Slovak Dual Citizenship Rules Explained (How to Keep Your Current Passport)

Many applicants with Slovak ancestry want to know whether they can hold Slovak citizenship together with their existing passport. Slovakia has one of the more complex dual citizenship frameworks in Europe, and it has changed several times over the past decade.

This article explains how dual citizenship works today, what the law allows, what it restricts, and what applicants with Slovak ancestors must do to avoid accidentally losing citizenship in the future.

1. Does Slovakia Allow Dual Citizenship?

Slovakia does allow dual citizenship, but with an important distinction.

• You are allowed to keep all citizenships you already have at the time you obtain Slovak citizenship.
• You may lose Slovak citizenship if you voluntarily acquire a new foreign citizenship after becoming a Slovak citizen.

For applicants with Slovak ancestors seeking Slovak dual citizenship by descent, this means:

• You can keep your United States, Canadian, United Kingdom, Israeli, Australian, or other passport without any issue.
• The restriction applies only to citizenships acquired after you already become a Slovak citizen.

This rule has been consistent in administrative practice since the 2022 legal update.

2. Why Slovakia Has This Rule

Slovakia introduced a restriction on dual citizenship in 2010 in response to a similar law in Hungary. The 2022 amendment softened earlier limits by allowing citizenship by descent without affecting existing citizenships.

Today, the law is structured to:

• Protect applicants with Slovak roots
• Allow descendants to reclaim Slovak citizenship without penalty
• Restrict people from accumulating new citizenships after becoming Slovak citizens

This balance is why Slovakia allows dual citizenship when it comes from heritage, birth, or past naturalization, but monitors future acquisitions.

3. What Counts as Voluntarily Acquiring Another Citizenship

Slovak law focuses on situations where the applicant actively applies for a new foreign citizenship after they already hold Slovak citizenship.

Examples that may lead to losing Slovak citizenship:

• Applying for United States naturalization after already holding Slovak citizenship
• Applying for Canadian citizenship while already a Slovak citizen
• Applying for an Italian passport through a residency based naturalization program after gaining Slovak citizenship

Examples that do not usually lead to loss:

• Becoming Slovak while already a United States, Canadian, United Kingdom, Israeli, or Australian citizen
• Receiving citizenship automatically at birth
• Having a country assign citizenship through marriage or ancestry without a formal application
• A child acquiring dual citizenship from their parents at birth

The key distinction is whether the applicant actively requested another citizenship.

4. If You Already Have Another Citizenship: Safe

If you already have a foreign citizenship, for example United States, Canadian, British, Israeli, or Australian, you can obtain Slovak citizenship without giving anything up.

Slovakia does not force renunciation during:

• Citizenship by descent based on Slovak ancestors
• Citizenship through a Slovak Living Abroad Certificate followed by residence
• Simplified recognition for children of former Slovak citizens
• Reinstatement of Slovak citizenship that was lost in the past

Your existing passport remains fully valid.

5. If You Plan to Obtain Another Citizenship After Slovakia

If you intend to obtain another foreign citizenship after receiving Slovak citizenship, you must be strategic. There are three main approaches.

Option 1: Obtain the other citizenship first

This is the safest option. Acquire other citizenships before applying for Slovak citizenship, not after. Once you are a Slovak citizen, any later voluntary application for another citizenship may create a risk of losing Slovak citizenship.

Option 2: Qualify through a route that does not require an application

Some countries grant citizenship automatically through:

• Descent
• Marriage
• Ethnic origin
• Restitution or right of return laws

If there is no formal application step and you receive the citizenship automatically, Slovak law typically does not consider this a voluntary acquisition in the sense that leads to loss of Slovak citizenship.

Option 3: Request an exemption

In exceptional cases, Slovakia may allow an exemption. This is uncommon and usually considered only for:

• Individuals who significantly benefit the Slovak Republic
• Applicants in specific diplomatic, cultural, academic, or economic circumstances

For most applicants with Slovak ancestors, Option 1 or Option 2 is the safer path.

6. How This Applies to People With Slovak Ancestors

Most applicants seeking Slovak citizenship by descent want to keep their current passport and gain the benefits of an EU passport as well. In practice, the rules are relatively favorable for descendants.

If you already hold a foreign passport

You can reclaim Slovak citizenship and no existing citizenship will be lost, provided you do not later apply for another foreign citizenship.

If your children will inherit Slovak citizenship

Children born after your naturalization will usually acquire Slovak citizenship automatically through you. They also keep any other citizenship they acquire from their other parent or from their country of birth. There is no penalty for them.

If your spouse wants Slovak citizenship

Your spouse can apply through residency based routes or, in some situations, through an exemption route. Keeping their current citizenship is allowed. They may first obtain a family reunification residence permit in Slovakia, then later apply for citizenship if they meet the residence requirements.

If you later want a third passport

This is where risk begins. If you apply for Brazilian, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, or any other naturalization after obtaining Slovak citizenship, you may lose Slovak citizenship unless you fall under an automatic acquisition category or are granted an exemption.

7. Practical Recommendations to Keep Your Passport

To avoid problems and safely enjoy Slovak dual citizenship with your Slovak ancestors in mind, consider the following steps:

• Obtain all other desired foreign citizenships before applying for Slovak citizenship.
• Do not apply for additional citizenships after becoming Slovak unless you fully understand the consequences under Slovak law.
• If you must apply for a new citizenship later, seek legal advice to determine whether an exemption may apply.
• For your children, no special action is needed. They can usually hold multiple citizenships from birth.
• Keep all Slovak immigration and citizenship documents updated and file any required notifications to the authorities without delay.

With these steps, you can safely maintain dual or even multiple citizenships.

8. Summary

Slovakia allows dual citizenship for applicants with Slovak ancestors as long as:

• You already hold your current citizenship before you become Slovak.
• You do not voluntarily apply for another citizenship afterward, unless a legal exemption applies.

Slovak citizenship by descent is fully compatible with United States, Canadian, United Kingdom, Israeli, Australian, and many other citizenships.

For most descendants, dual citizenship with Slovakia is straightforward and safe, allowing access to:

• A European Union passport
• EU mobility and residence rights
• Long term family and heritage connection to Slovak roots