Slovakia Immigrate to Slovakia: Residence Permits and Options

EU Schengen

Capital: Bratislava
Currency: EUR
Languages: Slovak
Official fee: 49 – 5,007 EUR

Slovakia is an EU and Schengen member state. Residence of third-country nationals is governed by Act No. 404/2011 Coll. on Residence of Aliens, citizenship by Act No. 40/1993 Coll., and asylum by Act No. 480/2002 Coll. The Foreigners' Police (Ministry of Interior) decides residence applications; the Migration Office decides asylum. Most applications are filed in person at a Slovak diplomatic mission abroad. A major reform took effect 1 July 2025 (subsistence minimum EUR 284.13/month; business residence restricted to embassies under an annual quota; A2 Slovak now required for EU long-term residence from 15 July 2025).

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Immigration Pathways

(17) Last updated: Jun 19, 2026 2 months ago

12 of 17 pathways lead to long-term settlement — 10 to permanent residence, 12 to citizenship.

17 of 17 pathways are backed by official government sources.

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Work / Employment High confidence

Temporary Residence for Employment (Single Permit)

Combined work-and-residence permit for third-country nationals with a Slovak job offer. The employer first secures a labour-office confirmation of the vacancy; the worker then files for residence for employment.

Processing time: 60 days (30 days for shortage professions where third-country nationals are under 45% of the employer's workforce)
Validity: Single permit max 2 years; temporary residence for employment max 5 years
Language requirement: None for the permit itself
Documents: 7 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Eligible for EU long-term residence after 5 years of continuous legal residence
Citizenship: Yes · Naturalisation generally after 8 years of permanent residence

Requirements

Valid passport
Job offer / employment contract or binding promise from a Slovak employer
Labour Office confirmation of the possibility to fill the vacancy (employer must report the vacancy at least 20 working days before requesting it, unless no labour-market test applies)
Application filed within 180 days of the confirmation being issued
Clean criminal record (not older than 90 days)
Proof of accommodation (not older than 90 days)
Recognition of qualifications for regulated professions
Health insurance (concluded within 3 working days of collecting the card)

Required Documents

Completed official Ministry of Interior application form required
Valid passport required
Labour Office confirmation of the possibility to fill a vacancy (serves as proof of purpose for single permit) required
Criminal-record extract (apostilled/superlegalised, Slovak translation, not older than 90 days) required
Proof of accommodation (not older than 90 days) required
Proof of payment of the administrative fee required
Medical report from a listed tropical-medicine clinic (within 30 days of collecting the card) required
Qualification-recognition decision for regulated professions

Official fees

Residence application fee 250 EUR

Residence card issuance (standard, within 30 days) 10 EUR

Residence card issuance (express, 2 business days) 39 EUR

Estimated total 299 EUR

Process Steps

1
Employer reports the vacancy

The employer reports the job vacancy to the Labour Office at least 20 working days before requesting the confirmation (electronically via sluzbyzamestnanosti.gov.sk); the 20-day wait is waived where no labour-market test applies.
2
Obtain vacancy confirmation

The employer requests the Labour Office confirmation of the possibility to fill the vacancy, attaching the employment contract/promise, qualification recognitions, ICT/shortage-occupation documents as relevant.
3
File the residence application

Within 180 days of the confirmation, the applicant files the temporary residence for employment (single permit) application in person at a Slovak embassy accredited to their country (or at the Foreign Police if already holding a valid SK/EU permit). Fee EUR 250 plus card fee.
4
Travel and register

After approval, enter Slovakia within 180 days, report the start of residence to the Foreign Police within 3 working days of arrival, conclude health insurance within 3 working days of collecting the card, and submit the medical report within 30 days.

Official Sources

Work / Employment High confidence

Seasonal Worker / Work Permit

A standalone work permit (not the single permit) used for seasonal employment (max 90 days per 12 consecutive months), seafarers, family-reunion holders in their first 9 months, and EU long-term residents in their first 12 months. Issued free of charge by the Labour Office.

Processing time: 20 working days (10 working days if the person held a seasonal permit in the prior 5 years)
Validity: Seasonal employment max 90 days per 12 consecutive months
Language requirement: None
Documents: 4 required

Requirements

Employer reports the vacancy at least 10 working days before the application
Employment contract or binding promise
Application filed at the Labour Office competent for the place of work
Accommodation document and proof of reasonable accommodation cost (seasonal)
Health insurance (seasonal)
Education-recognition decision for regulated professions

Required Documents

Official work-permit form (in Slovak, signed) required
Employment contract or binding job promise required
Copy of residence document if held
Accommodation document and proof of reasonable accommodation cost (seasonal) required
Health insurance proof (seasonal) required
Power of attorney if filed by the employer
No-bankruptcy and no-pending-claims confirmations (employer-filed seasonal)

Official fees

Work permit 0 EUR

Process Steps

1
Employer reports the vacancy

The employer reports the vacancy at least 10 working days before the work-permit application.
2
File the work-permit application

File at the Labour Office competent for the place of work (in person, by post, or via the employer with power of attorney), no earlier than 10 working days after the vacancy report.
3
Employer notifies start/end

The employer must notify the Labour Office in writing within 7 working days of the start and end of employment (with a copy of the contract).

