eID card

• Modification of contact details in the document information system – identity cardsOpens 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.

• Reporting the loss or theft of an identity card with a chipOpens in a new window

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.

• Submitting an application for the issuance of an identity card abroadOpens in a new window

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.

• Disabling login using an identity card with a chipOpens in a new window

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.

• Verifying the validity of certificates issued on an identity card with a chip or on a foreign national’s residence permit card with a chipOpens in a new window

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.

Card payment

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.

What is an identity card without a facial image?

Identity cards without a facial image (for children under 15 years of age and citizens who do not have an identity card with a chip)

In connection with the electronic healthcare project, by 31 December 2021, every citizen of the Slovak Republic with permanent residence in its territory must hold an identity card with a chip as an authentication tool to access electronic health records. Currently, two groups of citizens in particular do not hold such a document:

• citizens under 15 years of age who are not eligible for an identity card under existing legislation
• citizens over 65 years of age who hold an identity card without a chip

Therefore, it is proposed that an identity card without a facial image be issued to these groups of citizens.

An identity card without a facial image will be visually identical to a standard identity card, but without the holder’s photograph and signature, as it will be issued ex officio based on data from the Register of Natural Persons (RFO). This document will be issued automatically:

• upon the birth of a citizen
• upon granting citizenship to a person under 15 years of age
• upon registration of permanent residence in the territory of the Slovak Republic for a citizen under 15 years of age

An identity card without a facial image for a minor will be valid for 15 years (so that replacement is not required until the age of 15 is reached, when the obligation to hold a standard identity card applies). Its validity will not be affected by the potential issuance of a standard identity card for travel purposes for a child under 15 years of age, which has a shorter validity period (in such cases, the citizen may hold both documents). A new identity card without a facial image will be issued upon request in the event of its loss or theft, a change in the data recorded on it, or a malfunction of the electronic chip. (If a lost or stolen identity card without a facial image for a child under 15 years of age is found and their legal representative has not yet applied for a new one, a new document without a facial image will be issued automatically).

Another group includes citizens over 65 years of age who do not hold an identity card with a chip – similarly to children, this group of citizens will be issued a card without a photograph and signature based on data from the Register of Natural Persons, which will be sent to their permanent residence address. In the event of loss or theft, they will be required to apply for a new document. In such cases, they will be issued a standard electronic identity card with a chip (including a photograph and signature) free of charge.

The issued card will be sent to the address of residence specified in the Register of Natural Persons, without requiring an in-person visit to the relevant authority. 

When to apply for an identity card

Parents or legal representatives can apply for an identity card for children under 15 years of age. Holding an identity card is not mandatory under the age of 15, but it can serve as a travel document for countries that recognize it as such.

Validity of identity cards for children under 15 years of age:

• for children under 6 years of age, the identity card is issued with a validity of 2 years
• for children between 6 and 15 years of age, the identity card is issued with a validity of 5 years

Citizens living abroad who have permanent residence outside the Slovak Republic can also apply for an identity card. In this case, proof of registered residence issued by the relevant foreign authority (e.g. driving license, residence card, etc.) must be presented at the identity documents department. The identity card will then state the place of residence abroad and the three-letter country code.

You can obtain a new identity card in the event of its loss, a change of details, or upon its expiration.

An application for the issuance of a new identity card can be submitted due to its loss, theft, damage, entry or change of recorded details, cancellation of an entry, or expiration of validity.

Application time limits:

• a citizen may submit an application no earlier than 180 days before expiration
• a citizen is required to submit an application no later than 30 days after a change of personal details (first name, surname, address, etc.) or after loss or theft occurs
• when applying for a first identity card, the applicant must submit the application in person no later than on the day they turn 15 years of age, and may do so up to 30 days before turning 15

If an applicant fails to apply for an identity card within the statutory time limit, they may be fined up to EUR 150, and up to EUR 50 on the spot.

Where to apply for a new identity card

You can apply for a new identity card at any District Directorate of the Police Force of the Slovak Republic (identity documents department) or abroad at the diplomatic mission of the Slovak Republic. Contact details, office days, and opening hours for district police directorates can be found on the website of the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic.Opens in a new window

What documents do I need to apply for an identity card?

• if you do not yet have your first identity card, you need a birth certificate (or proof of your personal identification number if it is not stated on the birth certificate, or an official extract from the special registry office submitted instead of a registry document issued by a foreign authority)
• a previously issued identity card (a document proving citizenship, or proof of residence – a citizen residing abroad submits proof of registered residence stating their address, issued by a foreign authority; if the document is in a language other than Slovak or Czech, a certified translation into the official language must also be provided)

Documents required to enter an academic title on an identity card:

• proof of completion of higher education (a university diploma)
• for a document conferring an academic title or degree issued by a foreign higher education institution or another authorised body, a decision recognising this document as equivalent to a degree conferred by a higher education institution in the Slovak Republic must be submitted

To record a serious illness or blood group, a medical certificate confirming this fact must be submitted.

