Obtaining Slovak Citizenship

A Slovak passport opens up a wide range of opportunities for a comfortable life in the European Union, without necessarily having to renounce your own country’s citizenship. There are several ways of how to obtain Slovak citizenship, each of which is governed by specific regulations. The main document that determines the procedure, conditions, and requirements for applicants is the Slovak Citizenship Act.

Ways to Obtain Slovak Citizenship

The right to choose a passport is granted only in cases expressly specified by law. A person may express their preference and choose one of the available options. A historical example is 1993, when, after the breakup of Czechoslovakia, residents could decide which passport to keep: Czech or Slovak. 

Based on Place of Residence 

How to get Slovak citizenship? It is possible, depending on residence, if certain conditions are met. Please take them into account:

• residence for at least 8 years on a permanent basis to submit the application;
• presence in the country for 3 years, residence prior to applying;
• residence for 10 years and permanent resident status at the time of application;
• no citizenship and residence in the country for at least 3 consecutive years. 

The main factors are the duration and continuity of the stay, as well as the applicant’s legal status.

By Birth 

A child is entitled to a passport of the country in a few cases, and it is these situations that determine how to get citizenship in Slovakia for minors. The grounds include: 

• if at least one parent has local citizenship;
• if the child was born in the country and the parents don’t have any citizenship;
• if the parents are foreigners, but the child didn’t receive their citizenship at birth;
• if the child was born here and didn’t obtain a passport from another country;
• if the child is found in the country and the parents are unknown, the child’s citizenship status remains unknown until another citizenship is proven.

Even if it later transpires that the parent with local status isn’t the biological parent, the child’s right to a passport remains.

Marriage/Family Reunification

Family members of a resident or citizen of the country- spouses, children, and dependent relatives – can apply for temporary or permanent residence, depending on the permission of the inviting party. To obtain Slovak citizenship, it is necessary to confirm family ties, secure housing, and have sufficient income to support oneself and one’s loved ones. Such permits are usually valid for up to 5 years, after which they can be renewed. Subsequently, it is possible to undergo the naturalization process. 

Marriage is particularly valuable. Spouses of local residents have the right to immediately apply for a 5-year residence permit. To do so, they need a marriage certificate and an identity document confirming the status of a citizen who has entered into a union with a foreigner. Additionally, you can apply for permanent residence, and if you meet the conditions for naturalization, you can apply to get citizenship in Slovakia. 

By Origin

Slovak citizenship obtain is only possible if you can prove that your ancestors had Czechoslovak nationality and were born in the territory that is now part of Slovakia. However, simply fulfilling these conditions isn’t enough. You must also provide documentary evidence. To do this, the applicant must show:

1. The ancestor had Czechoslovak nationality, confirmed by passports, census records, certificates of residence, birth certificates, or marriage certificates, if they explicitly state citizenship. Documents must be Czechoslovak or Slovak; originals or certified copies are submitted to the authorities. 
2. The fact that the ancestor was born in the territory of modern Slovakia is confirmed by a birth certificate, which can be requested from the registry office or archives. It is essential that the place of birth is within the current territory of the country.
3. Family ties between the applicant and the ancestor, proven by direct line birth certificates, as well as documents confirming a change of name, if applicable. 

Only if you have all the evidence, you will be able obtaining Slovak citizenship through this route. 

By Investing 

Immigration through investment is regulated by Law No. 175/1999. A legal entity registered in the country and holding a certificate or significant investment from the Ministry of Economy is recognized as a major foreign investor. Entry and residence are granted only to major foreign investors who open a business in the country. To obtain an investment visa, it is necessary to invest at least €100 million in the enterprise’s development, create at least 300 jobs, and ensure a significant economic impact. 

Foreign investors must meet not only financial conditions but also several additional requirements. One of the mandatory documents is a certificate of good conduct. It must be provided by both citizens arriving from their own country and those who have lived in other countries. If the applicant isn’t an EU citizen and has lived in any European country for more than 3 months in the last 3 years, they must obtain such a certificate there.

