Slovakia (SK)

The Slovak national identity card — a mandatory document for all Slovak citizens and permanent residents. Issued by the Oddelenie dokladov (Document Section) at the Okresný úrad (District Office). Since 2013, Slovak ID cards have a chip and can be used as an eID for digital government services. EU/EEA citizens are not required to hold a Slovak ID card but must carry their home country ID or passport.

The Slovak personal identification number — a 10-digit number (format: YYMMDD/XXXX) that functions as the national identifier for all official purposes. Used for tax, social insurance, healthcare, and all government interactions. Slovak citizens are assigned this at birth. Foreign nationals obtain a rodné číslo upon registering residence and receiving their pobytový preukaz (residence card). Without a rodné číslo you cannot fully function in Slovakia.

EU/EEA citizens who register at the Cudzinecká polícia (Foreign Police) receive a pobytový preukaz (residence card) confirming their right to reside in Slovakia. Required for registration of address and for various official processes. Non-EU nationals receive a pobytové povolenie (residence permit) instead. The pobytový preukaz is linked to your rodné číslo.

The confirmation of registered address (trvalý pobyt) issued by the Ohlasovňa pobytu (Address Registration Office) at the municipality. Must be obtained within 10 days of moving to a new address. This is the foundation for accessing all local government services, registering with a health insurance fund, and obtaining a rodné číslo.

Required for entry to Slovakia for non-EU nationals and for EU nationals as an alternative travel document. EU nationals may use their national identity card instead of a passport for travel within the Schengen Area. Non-EU nationals must hold a valid passport throughout their stay. The passport is also needed for opening bank accounts and some registration processes.

Required for registering children born in Slovakia, school enrolment, visa and citizenship applications, and marriage registration. Slovakia is a Hague Apostille member; foreign birth certificates from Hague member countries require apostille plus certified Slovak translation by a sworn translator (súdny prekladateľ). Documents from non-Hague countries require consular/embassy legalisation plus certified translation.

Required for family reunification applications, registering a spouse in the trvalý pobyt system, joint property purchases, and tax benefits. Foreign marriage certificates require official Slovak translation and apostille.

A written employment contract is legally mandatory in Slovakia for all employment relationships. Required for residence permit applications (non-EU), health insurance registration, social insurance registration, and many banking and rental applications.

The daňové identifikačné číslo (DIČ) is the Slovak taxpayer identification number assigned by the Daňový úrad (Tax Office). Self-employed persons and businesses also need an IČO (identification number for organisations). Both are required for tax filing and business activities.

The health insurance card issued by the chosen health insurance fund (zdravotná poisťovňa — VšZP, Dôvera, or Union). Required to access healthcare services. Must be obtained promptly upon starting employment or establishing residence. Carry it at all medical appointments.

The electronic ID card with chip issued to Slovak citizens and long-term residents. Required to access slovensko.sk eGovernment services. Can replace many paper documents for digital government interactions. The eID reader (čítačka) and the OverSi app (for mobile) allow its use for digital authentication.

Required for employment in regulated professions and for recognition of foreign qualifications. Non-EU diplomas must be officially recognised (nostrifikácia) through the Ministry of Education. EU diplomas are subject to the professional qualifications directive. Sworn translation into Slovak is required for documents in other languages.

EU/EEA driving licences are mutually recognised in Slovakia and do not need to be exchanged. Non-EU licences: holders from countries with bilateral agreements can exchange; others must retake the test after 1 year of residence. The Slovak driving licence uses the EU-standard format.