- My husband's family immigrated to the USA in the 1900s and we are attempting to locate relatives in Slovakia. Where or whom can we contact to obtain this information?
You have two options. First of all you can do it by yourself, according to the information you have from the birth certificates of your parents and by contacting municipal authorities in Slovakia - this process will most likely be very lengthy and also very complicated if you do not speak Slovak.
Your second option is to hire a company that can do this for you. There is such a company in Slovakia, and I believe that they can also find living relatives in Slovakia. Of course their services are not free. Before you decide which path you would like to take, I recommend you visit the website of the International Czechoslovak Genealogical Society (www.cgsi.org). They can be a good source for this information. After getting the basic information you will know whether you can do the search yourself or will need professional assistance.
- I am a British citizen married to a Slovak woman. Now I am retired and living in Slovakia. I wanted to purchase a mobile phone and buy a car but wasn't able to do so without permanent residency. I would also like to ask about health insurance. I have the E111 form for EU member states. What does it cover me for?
It is true that mobile phone operators and car dealers will not sell you anything unless you prove that you have some type of residency in Slovakia. Even after EU accession they require EU citizens to have permission. According to Slovak legislation you are not required to register at the Foreign Police but the needs of everyday life - like purchasing a car or phone - force you to do so. The only positive thing is that this procedure is quite easy and fast. After submitting the application for a residence permit at the respective Foreign Police office they will issue you a permit valid for five years. My recommendation is that you get this registration done.
For your health insurance, this is still uncertain ground. We know for certain that this insurance should cover all emergencies but regular care is still a question. We consulted an insurance company and a doctor who both said that this insurance would cover "necessary health care upon the decision of a doctor". I recommend you discuss this with a Slovak doctor directly; maybe you can approach your wife's physician.
Ivona Telekiová
General Manager of the Bratislava-based company Relocation s.r.o. (www.relo.sk), awaits your questions at surviving.slovakia@gpp.sk
