Tens of Thousands of Slovak Residents May Lose the Right to Electronic Signatures: How to Avoid Being Among Them

Approximately 130,000 residents of Slovakia may face restrictions when using a qualified electronic signature (KEP). The reason is the expiration of certificates on a certain type of chip installed in Slovak identity cards and residence documents for foreigners.

This concerns documents with the CardOS v5.4 chip, issued from 21 June 2021 to 30 November 2022. It is on such documents that approximately 130,000 owners currently have a qualified certificate for electronic signatures installed.

These certificates will automatically cease to be valid on 28 September 2026. Therefore, those who will still need KEP after this date will have to replace the document itself.

Possible Alternatives

The expiration of the certificate does not mean that the identity card or residence card will become invalid. Documents with the CardOS v5.4 chip can still be used after 28 September for electronic government services where entry with a BOK — personal security code — is sufficient.

Additionally, from 27 August, such documents can have a certificate installed for the so-called recognised method of authorisation (uznaný spôsob autorizácie). The Slovak Ministry of the Interior has released an updated version of the eID Client application for its download.

However, this option is not suitable in all situations. The main difference lies in the legal force of the qualified electronic signature — it has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature. Therefore, KEP is required in cases where an officially certified signature is provided for the corresponding document or statement in paper form.

This may concern, for example:

• submission of certain official statements and documents to government bodies;
• electronic documents for which legislation provides for the use of a qualified signature;
• documents that must be signed with official or notarial certification in paper form;
• some documents signed outside government electronic services.

The recognised method of authorisation does not provide such legal capabilities. Therefore, for users who need a qualified electronic signature, installing a new certificate on the old document will not solve the problem.

How to Replace the Document

Owners of Slovak identity cards issued between 21 June 2021 and 30 November 2022 who wish to continue using KEP need to obtain a new document. Slovak citizens can apply for a replacement at any police station that issues documents. Foreigners with the relevant residence documents need to contact their local migration police office.