Slovaks living abroad but having official permanent residence in Slovakia are obliged to take part in the census set for February 15-March 31, while those with permanent residence outside Slovakia should take part in the census in the country where they actually live, the chairman of the Office for Slovaks Living Abroad Milan Jan Pilip said at a press conference on Thursday.
All residents of Slovakia - including those with temporary and tolerated residence - are obliged to take part in the census by filling an electronic template.
Meanwhile, the Office for Slovaks Living Abroad is due to launch an information campaign about the release of certificates for Slovaks living outside Slovakia's borders. These people will be allowed to work or study in Slovakia without special permits and be able to ask for Slovak citizenship after spending three years in Slovakia. The highest numbers of applicants for this certificate are from Ukraine and Serbia, said Pilip.
According to him, the office also wants to establish contacts with the so-called new diaspora, namely Slovaks who have left for abroad only recently and want to return or at least co-operate with Slovakia. In the past, the office used to focus on communication with traditional communities of ethnic Slovaks abroad, added Pilip.
Source: TASR
