How to obtain Slovak citizenship by descent

An applicant with permission to reside in Slovakia (Milestone 2/3) can apply for Slovak citizenship by descent (Milestone 3/3). The applicant must have at least one direct ancestor, up to the third most recent generation (parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent), who was a Czechoslovak citizen born in the territory of present-day Slovakia. If either of these criteria isn't met, the applicant must obtain a Slovak Living Abroad certificate (Milestone 1/3) and reside in Slovakia for three (3) years or demonstrate a significant benefit/contribution to the Slovak diaspora. If the applicant cannot complete an uninterrupted three-year residency, they must explain their absence. 

Applicants who fail to meet the requirements above can still apply for Slovak citizenship based on an exemption if they have significantly contributed to the benefit of the Slovak Republic or if it's in the country's interest for any other reason. One of these reasons could be family reunification. This argument may be used by a family member who isn't of Slovak descent, like a spouse and the applicant's children, if their Slovak ancestor is from the fourth most recent generation and beyond. Note that applying for Slovak citizenship based on an exemption is riskier, and success cannot be guaranteed.

If the applicant doesn't have at least one ancestor who was a Czechoslovak citizen and doesn't want to complete a three-year residency in Slovakia, they must demonstrate a significant benefit/contribution to the Slovak diaspora in one of the following areas: economic, scientific, technical, cultural, social, or athletic. The Minister of Internal Affairs, who decides on these specific citizenship applications, will request the opinion of the Office for Slovaks Living Abroad and testimony from a Slovak expatriate organization operating in the applicant’s country of residence. Currently, no specific guidelines or objective criteria exist to determine whether an applicant significantly benefits the community of Slovaks living abroad. We believe the Minister will evaluate each case individually and consider the applicant’s potential “footprint” in the Slovak diaspora. Therefore, we recommend that the applicant utilizes their professional or personal potential (e.g., in culture, art, entertainment, sports, innovation, technology, science, education, healthcare, business, society, charity, philanthropy, and professional services) to highlight where they will have the most significant impact. We can help you facilitate a connection with several Slovak expatriate organizations to start building your reputation in the Slovak diaspora.

Yes, it is. You’re not required to renounce or waive your current citizenship before applying for Slovak citizenship, and you won’t lose your existing citizenship by acquiring  Slovak citizenship. According to our knowledge, neither the USA, Canada, UK, nor Israel takes away their citizenship when Slovak citizenship is acquired. However, we advise consulting each specific case with a licensed legal practitioner in the relevant jurisdiction. 

All documents must either be originals or certified true copies. In addition, official documents issued in any jurisdiction other than the Slovak Republic, i.e., all foreign documents, must be apostilled (applicable for the USA, Canada, UK, Israel, and all other Hague Convention countries) or authenticated and then super-legalized (applicable for countries that are not parties to the Hague Convention).

All foreign documents must be officially translated into Slovak by a sworn translator registered by the Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic or an officially registered foreign translator. Official translation by a foreign translator must also be apostilled or super-legalized unless the Slovak Embassy/Consulate confirms the translator’s competence on a cover letter submitted to the Ministry.

The administrative fee for granting citizenship by descent is EUR 30 (if the Slovak ancestor is the applicant's parent or grandparent) or EUR 1,000 (if the Slovak ancestor is the applicant's great-grandparent). The fee is EUR 210 for children over 15 and EUR 140 for children under 15. If the application is based on an SLA certificate and a completed three-year residency in Slovakia or a significant benefit/contribution to the Slovak diaspora, the administrative fee is EUR 560. Applicants over 65 are released from the administrative fee. Also, the fee may be reduced or waived if the applicant has significantly contributed to the benefit of the Slovak Republic or has been devoted long-term to the benefit of the Slovak diaspora. The administrative fees are due after Slovak citizenship is granted.

If the application is submitted at a Slovak Embassy/Consulate, the file is then transferred to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Slovak Republic to start the proceedings. A Slovak Embassy/Consulate doesn't have the jurisdiction to conduct citizenship proceedings or decide on your application. The Ministry consults several governmental agencies and, in some instances, the Office for Slovaks Living Abroad to evaluate the citizenship application. If necessary, the Ministry may request additional documents to determine the actual state of affairs, e.g., to clarify any fact concerning the citizenship application. If the Ministry finds discrepancies in the submitted documents, the applicant may be required to explain and justify them. The Ministry or a Slovak Embassy/Consulate may also summon the applicant to an interview to provide additional information. Moreover, the applicant must notify the Ministry without delay of any change in personal data, marital status, the information stated in the questionnaire, and other documents submitted with the application.

Unless you become a Slovak tax resident (by having a permanent residence in Slovakia, residing in Slovakia for more than 183 days per year, or creating/maintaining a steady home/household in Slovakia), you don’t have to declare taxes and file tax returns in Slovakia. You’re only required to do so if you have an income from sources based in Slovakia, and you are taxed on that income only (usually, this includes any salary from employment in Slovakia, profit distribution from a business in Slovakia, or revenue from the selling or renting of property in Slovakia if any profit was made). Also, there is a 1993 Double Taxation Treaty between the USA and Slovakia and a 2001 Double Taxation Treaty between Canada and Slovakia to prevent double taxation so that you are never taxed in both countries on the same income. We advise consulting each specific case with a licensed legal/tax practitioner in the relevant jurisdiction.