Slovakia is a small Central European country with a large emigrant population. Millions of Slovaks and their descendants live abroad, especially in the U.S., Canada, and Western Europe. For many, reclaiming Slovak citizenship is a way to reconnect with Slovak heritage while gaining European Union access.
Slovak law allows citizenship by descent, but the rules are not as generous as in some neighboring countries. Eligibility depends on whether your parent (and in some cases your grandparent) was a Slovak citizen and whether that citizenship was maintained.
This guide explains who qualifies, how Slovak citizenship law works, and what families need to consider before applying.
Why Slovak Citizenship by Descent Matters
Becoming a Slovak citizen provides opportunities outside of Slovakia itself. It also affords huge options across Europe, including:
- European Union rights: The ability to live, study, and work across the EU.
- Education access: Reduced tuition fees at Slovak and EU universities.
- Healthcare benefits: Coverage under Slovakia’s national health system and reciprocal EU rights.
- Travel freedom: Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 180+ countries.
- Heritage recognition: A formal acknowledgment of Slovak identity.
For families with Slovak roots, citizenship is both practical and symbolic.
Who Qualifies for Slovak Citizenship by Descent
Slovakia applies jus sanguinis (citizenship by blood). The main question is whether your parent (or sometimes grandparent) was recognized as a Slovak citizen.
Children of Slovak Citizens
If at least one parent was a Slovak citizen at the time of your birth, you are automatically a Slovak citizen, regardless of where you were born.
- Example: Peter was born in Canada in 2002. His mother was born in Bratislava and kept her Slovak citizenship. Peter is Slovak by descent. To formalize his status, he registered his birth at the Slovak consulate and now holds both Canadian and Slovak passports.
Grandchildren of Slovak Citizens
Grandchildren do not automatically qualify. However, under the Slovak Citizenship Act (No. 40/1993, as amended), grandchildren may apply for citizenship by naturalization with reduced residence requirements, provided they can prove Slovak ancestry.
In other words, having a Slovak grandparent gives you an advantage, but you still must apply through a discretionary process — it is not automatic.
- Example: Martina’s grandfather was born in Košice but emigrated to the U.S. before WWII. Martina can apply for Slovak citizenship, but she will need to show her ancestry and demonstrate ties to Slovakia. She may also need a period of residence in Slovakia, though in some cases exemptions apply.
Great-Grandchildren and Beyond
There is no direct path for great-grandchildren. Unless each generation maintained Slovak citizenship, the chain is broken.
Border Changes and Czechoslovakia
Slovakia was part of Czechoslovakia from 1918 until 1993. This complicates some ancestry claims.
- If your ancestor was a Czechoslovak citizen with Slovak origin, you may qualify.
- If your ancestor was from a region that changed borders (e.g., southern Slovakia annexed by Hungary during WWII), eligibility depends on whether they were recognized as Czechoslovak or Slovak citizens under the law at the time.
Border history means that each case must be evaluated carefully against the citizenship laws in effect when your ancestor lived.
Legal Framework
Slovak nationality is governed by the Act on Citizenship of the Slovak Republic (No. 40/1993, as amended). Key provisions:
- Section 3 – Citizenship by birth: if one parent is a Slovak citizen, the child is Slovak, regardless of birthplace.
- Section 7 – Naturalization: grandchildren of Slovak citizens may apply with reduced residence requirements.
- Amendments (2010, 2022) – Adjusted rules for dual citizenship and simplified processes for some descendants.
Application Pathways
- Children of Slovak citizens – Apply for recognition by registering your birth with Slovak authorities.
- Grandchildren – Apply through naturalization, with Slovak ancestry reducing residence requirements. Ties must be proven.
- Others – Must apply through standard naturalization, which generally requires 8 years of permanent residence in Slovakia.
Common Questions
Do children qualify automatically?
Yes, but only if one parent was Slovak at the time of birth.
Do grandchildren qualify automatically?
No. They may apply with reduced residence requirements but are not automatic citizens.
Do great-grandchildren qualify?
No, unless the chain of citizenship was preserved.
Does Slovakia allow dual citizenship?
Generally yes, but with restrictions. Slovaks who voluntarily naturalize abroad may lose citizenship, though recent amendments have eased this for EU and NATO countries.
Why Slovakia’s Rules Are Stricter
Slovakia is smaller than many EU countries and has a cautious approach to nationality. Unlike Romania, which allows great-grandchildren to restore citizenship, Slovakia limits descent-based citizenship mainly to children, with grandchildren eligible only through discretionary naturalization.
That said, Slovakia recognizes the importance of maintaining connection with the Slovak diaspora, offering support through cultural initiatives, education programs, and the Slovak Living Abroad Certificate for those of Slovak origin living overseas.
Important Note
Slovak nationality law is case-specific. Eligibility depends not just on ancestry but also on whether citizenship was legally maintained. Supporting documentation, such as your birth certificate, proof of residence permit, and criminal record extract, must be officially translated into the Slovak language.
We recommend starting with our $250 full service guide and consulting a trusted citizenship expert before submitting your application
Sources
Slovak Ministry of the Interior–Citizenship
Slovak Citizenship Act (No. 40/1993, as amended): slov-lex.sk
EU citizens’ rights overview: europa.eu/youreurope
4 Responses
IS A PERSON BORN IN THE UNITED STATES WHOSE FATHER/GRANDPARENTS WERE BORN IN WHAT IS NOW PRESENT DAY SLOVAKIA ELEGIBLE FOR CITIZENSHIP IF THEIR FATHER/GRANDPARENTS BECAME UNITED STATES CITIZENS BEFORE THE PERSON WAS BORN?
Thank you for reaching out with your question. In most cases, Slovak citizenship by descent is only possible if your ancestor was still a citizen of Czechoslovakia or Slovakia at the time their child was born.
If your father or grandparents became United States citizens before your birth, it is very likely that the citizenship link was broken, which means you would not automatically qualify for Slovak citizenship by descent.
However, you may still have other options. Some people with Slovak ancestry are able to apply for citizenship through special provisions or residency-based programs if they can document their family’s origin in present-day Slovakia.
If you would like, we can review your case through an eligibility report as a first step.
If my grandparents emigrated decades ago, but I only have their old Slovak birth certificates… is that enough, or do I need additional proof to show continuity?
Hello Davi,
Thank you for your message!
It is a great start that you have obtained copies of your grandparents’ Slovak birth certificates! Typically, additional documentation (for example, birth, marriage, and death certificates, etc.) must be obtained to prove your connection back to the ancestor in question. It is also often required that said documents be translated and apostilled before submitting your case to the Slovak authority for processing, so it is important to confirm that you have obtained documents in the correct format before submitting any potential application.
If you are interested in confirming your eligibility to apply for Slovak citizenship through ancestry, we highly recommend completing our Eligibility Report service option, where we provide you with a detailed report analyzing your eligibility: https://citizenship.eu/eligibility-report/. After receiving your eligibility results, we can also connect you with a vetted citizenship specialist who can assist with the processing of your case.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to our team if we can be of further assistance!