Obtaining Slovak citizenship

Slovak citizenship is a great option for living in Europe without renouncing your country's passport. You can obtain the status by descent, birth, marriage or through standard naturalization after living here for at least 8 years with a residence permit. The main normative act regulating the procedure, methods of obtaining a passport and requirements for applicants is the Law on Citizenship.

For natives of non-European Union countries, the Slovak passport allows them to expand the range of their opportunities, adding to it visa-free travel, the right to work and invest in any EU state. Additional advantages - favorable tax policy, high level of security, low cost of living and real estate compared to most European countries.

Advantages of Slovak citizenship: what a passport gives you

Slovakia, conveniently located in the center of Europe, offers all the advantages of an EU passport, providing comfortable living and working conditions inside and outside the country. A European passport gives you access to travel to 160+ visa-free countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, as well as:

1. protection by Slovak and European legislation, the right to social assistance, pensions, Numbeo security index - 68.2 (high level of security and social stability);
2. opportunity to live in a country with a stable economy, developed infrastructure and business environment, GDP per capita - more than 23,000 USD (IMF, 2024), quality of life index is high - 148.2;
3. access to quality health services in Slovakia and other European Union countries under a single insurance, health index - 59.6 (good level), EHIC European health insurance is in force;
4. the right to legally work in any EU country without additional permits, the Slovak passport gives access to the labor market in 27 EU countries without visas and permits;
5. the possibility to choose tax residency, favorable conditions for business and investment, corporate tax is 21%, one of the lowest in the Eurozone;
6. receiving preferential or free education in Slovak and European universities, participation in EU programs such as Erasmus+;
7. the right to vote and stand for election, to hold public office, the rating of political freedoms is 90 out of 100 (Freedom House).

Feedback from people who have obtained Slovak citizenship speaks of the many advantages of immigrating to a country that is a member of the EU. At the same time, the main disadvantages are the length of naturalization and bureaucratic difficulties in processing documents. In order to choose the best way to obtain a second passport, deal with all the legal aspects and prepare the necessary dossier, it is recommended to use professional help. Sign up for a free consultation with migration specialists to decide on the strategy of obtaining a European passport in the shortest possible time.

Main ways of obtaining a Slovak passport

The legislation provides several options for acquiring a Slovak passport, but not all of them can be used by foreigners. It is worth considering that in almost all cases it is necessary to know the state language of the republic at a basic level and to prove financial independence. The conditions of entry and stay in Slovakia are regulated by the law “On the Residence of Foreigners 404/2011”.

For foreigners wishing to apply for a Slovak passport, the standard naturalization process will take 8 years. People who have contributed to the development of economic, scientific and other spheres of the republic may not fulfill the conditions of mandatory presence on the territory of the country and knowledge of the state language. The decision on granting the status in this case is made by the government on an individual basis.

Among the grounds that allow you to obtain a residence permit and subsequently apply for a passport of the Slovak Republic are the following:

1. Highly qualified activity. In order to obtain an EU Blue Card, the applicant must first conclude an employment contract with a Slovak employer for at least six months and have a sufficient monthly salary (from 1780 EUR in 2025). The applicant for a residence permit must also demonstrate a diploma or work experience, other evidence of professional qualifications. The document is valid for a maximum of 5 years with the right to prolongation. Citizenship is issued on condition that naturalization requirements are met.
2. Entrepreneurship. For entrepreneurial activity in Slovakia, a residence permit is valid for up to 3 years and renewable. Depending on the type of employment, a trade license, a certificate of company registration, other supporting documents must be presented and you must be able to support yourself. Citizenship is issued on condition of eight years of residence in the country.
3. Employment. The residence permit is valid for up to 5 years and is issued on the basis of an employment contract concluded with a Slovak company. In some cases, it is necessary to provide confirmation of the possibility to fill a vacant position issued by the employment office, recognition of qualifications in case of regulated professions (lawyers, doctors, teachers and others). Permanent resident status can be obtained after 5 years of residence in the territory of the Republic, and after another 3 years, citizenship can be obtained.
4. Family reunification. Spouses, minor children, relatives under the care of a Slovak resident or citizen can obtain a residence permit or a permanent residence permit depending on the type of permission granted by the inviting party. The conditions for issuance of the document are confirmation of family ties, a suitable place of residence for the family and sufficient income to support themselves and relatives who plan to immigrate. The period of validity of the residence permit is up to 5 years with the right to extend it. Citizenship is issued by naturalization.
5. Study. The basis for applying for a student residence permit is enrolment in a Slovak educational institution. The applicant is obliged to demonstrate the availability of financial means sufficient to support himself/herself, to have health insurance. Student residence permit allows to receive education, as well as to carry out entrepreneurial activities in the territory of the state. The term of validity of the residence permit is not more than 6 years, further it is possible to obtain permanent residence and citizenship by naturalization.
6. Marriage. Slovak spouses can immediately become holders of a residence permit valid for 5 years. The key documents are a marriage certificate and an identity card confirming the citizenship of the applicant who has entered into a union with a foreigner. It will also be necessary to prove the presence of sufficient income and housing in the country. Indefinite residence permit can be issued after 4 years. It is possible to apply for citizenship provided that other conditions for naturalization are met.
7. Humanitarian reasons. Having a well-founded fear of persecution (political, religious, racial, etc.) in one's country of origin, one can apply for asylum in Slovakia. If the application is approved, the refugee receives a ten-year residence permit indicating his or her status. One can apply for citizenship of the Slovak Republic after residing in the territory of the state for at least 4 years.

