Eligibility quiz
Was one of your parents, grandparents or great-grandparents a citizen of Czechoslovakia born in what is now Slovakia?
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 consulateApplying at a consulate
Find your consulate
Find the Slovak embassy or consulate that serves the place where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Slovak embassy or consulate serves your city for a Slovak citizenship by descent application?”
Download the application form
Get the application for granting Slovak citizenship and the citizenship questionnaire.
Find the formsSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download the Slovak citizenship by descent application and questionnaire?”
Fill in the forms
Fill in the application and questionnaire, and sign your application.
Find form guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Slovak citizenship by descent application and questionnaire?”
Prepare your CV
Write and sign a structured CV covering your personal details, education, work, other income-producing activities, languages, skills and interests.
Find CV guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I prepare a structured CV for a Slovak citizenship by descent application?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the embassy or consulate.
See required documentsArrange your visit
Ask your embassy or consulate whether you need an appointment, and book one if required.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I arrange an appointment for Slovak citizenship by descent at the Slovak embassy or consulate serving your city?”
Hand in your application
Go in person to your embassy or consulate with your signed application, questionnaire, CV and required documents.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Slovak citizenship by descent application at the Slovak embassy or consulate serving your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the decision on your application and respond if the authorities ask for more information or documents.
Find decision informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens while I wait for a Slovak citizenship by descent decision at an embassy or consulate?”
Pay the fee
Pay the €30 fee when the authority has performed the act. Ask the embassy or consulate which payment methods it accepts.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Slovak citizenship by descent fee at the Slovak embassy or consulate serving your city?”
Receive your citizenship document
Once approved, follow the issuing authority’s instructions to receive your citizenship document and complete any required formalities. You can then apply for a Slovak passport.
Find collection instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive my Slovak citizenship document after a citizenship by descent application at an embassy or consulate?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get your birth certificate and those of your parent and your Slovak grandparent from the offices that hold the records. Your grandparent’s record must show that they were born in Slovakia. If a child is included in your application, add their birth certificate.
Grandparent's citizenship records
Get an official record showing that your Slovak grandparent was a Czechoslovak citizen from the office that holds their citizenship records. A birth certificate alone does not prove citizenship.
Marriage certificates *
Get your marriage certificate and any marriage records needed to show the family ties between you, your parent and your Slovak grandparent. If you are divorced, include your final divorce judgment or confirmation; if your spouse has died, include their death certificate. Add records of any name changes needed to connect the family records.
* Only if you are or have been married or a marriage record is needed to show your family ties.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
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
Slovak Living Abroad Certificate & Slovak Citizenship
English Facebook group for people interested in Slovak citizenship
Request to joinr/SlovakCBD
English Reddit group for people interested in Slovak citizenship and visas
Join on RedditSlovak Citizenship by Descent - a new group w/ less wait time
English Facebook group for people interested in Slovak citizenship
Request to joinConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
Adavia doesn't provide advice, but we're building a directory of professionals who do. If you'd like, we can notify you when help is available.
Updated