Permanent Residence in Slovakia
2 documented routes of this kind in Slovakia, each with its conditions, documents, official government fees and process.
Permanent Residence (Five Years) and Unlimited Permanent Residence
Permanent residence for five years is available to spouses/dependent direct relatives of Slovak citizens, certain minor/dependent children, or where in the SR's interest. After holding it for at least 4 years, the holder may obtain permanent residence for an unlimited period.
- Processing time
- 90 days
- Validity
- 5 years (renewable); then unlimited
- Language requirement
- None for this route
- Permanent residence
- Unlimited permanent residence after holding 5-year permanent residence for at least 4 years
- Citizenship
- Naturalisation generally after 8 years of permanent residence (3 years for spouses of Slovak citizens)
Requirements
- Spouse or dependent direct relative of a Slovak citizen / permanent resident, certain minor or dependent children, or a case in the SR's interest
- Valid passport (application not accepted without it)
- Proof of purpose (e.g. place of marriage plus spouse's Slovak ID)
- Clean criminal record (from country of origin and any country of over 90 days' residence within 6 consecutive months over the last 3 years; not required under 14)
- Accommodation document issued for at least 6 months
- Parental consent for a child applicant
Required Documents
- Official application form required
- Valid passport required
- Proof of purpose (marriage/relationship evidence and sponsor's Slovak ID) required
- Criminal-record extract(s) (not required under 14) required
- Accommodation document issued for at least 6 months required
- Medical report (within 30 days of collecting the card) required
- Parental consent (child applicants)
Official fees
- Residence card issuance (standard) 10 EUR
- Residence card issuance (express) 39 EUR
Process Steps
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1
File the 5-year permanent residence application
File in person at a Slovak embassy abroad (with preliminary interview) or, if already legally resident, at the Foreign Police. Processing 90 days.
-
2
Register after grant
Register for health insurance within 3 business days of collecting the card and submit a medical report (not older than 30 days) within 30 days (extendable by 60 days).
-
3
Upgrade to unlimited permanent residence
After holding the 5-year permanent residence for at least 4 years, file for permanent residence for an unlimited period in person at the Foreign Police on the official form.
Official Sources
EU Long-Term Residence Status
Status for third-country nationals after 5 years of uninterrupted legal residence in Slovakia (or combined SK/Member-State residence under qualifying statuses). From 15 July 2025 an A2-level Slovak language exam is required.
- Processing time
- 90 days
- Validity
- Long-term EU resident status (renewable residence card)
- Language requirement
- Slovak at A2 level from 15 July 2025 (exam at one of 20 listed language schools; exemptions for under 14, Slovak-living-abroad, and Slovak-medium secondary/university education)
- Permanent residence
- This is the long-term residence status itself
- Citizenship
- Naturalisation generally after 8 years of permanent residence
Requirements
- 5 years uninterrupted legal residence in SK immediately before applying; OR 5 years of authorised residence across SK/Member States as Blue Card / highly-qualified / researcher / student / international-protection holder, with at least 2 years in SK as a Blue Card holder or family member immediately before applying
- Proof of fixed and regular income (not older than 90 days)
- Health insurance
- Valid passport (mandatory)
- Slovak language A2 (from 15 July 2025)
- Not in an excluded category (asylum seekers, temporary protection, study, special activity, seasonal employment, posted workers, diplomats)
Required Documents
- Official application form required
- Valid passport required
- Proof of fixed and regular income (employment contract, salary confirmation, bank balance, or pension; not older than 90 days) required
- Health insurance proof required
- Slovak A2 language exam certificate (from 15 July 2025) required
- Accommodation document (only if the previous long-term residence lapsed)
Official fees
- Residence card issuance 10 EUR
Process Steps
-
1
Accumulate qualifying residence
Hold 5 years of uninterrupted legal residence in SK, or qualifying combined SK/Member-State residence with at least 2 years in SK as a Blue Card holder or family member immediately prior.
-
2
Pass the A2 Slovak exam
From 15 July 2025, pass the A2-level Slovak language exam at one of 20 listed language schools (unless exempt).
-
3
File the long-term residence application
File on the official form with passport, income proof, and health insurance. Processing 90 days.