Requirements and procedure for obtaining a Slovak passport

In order to become a Slovak citizen, it is necessary to confirm compliance with the requirements of the migration legislation by submitting legalized documents:

1. passport;
2. birth certificate;
3. an application and a questionnaire containing basic information about the applicant for naturalization;
4. a valid residence permit;
5. civil status certificates (marriage, divorce, death of spouse and others);
6. a certificate of no criminal record from each state in which the applicant has held citizenship or residence permit;
7. health insurance policy;
8. proof of proficiency in the Slovak language;
9. employment contract;
10. proof of sufficient income.

Children under 14 years of age can be included in the application for citizenship with a birth certificate, proof of school attendance. Foreign documents must be translated into Slovak and notarized. Depending on the method of obtaining citizenship, additional information may be required, such as a certificate of secession from the Czechoslovak Republic or a certificate of absence of tax debts. The path leading to a Slovak passport through standard naturalization consists of the following steps:

1. Visa application. In order to stay in Slovakia for more than 90 days, you need to apply for a national visa by applying to the consulate of the republic abroad. From the documents you will need a passport, photo, health insurance policy. You need to confirm the purpose of your stay in the country (work, study and others), pay a fee (from 14 to 90 EUR depending on the basis). The request will be considered within 30 days. Visa is issued for the period from 3 months to a year.
2. Obtaining and prolongation of residence permit. Depending on the basis, a residence permit is issued at the Alien Police Department or at a consulate abroad. In order to obtain a residence permit, it is necessary to prove the purpose of stay in the country by providing, for example, a work permit. You will also need a certificate of no criminal record, a receipt of payment of the fee (from 50 to 350 EUR, not including 10 EUR for the residence permit card), proof of housing in Slovakia, sufficient income (minimum 274 EUR per month) and health insurance. The application is processed within 30-90 days. The residence permit is valid for up to 5 years with the right of extension.
3. Request of a permanent residence. The application is submitted to the police station on the territory of the Republic with payment of fees (260 EUR). To obtain the status of permanent resident, it is important to have own or rented housing, insurance, stable and regular income, confirmed, for example, by an employment contract, bank statements. The permanent residence permit is valid indefinitely.
4. Acquisition of citizenship. You can apply for citizenship after living in the country for at least 8 years, receiving and renewing your residence permit in time. The application is submitted to the district office of the regional center or to the diplomatic mission of the republic abroad with payment of a fee (1000 EUR for adults, 140-220 EUR for children). It is also necessary to pass an interview confirming the knowledge of the Slovak language. The case is considered for about 24 months. Citizenship is acquired after taking an oath and receiving a naturalization certificate.
5. Issuance of national documents. Documents can be issued at the police station with biometric data (photo, fingerprints, signature). It is also necessary to present ID card, photos, birth certificate, certificate of citizenship. The cost of making a passport is 50 EUR, ID-card - from 7 EUR. You can pick up the finished documents at the place of application.

The process of naturalization is very costly in terms of time and finances, and also requires knowledge of legal nuances. If you want to become a holder of EU citizenship in a shorter period of time, you should consider alternative ways of immigration. Our lawyers will develop a personalized strategy for obtaining a European passport, selecting the fastest option. To learn all the details of the simplified immigration programs, make an appointment for a free consultation.

How much time and money it takes to obtain a Slovak passport

The length of the path to Slovak citizenship depends on the chosen basis, and this factor will also affect the total cost of immigration. Thus, in case of standard naturalization, the costs of administrative fees, for example, for employees, will be around 1730 EUR.

In case of family reunification, fees from 1630 EUR are payable. Slovak spouses, who can apply for citizenship after 5 years of residence in the country, are exempted from most fees, except for granting citizenship and processing of national documents (1057 EUR).

