AKMV 
Have you been living in the UK long-term and are considering British citizenship, but don’t want to lose your Slovak passport? Our law firm has good news for you. Thanks to a major amendment to the Citizenship Act in April 2022, the process of ‘dual citizenship’ for Slovaks in the UK is now much simpler and more secure.
Initial Consultation: Acquiring a Britis Passport Without Losing Slovak Citizenship
The Golden Rule: The 5-Year Residency Requirement
Between July 17, 2010, and March 31, 2022, the greatest concern for Slovaks abroad was the automatic loss of Slovak citizenship upon accepting another.
When you might have lost your Slovak citizenship
If a Slovak citizen acquired the citizenship of another state between July 17, 2010, and March 31, 2022, it is possible they lost their Slovak citizenship if they did not meet one of the legal exceptions. For more information, please contact us at recepcia@akmv.sk.
Today, this penalty no longer applies if, at the time of acquiring British citizenship, you can prove that you have been legally living in the United Kingdom for at least 5 years.
What counts as proof of residency?
Once you obtain British citizenship, you should notify the Slovak authorities of your acquisition of another state’s citizenship and provide evidence proving five years of permitted or registered residency. The Slovak authorities will be looking for documents confirming your actual presence in the UK during the five years prior to your naturalization. These primarily include:
- Proof of status (Settled or Pre-settled Status)
- Employment contracts and employer references
- Tenancy agreements or deeds of property ownership
- Bank statements or utility bills
- UK-issued documents, such as a driving licence
- Tax returns (P60, P45, or self-assessment records)
- …and many others.
Important Exceptions: When is the 5-year residency not required?
There are situations where you will not lose your Slovak citizenship regardless of how long you have lived abroad:
- Birth: A child of Slovak parents acquires British citizenship directly by being born on UK territory (provided certain conditions are met).
- Marriage: You acquire British citizenship after marrying a British citizen.
Children Born Abroad
If a child is born abroad to at least one Slovak parent, they automatically acquire Slovak citizenship by birth. In such cases, do not forget to report the birth to the Slovak authorities and apply for the child’s Slovak birth certificate and passport.
Did you acquire a British passport before April 2022?
If you became a British citizen between July 17, 2010, and the end of March 2022, and were forced to return your Slovak passport because you lost your Slovak citizenship, current legislation allows you to rectify this. You may apply for the reacquisition of Slovak citizenship based on a legal exception. The condition is, once again, proving a 5-year residency in the UK at the time you acquired your British passport.
According to Section 7, Paragraph 7 of Act No. 40/1993 Coll. on State Citizenship: “Without meeting the condition under Paragraph 1, Letter a) (8-year residency in Slovakia), Slovak state citizenship shall be granted to an applicant who lost Slovak state citizenship by acquiring foreign citizenship between July 17, 2010, and March 31, 2022, provided the applicant acquired the foreign citizenship of a state where they had a permitted, registered, or otherwise recorded residency of at least five years at the time of acquisition, and submitted documentary evidence of these facts; the residency condition is considered met if the applicant actually resided in the territory of the foreign state during this period.”
What to keep in mind during naturalisation in the UK?
- Keep an archive: Before acquiring British citizenship, carefully save all documents that could prove your 5-year residency in the UK.
- Reporting obligation: If you acquire citizenship of another country, you must notify the Slovak authorities within 90 days.
How can our law firm help you?
Processes at the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic and the assessment of foreign documents can be administratively demanding. AKMV Law Firm will help you:
- Assess your specific situation to ensure you do not lose your citizenship. For this purpose, we recommend booking an initial video consultation.
- Prepare the documentation for the reacquisition of citizenship if you have lost it in the past.
- Arrange official translations and the Apostille for your naturalisation certificate.
- Handle legal communication with the Slovak authorities.
Are you planning to apply for British citizenship? Do not risk losing your rights in Slovakia; consult with us first. Contact us at recepcia@akmv.sk or book your initial video consultation.
