AKMV 
The amendment to the Slovak Citizenship Act, effective as of April 1, 2022, has opened the doors for thousands of descendants of emigrants who wish to obtain a European Union passport based on their ancestry. This change is particularly significant for the Jewish community, whose ancestors left the territory of Slovakia due to historical persecution.
In this article, we will explain how the process works and what the actual requirements are for descendants.
Contact us!
If you are interested in obtaining citizenship by descent, do not hesitate to contact us at recepcia@akmv.sk
Legal Framework: Simplified Procedure for Descendants
According to the current wording of Act No. 40/1993 Coll. on State Citizenship of the Slovak Republic, specifically under Section 7, Paragraph 2, Letter b), significant relief has been introduced for descendants.
Pre žiadateľov, ktorí majú aspoň jedného rodiča, starého rodiča alebo prastarého rodiča, ktorý bol československým štátnym občanom narodeným na území Slovenskej republiky, platia tieto zjednodušenia:
- Waiver of the language exam: Pursuant to Section 7, Paragraph 1, Letter h), the condition of proficiency in the Slovak language does not apply to them.
- Waiver of the 8-year residence requirement: They do not need to live in Slovakia for 8 years before applying for citizenship.
The Condition of Permitted Residence
It is important to emphasize that although the law waives the requirement of long-term residence in Slovakia, it requires the applicant to have a permitted residence in the territory of the Slovak Republic at the time of filing the application. Based on our experience, residence is usually granted within approximately 2 months (the statutory deadline is 90 days).
Obtaining Residence in the Territory of Slovakia
If you meet the conditions for obtaining citizenship by descent, you will also be granted permanent residence in Slovakia based on these documents.
In practice, we find that if you submit your application in Slovakia, you are first required to apply for residence, and only after residence is granted can you apply for citizenship. Some diplomatic missions abroad may accept both applications at the same time (however, the decision on residence is still made first, followed by the decision on citizenship).
Why is this important for Jewish ancestors?
Many Jewish families emigrated from the territory of present-day Slovakia before 1918 (under Hungarian regulations), after the creation of Czechoslovakia, or after 1948. If you can prove that at least one of your ancestors (up to the third generation) was a Czechoslovak citizen for at least one day and was born in Slovakia, you are eligible for citizenship regardless of whether your ancestor later lost their citizenship (for example, by release from the state bond upon emigration to Israel).
Required Documents
For a successful application, genealogy—documenting the lineage—is key. You will primarily need:
- Birth and marriage certificates of ancestors (often from historical Jewish registers in Slovak archives). We can assist in tracing birth or marriage certificates within Slovakia.
- Documents proving the ancestor’s citizenship (e.g., certificate of domicile, old passport, or archive confirmation).
- Criminal record extracts from the country of origin.
- Apostille and official translations of all foreign-language documents.
How can AKMV help you?
The process of obtaining citizenship by descent is administratively demanding, especially when it comes to tracing historical documents. Our law firm, AKMV, provides:
- Eligibility Analysis: We will verify whether your ancestor meets the legal requirements.
- Archive Research: We help trace the necessary vital records (birth, marriage, etc.) within Slovakia.
- Comprehensive Representation: We manage the entire process, including obtaining the Certificate of a Slovak Living Abroad, arranging residency, and the citizenship application itself.
- Legalization: In cooperation with the Legalization Center, we provide all necessary certifications and authentications.
- Translations: In cooperation with prelozim.sk, we ensure all required official translations are provided.
BOOK AN ONLINE CONSULTATION regarding obtaining Slovak citizenship by descent – 250 EUR
You can find more in our advisory section: LEGAL ADVISORY – CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT –
