🎯 The Core Ancestry Test
You qualify if you have at least ONE direct ancestor who meets BOTH criteria:

🔍 Qualifying Generations Checklist

🌍 Universal Eligibility: Ethnicity is not a criterion; place of birth is decisive. The law applies to ALL former Czechoslovak citizens born in Slovak territory, regardless of ethnic background.

🚨 Red Flags That May Complicate Your Case:

• Ancestor emigrated before 1908
• Ancestor born outside present-day Slovak borders
• No documentation of Czechoslovak citizenship
• Gaps in family documentation

🔍 Free Eligibility Check

🎯 Pro Tip: Census sheets are often the easiest way to prove ancestral citizenship and are kept in Slovak archives.

❌ Not Sufficient:

• Birth certificates alone (unless they state Czechoslovak citizenship)
• Foreign-issued documents
• Unofficial family records

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📋 Document Preparation Checklist

Translation Timeline

Common languages are usually processed quickly. Smaller languages may take several weeks due to limited official translators.

⚠️ Important: Self-arranging translations is not recommended as it tends to prolong the process. Use certified translation services.

💡 Bottom Line: Don’t worry about the permanent residency part – it’s a formal administrative requirement for citizenship, not a practical living requirement.

🏠 Administrative Residency Reality:

• Administrative residency (no specific address needed)
• Only applies if ancestors emigrated after 1918
• Formal requirement, not practical living requirement
• No “must live in Slovakia” requirement

📅 Embassy Appointment Reality:

• High-demand embassies (Washington): Several months wait
• Strategic booking: Recommended when documents are ready
• Professional help: Can optimize appointment timing

Embassy Appointments

Timeline varies significantly by embassy location and demand.

✅ Current Reality (August 2025):

• Slovak authorities deciding fairly quickly
• Ministry usually decides within several months
• Faster than the legal maximum

Ministry Decision

Maximum 24 months by law, but currently processing much faster.

📊 Total Realistic Timeline:

• Best case: 6-12 months (simple case, available appointments)
• Typical case: 12-18 months (moderate complexity)
• Complex case: 18-27 months (difficult documents, embassy delays)
• Legal maximum: 27+ months (if full 24-month decision period used)

🇪🇺 Congratulations! You now have EU citizenship with access to:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Considerations: Any children born after you become a Slovak citizen are automatically Slovak citizens with full EU rights.

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