Nostrification in Slovakia: What It Is, Why You Need It and How to Do It
Everyone who plans to enrol at a university abroad, including in Slovakia, comes up against the nostrification procedure. We look at what it is, why it is needed, which documents to prepare and how long the process takes.
What nostrification is
Nostrification is the recognition of educational documents obtained in another country. In essence, it is the agreement of the relevant state authorities that your school-leaving certificate or diploma is legally valid in Slovakia.
Without it you cannot apply to a Slovak university and, in many cases, cannot take a job in your field either, if the profession requires recognised qualifications.
A tip: do not apply in the capital
Processing times vary noticeably by region. In Bratislava the flow of applicants is larger and the procedure takes roughly a month, whereas in smaller regional centres — Nitra, for example — it can be considerably quicker. If you are not tied to a particular town, it is worth submitting your documents in a less busy region.
Where to arrange nostrification
The procedure is carried out at the regional school administration office (Regionálny úrad školskej správy). In Bratislava this office is at Tomášikova 46.
Before your visit, always check the current opening hours on the official website russ-ba.sk. The nostrification department has traditionally been open only a few hours a week — usually Tuesday morning and Thursday afternoon — so you need to arrive on time and check the schedule in advance, as it changes from time to time.
Which documents you need
- A passport. If you are under 18, your guardian’s passport as well.
- An official translation of your educational document into Slovak. For university admission this is your certificate of complete secondary education together with all its annexes.
- An application (žiadosť) — the form is handed out on the spot when you apply, and asks for personal details: first name, surname, email address and so on.
- Proof of payment of the administrative fee.
Translating the documents
The translation must be done by an official sworn translator registered in Slovakia — an ordinary translation will not be accepted. You can find a translator for the language pair you need in the official register of the Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic on the portal obcan.justice.sk.
The cost of the translation depends on the length of the document and on the translator — expect several tens of euros for a certificate with its annexes. Check the price in advance.
Paying the fee
The administrative fee is paid at the post office. After paying you will be given a receipt, which you must take to the same member of staff you submitted your nostrification documents to. The fee is small, but it is best to check the current amount when you apply.
How the procedure works
Once you have submitted the complete set of documents, all that remains is to wait for an email telling you that the nostrification is ready and can be collected.
Important: do not hand over the original
When you receive the completed nostrification, do not give the document itself to anyone — make a notarised copy instead. Nostrification is issued once and must stay with you. If you need to provide it to a university, you submit the certified copy.
A tip: make several certified copies at once if you plan to apply to more than one university — it will save you time.
What to do next
With your nostrification in hand you can apply to Slovak universities. An overview of educational institutions is collected in the article Schools and universities in Slovakia, and the procedure for a student residence permit is covered in the article A residence permit in Slovakia for a Ukrainian student.
If you plan to combine study with part-time work, you may find the article Should students work in Slovakia useful.
Frequently asked questions
How long does nostrification take?
In Bratislava, roughly a month, because of the large number of applicants. In less busy regions the procedure can take only a few days.
Can I submit the documents in another town?
Yes, nostrification is carried out by regional school administration offices across the country, and you do not have to apply where you live.
Will a translation made in Ukraine be accepted?
No. You need a translation from a sworn translator registered in Slovakia. You can find one in the register of the Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic.
Is nostrification needed in order to work?
For many professions yes — especially where recognised qualifications are required (medicine, teaching, some technical fields). For unskilled work it is usually not needed.
Is nostrification done more than once?
No, the procedure is carried out once and the document stays with you. Only notarised copies are submitted to institutions.
Important. The information in this article has been collected from public sources online and is up to date at the time of publication. Conditions and rules change. Before making any decisions, check the current information and consult a relevant specialist.