Can the descendants of Croatian emigrants alleviate the demographic crisis?

An increasing number of them want Croatian citizenship, and some are already considering a return to the homeland of their ancestors. At the same time, Croatia is preparing a new Law on Demographic Revitalization. Can it reverse the unfavorable demographic trends that have been present for decades, and what exactly will it bring?

Interest in Croatian citizenship is growing not only in South America but also in North America, and especially in the USA. In California, the number of applications has tripled, and around one hundred citizenship certificates (domovnice) were recently presented at CroatiaFest in Seattle. The process takes about two years on average.

The four-member Bolen family from St. Louis, whose ancestors are from Gospić, also acquired Croatian citizenship. This summer, they visited Croatia together for the first time.

"It was extremely important for me to get Croatian citizenship because it is a piece of my history that was missing. And the opportunity to take my family on that trip was immensely precious," said Stephen Bolen.

"For me, Croatia means that my family and I can get to know the country we come from and establish a direct connection with our family's history," adds Rebecca Bolen.

For their children, Croatia is simultaneously a land of family roots and potential. During their summer trip, they got to know our cities, history, and the Adriatic coast.

"Croatian citizenship also means European Union citizenship, which opens up numerous opportunities for me, both here in the United States and abroad," says Jane Bolen.

It is precisely in emigrants and their descendants that Croatia sees great demographic potential. From the beginning of 2022 to September 2025, more than 17,700 people acquired Croatian citizenship, mostly from Argentina, Chile, and the USA. Last year, more immigration than emigration was recorded for the first time. Also, according to data from the Ministry of Demography, 1,055 more children were born in the first nine months of this year compared to last year. For example, July saw the highest number of newborns in the last six years.

"People returning with entire families are an added plus, and descendants are an especially big plus for us. If we are losing step with the fertile age group—and we are—then who will replace that number which we so desperately need, especially for the labor market," says Demographics and Immigration Minister Ivan Šipić.

Numerous incentives and benefits are already available to returnees: a five-year income tax exemption, self-employment grants through the "I Choose Croatia" (Biram Hrvatsku) measure, the possibility of renting state-owned apartments, and scholarships for learning the Croatian language. The issuance of a temporary residence certificate has made it easier for descendants of Croatian emigrants to come to Croatia.

"That certificate allows them a temporary stay in the Republic of Croatia for up to two years. With the help of that certificate, they can get a job, study, or go to school in Croatia without any other permits," explains Mladen Barać, State Secretary in the Ministry of Demography and Immigration.

In addition, for a permanent return and the integration of families into society, it is important to find a job, nostrify diplomas, find an affordable apartment, learn the Croatian language, and apply for kindergarten. The measures facilitating this, along with other policies to encourage staying and immigrating, are expected to be part of the system being prepared alongside the new umbrella Law on Demographic Revitalization.

"We are moving forward with a key strategic law for the most important issue in Croatia, and even in Europe. It consists of the law and four models: stopping the emigration of young people, classic population policy to stimulate childbirth, a planned, rational, and selective immigration policy, and directing young and educated people to demographically depleted areas. And all four of these models will have 5 to 7 incentive measures," concludes demographer Stjepan Šterc.

The goal is to link the measures of different state sectors in the long term and create the prerequisites for a more massive return of the Croatian diaspora and the arrival of their descendants.

For the Bolen family from the beginning of our story, the connection with the homeland of their ancestors has been renewed. They have their citizenship certificates and can, if they choose, retrace the path in the opposite direction that their great-grandfathers once took to America a long time ago. The state is finally investing significantly in immigration policy, the positive net migration balance is encouraging, and trends are turning around—but the real impact of the new measures will be shown by the number of returnees who choose to stay in Croatia permanently.

Source: HRT