Official Sources

Official IOM Migration Information Centre — Work Permit · IOM Migration Information Centre (state-funded info service)

EU Blue Card High confidence

EU Blue Card

Residence permit for highly qualified third-country employment. Requires a university degree (or advanced ICT skills), an employment contract of at least 6 months, and a salary of at least 1.2 times the average Slovak wage.

Processing time: 30 days from a complete application
Validity: Up to 5 years (or validity of the vacancy confirmation plus 90 days)
Language requirement: None for the card itself
Documents: 8 required
Permanent residence: Yes · EU long-term residence possible after 5 years (with at least 2 years in SK as a Blue Card holder/family member immediately prior; periods in other Member States may count)
Citizenship: Yes · Naturalisation generally after 8 years of permanent residence

Requirements

University degree (or advanced professional skills for ICT managers/specialists)
Employment contract of at least 6 months
Gross salary at least 1.2 times the average wage in the Slovak economy
Labour Office highly-qualified vacancy confirmation (employer reports vacancy; waived if continuing the same job under a national visa in SK's interest or existing employment residence)
Application filed within 180 days of the confirmation
Valid passport
Clean criminal record (not older than 90 days)
Proof of accommodation (not older than 90 days)

Required Documents

Official application form required
Valid passport required
University degree / proof of higher professional qualification required
Employment contract (>= 6 months) meeting the 1.2x average-wage salary threshold required
Labour Office highly-qualified vacancy confirmation required
Criminal-record statement(s) (not older than 90 days) required
Accommodation document (not older than 90 days) required
Medical report (within 30 days of collecting the card) required

Official fees

Blue Card application fee 250 EUR

Residence card issuance (standard) 10 EUR

Residence card issuance (express) 39 EUR

Estimated total 299 EUR

Process Steps

1
Employer reports vacancy

The employer reports the highly-qualified vacancy to the Labour Office (waived if the applicant holds a national visa in SK's interest or temporary residence for employment continuing the same job).
2
Labour Office issues confirmation

The Labour Office issues the highly-qualified vacancy confirmation.
3
File Blue Card application

Within 180 days of the confirmation, file the Blue Card application at a Slovak embassy abroad or, if legally resident in SK, at the Foreign Police. A complete filing entitles the applicant to legal stay and to start work pending the decision. Fee EUR 250 plus card fee.
4
Post-approval obligations

Submit the medical report within 30 days of collecting the card and conclude health insurance within 3 working days.

Official Sources

Study / Student High confidence

Temporary Residence for Study

Application for temporary residence for study is free of charge. The residence document issuance fee is EUR 4.50 (not EUR 10). Processing time is 30 days; validity up to 6 years (per academic programme length). Fees are paid via electronic fee stamps (eKolok) at the Foreign Police or by cash/bank transfer at Slovak embassies.

Processing time: 30 days
Validity: Max 6 years
Language requirement: Programme-dependent; Slovak-language public-university study is tuition-free, other-language programmes charge tuition
Documents: 4 required
Permanent residence: Yes · EU long-term residence eligible after 5 years (study time counts on a reduced basis in combination with other statuses)
Citizenship: Yes · Naturalisation generally after 8 years of permanent residence

Requirements

Admission to a Slovak secondary school or university (admission letter serves as proof of purpose)
Recognition of foreign diplomas by the Ministry of Education where required
Valid passport
Health insurance for the full stay
Clean criminal record (not required for secondary-school students)
Proof of accommodation (not required for university study)

Required Documents

Official application form required
Valid passport required
University/school admission letter (proof of purpose) required
Health insurance proof required
Criminal-record extract (not required for secondary-school students)
Diploma-recognition decision where required
Medical report (carve-out: not required for university study)

Official fees

Study-purpose residence application fee 0 EUR

Residence card issuance (standard) 10 EUR

Residence card issuance (express) 39 EUR

Estimated total 49 EUR

Process Steps

1
Apply to and gain admission at an institution

Apply to a Slovak university (electronically via PrihlaskaVS.sk or paper) or secondary school; obtain diploma recognition from the Ministry of Education where required; pay the institution-set application fee.
2
File the study-residence application

File the study residence application with the admission letter as proof of purpose, at a Slovak embassy abroad or the Foreign Police. Processing 30 days.
3
Register after arrival

Enter within 180 days of the grant, report to the Foreign Police within 3 working days, and conclude health insurance within 3 working days of collecting the card.

