A residence permit in Slovakia is granted to those who have the legal right to stay in the country temporarily (from 3 months). The reason for the stay may be, for example, work or study, opening or buying a company, activities of a special nature (creative, sports or scientific), family and humanitarian circumstances. Residency is usually granted for a period of six months to six years, depending on the reason for immigration. The residence permit confers a number of general civil rights in Slovakia and also replaces the visa for travel within the Schengen area.

The Slovak Republic approves residency status for foreigners who have no criminal record, are financially secured, and have rented or bought a home in the country. The reason for the move should be documented. Residence permit is the first step on the way to naturalization and obtaining an EU passport.

A citizen of any EU country within the framework of Directive 2004/38/EC can obtain a residence permit in Slovakia without additional requirements. A number of EU member states provide a passport under a simplified program, in the period from 4-6 months. You can check your chances for quick and easy processing of the second citizenship with the help of Relocation Compass specialized lawyers.

What does the Slovak residence permit give?

Residency in Slovakia provides the holder with the following privileges:

• long-term stay in the republic with the right to cross the border in both directions without a visa;
• free movement within the Schengen states without the need to obtain an entry permit;
• official employment, except for positions in the public sector;
• education in institutions of various degrees of accreditation, including kindergartens and schools for children;
• opening and running a business in the Single European Market with simplified logistics and no customs duties;
• the possibility of inviting close relatives to the country;
• receiving quality medical care in modern clinics on the basis of a single insurance policy;
• service in European banks on the same terms as citizens of the state, including international transfers and crediting;
• change of tax residency to reduce the financial burden and subsequent benefits (e.g., pension according to length of service);
• the prospect of becoming a Slovak citizen and obtaining an EU passport.

A Slovak resident undertakes to fulfil local laws on an equal footing with Slovak citizens, including social security payments and tax levies (if applicable). The residence permit restricts the holder in access to the electoral process in the republic, certain positions, and defense of interests abroad. A residence permit may be cancelled early if circumstances so require, it is not a guarantee of permanent residence in the country.

Conditions for issuing a Slovak residence permit

The main condition for obtaining a Slovak residence permit is the existence of a reason for moving to the country, which is established by national law 404/2011 ‘On the Residence of Foreigners’. Example – employment, enrolment in a higher education institution or self-employment. It is also necessary to prepare an appropriate dossier, undergo dactyloscopy and photo procedures and pay administrative fees. It is necessary to check yourself in advance for compliance with the requirements for the applicant, as non-compliance with at least one of the points may be the reason for refusal to issue a residence permit.

Who is granted a temporary residence permit?

The general requirements for an applicant for Slovak resident status are:

• absence of criminal record, including at home country and abroad;
• financial security at the level of 274 EUR for each month of stay in the country, or from 3290 EUR in total when opening a residence permit for a year or more;
• law-abidingness, not posing a threat to the safety and public health of the Slovak population;
• having a place of residence in the country for a period of at least six months;
• successful completion of a medical assessment within one month after moving to the country;
• registration of a European medical insurance.

Documents for obtaining a residence permit

You should apply for Slovak residency in your country of residence. To do this, you need to apply in person to the nearest consulate or embassy of the republic, submit a dossier and undergo an interview with a representative of the authorities. It is also possible to obtain a residence permit after being in Slovakia, if the stay there is legal, for example, within the visa-free regime or with a Schengen visa issued for seasonal work.

The immigrant’s dossier is as follows:

• a single-format application form completed in person on the official letterhead;
• 30 x 35 mm format photo in color;
• a receipt for payment of the state duty;
• passport for travelling abroad or its analogue;
• proof of the basis for the residence permit (work permit or certificate of marriage to a Slovak citizen);
• certificate of absence of criminal record in the applicant’s home country and in countries where the applicant has lived for more than 6 consecutive months in the 3 years preceding the submission of the request;
• bank statement or similar proof of financial security;
• proof of residential place in the country (e.g., property lease agreement or proof of hotel registration).

Within 3 days of approval of the right of residence, health insurance must be issued. All documents from the dossier must have been issued a maximum of 3 months prior to the request, excluding the passport. Each of them must be officially translated into Slovak, if required, and notarized, if necessary, marked with an apostille or superlegalised at the consulate.

