Obtaining Slovak Citizenship: Procedure and Requirements

Slovak citizenship can be obtained by foreign applicants either by birth or through the general naturalization procedure. The main condition for acquiring nationality is a proven connection to the country by descent or territory, or full integration into local society.

An applicant may obtain a second passport in Slovakia while retaining their original identity document, provided this is not prohibited by the laws of their country of origin. The granting of citizenship is regulated by the national Law on Citizenship.

Benefits of a Slovak Citizenship Passport

A Slovak passport grants its holder access to the following rights and advantages:

• Visa-free travel to 170 countries. The holder has the right to travel without a visa to all EU and Schengen Area countries, as well as to visit the United States, Canada, and Australia with a simplified electronic entry authorization.
• Residence in any EU country. As Slovakia is a member of the European Union, its citizens can live anywhere within the EU without time restrictions or additional requirements.
• Official employment opportunities. Slovak citizens have the right to apply for jobs in any EU country on equal terms with local residents.
• Access to European education. Citizens of Slovakia can enroll in educational institutions across the EU, including tuition-free programs with scholarship opportunities.
• Business development opportunities. A Slovak passport allows its holder to operate a business within the EU single market, participate in tenders, receive government grants, and benefit from sponsorship programs.
• Access to EU banking services. With Slovak citizenship, individuals can use financial services across the EU, including access to standard rates on loans, deposits, and mortgages.
• Healthcare in modern clinics. Citizens are entitled to medical care and qualified healthcare services in accordance with their insurance coverage.
• Full social benefits package. Slovak citizens can receive state-regulated benefits and rely on government support in cases such as unemployment or other difficult life situations.

Ways to Obtain Slovak Citizenship

Slovak citizenship is granted by the Ministry of the Interior based on a written application and the submission of a complete dossier. The applicant may submit documents at the nearest office of the Ministry within the country or at a consulate or embassy in their country of residence (this does not apply to naturalized applicants).

A foreign national may obtain citizenship on the following grounds:

• By birth. An applicant is entitled to Slovak citizenship if at least one parent (including adoptive parents) holds Slovak citizenship. This also applies to children born or found within the country whose nationality cannot be determined.
• By repatriation. Foreign nationals whose family lineage includes Slovak citizens up to the third generation may apply for citizenship immediately upon arrival in the country, provided they meet other basic requirements. There are no prior residence requirements for repatriates.
• By naturalization. Foreign nationals who have legally resided in Slovakia for 8 years may apply for citizenship, provided they are law-abiding, have not been subject to deportation, possess both spoken and written Slovak language skills, and do not pose a threat to public order or security.

To obtain Slovak citizenship through naturalization, a foreign national must first apply for a residence permit, which allows them to legally stay in the country for the required period with the possibility of renewal. The legal ways to obtain a residence permit are outlined below.

Business

A foreign national who enters Slovakia to carry out commercial activities, either as an individual entrepreneur or on behalf of a company, may obtain temporary residence. The validity period of the residence permit corresponds to the intended duration of the applicant’s activities, but does not exceed 3 years. If the grounds remain valid, the permit can be extended, and after 8 years of total residence in the country, the applicant becomes eligible to apply for Slovak citizenship.

To obtain a temporary residence permit, the applicant must provide documents confirming the purpose of stay — for example, proof of company registration in Slovakia. In addition, the applicant must demonstrate sufficient financial means: at least 20 times the subsistence minimum (4,680 EUR as of 2023) for self-employed individuals, or from 23,400 EUR for company executives.

Employment

A foreign national who has secured a job in a company based in Slovakia may apply for a residence permit. Temporary resident status is granted for the duration of the employment contract, but not exceeding 5 years. As supporting documentation, the applicant must provide an employment contract specifying the duration of cooperation and salary.

A residence permit based on employment can be extended and counts toward the required 8-year residence period needed to obtain Slovak citizenship through naturalization.

Education

A Slovak residence permit may also be issued to foreign nationals who enroll in language schools, secondary education institutions, colleges, universities, or licensed preparatory programs at local higher education institutions. The residence permit is granted for the duration of studies, but not exceeding 6 years, with the possibility of extension.

Applicants may later obtain Slovak citizenship through the general naturalization procedure. However, only half of the time spent in the country on the basis of study is counted toward the required 8-year residence period. To obtain temporary residence, a student must provide a certificate from the educational institution or another document confirming the planned activity.

