By honouring my grandfather, I secured my future in Europe

I was intrigued — not just by reconnecting with my heritage, but by the unexpected doors it could open across Europe and beyond.

Oath appointment at the Slovak Embassy in Stockholm, January 2026 (source: Courtesy, Samantha)

The following opinion piece was written by Samantha, who asked that her surname be withheld. The Slovak Spectator is aware of her full identity.

I never imagined that something could alter the course of my life as profoundly as becoming a European citizen. Yet after a four-year journey, I was granted Slovak citizenship — an honour I can say, without hesitation, is the greatest achievement of my life.

In 2022, I was finishing my bachelor’s degree in Canada and standing at the edge of adulthood, asking the familiar question: What’s next?

From a young age, I had been deeply fascinated by my European heritage, shaped by the stories of my grandfather, who was born in Slovakia, and my father, who visited often while growing up. In many ways, I carried a quiet sense of “European FOMO” throughout my entire life.

Growing up in Canada, when someone asked where you’re from, the answer often reflected heritage rather than geography. For me, that question became almost existential. I ate Slovak food. I lived with Slovak family members. I had visited Slovakia. I could say I was Slovak — but I longed for a deeper, more meaningful connection to what that truly meant.

So when it came time to decide on my next chapter, exploring my roots felt inevitable. While researching, I learned that Slovakia was considering a change in its citizenship laws to allow citizenship by descent. Knowing I had all of my grandfather’s documents, I was immediately intrigued — not only by the opportunity to reconnect with my heritage, but also by the doors this could open across Europe.

At the time, the proposed law seemed complex and uncertain.

I began searching for agencies to guide me through the process and found one. From my first conversations with Dayn and Pedro at the company, I felt an immediate sense of trust. They were already deeply knowledgeable about the anticipated law change, and I decided to work with them even before the legislation was officially passed.

Wanting to be actively involved, I also began researching independently. That’s when I discovered a Facebook group called “Slovak Living Abroad Certificate & Slovak Citizenship”. I cannot recommend this community enough. It became a space of shared knowledge, encouragement, and solidarity — a group of strangers rooting for one another as we navigated the same life-changing process together.

Samantha with her grandfather, 2015 (source: Courtesy, Samantha)

Everything felt under control — until life intervened. I moved to Sweden to pursue my master’s degree, adding a new layer of complexity to the process. The bureaucratic differences between Sweden and Canada were significant, yet Dayn and Pedro went above and beyond — coordinating police checks, fingerprints (which Swedish authorities told me they had never done before), and countless administrative details. It was during this phase that I truly understood just how much Dayn and Pedro had done for me.

We also explored alternative pathways, including the Slovak Living Abroad (SLA) route. Although this didn’t end up being my final path, it led me to something incredibly meaningful: a course called “Slovakia: People and Land” with Global Slovakia. For the first time, I felt I was learning about my heritage in a deep, intentional way. I would highly recommend these courses to anyone seeking a genuine connection to Slovakia — regardless of which citizenship pathway they choose.

By January 2024, I had finally gathered all the necessary documentation and booked my appointment at the Slovak Embassy in Stockholm. I was the first person to submit a citizenship-by-descent application there. The embassy staff were incredibly kind, and then — the waiting began.

Online, I saw wildly different timelines. Some applicants heard back within months; others waited nearly two years.

I was one of the latter.

Ironically, I was back in Canada for Christmas when I received the call from the embassy. I burst into tears instantly. In that moment, my life changed forever. I had honoured my grandfather. I had secured my future in Europe — free from the quiet fear of deportation. And in the time between applying and receiving the decision, I had also met the love of my life, a Swedish citizen, and together we carried the uncertainty of my residence status under Swedish law quietly in the background. What once felt uncertain suddenly became solid, safe, and full of possibility.

Upon returning to Sweden, I booked my oath appointment immediately. I was given the option to take the oath in English — but I declined. I wanted it to be traditional. I practiced my Slovak for days. When I finished reciting the oath, the consular officer and I exchanged a look. She told me she had goosebumps. Tears streamed down my face — tears of joy, pride, and gratitude.

Now begins the final stage: obtaining my citizenship documents and birth certificate so I can apply for my Slovak passport. None of this would have been possible without Dayn and Pedro and the incredible staff at the Slovak Embassy.

My life has changed forever. And as I look ahead now that I am nearing the completion of this journey, my future includes buying property in Slovakia — a place to return to, to gather with family, and to honour the roots that brought me here.

Read more: https://spectator.sme.sk/opinion/c/by-honouring-my-grandfather-i-secured-my-future-in-europe