Frequently asked questions: Application Submission

How do I submit my application in writing (by post or at the Registry Room)? What documents are required?

Paper submission must be delivered by post or in person to the registry room of the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic. If you do not know what type of application to make, please use the Navigator.

• Application for recognition of evidence of formal/professional qualifications to practise a regulated profession
• Application for recognition of the level of foreign higher education for further study and other purposes
• Application for evaluation of studies abroad
• Application for confirmation of professional qualifications in the field of education
• Application for apostille/legalisation

How do I submit my application electronically? What documents are required?

Electronic submission is possible through the Central Public Administration Portal (requires active electronic ID/eIDAS). Please follow the procedure according to the type of application. If you do not know what type of application to submit, please use the Navigator.

• Application for recognition of a document of education/professional qualification for the exercise of a regulated profession
• Application for recognition of a higher education degree for further study and other purposes
• Application for evaluation of studies abroad
• Application for confirmation of professional qualifications in the field of education

In case of other type of application (e.g. request for issuing the final validity clause, submission of additional documents), please use the General agenda electronic submission to the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic.

Application for apostille/legalization must be submitted psysically, electronic submission is unavailable.

Can I also apply by email?

As the services of the Centre for Recognition of Diplomas are procedures according to Administrative Codex, submission by email is not acceptable (with the exception of a request for finality clause to a decision).

The Centre for Recognition of Diplomas applications can be submitted by:

• electronically via the Central Portal of Public Administration (www.slovensko.sk) with an activated identity document/eIDAS (except for apostille/legalization requests that must be submitted physically)
• in writing by post or in person at the office of the competent authority

Can someone else make the application for me?

Yes, but a power of attorney is required, which will include the scope of representation and the personal details of both you and the person making the application on your behalf (the representative). Communication regarding the application will be with the person listed in the applicant section via their contact details.

If you do not provide a letter of authorisation, other persons will not be able to enquire about the status of your application or receive your decision or other correspondence about your application.

A power of attorney is not required for apostille/legalization applications; as long as they have the documents, another person may submit an application for their higher authentication.

Can I also submit the application in person? Do I have to book an appointment? Will I be given a consultation on the spot? Will I be able to pay the administration fee on the spot?

The application can be submitted in person at the Registry Office at Černyševského 50, Bratislava, during office hours. There is no need to book an appointment, but it is just a matter of submitting (delivering) the application. The application will not be processed on the spot and you will not be given on-site consultation.

You are expected to arrive at the Registry Room with a complete application, including the completed application form, required attachments and the administrative fee (eKolok). There is no eKolok dispensing machine (kiosk) in the building, eKolok must be purchased in advance at the branches of Slovak Post a.s., in the mobile or online application and the application must be accompanied by a receipt with a QR code (sample) necessary to process the fee. The Registry Room can confirm receipt of the application on the copy of the application brought by you.

Registry staff are not trained to provide information regarding the recognition agenda and will not provide you with professional consultation. If you need advice, please use the contacts at the Centre for the Recognition of Diplomas before submitting your application. In-person consultations are not available at the Centre for the Recognition of Diplomas.

How do I pay the correct fee? What should I do if I have problems paying the administration fee?

Administrative fees must be paid in the eKolok system, which is administered by Slovenská pošta, a.s. The payment of the administrative fee is evidenced by a Certificate of Payment, which can be purchased:

• at the branches of Slovenská pošta, a.s., where you will indicate the value of the stamp you wish to purchase (valid for 2 years)
• by searching for the service in the eKolok mobile application (valid for 1 month)
• by searching for the service in the online application at https://m.ekolky.gov.sk (valid for 1 month)

Confirmation of payment is a receipt with a QR code (sample). Please do not send cash register receipts or email receipts, a QR code is necessary for the processing of the administrative fee by the registry room. 

Please do not send eKolok that is expired or just before expiration. All unused eKolok confirmations can be exchanged for money at the branches of Slovak Post.