Special Activities

Foreign nationals who come to Slovakia to carry out specific types of activities may obtain temporary residence status. These include:

• teaching;
• artistic activities;
• sports;
• medical practice;
• volunteering;
• journalism;
• internships;
• other activities regulated by programs of the Slovak Republic or the European Union.

A residence permit is granted for the duration of the planned activity, but not exceeding 24 months, with the possibility of extension. In addition to the standard set of documents, the applicant must provide proof of the purpose of stay — for example, a certificate from a medical institution or an invitation from a sports organization.

Research Activity

A temporary residence permit is available to foreign nationals who enter Slovakia for research and development purposes. The validity of the permit corresponds to the duration of the project, but does not exceed 24 months. The purpose of stay must be confirmed with supporting documents, such as an employment contract or a research agreement.

Family Reunification

The following family members of Slovak citizens and residents may apply for temporary residence:

• a spouse;
• minor unmarried children;
• parents of a refugee under 18 years of age;
• other relatives who require care or are financially dependent on the host (for example, parents).

The validity of the residence permit for family members cannot exceed the duration of the sponsor’s residence status. Individuals residing in Slovakia on the basis of a study permit are not eligible to apply for family reunification. The maximum duration of temporary residence is 5 years.

Applicants must provide documents confirming family ties, such as a marriage or birth certificate. Spouses of Slovak citizens may immediately apply for permanent residence without first obtaining a temporary permit. After 5 years of residence in the country and provided the marriage is maintained, the foreign national may apply for Slovak citizenship.

Refugee Status

Individuals seeking protection who were forced to leave their home country due to threats to their life or health may obtain temporary residence in Slovakia. A residence permit is also granted to victims of human trafficking who cooperate with law enforcement authorities. Each case is reviewed individually by state authorities based on the applicant’s specific circumstances.

After 4 years of residence in Slovakia under a refugee-based residence permit, a foreign national may apply for citizenship.

EU Blue Card

Foreign nationals who plan to carry out highly qualified work in Slovakia may apply for an EU Blue Card. This document is issued to specialists who are employed by a local company and possess either a relevant higher education diploma or at least 5 years of professional experience.

As proof of eligibility, the applicant must provide an employment contract confirming a salary of at least 1.5 times the average wage for the respective profession in Slovakia, according to data from the Statistical Office.

The EU Blue Card is issued for up to 3 years or for the duration of employment specified in the contract. A foreign national may apply for Slovak citizenship through the general naturalization procedure after 8 years of total legal residence in the country.

How to Obtain Slovak Citizenship

Obtaining Slovak citizenship is a multi-stage process that requires careful preparation, compliance with legal requirements, and a clear understanding of each step — from applying for a residence permit to taking the oath of allegiance. Below is a detailed overview of the key stages an applicant must go through on the path to becoming a Slovak citizen.

If the application is approved, the applicant returns to the same office to take the oath of allegiance. After the ceremony, the new citizen receives a certificate of Slovak citizenship, which is then used to obtain national documents such as an ID card, passport, tax identification number, and civil status certificates.

Requirements for Obtaining Slovak Citizenship

An applicant seeking Slovak citizenship through the standard naturalization procedure must meet the following requirements:

• continuous residence in the country with a residence permit or permanent residence for 8 years (except in special cases);
• no ongoing criminal proceedings or relevant court cases within the last 5 years;
• proficiency in spoken and written Slovak;
• not posing a threat to public order or the security of the Slovak Republic;
• lawful compliance with obligations related to residence in the country (valid health insurance, payment of taxes);
• no pending cases of expulsion, deportation, withdrawal of asylum, or extradition.

There are no prior residence requirements in cases of repatriation. Additionally, applicants who have made a significant contribution to the economic, cultural, scientific, sporting, technical, or social development of the country may obtain citizenship through an accelerated naturalization process.

Spouses of Slovak citizens may apply for a passport after 5 years of residence in the country, while refugees may do so after 4 years.

Cost of Obtaining Citizenship Status

It is not legally possible to purchase Slovak citizenship. There is also no citizenship-by-investment program in the country; however, a significant contribution to the national economy may be considered an advantage when applying through an accelerated naturalization process.

