Croatia: residency, citizenship and cost of living
Paths checked against sources: 2026-11
Path to citizenship
Ordinary Croatian naturalisation comes after 8 years of continuous registered residence with permanent residence (granted after 5 years), an exam in Croatian, the Latin script and culture, and giving up your previous citizenship. A citizen's spouse gets permanent residence after 4 years of family reunification, then citizenship without the 8 years, the language exam or renunciation. People of Croatian origin need no residence period or exam. Time on the digital nomad visa does not count; whether Ukrainians' temporary-protection time counts we could not find — the graph does not count it. Croatia is known for long processing: one to two years or more.
- • 8 years of continuous residence, permanent residence, the exam and renunciation
- • spouses of citizens — with permanent residence, no exam or renunciation
- • people of Croatian origin — no residence period
Citizenship application processing, years: 1–2.5.
Check your own pathMonthly budget
Average lifestyle, employed; data as of 11.2026. Deposits, furniture and the move itself are not included.
| City | Single | Family 2+2 |
|---|---|---|
| Zagreb | €1,460 | €3,690 |
| Split | €1,420 | €3,720 |
| Rijeka | €1,310 | €3,450 |
Country scores (out of 100)
- Safety83
- Earning potential77
- Healthcare84
- Path to citizenship42
- Schools and education62
- Environment57
- Warm, sunny climate57
Frequently asked questions
How do you get citizenship in Croatia, and how long does it take?
8 years of continuous residence, permanent residence, the exam and renunciation; spouses of citizens — with permanent residence, no exam or renunciation; people of Croatian origin — no residence period. Processing takes 1–2.5 years. The questionnaire shows the timeline for your situation.
How do you get residency in Croatia?
The main routes we cover: Temporary residence (work, business, study); Residence to join a citizen spouse; Person of Croatian origin. The questionnaire shows which fit you and where they lead next.
Can I keep my citizenship in Croatia?
Ordinary naturalisation in Croatia requires giving up your previous citizenship; spouses of citizens and people of Croatian origin do not have to.
How much does it cost to live in Croatia per month?
Per month, one person / family of four: Zagreb ≈ €1,460 / €3,690; Split ≈ €1,420 / €3,720; Rijeka ≈ €1,310 / €3,450. Average lifestyle, employed; data as of 11.2026.
How much is rent in Croatia?
A home for one person, from modest to comfortable: Zagreb €675–€900; Split €640–€925; Rijeka €550–€750.
How up to date is this data?
Paths to citizenship checked against sources: 11.2026; budget as of 11.2026. Sources are listed on this page; rules change, so check official sites before deciding.
News for this country
Sources
This is not legal advice. Rules change — check official sources before deciding.