The article was updated to reflect July 2026 change in law.
Back in 2023, Slovak citizenship by descent was introduced as a new route to citizenship. Naturally, it took some time for administrative practice to develop and for applicants to gain a clearer understanding of how the process works in reality. Here are some observations based on the first years of applications:
- Since 15 July 2026, citizenship-by-descent applicants are no longer required to obtain residency in Slovakia before applying for citizenship. This removes a significant administrative step from the process and means that applications can proceed directly through the citizenship procedure.
- The authorities continue to place relatively high evidentiary requirements on proving an ancestor’s Czechoslovak citizenship. For applicants whose ancestors can be located in the 1930 Czechoslovak census, the evidentiary situation is often more straightforward. In other cases, additional historical records may be required to establish eligibility.
- The adminsitative authorities accepting applications differ depending on the route chosen. Citizenship-by-descent applications may be submitted either through Slovak embassies and consulates abroad or directly in Slovakia. Applications based on a Slovak Living Abroad Certificate (SLAC) continue to follow a different procedural route.