BRATISLAVA, January 29, (WEBNOVINY) — The overall number of Slovak citizens who lost citizenship of the Slovak Republic by accepting citizenship of another country in the past eighteen months was 206. The amendment to the Citizenship Act based on which a citizen of Slovakia automatically loses his/her Slovak citizenship after being granted another country’s citizenship based on an expression of his/her free will came into force on July 17, 2010. It was adopted in reaction to the Hungarian act that enables the acquisition of Hungarian citizenship even to people that do not have permanent residence and have never lived in Hungary. It is enough if they have Hungarian ancestors.
Lubomira Miklovicova of the Communications Department of the Interior Ministry told SITA news agency that since July 2010 when the law came into force until January 20 of this year, 113 women and 93 men lost their citizenship of the Slovak Republic. Most of these people acquired citizenship of the Czech Republic (45 men and 58 women). The second highest number of now former residents, 24, acquired citizenship of the Federal Republic of Germany, 23 people became citizens of Hungary, and 22 acquired citizenship of Austria. Twelve Slovaks lost citizenship after becoming citizens of Great Britain, nine after they received US citizenship.
The Interior Ministry does not actively inquire about citizens of Slovakia who received citizenship of another country. It relies on information it receives from people who report a change of citizenship. „A citizen is required to communicate this information immediately after the acquisition of another citizenship. Otherwise, the person commits an offense for which he/she may be fined 3,319 euros, “ explained Miklovicova. Pursuant to the law, the loss of Slovak citizenship is automatic.
SITA
