Eligibility quiz
Was one of your parents, grandparents or great-grandparents born in what is now Slovakia and a citizen of Czechoslovakia?
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 an embassyApplying at an embassy
Find your embassy
Find the Slovak embassy responsible for the place where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Slovak embassy serves your city for Slovak citizenship by descent applications?”
Download the application forms
Get the Slovak citizenship application and the questionnaire and CV forms from the embassy’s citizenship page.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download Slovak citizenship by descent application and questionnaire forms for the embassy serving your city?”
Fill in your forms
Complete the application, questionnaire and detailed CV, explaining your family connection to your ancestor. If the embassy asks for a permanent residence application too, complete it to submit with your citizenship application.
Get form guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Slovak citizenship by descent application and questionnaire?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the embassy.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Contact the embassy and follow its instructions to book a citizenship appointment.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a Slovak citizenship by descent appointment at the embassy serving your city?”
Go to your appointment
Bring your completed forms and original documents to the embassy. Submit your application in person and sign it in front of the official.
Prepare for your appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Slovak citizenship by descent application at an embassy?”
Wait for the decision
The embassy sends your application to Slovakia for a decision. Respond if the authorities ask for more information or documents, and contact the embassy if you need an update.
See how long it takesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Slovak citizenship by descent application at an embassy take?”
Receive your certificate
If your application is approved, follow the embassy’s instructions to receive your citizenship certificate. You can then apply for a Slovak passport.
Find certificate instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive my Slovak citizenship certificate after a Slovak citizenship by descent application at an embassy?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get your birth certificate and the birth records of your parent, grandparent and great-grandparent that link you to one another. Your great-grandparent’s record should show that they were born in present-day Slovakia. If you were adopted or a name in the records changed, include the adoption decision or name-change record.
Great-grandparent's citizenship records
Provide evidence that your great-grandparent was a Czechoslovak citizen, such as their Czechoslovak passport, citizenship certificate, military booklet or an archival or census record showing their citizenship. Their birth certificate alone does not prove citizenship.
Family marriage certificates *
Get the marriage certificates for your parent, grandparent or great-grandparent that help connect your family records. Include a divorce record or name-change record if it is needed to explain a change of name.
* Only if a marriage record is needed to show your family connection or explain a name change.
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
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