Official Sources

Vocational Training High confidence

Temporary Residence for Special Activity (Internship, Traineeship, Lecturing, Sport, Arts)

Residence covering lecturing, sport, artistic or voluntary activity, accredited journalism, medical treatment, and internship/traineeship.

Processing time: 30 days
Validity: Max 2 years (max 5 years for a professional sports contract)
Language requirement: None
Documents: 5 required

Requirements

Confirmation from the hosting school/organisation, internship confirmation, sports/artistic contract, or similar as proof of purpose
Valid passport
Clean criminal record
Health insurance

Required Documents

Official application form required
Valid passport required
Proof of purpose (school/organisation confirmation, internship confirmation, sports/artistic contract, etc.) required
Criminal-record extract required
Health insurance proof required

Official fees

Special-activity residence application fee 140 EUR

Residence card issuance 10 EUR

Estimated total 150 EUR

Process Steps

1
Secure the activity confirmation

Obtain the confirmation from the hosting school, organisation, sports club, or internship provider.
2
File the special-activity application

File at a Slovak embassy abroad or the Foreign Police. Fee EUR 140 plus card fee. Processing 30 days.
3
Register after arrival

Report to the Foreign Police within 3 working days and conclude health insurance within 3 working days of collecting the card.

Official Sources

Vocational Training High confidence

Temporary Residence for Seasonal Employment (Long-Term, 91–180 Days)

A legally distinct permit for third-country nationals performing seasonal work in Slovakia for between 91 and 180 days within 12 consecutive months. Unlike the 90-day work-permit-only route, this track requires a temporary residence permit for seasonal employment issued by the Foreign Police or Slovak embassy. It carries different documentation requirements (criminal record clearance, medical report) and a separate fee structure.

Processing time: Employer must notify the Labour Office at least 20 working days before the intended start date. Individual permit processing time is not separately specified beyond the notification window.
Validity: Up to 180 days within 12 consecutive months; renewable once up to the 180-day ceiling per year.
Language requirement: None
Documents: 8 required

Requirements

Valid passport
Employment contract or written promise of employment on the official form
Proof of accommodation in Slovakia
Financial means documentation (ability to support yourself during stay)
Criminal record statement from country of citizenship and from all countries of residence exceeding 90 days in the past 3 years (covering 6 consecutive months)
All foreign documents must be translated into Slovak by a certified translator and bear apostille or superlegalisation; documents must not be older than 90 days at submission
Medical report confirming no public-health-threat disease, submitted within 30 days of collecting the residence document; report must not be older than 30 days

Required Documents

Valid passport required
Two colour photographs (3 x 3.5 cm) required
Employment contract or official written promise of employment form required
Proof of accommodation in Slovakia required
Proof of financial means required
Criminal record statement (from country of citizenship plus countries of 90-day+ residence in past 3 years) required
Medical report confirming no public-health-threat disease (submitted within 30 days of collecting the residence document) required
Apostille or superlegalisation on all foreign public documents, plus certified Slovak translation required

Official fees

Application fee (Foreign Police Department) 33 EUR

Application fee (Slovak embassy) 35 EUR

Residence document issuance fee 4.5 EUR

Renewal application fee 16.5 EUR

Renewal document issuance fee 4.5 EUR

Estimated total 93.5 EUR

Process Steps

1
Employer notifies Labour Office

The employing company reports the seasonal vacancy to the competent Labour Office at least 20 working days before the intended start of employment.
2
Gather documents

Collect passport, employment contract or written promise of employment, accommodation proof, financial means evidence, criminal record statement(s), and certified Slovak translations with apostille for all foreign public documents. Documents must not be older than 90 days at submission.
3
Submit application

Submit the temporary residence for seasonal employment application at the Slovak Foreign Police Department in Slovakia or at the Slovak embassy/consulate abroad. Pay the application fee (EUR 33 at Foreign Police; EUR 35 at embassy) plus the EUR 4.50 document issuance fee.
4
Collect residence document

Once approved, collect the residence document from the issuing authority.
5
Submit medical report within 30 days

Within 30 days of collecting the residence document, submit a medical report (not older than 30 days) to the Foreign Police confirming no disease constituting a public health threat.

Official Sources

Official Seasonal Worker — Slovakia | EU Immigration Portal · European Commission, DG Home Affairs

Job Seeker Visa High confidence

Post-Graduation Residence to Seek Work or Start a Business (9 months)

Graduates of Slovak universities (including Bachelor's) may renew their study residence for 9 months to look for employment or start a business. Graduates may work without a work permit or vacancy confirmation during this period.

