Croatian Citizenship Test key terms

The supreme law of Croatia, adopted in 1990 and amended several times, mainly in 1997, 2000, 2001, and 2010. It defines the state as a unitary, indivisible, democratic, and social republic and sets out citizens' fundamental rights.

The unicameral Croatian Parliament, the highest legislative body. It has at least 100 and at most 160 members elected for four-year terms, and it adopts laws, the budget, and the Constitution itself by a two-thirds majority.

The head of state, elected directly by citizens for a five-year term and limited to two terms. The President represents the country abroad, is commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and may dissolve Parliament under defined conditions.

The Government, Croatia's main executive body, led by a prime minister and composed of ministers. It proposes laws, implements them, and is accountable to Parliament, which can remove it by a vote of no confidence.

The separation of state power into legislative, executive, and judicial branches, each checking the others. Croatian constitutional order rests on this principle, together with the rule of law and the protection of human rights.

Croatia's constitutional court, based in Zagreb. It reviews whether laws comply with the Constitution and can annul unconstitutional acts; it also supervises the constitutionality of elections and may remove the President in defined cases.

The branch of government that carries out and enforces laws. In Croatia it is shared between the President, who represents the state and commands the armed forces, and the Government, which directs national policy and public administration.

The judicial branch, exercised by independent courts that decide cases on the basis of law and the Constitution. Croatian judges are permanent, and court proceedings are generally public and based on the principle of a fair trial.

The rule-of-law principle stating that public authority must act only on the basis of and within the limits of the law. It guarantees legal certainty, equality before the law, and protection from arbitrary decisions by state bodies.

Fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, such as life, liberty, equality, freedom of expression, religion, assembly, and the right to a fair trial. Most may be limited only by law and only for stated public purposes.

The right of every person to have an independent and impartial court decide their case fairly, publicly, and within a reasonable time, with the opportunity to present evidence and to appeal against a decision.

The constitutional guarantee that all people are equal before the law, regardless of race, sex, language, religion, political opinion, national or social origin, or other status. It also prohibits discrimination and privileges.

A legal or constitutional obligation of citizens, such as obeying the law, paying taxes, defending the country, and protecting the environment and cultural heritage. Duties balance the rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The legal bond between a person and Croatia, acquired mainly by descent, birth on Croatian territory under certain conditions, or naturalization. It gives the holder full civil and political rights, including voting and holding public office.

A Croatian citizenship certificate issued by a registry office or diplomatic mission. It records a person's citizenship and personal data and is often required when applying for other documents such as a passport or identity card.

The Croatian national identity card, issued by the police at a citizen's request. It proves identity and citizenship and is valid for five years for adults; citizens must renew it and may be fined for holding an expired card.

Osobni identifikacijski broj, a permanent eleven-digit personal identification number assigned to every Croatian citizen and to legal entities. It is used in dealings with tax authorities, banks, employers, and public services.

A local civil registry office that records births, marriages, and deaths and issues certificates and citizenship documents. It is usually organized at the level of a city or municipality and is the citizen's first point of contact for vital records.

The right of Croatian citizens aged 18 or older to vote and stand for election. Voting is by secret ballot; citizens elect the President, members of Parliament, county and municipal councils, and mayors and county prefects.

The largest regional administrative unit in Croatia; there are 20 counties plus the City of Zagreb, which has county status. Counties handle regional matters such as education, health, and infrastructure, and are led by a prefect and a county assembly.

The basic unit of local self-government in Croatia, typically a rural or small municipality. It has an elected municipal council and a mayor (načelnik) and handles local matters such as utilities, local roads, and primary services.

A local self-government unit larger than an općina, usually an urban centre. A city has an elected city council and a mayor (gradonačelnik), and the City of Zagreb holds a special status as both city and county.

The basic general act of a local self-government unit such as a county, city, or municipality. It organizes the unit's bodies, their powers, and its symbols, and must comply with the Constitution and national laws.

The official language of Croatia, a South Slavic language written in the Latin alphabet. It uses three dialects (Štokavian, Kajkavian, and Čakavian), with Štokavian as the basis of the standard language, and has official status in parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina and neighbouring countries.

The Croatian Latin alphabet, named after Ljudevit Gaj, who standardized it in the 1830s. It has 30 letters, uses diacritics such as č, ć, š, ž, and đ, and includes the digraphs lj, nj, and dž.

The set of 30 letters used to write Croatian, ordered from A to Ž. Each letter generally represents one sound, which makes Croatian spelling largely phonemic; the alphabet is taught in the first years of primary school.

The Glagolitic script, created in the ninth century by Cyril and Methodius for Slavic liturgy. It was used in Croatia for centuries, especially in Istria and Dalmatia, and is an important part of Croatian cultural heritage.

The Baška Tablet, a stone inscription from around 1100 found on the island of Krk. Written in Glagolitic script, it records a land grant by a Croatian king and is considered the oldest known monument of Croatian literacy.

The national flag, a red-white-blue horizontal tricolour with the Croatian coat of arms in the centre. The shield shows a red-and-white checkerboard (šahovnica) topped by five smaller shields representing historical Croatian lands.

The red-and-white checkerboard pattern on the Croatian coat of arms and flag. It appears on the main shield and has become a widely recognized national symbol, used on sports jerseys and official insignia.

Croatia's national anthem, 'Lijepa naša domovino', with lyrics by Antun Mihanović and music by Josip Runjanin. It was written in the nineteenth century and adopted as the anthem of the independent state in the 1990s.

The Croatian interlace, a decorative pattern of woven triple bands used since the early Middle Ages on churches and stone monuments. It is a recognizable motif of Croatian cultural heritage and appears on modern souvenirs and emblems.

The Croatian War of Independence, fought from 1991 to 1995 after Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia. It ended with military operations such as Oluja and with the peaceful reintegration of eastern Slavonia in 1998.

Operation Storm, a Croatian military offensive in August 1995 that ended large-scale fighting in the war and restored control over most occupied territory. It is commemorated as a national holiday, Dan pobjede i domovinske zahvalnosti.

Independence Day, observed on 8 October, commemorating the 1991 decision of the Croatian Parliament to sever ties with Yugoslavia. It is a public holiday and part of the country's commemorative calendar alongside Victory Day on 5 August.

Baptism, the Christian sacrament of initiation, common in Croatia's predominantly Catholic society. It is usually celebrated with a family gathering, and a godparent (kum) plays a formal role in the ceremony and later in the child's life.

The godparent relationship in Croatian Catholic and Orthodox tradition. A kum or kuma sponsors a child at baptism or a couple at marriage and is expected to support the family, creating lasting social ties between the two families.

A Croatian wedding celebration, traditionally including a civil ceremony at the registry office or a church wedding, followed by a feast with music and dancing. Customs vary by region, and guests commonly give money as a gift.

Christmas, celebrated on 25 December by Croatia's Catholic majority and a public holiday. Traditions include Advent wreaths, decorating a Christmas tree, attending midnight Mass, and festive family meals, often with fish and special pastries.

Easter, the most important Christian feast, celebrated in Croatia with church services, family gatherings, and decorated eggs (pisanice). It is a public holiday, and many traditions such as egg decoration vary from region to region.