Grounds for obtaining a residence permit by purpose of entry

Slovakia grants the right of temporary residence to those who have relatives in the country, start paid work or training, started or bought a company. It is possible to move to the country for specialized activities, which is relevant, for example, for scientific researchers, artists, athletes. The state also provides protection to foreigners within the framework of the Geneva Convention on the Rights of Refugees. Most types of residence permit in Slovakia are of the immigration type, i.e., they can be extended and subsequently give the right to naturalization.

Business

Those who start a company in Slovakia, plan to represent the interests of an existing company or work as a self-employed person (IE) are entitled to obtain a resident status. The residence permit is issued for a maximum of 3 years with the possibility of renewal. There are no restrictions on the size of the authorized capital and the scope of business activities for foreigners.

A self-employed person will need to have on the corporate bank account from 20 subsistence minimums, i.e., approximately from 5500 EUR in 2024. For representatives of companies this amount increases to 27500 EUR. The right to a residence permit is confirmed by the registration documents of the organization.

Education

The right of residence in Slovakia is available to students of local schools, colleges, language courses, as well as private and public universities. Residence is granted for a maximum period of six years, but no longer than the expected date of completion of studies. A certificate of enrollment in an accredited institution will be required to supplement the immigrant’s file for a residence permit by study. Students are allowed to engage in business during their temporary stay if it does not interfere with their main activity. Minors will be required to have parental permission to relocate.

Employment

Slovak companies have the right to hire foreigners if there are no resident applicants for a vacant position. A foreign specialist receives a residence permit with a validity period of up to 5 years or in accordance with the duration of the work contract. The exception is seasonal employment: in this case, the residence permit is valid for no more than six months within a 12-month period. The main document of an applicant for a working residence permit is a contract. In some cases, a separate work permit may be required.

Family reunification

Slovak citizens and residents (except for student residence permit holders and seasonal workers) have the possibility to invite close relatives to stay with them. These can be children (including of the spouse), parents (if the host is a minor), spouse. As an exception, a residence permit is approved for other family members, e.g., an elderly mother or father of an adult applicant who cannot take care of himself/herself or who is dependent on the relative concerned.

If the receiving party has the status of permanent resident or Slovak citizen, the invited relatives are entitled to immediately apply for a permanent residence card of the Republic with a validity period of 5 years. 48 months after opening a permanent resident card, it can be replaced by a similar one with an unlimited period of validity. A family residence permit is issued upon confirmation of the relevant family ties, for example, on the basis of a marriage or birth certificate.

EU Blue Card

Like other EU countries, Slovakia issues a special document for highly qualified professionals. It is called “Blue Card” and provides special preferences, including the right to family immigration and mobility for employment within the EU. A residence permit is issued for those who sign a contract with a Slovak company for at least 12 months. The salary must equal or exceed one and a half times the average salary in the relevant sector of the economy. Usually, proper education with a diploma or certificate should also be confirmed.

Scientific research

Residency in Slovakia is issued for those who arrive at the invitation of a research organization to carry out work on the profile. The residence permit can be valid for up to 24 months. In parallel with research and development, it is possible to do business in the territory of the republic. A residence permit is issued upon submission of a relevant labor contract.

Other activities

Separately, the right of residence in Slovakia is granted to those who come to work in one of the following fields: teaching, sports, culture, art, journalism. A residence permit is also granted to trainees, volunteers or in accordance with international treaties of the Slovak Republic. It is a non-immigration type document: it is valid for up to 24 months without the right to re-issue it. Relevant activities must be confirmed, e.g., by a letter of invitation from a local theater or a contract with a sports club.

Humanitarian grounds

Slovakia provides protection to those who cannot return home for objective reasons. The status is usually approved for those fleeing war zones or in cases of individual oppression in the home country, for example because of political beliefs or sexual orientation. Slovakia also helps victims of human trafficking and exploitation. Refugees can obtain a passport of the republic in 4 years, when normal naturalization takes at least 8 years. But not every request is approved, and at the time of processing, the foreigner is severely restricted in rights, including a ban on traveling home.

It is faster, easier and cheaper to legalize stay in Slovakia with a European Union passport. In a simplified procedure, second EU citizenship is granted without first opening a residence permit, passing a language test or demonstrating income. You can find out more details during a free consultation with international law specialists at Relocation Compass.

Procedure of registration of residence permit

The process of obtaining a residence permit in Slovakia involves several stages, each requiring careful preparation and compliance with established procedures. Let’s explore them in detail.

