How many years of residence are required for Slovak citizenship?

I would like to ask if I can apply for Slovak citizenship. I have permanent residence in Serbia, but my nationality is Slovak. I have been living in Bratislava since 2015, where I graduated from university, and in 2018 I married a Slovak woman. Currently, I run a business in Slovakia and pay for my own health insurance and social services. For the future and lower costs, it would be better for me to have Slovak citizenship since I live and work in Slovakia. If you could write to me and guide me on obtaining citizenship, I would be very grateful.

Acquisition and loss of Slovak citizenship are governed by Act No. 40/1993 Coll. on Slovak citizenship (hereinafter referred to as the “Citizenship Act”).

 

One of the conditions for granting Slovak citizenship is also having permitted residence on the territory of the Slovak Republic immediately prior to submitting the application for citizenship. The length of residence before submitting the application depends on specific circumstances. If you, as a foreign Slovak, have been issued a certificate proving the status of a Slovak living abroad, you may apply for Slovak citizenship under Section 7(3) of the Citizenship Act if you have had continuous residence on the territory of the Slovak Republic for at least three years immediately prior to submitting the application.

 

If you do not have this certificate of a Slovak living abroad and you have married a Slovak citizen, and this marriage continues and you live together in the same household on the territory of the Slovak Republic for at least five years immediately prior to submitting the application for Slovak citizenship, it is possible for Slovak citizenship to be granted to you.

 

For completeness, if you are not married to a Slovak citizen, continuous permanent residence on the territory of the Slovak Republic for at least eight years immediately prior to submitting the application for Slovak citizenship is required.

 

More detailed information about other conditions can also be found in our article: Granting Slovak citizenship to foreigners.