To record details of a severe disability and the need for an accompanying person, a severe disability card or a severe disability card with an accompanying person must be submitted.

Documents are not required if the requested detail is stated in a previously issued identity card or recorded in the public administration information system, provided there are no doubts or discrepancies regarding its accuracy and completeness. 

Additional obligations when submitting documents:

• documents required for the issuance of an identity card are presented for inspection (the document will be returned to the citizen; there is no need to make a copy) in the original, as a certified transcript, or a certified copy. For a document in a foreign language, its certified translation into the official language must be submitted.

Additional documents required when applying for a new identity card in specific situations can be found on the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic website.Opens in a new window

How to apply for an identity card

In person (except for physically incapacitated citizens and citizens with a mental illness).

You apply for the issuance of an identity card directly at the counter, where you hand over your previous document, submit the required documents, and an eKolok confirming payment of the administrative fee. The official will capture your facial image, and citizens aged 15 to 65 are required to enter a personal security code (BOK). It is possible to activate certificates for creating a qualified electronic signature on the issued identity card, which are used for electronic communication with public authorities.

In case of an in-person visit, a date and time can be booked via the Universal Reservation System of the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic.Opens in a new window

What do you need to know to successfully use online appointment booking?

• upon successful booking, the applicant receives a PIN code, which they enter into the kiosk on the day of their appointment; the kiosk will print a ticket with a queue number
• the PIN code can be used within 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after the appointment time, after which it expires

Video guide – Online booking for in-person office visits

In connection with the transition from identity cards with a chip to identity cards with a chip and biometric data, it will not be possible to obtain this document online. The issuance of biometric identity cards requires personal presence of the applicant.

Collection of the issued identity cards

Your new identity card will be issued:

• within 30 days of submitting the application
• within 2 working days (expedited issuance) for a €20 fee

You will receive an SMS at the phone number provided in your application once your identity card is ready for collection.

Who is authorised to collect the identity card

The identity card can be collected in person by the applicant, a legal representative, a close relative (presenting their own identity card), or another authorised representative.

• you can have the card sent by post to the address specified in the applicationOpens in a new window. This service is subject to a fee
• you can collect the card at the department specified in your applicationOpens in a new window. It is therefore up to you which identity documents department of a District Directorate of the Police Force you choose to collect the card from

Administrative fees (effective from 1 April 2024)

Issuance of an identity card (recording new details or changes) - €7

Issuance of an identity card (loss or theft of a card valid for less than 10 years) - €14

Issuance of an identity card (loss or theft of a card valid for 10 years) - €25

Expedited issuance within 2 working days - €27.50*

Postal delivery within the Slovak Republic - €11*

* Includes the base €7 fee

The base €7 fee is waived for:

• citizens being issued an ID card upon turning 15 who have permanent residence in the Slovak Republic
• citizens replacing an expired ID card
• citizens issued a new ID card due to a change through no fault of their own, or due to an error in the card details caused by the manufacturer, the Police Force issuing department, or a Slovak diplomatic mission
• citizens replacing a valid ID card that lacks an electronic chip
• citizens issued an ID card following restriction, modification, or restoration of legal capacity
• citizens over 15 who qualify for a fee waiver and are adding, changing, or removing details on their ID card
• citizens over 60, as well as holders of a severe disability card (ZŤP or ZŤP with an accompanying person), who are also exempt from the €25 fee for loss or theft
• citizens changing their surname after marriage, who are also exempt from the €25 fee for loss or theft
• citizens eligible for a fee waiver who are adding or updating details on their card (e.g. replacing a card with a chip card, renewing within 180 days before expiry, or changing a surname after marriage while updating details) – applies to both mandatory details (e.g. permanent residence) and optional details (e.g. academic titles, blood group, severe health conditions, or disability status)

The €14 fee for loss or theft of an ID card valid for less than 10 years (children’s ID cards with a photo) is waived for citizens issued an ID card upon expiry of the lost or stolen card.

The €25 fee is waived for citizens issued an ID card due to theft if the card was taken by force, provided the incident was reported to the relevant Police Force department or the competent police authority in the country where it occurred.

