Slovakia ID card electronic signature certificates to expire

Approximately 130,000 people in Slovakia face an upcoming deadline regarding their identity documents. Certificates for qualified electronic signatures (KEP) contained in certain ID cards and residence permits will expire on September 28, 2026.

This expiration specifically affects documents issued between June 21, 2021, and November 30, 2022, which feature the CardOS v5.4 chip. While the physical ID cards will remain valid for proving identity and traveling abroad, those who rely on them for digital official signatures—such as business executives and entrepreneurs—will lose this functionality unless they obtain new documents.

To restore digital signing capabilities, affected individuals must apply for a new ID card through the Police Force. The Ministry of Interior notes that for newer cards, the key pair for the electronic signature must be generated in a secure environment at the National Personalization Centre during the personalization process to ensure security.