Slovak descendants claim their EU passports

In 2022, Slovakia rolled out its updated Citizenship Act, and with it came a surprising surge of interest from Slovak descendants across the globe—from the United States and Canada to as far as Australia, Argentina, and even Israel. This new law has given individuals with Slovak roots an opportunity to reclaim their heritage, reconnect with their family history, and, for many, secure a coveted EU passport.

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But this surge in citizenship is part of a larger story: a revival of interest in Slovakia itself and a bridge reconnecting the Slovak homeland with its vast heritage diaspora. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, Slovakia experienced a massive emigration wave. Over a third of the Slovak nation—some 750,000 people—left for the United States to work in the coal mines and steel mills of the industrial Northeast. By the 1920 U.S. Census, around 620,000 Slovaks were recorded as living in America, many of whom had put down roots and built communities.

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Slovak descendants, young and old, are growing increasingly curious about Slovakia—spurred by recent changes to the Citizenship Act that extend Slovak and EU citizenship eligibility up to the third generation. (Source: Courtesy of Zuzana Palovic)

However, political tides soon shifted. After the collapse of Europe’s old empires (WWI), the U.S. imposed strict immigration quotas that essentially cut off Slovak migration. Then came the devastation of World War II, bringing mobility to a halt. The following decades of Cold War and the Iron Curtain held Slovakia landlocked and isolated, severing the connection between Slovaks on either side of the Atlantic.

The effect on Slovak-American ties was profound. With Czechoslovakia aligned with the Eastern Bloc—and thus viewed as an “opponent” during the Cold War—Slovak-Americans gradually stopped teaching their children the Slovak language to shield them from discrimination. For many, the language was lost, and generations grew up with a more distant relationship to their origins. Yet, that heritage found its way into daily life through tradition: families still gathered around Slovak dishes, and celebrations like Christmas and Easter were marked by Slovak rituals lovingly passed down over the years.

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These small but powerful traditions became cultural touchstones, preserving a sense of Slovak identity even as the language faded. Now, with Slovakia’s new Citizenship Act, descendants have an opportunity to reclaim that heritage in a fuller sense, reconnecting with the land of their ancestors and reinvigorating the bond that was once forced to fade – due to geopolitical reasons.

Natalie Davis, a Tennessee native and recent recipient of Slovak citizenship by descent, pictured with Zuzana Palovic in Bratislava, has recently relocated to Slovakia. (Source: Courtesy of Zuzana Palovic)

As global uncertainties rise and Americans reconsider their future, a remarkable trend has emerged: many with European ancestry are seeking dual citizenship as a "Plan B." For those with Slovak roots, the Slovak Citizenship Act—designed to make citizenship by descent more accessible—offers a profound opportunity to access Europe.

Take Natalie Davis, for instance, a Slovak-American from Memphis, Tennessee who recently embarked on her citizenship journey through her grandfather’s heritage. For Natalie, reclaiming her Slovak citizenship wasn’t just about paperwork; it was a personal quest to reconnect. "Slovakia and Europe have always attracted me, I never fully ‘felt’ at home in States" she shares. "Plus, Bratislava is so centrally located—you can travel to Vienna, Budapest, or Prague in a matter of hours. Compared to the U.S., everything here feels so close."

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For others, this journey opens new professional horizons. John Grischow, a Chicago-native who gained Slovak citizenship this October, is preparing to take his oath at the Slovak Consulate in New York. With a foot in both worlds, John envisions leveraging his dual citizenship to bridge European and American businesses, serving as a connector and knowledge broker. Reflecting on the process, he admits there were challenges but adds, "It was worth every step. Being both a Slovak and an EU citizen opens a world of opportunities I’d never have accessed as an American."

John Tanner Grischow, a recent Slovak citizenship recipient, touring Slovakia this October with his mother Lori—also of Slovak descent—at Popradské Pleso in the breathtaking High Tatras, on Global Slovakia’s Eastern Epic immersion experience. (Source: Courtesy of Zuzana Palovic)

Of course, the path to citizenship is not without its obstacles. As a relatively new law, the Slovak Citizenship Act is evolving, with hundreds of applications already submitted and thousands in progress. This surge presents Slovakia with an opportunity not only to integrate a new diaspora but also to position itself as a prime destination for tourism. Americans of Slovak descent, in particular, have a unique affinity for Slovakia—unlike other travelers who might instinctively gravitate towards Italy, Germany, or France, they feel a deeper connection and a natural curiosity toward this “little big country.”

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By fostering tourism aimed specifically at Slovak descendants, Slovakia can tap into an enthusiastic market, strengthening its brand abroad while encouraging descendants to experience their heritage firsthand. Thanks to the recent change in the Slovak Citizenship Act, this small, central European nation –has the unique potential to tug at the heartstrings of Americans with Slovak roots and gain a new and loyal following.

According to the 1990 U.S. Census, nearly two million Americans identified as having Slovak heritage—a bond that, today, many are eagerly rekindling.

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