Submitting an application

If you are a Slovak citizen, at least 15 years old, and have permanent residence within the Slovak Republic, you are required to hold an ID card. You may also hold an ID card if you do not have permanent residence within the Slovak Republic or are under 15 years of age (in which case an ID card without a facial image is issued). More information is available on the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic websiteOpens in a new window.

Applications must be submitted in person at any Police Force identity documents department in the Slovak Republic or at a Slovak diplomatic mission abroad. A citizen to whom the ID card is to be issued must undergo facial image capture, signature capture, and set up a personal security code (BOK). More information is available on the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic website.Opens in a new window

Required documents

• birth certificate (if the birth certificate does not state a personal identification number, another document proving this number is required)
• other documents – e.g. proof of residence, proof of citizenship, a court ruling restricting legal capacity, a medical certificate when recording blood group, a serious health condition, or when capturing facial image wearing dark-tinted glasses, etc.
   

Time limits

Submitting an application – no earlier than 30 days before reaching 15 years of age

Issuance of an ID card – the standard processing time is up to 30 days

Expedited issuance of an ID card (within 2 days) – for a fee of €20 

Fees (valid from 1 April 2024)

First ID card (up to 30 days) – free of charge

Expedited issuance of an ID card (within 2 days) - €20

ID card delivery to an address in the Slovak Republic - €4

Collection

You can collect your ID in person:

• at the Police Force department where you submitted your application
• at the Police Force department specified when submitting your application, or
• by requesting delivery to an address in the Slovak Republic

An ID card may be collected by:

• a legal representative (parent, guardian, custodian, etc.) – if you are under 15 years of age or have restricted legal capacity
• a close relative (parent, grandparent, sibling, spouse, adult child) upon presenting an identity document, or
• another person upon presenting an identity document and an officially certified power of attorney

What to do if your ID card is lost or stolen

If your ID card has been stolen or lost, you are obliged to: 

Reporting a lost or stolen ID card

1. Report it immediately:

• in person at a district directorate, a diplomatic mission, or any Police Force department, or
• electronically via the service Reporting loss or theft of an ID card with a chipOpens in a new window

An ID card reported as stolen or lost becomes invalid. Even if you find the ID card later, you can no longer use it.

2. Appear when requested by the relevant authority to resolve matters concerning your ID card (except for a physically incapacitated citizen), this obligation also applies to the legal representative of a minor.

The relevant authority will draw up an official record, issue an ID card confirmation, and enter the stolen or lost ID card into the ID card register. (The ID card registerOpens in a new window contains the numbers and series of lost and stolen ID cards to prevent document misuse.)

Application for a new ID card

A citizen is required to apply to a district directorate or a diplomatic mission for a new ID card within 30 days after the ID card becomes invalid (a document reported as stolen or lost becomes invalid).

In the event of loss or theft, you can apply for a new ID card:

• at any district directorate (identity documents department), or
• at a diplomatic mission of the Slovak Republic abroad

Once you submit the application, an ID card confirmation will serve as a substitute for your ID card. However, you may only be without an ID card for a maximum of 90 days (the deadline for collecting the ID card after submitting the application).

Fees

Submitting an application for an ID card as a replacement for a destroyed, lost, stolen, or damaged ID card - €25

Submitting an application for expedited issuance of an ID card (within 2 working days) - €20 + base fee*

Delivery of an ID card to a specified address in the Slovak Republic - €4 + base fee*

*base fee = €7

Exempt from fees associated with applying for a new ID card in the event of theft or loss are:

• citizens over 60 years of age or holders of a severe disability card

Collecting a new ID card

A citizen can collect the ID card:

• at any district directorate specified when submitting the application for an ID card, or
• by requesting delivery to any address in the Slovak Republic via a designated service

A citizen who applies for an ID card can collect it in person once it has been issued.

An ID card may also be collected on behalf of a citizen by:

• a close relative (e.g. parent, sibling, spouse) upon presenting their identity document
• a legal representative (for a minor)
• another person, only if they present their identity document and an officially power of attorney 

A power of attorney is not required if a citizen over 15 years of age authorises another person when submitting the application, specifies this in the application, and signs before the issuing authority.

If you applied for an ID card electronically, you must collect the issued document in person at the District Directorate of the Police Force specified in your application. Another person cannot be authorised to collect an ID card issued this way.

Additional obligations in the event of loss or theft of an ID card

• if you find someone else’s ID card, hand it in immediately to any authority that issues ID cards (or to an officer of the Police Force, Military Police, municipal police, or a municipality, who must immediately forward it to a district directorate).
• if you find your previous ID card after applying for a new ID card that was lost or stolen, hand it in to a district directorate or a diplomatic mission.