Zuzana Palovic speaking with Michael Mojher from California about his eligibility for Slovak citizenship. Global Slovakia offers free daily consultations to Slovak descendants eager to reconnect with their heritage and reclaim their European passport. (source: Courtesy, Global Slovakia)
More than 120 years have passed since Michael Mojher’s family left Slovakia, yet their connection has never truly faded. A proud third-generation Slovak-American, Mojher grew up hearing stories of his great-grandfather—a man who left his homeland in the late 1800s, drawn by the promise of work in America’s booming economy.
Like so many Slovaks of that era, his great-grandfather toiled in harsh conditions of Pennsylvania’s coal mines, saving every penny to bring his family over. In the early 1900s, his son—Mojher’s grandfather—returned to the territory of present-day Slovakia to find a wife, and bring her to the United States.
Generations later, that same pull remains. Born and raised in California, Mojher has spent years investing his time, energy, and resources into reconnecting with the land his ancestors once called home. His journey has taken him to Slovakia more than ten times, where he has walked the same cobbled streets as his great-grandfather, and grandfather once called home.
And now, thanks to Slovakia’s expanded citizenship laws, Mojher—like millions of other Slovak descendants—has the chance to reclaim what was always his: his birthright, his Slovak citizenship.
For many Slovak descendants, heritage is more than a distant memory—it’s an identity passed down through generations. Mark Sedio, a second-generation Slovak-American from Minnesota, put it simply: “We never said we were American. We always said we were Slovak.” Despite time and distance, traditions endure—old recipes, family stories, even echoes of the language once spoken at kitchen tables.
For those who qualify, reclaiming Slovak citizenship is not just about honoring the past—it’s about opening the door to the future. With an EU passport in hand, Slovak citizens can live, work, and study freely in any of the 27 European Union nations. There’s no need to relocate to Slovakia, yet the benefits of European citizenship remain vast. Lower university tuition, access to free healthcare, business opportunities, and seamless global travel are just a few of the advantages.
Additionally, Slovak citizenship is inheritable, allowing the children and future generations of those who obtain it to call Europe home.
The expansion of Slovak citizenship eligibility didn’t happen overnight. It was the result of years of advocacy, research, and unwavering dedication. As the founder of Global Slovakia, I played a pivotal role in the One Slovak Family Movement, spearheading nearly two years of lobbying efforts to urge the Slovak government to recognize the right of Slovak descendants to reclaim their birthright (Slovak citizenship).
This milestone was not achieved alone. It was the result of tireless collaboration with an incredible team, including Parviz Malakouti, a Slovak descendant and attorney based in California, and Samuel Ďurovčík, a brilliant Slovak law student (now graduate) in Brno, Czech Republic. Our shared passion and expertise were amplified by thousands of Slovak descendants worldwide who stood with us—signing petitions, contacting ambassadors, and even sending letters directly to then Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger.
Our collective persistence paid off. In April 2022, Slovakia amended its Citizenship Act, for the first time in history extending eligibility to the third generation of Slovak descendants.
If your grandparent or great-grandparent was Slovak, this is your moment—an opportunity to reclaim what was always yours.