Benefits of Slovak Citizenship 

Citizenship in Slovakia offers opportunities to live in a stable European environment. Holders of the document automatically receive EU citizenship, which gives them a wide range of opportunities. Among the key advantages are:

• freedom to live and work in any European Union country;
• access to social security and government benefits;
• simplified entry into most countries worldwide and preferential visa processing;
• the ability to use banking products from leading European institutions;
• the right to medical care and quality education on par with other EU citizens;
• participation in elections and influence on the future of the country;
• purchase of real estate in Europe under simplified rules. 

All these rights make the document one of the most powerful in the world. In 2022, it ranked 5th in terms of freedom of movement with visa-free travel to 182 countries.

Denial of Citizenship

Citizenship may be denied if the applicant has submitted incomplete or inaccurate documents, used fictitious certificates, failed to meet the required period of residence in the country, has a criminal record for which the 5-year statute of limitations hasn’t yet expired, or has previously been deported or prosecuted. It might also happen due to insufficient language proficiency. To increase the chances of a positive decision, it is better to consult with an immigration specialist in advance and carefully check all documents before submitting them. 

Among the errors made when submitting documents, mistakes in spelling first and last names are common. Documents issued in different countries, such as Slovakia, Hungary, Germany, the United States, and Canada, may contain various spellings of the same last name. Many people believe that such discrepancies are insignificant and will be accepted automatically, but in practice, the authorities require confirmation that all versions refer to the same person. Without explanations or evidence, the process can be delayed for a long time.

Common Myths About Acquiring a Local Passport

To understand Slovak citizenship how to obtain, first, popular myths need to be debunked. One of them is that buying real estate speeds up the process. In fact, purchasing an apartment or house doesn’t offer any advantages: unlike Greece or Portugal, Slovakia doesn’t offer a residence permit program for real estate investment, and the ownership of real estate is considered only one of the conditions for naturalization. 

Another myth is about marriage. Getting hitched to a Slovak citizen doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get a passport. It is possible to apply for citizenship after 5 years of residence, rather than the standard 8 years, but they must first obtain a residence permit and meet the integration requirements. The authorities carefully check each application, and if a marriage is suspected to be fictitious, the residence permit is revoked, and entry into the country and the EU is denied.

How Much Does a Slovak Passport Cost?

Standard naturalization costs around €1,730 in administrative fees for employees. For family reunification, the fee starts at €1,630. Spouses of local citizens who can apply for status after 5 years of residence are exempt from most payments, except for the mandatory fee for granting status and issuing national documents – €1,057. These amounts show the real Slovak citizenship price. 

In addition to administrative fees, consider extra costs. These include document legalization (from €10 per page) and translation services (from €12 per unit). It is also vital to consider the cost of living. Monthly expenses for one person are around €700. You can find out the cost of housing and approximate prices for food, transportation, and other necessities online.

If you want to buy Slovak citizenship, beware of dubious offers. This country doesn’t even have a program for obtaining residency through investment. Any promises to “buy Slovak citizenship” are fraudulent and can result not only in financial losses but also in serious legal problems, including administrative and criminal liability for using forged documents. 

How is the Language Test Conducted?

The language exam is a mandatory step for obtaining permanent residence and further processing of a passport for the country. It tests oral and written skills, as well as basic knowledge about the country, which helps with integration and facilitates communication with local residents. The following are exempt from this requirement: 

• children under 14 years of age;
• Czech citizens;
• holders of a Slovak certificate living abroad;
• persons over 65 years of age;
• those who have successfully passed a final or state language exam at school or university, if no more than 10 years have passed. 

For everyone else, it is sufficient to pass the basic state exam at level B2, which confirms language proficiency and paves the way to obtaining a passport. 

Why Is It Better to Turn to Professionals to Acquire Citizenship?

“Slovakia how to obtain citizenship” is a complex query. To ensure the process runs smoothly at every stage, you need to be aware of all legal and administrative nuances. Each country has its own rules for obtaining citizenship. To choose the best way to get a passport for your specific situation, it is worth consulting with lawyers specializing in international law. Experienced professionals will help you navigate all stages of immigration without unnecessary problems, monitor compliance with the law, and account for any changes. Professional support provides more opportunities and helps you save time and money.