Dual Citizenship between BiH and the Republic of Croatia

1. DUAL CITIZENSHIP BETWEEN BIH AND CROATIA

Dual citizenship means a person’s right to have citizenships of at least two countries without a need to renounce any of them. Most of the world’s countries today (under certain circumstances) allow their citizens to have foreign citizenship.   

Bilateral agreements generally prescribe the possibility of dual citizenship. This is also the case with dual citizenship between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Croatia. 

OUR OBSERVATION:

"By taking a short Google search, you can see how much dual/multiple passports and citizenship are in demand, and the reason is not to avoid paying taxes or similar attached claims that we are served in the media. People just like a retreat option, some form of enhanced security. Because the future is always economically and socially unpredictable."

2. AGREEMENT ON DUAL CITIZENSHIP BETWEEN BIH AND CROATIA

A right to dual citizenship for any person who meets the requirements of the citizenship rules of both countries is determined and guaranteed by the Agreement on Dual Citizenship between BiH and Croatia (signed in 2007 and verified in 2011). 

It is well known that many citizens of the Republic of Croatia originate from Bosnia and Herzegovina. A recent survey provides information that almost every fourth citizen of Croatia comes from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Most of them are the descendants of Croatian people who have been populating the area of present-day Croatia due to various historical and economic reasons. 

By this Agreement, those persons are given the possibility to request the acquisition of Bosnia and Herzegovina citizenship in case both of their parents are BiH citizens or in certain cases if only one parent is a citizen of BiH.  

3. IMPORTANCE OF BiH CITIZENSHIP REGISTRATION 

By introducing into the citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina, all those persons who even don't live or reside in Bosnia and Herzegovina can make a formal link with their heritage, which eventually leads to the preservation Bosnian-Herzegovinian identity.

Additionally, by registration in the Citizenship Record Books of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the ability to exercise many other associated rights is provided, like:

• facilitated acquisition of real estate,
  
• straightforward property inheritance,
• easier entrepreneurial activities

...and so on.

If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it is the fact that the institute of citizenship plays a decisive role in freedom of movement. Why not use it when you already have the right to your second citizenship?

Through the possession of citizenship, you can enjoy your asset, primarily of proprietary character, without the need to obtain visas and residence permits - which is of great importance to anyone who maintains more intense ties with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

> REAL EXAMPLE: What does the Decision on introduction to BiH Citizenship for a person above 23 years of age look like, with only one parent born in Bosnia and Herzegovina → check by clicking here.

> Frequently placed question:

4. IS HOLDING TWO OF PASSPORTS PERMITTED? AM I IN SOME INFRINGEMENT?

 

We are often asked whether it is permissible to hold two passports, or in other words, to be a citizen of two countries.

Straightforward and clear answer: YES

The problem is that the concept of citizenship is misunderstood with a permanent residence permit, and puts dual citizenship in a fraudulent category, such as evading paying taxes or criminal prosecution.

Let's clarify in brief:

• The place of residence is linked to your tax outlook, and one cannot have simultaneously two habitual residences in two different countries
• Passports and citizenships are a different kind of story - if you meet all the legal prerequisites for the introduction of citizenship by origin, there shouldn't be obstacles to holding multiple citizenships. Once acquired, citizenship is there to stay, except in the case of severe infringements of the internal constitutional and legal order. While citizenships (and thus passports) are acquired by the origin ground in most cases, there are scenarios where some countries, through their arrangements, market passports to foreign citizens, which you are undoubtedly familiar with (such as Montenegro, Moldova, Grenada, St. Kitts, and Nevis, etc.)

In accordance, the possession of a BiH passport alongside the Republic of Croatia one is legitimate, and moreover, everything is defined by the bilateral agreement that we mentioned earlier in the article.

Photo - Enjoyment of travel with dual citizenship and two passports, (client's photo, all rights reserved with LJUBIC Law Firm)

5. WHAT'S THE POSITION OF DUAL CITIZENSHIP REGARDING OTHER COUNTRIES?

Taking into account the countries (jurisdictions) Bosnia and Herzegovina has not concluded an Agreement on Dual Citizenship with (like the USA, Australia, Germany, etc), there is still the possibility to exercise the right to dual citizenship, but of course with a slightly different approach and circumstances to look over.

For example, one of the more common misconceptions is that a person cannot have dual German and Bosnian citizenship, but the reality is certainly different. In certain situations, such as those in which a person has already acquired German citizenship by birth, and whose parents are from BiH, there is a good chance that one can enjoy dual citizenship of Germany and Bosnia and Herzegovina without committing any infringements in the state of current citizenship - Germany.

The same analogy applies if we look at the relationship between the citizenships of BiH and Slovenia, BiH and the Netherlands, and so on.

As conclusion: This is just one small-scale showcase, which is possible to completely transfer to other countries following a simple blueprint - take into account the legislation of two countries, put them in a time course, and dive in for a solution. 

6. ENGAGEMENT OF IMMIGRATION LAWYERS IN THE PROCEDURE OF CITIZENSHIP ACQUISITION 

Many citizens of the Republic of Croatia who have BiH origin initiate the procedure of acquisition of BiH citizenship on their own. Still, due to bureaucratic reasons or lack of time, they like to transfer every operation to the lawyers. Besides, their incomplete knowledge of the procedure itself is a complicating factor. 

In addition, the engagement of niche-specialized immigration lawyers in the area of citizenship is always an advantage as all actions required for the successful citizenship acquisition, and registration in the Citizenship Records Books of Bosnia and Herzegovina are performed entirely by signing Power of Attorney.

7. HOW DO WE ACT?

Any inquiry about the possibility of BiH citizenship acquisition requires a thorough analysis. Therefore, we instruct interested persons to provide us with the details on their status through conversation or via e-mail (e.g. information on parents’ citizenship, their place of birth, whether or not their status of legal residence was regulated earlier, or their domicile in the BiH territory, etc.) 

After you provide us with the above-stated general information, our Office will inform you of all necessary documents, the duration of the procedure, and any other details. 

It is of great importance to the clients that we, being their assistants, are able to undertake all necessary actions leading to the registration into the Citizenship Records Books. All you have to do is to provide us with a power of attorney (power of representation) and any other required documents. We may carry out the procedure of acquisition of BiH citizenship for adults and minors too. 

The actions performed by the immigration lawyers:

→ obtaining all documents in BiH and abroad

→ a detailed check of the historical facts of your parents, on which enrollment is made

→ constant communication with the institutions which are part of the citizenship path

→ submission of the application in person for the citizenship acquisition and any other documents addressed to the authorized bodies 

→ picking up the Decision on citizenship acquisition and registration in the BiH Citizenship Records Books 

→ taking all actions necessary on your behalf even without the need for your presence 

> Are you thinking of initiating a procedure for the acquisition of Bosnia and Herzegovina citizenship? Or maybe you are a BiH-origin person who would like to take on Croatian citizenship?

> LJUBIC Law Firm may also be your representative in those citizenship proceedings with special niche immigration lawyers. Many past clients who placed their trust in us, guarantee our future clients' security and success.