As part of the process of digitising public administration, e-Government services are gradually being made accessible to citizens online. Electronic services available to citizens include: reporting changes, submitting applications and complaints, filing lawsuits, as well as auctions, public procurement, land registry services, tax office services, eHealthOpens in a new window (electronic healthcareOpens in a new window), eVoting (electronic elections and referendums), and more.
The essential requirement for accessing electronic services is the unambiguous identification of an individual, followed by their authentication. An identity card with an electronic chip is a trusted and secure carrier of a citizen’s identification data (their electronic identity).
Did you know?
Act No. 305/2013 CollOpens in a new window. on e-Government defines the concept of electronic identity of a person for the purposes of electronic communication and access to public administration information systems as a set of characters recorded in electronic form that uniquely distinguishes one person from another; a person’s electronic identity is proven by identification and verified by authentication. Identification of a person is further proven by their first name and surname combined with their birth identification number (Personal Identifier). Authentication is the process of verifying a person’s identity by a public authority. To authenticate a person, only an identity card with an electronic chip (eID) and a personal security code (BOK) may be used.
Na vytvorenie kvalifikovaného elektronického podpisu pri elektronických podaniach realizovaných prostredníctvom portálu www.slovensko.sk, je okrem príslušného kvalifikovaného certifikátu na občianskom preukaze potrebné mať inštalovanú aj aplikáciu D.Signer/XAdES, ktorú si môžete stiahnuť v sekcii Na stiahnutieOpens in a new window.
The identity card is equipped with an electronic contact chip on the back, storing the data displayed on the card (first name, surname, place of residence, date of birth, etc.).
If a citizen decides to use it to access electronic services, they set their personal security code (BOK) when applying for its issuance, upon receiving the identity card with a chip, or at any time during its period of validity. The personal security code is a combination of six digits of their choice.
The issuance of an identity card with a chip and the setting of a personal security code do not create an obligation for the citizen to use available electronic services; these steps simply give them the option to communicate electronically. If the citizen does not use the personal security code, they can block it at any time.
If a citizen plans to use an identity card with a chip to access electronic services, they need computer software and a contact smart card reader in addition to the card itself. The software can be downloaded free of charge from the portal of the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic or from the Central Public Administration Portal. Card reader drivers can be obtained directly from the card reader manufacturer.
When an identity card with a chip is issued, a citizen may request three certificates loaded onto its electronic chip free of charge. These are a qualified certificate (ACA), which is used to create a qualified electronic signature (KEP), a non-qualified certificate (PCA) used for electronic signing, and an encryption certificate (SCA). For the signature certificates, it is necessary to set a KEP PIN (a 6-digit code) and a KEP PUK (an 8-digit code). Loading these certificates can now also be done online via the eID Client application without visiting an identity documents department in person. The citizen only needs to know their BOK.
To create a qualified electronic signature for electronic submissions made through the www.slovensko.skOpens in a new window portal, in addition to the relevant qualified certificate on your identity card, you must also have the D.Signer/XadES application installed. You can download this application in the Software Download section.Opens in a new window
To create a qualified electronic signature for electronic submissions made through the www.slovensko.skOpens in a new window portal, in addition to the relevant qualified certificate on your identity card, you must also have the D.Signer/XadES application installed. You can download this application in the Software Download sectionOpens in a new window, where the Certificate GuideOpens in a new window [.pdf, 2.3 MB] is also available.
To create a qualified electronic signature for attachments to electronic submissions, you can sign attachments, view signed attachments (including XML/XDCF forms) and validate them for informational purposes using free applications such as QES and aQES (available for Apple macOS, Linux, and Windows 64/32-bit platforms)Opens in a new window. The QES and aQES applications also enable signing directly from web forms if the website invokes signing in QES and aQES via an HTTP POST call; for more information, see the Guides: QES (webnode.sk) manual.Opens in a new window
You can use this electronic service to change and update your contact details (email address, mobile phone number) and the data referred to as discreet data recorded in the identity card registry.
You can save a trip to the police station if your identity card with a chip is lost or stolen. You can do so if you have set the data referred to as discreet data via the “Modification of contact details” service, which you must enter when reporting the loss or theft of your identity card.
The service is intended for citizens of the Slovak Republic abroad. Using this service, an application for an identity card can be submitted to the relevant diplomatic mission of the Slovak Republic, where the applicant books an appointment to process the application based on the country where the citizen is located. This service results in delivering an identity card to citizens of the Slovak Republic abroad.
An identity card with a chip activated by entering a personal security code (BOK) at the identity documents department of a District Directorate of the Police Force can be used to log in (authenticate) to electronic services. To block the option of using an identity card with a chip for logging in to electronic services, the dedicated electronic service can be used for this purpose.
This service can be used to check which certificates are issued for your identity card: an authentication, encryption, or qualified certificate intended for authorising electronic documents signed with a qualified electronic signature. If necessary, certificates can also be revoked electronically. However, the renewal of certificates free of charge is only possible in person at the identity documents department.
The fee for submitting an application for the issuance of an identity card with a chip can now also be paid online via several methods detailed in the following article…Opens in a new window
The fastest method is card payment, which is available exclusively in the new mailbox layout.
Once an electronic application is submitted, it undergoes verification (which may take several hours). Subsequently, the “Payment order” is delivered to your electronic mailbox. Upon successful processing of the payment, information regarding the completed transaction is displayed. A message containing payment confirmation will be delivered later. Further details are available in the following articleOpens in a new window.
