croatian citizenship by birth means that a person is a citizen of Croatia from the moment of their birth because of their status as being born in Croatia or having at least one Croatian citizen parent at the time of their birth.
According to the Croatian Law on Croatian Citizenship, the following individuals are entitled to Croatian citizenship by birth:
Children born to at least one Croatian citizen at the moment of birth, regardless of place of birth.
Children born in Croatia whose parents are unknown, stateless, or without citizenship.
It is crucial to note that in order to gain Croatian citizenship by birth, various rules and processes must be fulfilled, and appropriate documents must be presented. For example, if a kid is born outside of Croatia but one of their parents is a Croatian citizen, the infant may need to be registered with the Croatian embassy or consulate in the country of birth.
The procedure for getting Croatian citizenship by birth is determined by the individual’s personal circumstances. However, the following stages may be involved in general:
Obtain required documents: Depending on the individual’s circumstances, some documents may be required to demonstrate eligibility for Croatian citizenship by birth. Birth certificates, passports, marriage certificates, and evidence of parental citizenship are examples of such documents.
Submit application: After gathering the necessary documents, an application for Croatian citizenship by birth can be filed with the appropriate authorities. This can be done through a Croatian embassy or consulate abroad, or through the Croatian competent body.
Waiting period: The processing time for Croatian citizenship applications varies according to the complexity of the case and the workload of the relevant authorities. It is crucial to note that an interview or more paperwork may be necessary in some situations before a decision may be made.
If the application is approved, the person will be granted Croatian citizenship by birth. If the application is denied, the applicant may be able to appeal the decision.
Individuals are eligible for Croatian citizenship by birth if at least one of their parents is a Croatian citizen at the time of their birth. This principle is based on jus sanguinis (right of blood), meaning citizenship is primarily based on the citizenship of one or both parents.
In general, being born in Croatia to non-Croatian citizen parents does not automatically grant you Croatian citizenship by birth. However, there may be specific circumstances or exceptions where you can apply for Croatian citizenship based on your birth in Croatia. It is advisable to consult with the Croatian authorities or seek legal advice for precise information based on your situation.
The process for registering your Croatian citizenship by birth typically involves submitting the required documents, such as birth certificates of yourself and your Croatian citizen parent(s), to the competent authorities in Croatia. You may need to contact the local registry office or the Croatian embassy/consulate in your country of residence for specific instructions and procedures.