Around 10,000 Croatians returning to live in Croatia each year

Zagreb

ZAGREB, 25 June 2025 (Hina) – Each year, approximately 10,000 individuals holding Croatian citizenship return to live in Croatia, according to Zvonko Milas, State Secretary of the Central State Office for Croats Abroad.

Speaking during a parliamentary debate on a new law aimed at modernising and enhancing Croatia’s relationship with its diaspora, Milas noted a shift in returnee demographics.

“While most returnees once came from Bosnia and Herzegovina, today the majority are coming from Germany,” he said.

He also reported that in 2024, there were 6,700 new admissions to Croatian citizenship, with most applicants originating from Argentina and Chile.

In response to MPs’ questions regarding the proposed amendments to the Law on Relations with Croats Abroad, Milas outlined a series of measures designed to support and reconnect with the Croatian diaspora and their descendants, as well as to assist Croats living abroad—particularly those in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“We are committed to helping Croats abroad learn the Croatian language, we offer special university enrolment quotas for students from the diaspora, and we provide scholarships,” Milas explained, in response to a question from Sabina Glasovac (SDP).

Online Croatian language courses at A1 and A2 levels, launched by the Central State Office, now have over 30,000 participants.

Since the introduction of a dedicated university enrolment quota in 2018 for Croatian emigrants and members of Croatian minorities, more than 200 students are currently studying at Croatian universities.

The number of scholarships for diaspora students has increased significantly—from 450 in 2016 to 1,500 in 2024.

Of the original 450 scholarships, 250 were awarded to students studying in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and 200 to students from BiH pursuing degrees in Croatia.

Recently, 1,500 scholarships were granted to students in BiH and approximately 200 to those studying in Croatia.

Additionally, since 2022, scholarships have been extended to Croats living in Serbia, North Macedonia, and Kosovo.

Milas rejected criticism from Ivica Ledenko (Most) that the Choose Croatia incentive programme has underperformed, noting that 814 applications were approved.

“I don’t consider that a small or insignificant number. It sets a strong example for others,” he emphasised.

Significant Investment in Heritage and Strategic Projects

Milas highlighted Croatia’s commitment to supporting the Croatian minority in Serbia, stating that funding for cultural heritage preservation has increased fivefold over the past decade. One notable achievement is the construction of the Croatian Home, an initiative considered of strategic importance.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, 16 strategic projects are underway, stretching from the Brčko District through Central Bosnia to Mostar and Široki Brijeg, Milas said in response to HDZ MP Nikola Mažar.

When questioned by Ivica Kukavica (DP) about the electoral law in BiH and ensuring equal political representation for Croats, Milas affirmed that the issue remains a priority in all diplomatic discussions, particularly those led by the Prime Minister in the context of international forums aiming to ensure political stability in BiH.

In response to an inquiry from Viktorija Knežević (Centre) on whether anything is being done to enable emigrants to vote under the same conditions as prisoners, Milas said: “I wouldn’t draw such a comparison. It’s not the most appropriate. We are discussing voting procedures.”

Asked by Draženka Polović (Možemo) how many returnees have benefited from the five-year income tax exemption, Milas replied that the Tax Administration would release those figures at the end of the year.

When minority MP Veljko Kajtazi suggested extending legal provisions to cover members of national minorities who are returning to Croatia, Milas stressed that all Croatian citizens, regardless of ethnic background, are treated equally and enjoy the same rights under the law.