The Slovak Republic (short form: Slovakia) is a country in Central Europe with a population of approximately 5.4 million and a total area of about 49,000 square kilometers. It is a landlocked state bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, and Hungary to the south. The capital and largest city is Bratislava. Slovakia has been a member of the European Union since 2004 and also belongs to NATO, the United Nations, the OECD, and the WTO, among other organizations. The official language is Slovak, a member of the Slavic language family.
EU citizenship
Slovak citizenship automatically confers European Union citizenship, allowing Slovak nationals to live, work, and conduct business legally in any EU member state, including Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.
Legal Framework
Citizenship in Slovakia is governed by Law No. 40 of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, dated January 19, 1993. Persons who were citizens of the Slovak Republic up to December 31, 1992, are considered citizens of Slovakia. Citizenship can be acquired by birth, descent, naturalization, or for special contributions to the Slovak Republic (such as in sports, culture, science, or the economy).
Citizenship by Birth
Birth in Slovakia does not automatically confer citizenship except in cases where:
- The child is born in Slovakia to parents who are unknown or stateless; or
- The child is born in Slovakia and does not automatically acquire the citizenship of foreign parents.
Citizenship by Descent
A child with at least one Slovak parent is automatically granted Slovak citizenship, regardless of place of birth. A child adopted by a Slovak citizen also acquires Slovak citizenship.
Citizenship by Naturalization
Slovak citizenship may be granted to a person who has permanently resided in the country for at least eight years, has adequate command of the Slovak language, and has not been convicted of a deliberate criminal offense in the past five years. Exceptions to the residence requirement may apply in cases of:
- Marriage to a Slovak citizen (after at least five years of marriage);
- Individuals whose activities are of “great benefit to the Slovak Republic”; or
- Certain former citizens of Czechoslovakia.
Children under 18 years of age may be naturalized together with a parent, subject to the consent of both parents.
Citizenship by Investment
Slovakia does not have a formal citizenship-by-investment program. However, significant investors may apply for Slovak citizenship under Article 7, Section 2(b) of the Slovak Citizenship Act. The process generally involves obtaining temporary residence, followed by permanent residence, and then applying for citizenship.
To qualify, the investment should be no less than approximately EUR 3,000,000 and must contribute meaningfully to the Slovak economy—either by creating new jobs for Slovak citizens or introducing new technologies. The evaluation is discretionary: applications are reviewed individually by the relevant ministry and finally by the Ministry of Interior, which may approve or deny citizenship without obligation to provide detailed reasoning.
This discretionary pathway is also available to individuals in other fields (arts, science, philanthropy) who have made exceptional contributions to Slovakia. The total processing time, including residence permits, is typically 12–18 months.
Dual Citizenship
Dual citizenship is generally not permitted, except when an individual acquires another nationality by birth or through marriage. If a Slovak citizen holds a second nationality, Slovak citizenship is considered dominant within Slovakia.
It should be noted that Slovak citizenship cannot be acquired as a second citizenship by Russian nationals. This restriction is based on the 1981 Czechoslovakia–USSR Agreement on the Prevention of Dual Citizenship, which both Slovakia and Russia have succeeded as legal parties. The agreement obliges both states to prevent and eliminate dual citizenship cases through voluntary choice by the individuals concerned.
Loss of Slovak Citizenship
Slovak citizenship cannot be revoked by any state authority. However, it may be lost voluntarily if an individual acquires another nationality (subject to specific exceptions). The law adopted on June 1, 2010, provides that Slovak citizens who voluntarily apply for foreign citizenship will lose their Slovak nationality unless covered by an exception. This rule is not retroactive and does not affect those who acquired foreign citizenship prior to its enactment.
Voluntary renunciation of Slovak citizenship is possible only if the applicant already holds or can reasonably be expected to obtain another nationality. Applications are processed by District Offices, and citizenship is terminated upon issuance of the renunciation certificate. Individuals involved in criminal proceedings, serving prison terms, or with unpaid taxes or debts are not allowed to renounce their citizenship.
Questions & Answers
Q: We are interested in an investment project in Slovakia. How is the concept of “great benefit to the Slovak Republic” defined? What investment level is needed?
A: Slovakia does not operate a direct citizenship-by-investment program. However, citizenship may be granted to those who have made a significant contribution in the economic, cultural, scientific, or other spheres. A recommendation from a Slovak ministry is required, and each case is reviewed individually by the Ministry of Interior. A high investment alone does not guarantee approval, as “special contribution” is a subjective concept. Elma Capital has previously assisted clients in obtaining Slovak citizenship under this provision, but we no longer provide services in Slovakia due to the unpredictability of this process.
Q: I am a Slovak citizen who has lived in the UK for 13 years. I recently passed the British Citizenship Test and wish to apply for a British passport while keeping my Slovak one. Will I be allowed to keep both?
A: Yes, you may hold both Slovak and British citizenship. This is not considered dual citizenship in the strict legal sense; rather, you possess two nationalities. Within Slovakia, only Slovak citizenship is recognized, but abroad both passports are valid.
Q: I am a Slovak citizen living in Ireland and considering applying for Irish citizenship. Can I keep my Slovak passport?
A: Yes, it is possible to retain Slovak citizenship while acquiring Irish nationality.
Q: My son was born in the UK. He has an Irish passport through his father and a Slovak passport through his mother. We live in the UK, and his mother also holds British citizenship. Can my son apply for British citizenship, and will he be able to keep all three nationalities?
A: Both Ireland and the UK allow multiple citizenships. However, Slovakia generally does not. You should consult the Slovak consulate in the UK to confirm whether your son can retain his Slovak citizenship. Even if it were lost, holding an Irish passport (an EU document) would still entitle him to live and work in Slovakia in the future.
Important Note
All inquiries concerning citizenship by descent or dual nationality in Slovakia should be directed to the Slovak consulate or a local legal service provider in Slovakia. Elma Capital provides legal services only in relation to residence and official citizenship-by-investment programs. We do not operate in Slovakia because citizenship based on merit or investment is uncertain and not guaranteed, unlike official programs in other jurisdictions.
If you are interested in acquiring a passport through investment, please contact us today.
When sending us an email, please include your citizenship, country of residence, and the age of each family member to be included in the application. This information is necessary to provide an accurate estimate of fees and expenses.