Slovakia Eases Path to Citizenship for Ukrainians with New Residency Rules and Passport Fees.

Streamlined Slovak Citizenship for Ukrainians: Updated Residency Requirements and Passport Costs

According to Novyny.live: Ukrainians seeking Slovak citizenship now face a more accessible process due to revised residency regulations and clearly defined passport fees. The standard path to naturalization requires eight years of continuous legal residence in Slovakia. However, this period is reduced to five years for individuals married to a Slovak citizen. For children under 18, citizenship can be obtained after just three years of residency, while minors under the guardianship of a Slovak citizen may qualify after only two years. Furthermore, individuals of Slovak origin living abroad who hold a Slovak Living Abroad certificate can apply for citizenship after three years.

Passport Application Fees

Regarding the costs of obtaining a passport, fees set for 2026 are as follows: 50 euros for applicants aged 16 and over, 20 euros for children aged 6 to 16, and 12 euros for children under 6. An expedited processing service is available at higher rates:

• Two-day processing: 150 euros for ages 16+, 60 euros for ages 6-16, and 36 euros for children under 6.
• Ten-day processing: 100 euros for ages 16+, 40 euros for ages 6-16, and 24 euros for children under 6.

These changes represent a significant step for Ukrainians aiming to acquire Slovak citizenship, simplifying the naturalization process and reducing the financial burden of documentation. This policy shift reflects Slovakia's ongoing support for Ukrainians seeking stability and new opportunities within the European Union. The simplified residency terms and lower passport costs are likely to encourage greater integration of Ukrainian migrants into Slovak society, potentially benefiting the country's economy and cultural diversity.