In addition to administrative fees, there are additional costs such as legalization of documents (from 10 EUR per page), professional translator services (from 12 EUR per unit). It is also worth familiarizing yourself with the prices for accommodation and rent if you do not have your own property in Slovakia. Thus, monthly expenses for one person will be about 742 EUR, for a family of four - 2522 EUR. Renting a one-room apartment will cost 487 EUR per month, three-room apartments - 768 EUR.

What doesn't work: how you can't get a Slovak passport

Immigration and the procedure of acquiring citizenship of Slovakia, as well as other countries, are surrounded by many myths that can mislead and lead to serious legal problems. To avoid mistakes, it is worth checking all the ways of obtaining an EU passport for legality and consulting with specialists. It is important to understand that the naturalization process is strictly regulated by law, and attempts to circumvent it only leads to denial of citizenship, fines, deportation and even imprisonment. Next, let's look at common misconceptions about acquiring Slovak citizenship:

1. A passport can be bought. Unlike some countries, Slovakia does not even allow you to obtain a residence permit for investment. Offers to buy a passport is a scam that will result in loss of money, administrative and criminal liability if you try to use fake documents. It is possible to obtain Slovak citizenship solely by complying with the conditions of the law, including integration into society.
2. Having real estate in Slovakia speeds up the process of obtaining citizenship. Buying an apartment, house or office space, regardless of the value of the object, does not provide any advantages on the way to a Slovak passport. The country also does not offer residence permit programs through the purchase of real estate, unlike, for example, in Greece or Portugal. The availability of housing is only one of the conditions for naturalization.
3. Marriage to a Slovak citizen allows you to automatically obtain a passport. Marriage to a Slovak citizen gives some advantages in naturalization: for example, citizenship can be applied for after 5 years of residence in the territory of the state, while the standard period of naturalization is 8 years. But the foreign spouse must still first obtain a residence permit, as well as fulfill the conditions of integration. The authorities carry out a thorough check of each application to ensure the sincerity of the union. If there is reason to believe that the marriage is fictitious, the residence permit will be revoked and the foreigner will be deported with a further ban on entry to Slovakia and the EU.
4. Childbirth in Slovakia guarantees citizenship. Unlike some states that apply “jus soli”, the law of the soil (for example, Canada, Chile or the USA), a child born in the territory of the Slovak Republic is not entitled to citizenship if his/her parents are foreigners. Only “jus sanguinis” (blood principle) applies in the state. Thus, children inherit the citizenship of their parents, except in cases of adoption by a Slovak.

Understanding the real conditions of citizenship will help you avoid mistakes when legalizing status in Europe. If you want to make the immigration process as easy as possible, you should entrust it to experienced international law lawyers. Specialists will choose the easiest way to the EU passport, will accompany you at all stages, including the collection of dossiers and timely filing of applications. Accompanied by lawyers, you will become a holder of European citizenship in 4-14 months and will be able to immediately enjoy all the benefits of the prestigious document, for example, visa-free travel around the world.

Get EU citizenship under a simplified procedure

Default Description

Leave a request

Dual citizenship in Slovakia: is it allowed to have several passports?

In 2022, Slovakia amended its legislation to abolish the ban on second citizenship. Thus, when naturalizing in the republic, it is possible not to renounce the passport of one's country of origin. Slovak citizens also have the opportunity to retain their passport upon immigration regardless of the grounds.

Dual citizenship is allowed only if there is an agreement between the countries. Thus, bipatrides have all obligations and rights in both states, but can choose the place of tax residency or military service. The second passport means only the presence of national documents of different states, but without their mutual recognition. It is worth considering that some states (Estonia, Austria) deprive their residents who have naturalized in another country of citizenship.

Where it is faster and easier to obtain a second passport: an overview of alternatives

Becoming a holder of citizenship in Slovakia or another EU country expands your circle of opportunities and gives you access to new social, economic and tax advantages.

If you find the naturalization process very complicated and time-consuming, it is worth considering more affordable alternatives. For example, Romania, Bulgaria, and Slovenia offer simplified programs for obtaining an EU passport, which do not require residence on the territory of the state. The main condition for repatriation is confirmation of belonging to the country or its people.

Each program has its own nuances depending on the legislation of a particular state. To choose the best option for European citizenship, taking into account the individual situation, it is worth using the help of specialists in international law. Experienced lawyers will ensure the successful completion of all stages of immigration, will monitor the fulfillment of the requirements of the legislation, taking into account its current changes. Professional support is an opportunity to obtain an EU passport within 4 months, avoiding unnecessary waste of time and money.