Slovak citizenship by ancestry eligibility test

WHAT IS CITIZENSHIP-BY-ANCESTRY (“CBA”) IN SLOVAKIA?

Slovak CBA is a method by which those of Slovak descent secure Slovak citizenship through their blood link with a qualifying Slovak ancestor.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF OBTAINING SLOVAK CBA?

Becoming a Slovak citizen not only allows one to live, work, and study in Slovakia and across all EU member states without getting a visa, it also grants access to the Slovak passport, which is the world's fifth most powerful passport in terms of travel freedom in 2023. Holders of Slovak passport enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 171 destinations around the world, and in times of emergency, they are entitled to call for help from the Slovak government or the embassy of any other EU member states.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR SLOVAK CBA?

Anyone who holds a resident permit in Slovakia and who has a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent who was born as a Slovak or Czechoslovak citizen in the modern-day territory of Slovakia and held Czechoslovak citizenship may apply for the Slovak CBA. Those who have a qualifying Slovak ancestor but who do not hold a resident permit in Slovakia will need to apply for a resident permit to support the processing of the citizenship application.

CAN I CLAIM SLOVAK CBA FROM A SLOVAK ANCESTOR WHO HAD LOST OR RENOUNCED HIS/HER SLOVAK CITIZENSHIP?

Yes, this would not be an issue.

CAN DEPENDENT CHILDREN BE INCLUDED IN THE SAME APPLICATION?

Minor children under 14 years old can be included in the same application.

HOW DOES THE APPLICATION PROCESS LOOK LIKE?

The process to claiming Slovak citizenship and passport through bloodline typically starts with gathering of the necessary documentation to establish the applicant’s link with the Slovak ancestor and proof of the ancestor’s Czechoslovak citizenship. If any document that is not in Slovak language, they must be translated and legalized. If the applicant does not have sufficient documentation proving his connection with the Slovak ancestor or the registration of his ancestor as a Czechoslovak citizen, it may be necessary to conduct a search for the relevant records at the Slovak authority prior to preparing the citizenship application. Once all required documentation is available, the citizenship application must be carefully reviewed and prepared to ensure that it meets the submission standards required by the Slovak authority. Applicants may then schedule an appointment to submit the citizenship application to a nearby Slovak consulate. If all requirements are met, a positive decision awarding the Slovak citizenship would be granted and successful applicants may then apply for the Slovak passport and enjoy all rights and freedoms typically conferred on EU citizens.

WHAT IS THE USUAL PROCESSING TIME?

On average, the Slovak authority takes about 2 years to process Slovak CBA applications, but the processing time could vary depending on the complexity of the applicant’s case and the overall presentation of the file. A longer processing time is possible if the application submitted is incomplete or the documentation provided is improperly translated. Therefore, it is important to work with a qualified legal professional to ensure that the application package prepared is complete and meets the submission standards required by the Slovak authority. Applicant who needs to apply for a Slovak resident permit to support the processing of the Slovak CBA application should note that the Slovak authority typically takes about 3 months to process the resident permit applications.

DO I NEED TO TRAVEL OR RESIDE IN SLOVAKIA AS PART OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS?

Slovak CBA applicants who hold a valid Slovak resident permit do not need to visit or reside in Slovakia to support the citizenship application process. They may simply visit a nearby Slovak consulate to submit their citizenship application. Slovak CBA applicants who do not hold a valid Slovak resident permit will need to apply for a resident permit to support the citizenship application process and they must visit Slovakia to activate the resident permit following the receipt of a positive decision on their resident permit applications.

DO I NEED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF KNOWLEDGE OF THE SLOVAK LANGUAGE, HITSORY OR CULTURE DURING THE APPLICATION PROCESS?

No. Applicants are not required to demonstrate knowledge of the Slovak language, history, or culture during the application process. Although one may be required to attend an interview at a nearby Slovak consulate to submit the resident permit application and/or citizenship application, the interview can be conducted in any language understood by both parties and one may engage an interpreter in the interview process.

IS DUAL CITIZENSHIP ALLOWED IN SLOVAKIA?

Yes. Slovakia recognizes dual citizenship, so there is no need to renounce one’s citizenship(s) before securing Slovak citizenship.