Main Rules of Slovak Citizenship
Major legislative changes that came into force in spring 2022, Slovakia has launched one of the most attractive programs for obtaining nationality based on ancestral roots in Europe. In addition, Slovakia citizenship can be gained at birth, through marriage, or by following the traditional path of naturalization after living in the country for at least 8 years with a residence permit.
How to Obtain Slovak Citizenship?
The law provides several options for acquiring citizen status, but not all of them are available to foreigners. In almost all cases, a basic knowledge of the republic's official language and proof of financial independence are required. For foreigners wishing to acquire a passport, the standard naturalization process takes 8 years.
The rules for becoming a citizen may also be as follows:
- You have no criminal record and aren’t subject to any criminal proceedings, deportation proceedings, or asylum requests.
- You have demonstrated oral and written proficiency in the language, as well as general knowledge about the state (for persons aged 14 and older).
- You comply with the laws and fulfill your obligations as a foreigner in accordance with the legal order.
Persons who have contributed to the development of the economic, scientific, and other spheres of the republic may not be subject to the conditions of mandatory residence in the country and knowledge of the state language. In this case, the government decides on an individual basis whether to grant status.
Application Procedure
You can apply for citizenship in Slovakia either at the district administration or through the country’s diplomatic missions and consular offices abroad. After that, the documents are sent to the Ministry of the Interior, where they are reviewed, and a final decision is made.
If the query is approved, the applicant must take an oath of allegiance within 6 months. Failure to do so will result in the suspension of the process. In case of refusal, reapplication is possible only after 2 years.
