Slovakia to expire electronic signature certificates for 130,000 residents

Approximately 130,000 citizens and foreign residents in Slovakia will face the expiration of their electronic signature certificates on September 28, 2026. This affects holders of identity cards and residence permits issued between June 21, 2021, and November 30, 2022, which utilize the CardOS v5.4 chip.

To maintain access to electronic services, such as filing tax returns or communicating with state institutions, affected individuals can use an alternative method known as a ‘recognized method of authorization’. Starting August 27, 2026, users can issue this certificate via the updated eID client application (version 5.4).

While the recognized method of authorization works for many digital services, it differs from the Qualified Electronic Signature (KEP). The KEP carries the legal weight of a handwritten signature and is required for documents that necessitate an officially certified signature in paper form. Those who specifically require a KEP must apply for a new identity document at a Police Force department or a foreign police department.