Slovakia digital administration and ID certificate updates

Slovakia is undergoing administrative digitalization, including the implementation of a new Business Register where electronic data holds legal validity and synchronizes automatically with state databases.

Parallel to these reforms, the Ministry of Interior has notified approximately 130,000 citizens and foreign residents that their qualified electronic signature (KEP) certificates will expire on September 28, 2026. This expiration affects individuals holding identity cards or residence permits issued between June 21, 2021, and November 30, 2022, which utilize the CardOS v5.4 chip. While affected individuals can use a ‘recognized method of authorization’ via an updated eID client for many digital services, the KEP remains necessary for documents requiring the legal weight of a handwritten signature. To maintain KEP capabilities, users must apply for new identity documents at a Police Force department.

As part of its Recovery Plan, Slovakia has reached a milestone by digitalizing nine key life situations to reduce bureaucracy. Ministers Erik Tomáš and Kamil Šaško announced 58 specific improvements designed to simplify interactions between citizens, businesses, and the state. These digital services cover critical events such as the birth of a child, retirement, illness, loss of employment, death, and inheritance proceedings.

One example includes a new electronic pregnancy book that allows doctors to record data digitally, enabling the Social Insurance Agency to automatically process maternity benefits. A transitional period will allow old and new systems to operate simultaneously until January 31, 2027. While testing was completed by July 31, final confirmation from the European Commission is expected following an audit in October 2026.