Eligibility quiz
Do you have a valid certificate of Slovak living abroad status?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Slovak passport and ID
A Slovak passport proves identity and citizenship, and citizens can also hold a Slovak identity card.
Adults may hold two passports, normally valid for 10 and 5 years; passports for minors have shorter validity.
A valid passport or identity card can be used to travel in the EU and Schengen area.
Live in Slovakia for life
Slovak citizens can enter, live in and return to Slovakia without renewing a residence permit.
Study in Slovakia
Slovak citizens have a right to free primary and secondary education.
Publicly supported higher education is also available, depending on legal conditions and available places.
Work in Slovakia
Slovak citizens can work for any employer or work for themselves in Slovakia.
Get help abroad
Slovak missions can help in emergencies, including after a passport is lost or stolen, and provide a replacement document for return.
Outside the EU, where Slovakia has no representation, citizens can seek help from another EU country.
Vote and run for office
Slovak citizens can take part in public life, vote and have equal access to elected and other public offices.
Voting is generally from age 18, with conditions depending on the election.
Use public healthcare
Slovak citizens have a right to public healthcare and medical aids under the rules for health insurance and care.
Get social support
Slovak citizens in material need have a right to help with basic living conditions.
Pensions and other social benefits depend on the relevant insurance, residence, income, family or disability rules.
How to apply
Applying at a local officeApplying at a local office
Find your local office
Find the district office in the seat of the region that serves the place where you live in Slovakia.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Slovak district office in the seat of a region handles citizenship for a Slovak living abroad in your city?”
Get the application form
Get the written citizenship application form from your district office.
Find the application formSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get the form to apply for Slovak citizenship for a Slovak living abroad at a district office?”
Fill in the form
Complete and sign the citizenship application form.
Get help with the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the application for Slovak citizenship for a Slovak living abroad at a district office?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the district office.
See required documentsHand in your application
Go to your district office in person with your signed application and the required original or certified documents. Ask the office how it accepts applications.
See how to applySearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I hand in an application for Slovak citizenship for a Slovak living abroad at a district office?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the citizenship decision and respond if the authorities ask for more information or documents.
See what happens nextSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens after I apply for Slovak citizenship for a Slovak living abroad at a district office?”
Take the citizenship oath
If your application is approved, follow the authority's instructions to take the citizenship oath.
Learn about the oathSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I take the oath after approval for Slovak citizenship for a Slovak living abroad?”
Collect your grant document
Receive your citizenship grant document and pay the applicable fee when you receive it; ask the authority how to pay. You can then apply for a Slovak passport.
Get your grant documentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive my grant document and pay the fee for Slovak citizenship for a Slovak living abroad at a district office?”
Documents needed
Required to applyRequired to apply
Birth certificate
Submit your birth certificate. Provide the original or a certified copy.
Proof of Slovak residence
Submit proof of your residence in Slovakia. It should show three uninterrupted years immediately before your application if you are applying based on residence, or authorised residence if you are applying based on your contribution to Slovaks living abroad.
Police certificates
Get a police certificate or equivalent good-conduct document from every country where you are or have been a citizen, and every country where you had authorised residence during the 15 years before applying. Each document must be no more than six months old.
Application form
Submit your completed and signed citizenship application. It includes your personal details, address and reasons for applying.
Slovak abroad certificate
Submit your valid certificate showing that you are a Slovak living abroad. You must obtain this certificate before applying for citizenship; it does not itself grant citizenship.
Valid identity document
Bring a valid identity document showing a current front-facing image of your face. Submit the document as requested by the office receiving your application.
Detailed life history
Submit a detailed, dated and signed life history. Include your personal details, education, jobs and other paid work, languages, special abilities and interests.
Marriage certificate *
Submit your marriage certificate. Provide the original or a certified copy.
* Only if you are married.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationDivorce record *
Submit the final divorce judgment or certificate. Provide the original or a certified copy.
* Only if you are divorced.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationSpouse's death certificate *
Submit your spouse's death certificate. Provide the original or a certified copy.
* Only if your spouse has died.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationStudy confirmation *
Provide confirmation of your studies if this applies to you. If it does not, provide a sworn declaration explaining why instead.
* Only if the office cannot obtain the relevant information from public records.
Tax and customs records *
Provide the relevant tax, customs and municipal confirmations, including an employer's confirmation of income tax paid where applicable. If a document does not apply to you, provide a sworn declaration explaining why instead.
* Only if the office cannot obtain the relevant information from public records.
Insurance payment records *
Provide confirmation of your health-insurance payments and how long you have been insured, and any relevant employer confirmations of social, health and pension payments. If a document does not apply to you, provide a sworn declaration explaining why instead.
* Only if the office cannot obtain the relevant information from public records.
Proof of last residence *
Submit proof of your last permanent residence in Slovakia. You can provide a sworn declaration instead.
* Only if you are a former Slovak citizen.
Proof of contribution *
Bring evidence of your significant contribution to the community of Slovaks living abroad from which you come. Ask the office receiving your application what evidence it accepts.
* Only if you are applying based on your contribution to Slovaks living abroad.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationFormer citizenship record *
Submit your document releasing you from Slovak or Czechoslovak citizenship, or your naturalisation certificate or confirmation that you acquired another citizenship. Provide the original or a certified copy.
* Only if you are a former Slovak or Czechoslovak citizen.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationEmployment records *
Provide your employment confirmation and work contract, and an employer's confirmation of your income where applicable. If a document does not apply to you, provide a sworn declaration explaining why instead.
* Only if the office cannot obtain the relevant information from public records.
Pension confirmation *
Provide confirmation of your pension if this applies to you. If it does not, provide a sworn declaration explaining why instead.
* Only if the office cannot obtain the relevant information from public records.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Reporting another citizenship
Some citizens who acquire another citizenship must notify Slovak authorities.
Military service for men
All Slovak citizens have a duty to defend Slovakia.
Men may be called for armed or alternative service from 1 January of the year they turn 19 to 31 December of the year they turn 55.
The duty can end earlier for legal reasons; an objection based on conscience or religion does not necessarily remove alternative service.
Identity card duties
Slovak citizens over 15 with permanent residence in Slovakia must hold a Slovak identity card.
A lost or stolen card must be reported promptly and replaced within the required period.
Citizenship can be lost
Slovak citizenship can end by voluntary release or acquiring another citizenship through an express act of will.
Exceptions include citizenship acquired by birth, adoption, as a minor, or from a spouse during marriage.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
r/SlovakCBD
English Reddit group for people interested in Slovak citizenship and visas
Join on RedditForeigners in Bratislava
English Facebook group for people living in Slovakia interested in Slovak local life
Join on FacebookForeigners & Expats in Slovakia
English Facebook group for people living in Slovakia interested in Slovak local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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