Naturalization of a foreigner in Slovakia

Naturalization of a foreigner in Slovakia

Naturalization of a foreigner in Slovakia means granting citizenship to a foreigner after fulfilling the conditions set by law.

Main requirements

  • Continuous permanent residence in the territory of the Slovak Republic for at least 8 years prior to submitting the application.
  • Proof of good conduct (extract from criminal record).
  • Knowledge of the Slovak language and general knowledge about the Slovak Republic.
  • Fulfillment of other special conditions under the law.
  • Submission of all necessary documents.

There are also exceptions, for example, for persons who have made a significant contribution to the Slovak Republic or children with permanent residence from an early age.

Procedure and fees

The application is submitted in person at the relevant district office according to the place of permanent residence, where identity, language skills and documents are verified.
The cost of processing citizenship varies depending on the age of the applicant (from approximately EUR 99.50 ).

A foreigner must first have legal permanent residence in Slovakia (providing basic rights to residence, work, and social security) and only then can they apply for citizenship.

Language exam

Knowledge of the Slovak language is usually verified when submitting an application, mainly in the form of an oral interview or other verification carried out by the district office in the regional seat, a diplomatic mission or a consular office of the Slovak Republic.

The verification is adjusted to the age, education and health status of the applicant. Children under 14 years of age, persons over 65 years of age or persons with disabilities may be exempted from the obligation. Exceptions also apply to applicants who are or were citizens of the Czech Republic, or have a valid certificate of a Slovak living abroad, etc.

A written report is drawn up on the results of the verification.

In some cases, knowledge of Slovak can also be demonstrated by successfully completing a state language exam, a high school leaving exam in Slovak, or another equivalent language exam.

A foreigner with Slovak ancestors

A foreigner can acquire Slovak citizenship by naturalization, with the exception of the condition of continuous permanent residence , if they have Slovak ancestors. These are cases where at least one of the parents, grandparents or great-grandparents was a Czechoslovak citizen born in the territory of present-day Slovakia and at the same time the applicant has a residence permit in the territory of Slovakia.

Conditions

  • The ancestor (parent, grandparent or great-grandparent) was a Czechoslovak citizen and was born in the territory of present-day Slovakia.
  • The applicant will prove the family relationship to this ancestor with birth certificates and other documents.
  • The applicant has permission to reside in the territory of the Slovak Republic (this is not a condition of continuous permanent residence).

When applying, it is necessary to provide documents proving this affiliation and the origin of the ancestor's citizenship (e.g. birth certificates, Czechoslovak passports, citizenship certificates) and to prove direct lineal ties.

In these cases, the condition of permanent residence is not a condition for granting citizenship, but the applicant must have a residence permit in Slovakia.

This option was introduced by law in April 2022 and allows descendants of emigrants to obtain citizenship without additional standard naturalization conditions.

List of documents

Basic documents

  • Valid ID with current facial image (ID card or passport).
  • Birth certificate.
  • Proof of personal status (marriage certificate, final divorce decree or divorce certificate, death certificate of spouse – if relevant).

Residence documents

  • Proof of residence in the Slovak Republic or last permanent residence (if a former citizen).

Evidence of good conduct

  • An extract from the criminal record from the countries in which the applicant had citizenship or a residence permit, not older than 6 months.

Additional documents

  • A CV stating personal details, language skills, education, work and interests, signed by the applicant.
  • Proof of legal residence in Slovakia (if the applicant is not a native citizen).
  • Justification of the application for citizenship and other documents according to individual assessment (e.g. employment certificates, tax certificates, pension certificate or source of financing for the stay).

Note: All foreign documents must be properly legalized or apostille certified and translated into Slovak by an official translator, unless they are issued in Slovak or in a language consistent with the official language of the Slovak Republic.

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