The exact cost of obtaining Slovak citizenship can only be determined on a case-by-case basis. The basic expenses associated with naturalization are presented in the table below:

Required Documents

The basic list of documents for obtaining Slovak citizenship through the standard naturalization procedure includes:

• a completed application form in the official language;
• a detailed biography of the applicant;
• a valid identity document;
• civil status certificates — birth, marriage/divorce, or death of a spouse (if applicable);
• a valid temporary or permanent residence permit;
• a criminal record certificate issued within the last 6 months from each country where the applicant has held residence during the past 15 years;
• documents confirming compliance with residence obligations in Slovakia (health insurance, certificate from an educational institution or employer, copy of the employment contract, information on passive income such as state pensions, as well as tax and insurance contributions, if applicable);
• a document confirming sufficient proficiency in the Slovak language.

If the application is submitted by a minor, it must be signed by both parents. If only one parent signs the application, the other must provide a written, legalized consent for the child to acquire Slovak citizenship.

The Ministry of the Interior may request additional documents from the applicant, informing them of the deadlines for submission. After receiving the citizenship certificate, the applicant may proceed with obtaining a Slovak passport.

To obtain a national identity document, the applicant must provide:

• a completed standard application form;
• a document confirming acquisition of citizenship, issued no more than 6 months prior;
• marriage and birth certificates, if applicable;
• proof of payment of the administrative fee (the amount depends on the processing time).

Photographs are not required, as the document is issued in the form of a biometric plastic card, and the applicant’s data is captured at the time of application.

Refusal to Grant Citizenship

An applicant may be denied Slovak citizenship in the following cases:

• falsification of documents or important information in the application form;
• submission of an incomplete dossier;
• concealment of information that could have influenced the decision;
• failure to meet the legal requirements established for applicants;
• posing a threat to public health or national security.

In the event of a refusal, the applicant has the right to challenge the decision by filing an appeal in court. To avoid complications when applying for citizenship, it is advisable to carefully review all requirements and the list of necessary documents, or seek assistance from qualified migration specialists.

Obtaining a Slovak Passport

A Slovak citizen’s passport is issued by the district police department responsible for the applicant’s place of permanent or temporary residence, based on a personal application. The applicant may book an appointment in advance for a convenient date through the Ministry of the Interior’s online system.

The step-by-step procedure for obtaining a Slovak passport is as follows:

• collection of documents (the list is provided above);
• submission of the dossier and biometric data (for applicants over 12 years old);
• processing of the application within 2–30 days (the status can be checked online on the Ministry’s website);
• notification of readiness;
• personal collection of the passport.

After obtaining a national identity card, the applicant may also apply for an international passport with a validity period of 10 years. The procedure is similar to that for obtaining a national ID and is also carried out at a police department.

In addition to identity documents, the applicant may obtain civil status certificates from local registry offices and register a taxpayer identification number with the tax authorities.

Is Dual Citizenship Allowed in Slovakia?

There are no agreements on dual citizenship between Slovakia and other countries. However, when obtaining Slovak citizenship, an applicant is not required to renounce their original citizenship unless it is mandated by the laws of their country of origin.

The Constitution of Slovakia does not require authorities to notify other states about the acquisition of Slovak citizenship.

Second Passport Through a Simplified Procedure: Alternative Solutions

For most applicants from non-EU countries, obtaining Slovak citizenship is available only through the standard naturalization process. This is a lengthy and resource-intensive path that requires long-term residence in the country, valid grounds for obtaining residency, as well as learning the local language, culture, and legal framework.

An alternative to obtaining a Slovak passport is acquiring EU citizenship through repatriation programs. For applicants from outside the European Union, one of the most practical options is restoring citizenship in countries such as Romania, Bulgaria, or Poland. This process can take up to 1.5 years and does not require relocation, knowledge of a foreign language, or significant financial investment. With a passport from any of these countries, an individual gains the right to live and work across the EU. For detailed guidance on repatriation programs, it is advisable to consult migration specialists.

Reviews of Legalization Support in Slovakia

Feedback from individuals who have obtained Slovak citizenship or a second EU passport shows that professional legal assistance significantly reduces both time and financial costs. Applicants highlight the careful and personalized approach of migration specialists, who select the most suitable pathway based on the client’s goals, background, and financial situation.