Naturalization · Open
Slovakia citizenship by descent: who qualifies in 2026
Since April 2022, you can apply for Slovak citizenship if a parent, grandparent or great-grandparent was a Czechoslovak citizen born in present-day Slovakia. There is no language or history test. An estimated 800,000 Americans could qualify.
- Route
- Citizenship for descendants of Czechoslovak citizens
- How far back
- Parent, grandparent or great-grandparent
- Language test
- No
- Dual citizenship
- You keep your US citizenship.
- Government fee
- From US$35 (check the current fee schedule for your case)
- Typical timeline
- Varies; check with the embassy or consulate
The rules that decide eligibility
- Your ancestor must have been born in the territory of present-day Slovakia and held Czechoslovak citizenship at some point.
- Acceptable proof includes a Czechoslovak passport, a certificate of citizenship or domicile, census sheets, or population register extracts.
- There is no Slovak language, history or culture test.
- In the US you apply at the Embassy in Washington, DC or the Consulate General in New York, depending on your state.
What to watch
- Reports describe a reform effective July 15, 2026 that removes a residence requirement and allows filing by mail or electronically. Confirm the details with the embassy.