1. Selection of immigration method and documentary preparation.
   It is necessary to decide on the basis for opening a residence permit in Slovakia, to study the requirements for the applicant and check yourself for compliance with the legal conditions, then collect and properly prepare the dossier.
2. Make an appointment and visit a diplomatic mission.
   Those who are abroad, apply for a Slovak residence permit at a consular office or embassy in the country of residence. Diplomatic representations usually accept applications by appointment. During the appointment, the consul conducts a personal interview with the applicant for residence status, checks and accepts the dossier.
3. Obtaining a residence permit and immigration to Slovakia.
   If the residency application is accepted, a visa sticker is placed in the immigrant’s passport, with which the immigrant must move to Slovakia within six months. Upon arrival, a visit to the local police station should be made within 3 working days in order to issue a registration.
4. Re-visit the police department.
   Within one month from the date of immigration, you should additionally submit to the police department an insurance policy and the result of a medical assessment, which confirms that the foreigner does not suffer from diseases dangerous to society.

Confirmation of a purpose

You can confirm the right to immigrate to Slovakia with one of the following documents, depending on the basis for opening a residence permit:

• business plan for the realization of an innovative project;
• an invitation from an employer for employment;
• a certificate of enrollment in an educational institution;
• proof of activity of an artistic, educational or sports organization;
• civil status certificates proving family ties to a Slovak citizen or resident;
• an internship program in the republic;
• an employment contract with an official volunteer service;
• a contract with a research institute.

Primarily, documents issued no more than 90 days prior to the date of application will be accepted.

Processing terms

The application for a residence permit in Slovakia is normally processed for up to 90 days. The period is reduced to two months for those who apply for employment. Within 30 days, a decision is made if it is in the interests of the republic, for example, opening a residence permit for highly qualified specialists, investors, startup entrepreneurs. The timeframe may be extended if additional information or supporting documents are required from the applicant.

Refusal to issue and revocation of a residence permit

The status of Slovak resident is denied to those who are recognized as persona non grata, a threat to society or the security of the state. The request is rejected if the applicant submits an incomplete dossier, uses forged documents or false information about himself/herself, deliberately conceals data important for the decision-making process. Refusal is given to those who do not meet at least one of the requirements for the applicant, for example, have not passed a medical assessment or do not have enough finances to live in the country.

A Slovak residence permit is revoked if its holder leaves the country for more than six months in a row without notifying the police department in advance of the reasons for departure. The document obtained abroad ceases to be valid if the immigrant has not crossed the border of the Republic within 180 days of its issuance. The residence permit is revoked if the foreigner is sentenced to deportation/expulsion from the country, or the purpose of his/her stay in Slovakia ends (e.g., the contract with the employer is terminated). Residency can also be revoked if it turns out that it was obtained fraudulently.

It is possible to prevent the denial of a residence permit by cooperating with specialized lawyers. International law specialists at Relocation Compass thoroughly understand the nuances of immigration procedures and accompany the foreigner at every stage, which guarantees the successful receipt of the requested status and document.

Extension of a residence permit

Slovak residency status is granted for a period from 6 months (seasonal work) to 5 years (study, family reunification), depending on the reason for its issuance. The request must be submitted in person to the territorial police department together with a package of documents. The representative of the authority issues a certificate of acceptance of the application, with which you can stay in the country until the decision is made. Usually, applications are considered within 30-90 days, and when approved, a written notification of the extension of temporary residence is sent, indicating the final date of validity of the residence permit.

Feedback from foreigners who have obtained a residence permit

In their feedback, immigrants note the difficulty in registration of Slovak residency. The Republic requires a wide list of documents, which can be difficult, especially with regard to proof of financial security. It is not always clear how to properly draw up a business plan for residence permit in Slovakia, or it is not possible to get a job due to high competition in the domestic market. Often applications are rejected because of non-obvious mistakes in the formation of the dossier.

Immigrants recommend to apply for residency or citizenship in Europe with the help of Relocation Compass international law specialists. The support of specialized lawyers allows you to avoid mistakes and minimize your own participation in the tedious immigration process. A dedicated specialist accompanies the applicant at every stage of the procedure for a successful outcome without unnecessary effort. You can find the optimal plan for moving to Slovakia during a free consultation.