Improving Legislation for Croats Abroad

7 Min Read
Zvonko Milas Photo: HINA/ Edvard ŠUŠAK

On June 25, 2025, the Croatian Parliament debated a legislative proposal that should modernize and improve relations with and the position of Croats abroad….

In question is the final text of the amendments to the Act on Relations of Croatia with Croats Abroad, on the basis of which the Ministry of Demography and Immigration will assume responsibility for a part of the activities within the scope of the Central State Office for Croats Abroad related to establishing conditions for the return of Croatian emigrants (diaspora) and their inclusion in Croatia’s economic and social life. It is estimated that approximately 3.2 million Croatian emigrants and their descendants live outside Croatia and around the world, most of them in the United States (1.2 million), Germany (half a million), Argentina (300,000), and Australia and Canada, 250,000 respectively.

Establishment of Youth Council

In order to hear the authentic voice of young Croats, a Youth Council consisting of 65 members will be established thanks to legal amendments. The Government Council for Croats Abroad will have the same number of members, ten more than at present. The Government Council plays a significant role in improving relations with Croats abroad, and from which a number of initiatives have originated. The body will include 13 representatives of Croats from BiH, 17 Croatian national minority representatives and 35 Croatian diaspora representatives.

Proclamation of the Week of Croats Abroad

 The act also provides for the proclamation of the Week of Croats Abroad, during which the Croatian diaspora would be given the opportunity to show in their homeland what it represents, how it has preserved its common heritage and identity.

State Secretary Milas’ Responses to Questions from MPs

State Secretary of the Central State Office for Croats Abroad, Zvonko Milas, stated that about 10,000 persons with Croatian citizenship return to Croatia annually, and last year, there were 6700 citizenship admissions.

“Annually, 10,000 persons with Croatian citizenship return to Croatia. In the past, they came mostly from BiH, while today, we know that most of them come from Germany,” Milas said in the parliamentary debate on the act that is set to modernize and improve relations and the position of Croats outside Croatia, which received parliamentary support. He also stated that, last year, there were 6700 admissions to Croatian citizenship, with most applicants originating from Argentina and Chile. In response to questions from MPs regarding the proposed amendments to the Act on Relations of Croatia with Croats Abroad, Milas outlined a series of measures designed to attract 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 enrollment 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 for Croats Abroad, now have over 30,000 participants. After questions from the HDZ’s Majda Burić and Maksimilijan Šimrak, Milas said that, since the introduction of a dedicated university enrollment quota in 2018 for Croatian emigrants and members of Croatian minorities, more than 200 students are currently studying at Croatian universities. The number of student scholarships increased from 450 in 2016 to 1,500.

Of these 450 scholarships, 250 went to students in BiH, while 200 sent to students from BiH studying in Croatia. A few days ago, 1,500 scholarships were awarded to Croats studying in BiH and some 200 for those studying in Croatia. To Danijela Blažanović’s question, he replied that, 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 “I Choose Croatia” incentive program has underperformed because “only” 814 applications were approved. “I don’t consider that a small or insignificant number. It sets a strong example for others,” emphasized State Secretary Zvonko Milas. Milas highlighted Croatia’s commitment to supporting the Croatian minority in Serbia, stating that funding for cultural heritage preservation has increased five-fold 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’s inquiry. When questioned by Ivica Kukavica (DP) about the electoral act 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 (Centar) on whether anything is being done to enable emigrants to vote under the same conditions as even prisoners enjoy, 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 legal rights.

Source and photo: Hina

Share This Article
Skip to content