If you cannot find the service in the app, try the service code. Centre for Recognition of Diplomas uses the following service codes:

• code 2090 - for recognition of evidence of formal/professional qualifications to practise a regulated profession in the Slovak Republic, if decided on by the same competent authority (administrative fee of EUR 140)
• code 6355 - for the recognition of formal qualifications for the purpose of exercising a regulated profession in the Slovak Republic (administrative fee of EUR 70)
• code 1723 - for academic recognition of an educational document (for continuing studies and other purposes) if the Slovak Republic has concluded an international treaty on mutual recognition of the equivalence of educational documents with the state in which the document was acquired (administrative fee of EUR 7)
• code 2218 - for academic recognition of an educational document (for continuing studies and other purposes) if the Slovak Republic has not concluded an international treaty on mutual recognition of the equivalence of educational documents with the country in which the document was acquired (administrative fee of EUR 40)
• code 6356 - for issuance of a confirmation of professional competence to perform regulated professions 

If you are unable to pay for the service in advance, you may submit your application without an administrative fee. You will then be issued a payment order, which you can pay in several ways (in the application, at the branches of the Slovak Post a.s. or by bank transfer). The payment order will be sent to the e-mail address you provided in the application to speed up the processing.

If you submit your application electronically via the Central Public Administration Portal, you also do not need to purchase eKolok fee stamps in advance. The correct fee amount prescription will be generated when you sign the application and will be delivered to your electronic mailbox. If you have already paid the correct amount of the fee in advance, this is not a problem, please attach the eKolok receipt with the QR code as an attachment to the application, the delivered payment prescription may be ignored. If you have paid a different fee amount than the one delivered to your mailbox, please cancel the eKolok in the web or mobile app and pay the payment slip that was delivered to your mailbox instead.

What is the difference between a certified copy and an official translation? What does 'own translation' mean?

A certified (or notarized) copy confirms that the photocopy of the document corresponds to the original issue of the document. It is guaranteed by a notary or other authorised person (authorized postal company, registry office or consular office).

An official translation confirms that the translation of the document is correct and that the content corresponds to the original language edition. This is guaranteed by a translator listed by the Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic (not a commercial translator).

If both a notarized copy and an official translation are required in a particular type of proceeding, it is advisable to have a notarized copy of the original document bound into the official translation bundle.

If it is stated that your own translation is accepted for the document, this means that a translation into Slovak is still required, but we will also accept your own translation (attached on a separate sheet), a commercial translation or another legible translation. Your own translation does not need to be signed or verified in any way. In case of doubt, the competent authority will contact the home country or, if the legislation allows, the competent authority is entitled to request an official translation.

Can I submit certified copies and official translations from foreign notaries and translators?

Copies of the educational documents you submit with your application for recognition may also be certified abroad. However, in case of doubt, the certification by a foreign notary or foreign translator may require a higher authentification of the signature or seal - apostille/superlegalization in the country of certification, unless an international agreement stipulates otherwise.

Is an apostille or superlegalization of the home state required for the recognition of a foreign qualification?

As of 1. 9. 2026, a change is applicable and in the process of recognition of the level of higher education for further studies and other purposes, apostille or superlegalization of a document issued outside the European Higher Education Area is required.

In case of other recognition processes, apostille/superlegalization is not required at the time of application submission. However, in the event that, after examination of the application, there are doubts about the authenticity of the educational document issued in a third country, the competent authority may request higher verification during the process and invite the applicant in writing to supply the apostille or superlegalization clause of the evidence document.

My last name differs from the one printed on the qualification. Should I include a certificate of name change?

In such case, it is recommended to include a simple copy of the proof of the name change (e.g., the marriage certificate).

Topics:

Recognition statement National regulated professions database Application forms Issuing of decisions Supplementary examination for third country healthcare professionals Proportionality test for regulated professions