Processing time: Within the standard study-renewal timeframe
Validity: 9 months
Language requirement: None
Documents: 3 required

Requirements

Completion of studies at a Slovak university (Bachelor's, Master's, or doctoral degree)
Notarised diploma or graduation confirmation as proof of purpose
Application filed no later than the last day of current residence validity

Required Documents

Renewal application form required
Notarised diploma or graduation confirmation required
Valid passport required

Official fees

Residence card issuance 10 EUR

Process Steps

1
Graduate from a Slovak university

Complete the final exam and obtain a Bachelor's, Master's, or doctoral degree.
2
Apply to renew residence for 9 months

Apply in person or electronically (portal.minv.sk) no later than the last day of current residence validity, attaching the notarised diploma/graduation confirmation. After 30 days from completing studies the Foreign Police may begin cancelling the study residence (after written notice).
3
Seek work or start a business

During the 9 months the graduate may work without a work permit or vacancy confirmation, or start a business; then change to employment residence (usually 5 years) with an employer confirmation plus notarised diploma.

Official Sources

Official IOM MIC — Information for successful graduates of Slovak universities · IOM Migration Information Centre

Self-employment / Freelance High confidence

Temporary Residence for Business (Trade Licence / Company Director)

Effective 1 July 2025 (Act No. 404/2011 as amended by Government Regulation 182/2025): (1) All initial applications must be submitted exclusively at a Slovak diplomatic mission abroad — no domestic Foreign Police applications permitted. (2) An annual quota of 700 approved applications applies across all Slovak diplomatic missions worldwide; individual embassy allocations vary. (3) A business plan is mandatory for all applicants; the Ministry of Economy (economy.gov.sk) provides an advisory opinion on economic benefit to Slovakia. (4) Financial coverage must be demonstrated via two separate bank account balance confirmations: a personal account showing at least 12x the subsistence minimum (EUR 3,409.56 as of 1 July 2025, based on the EUR 284.13 monthly minimum) and a separate business-purpose account. (5) Applicants holding temporary residence for a non-business purpose may change to business residence only after accumulating at least 24 months of continuous lawful residence under their current permit. (6) Permit validity is now fixed at 3 years on initial grant.

Processing time: 90 days standard (30 days for business-service/technology-centre staff and significant-investor staff)
Validity: 3 years
Language requirement: None for the permit itself
Documents: 8 required
Permanent residence: Yes · EU long-term residence after 5 years of continuous legal residence
Citizenship: Yes · Naturalisation generally after 8 years of permanent residence

Requirements

Hold a Slovak trade licence (zivnost) OR be the authorised representative (konatel) of an s.r.o. (a mere shareholder does not qualify)
Business plan (template on the Ministry of Economy site) plus feasibility/sustainability document
Financial coverage proven by bank-balance confirmations from two separate accounts: 20x subsistence minimum (sole trader, EUR 5,682.60) or 100x subsistence minimum (company statutory representative, EUR 28,413)
Valid passport
Clean criminal record (not older than 90 days)
Proof of accommodation (not older than 90 days)
Filed only at a Slovak diplomatic mission abroad within the annual quota (Gov. Regulation 182/2025)

Required Documents

Official application form required
Valid passport required
Trade licence (zivnost) or proof of being the s.r.o. authorised representative required
Business plan plus feasibility/sustainability document required
Bank-balance confirmations from two separate accounts proving financial coverage of stay and business required
Criminal-record extract (apostilled, Slovak translation, not older than 90 days) required
Accommodation document (not older than 90 days) required
Medical report (within 30 days of collecting the card) required

Official fees

Business residence application fee (embassy) 350 EUR

Business residence application fee (Foreign Police, change of purpose only) 330 EUR

Trade licence (unregulated trade) 7 EUR

Trade licence (regulated/craft trade) 22 EUR

Residence card issuance 10 EUR

Estimated total 719 EUR

Process Steps

1
Obtain a trade licence or set up a company

Apply for a trade licence (zivnost) at the Trade Licensing Office (fee EUR 7 unregulated / EUR 22 regulated; issued within 3 working days) or establish an s.r.o. (registered capital >= EUR 5,000; minimum member contribution EUR 750) and become its konatel.
2
Prepare the business plan and financial proof

Draft a business plan using the Ministry of Economy template and gather bank-balance confirmations from two separate accounts (20x or 100x subsistence minimum).
3
File at a Slovak embassy within the quota

File the business residence application in person at a Slovak diplomatic mission abroad within the annual quota (no longer accepted at the Foreign Police except for change of purpose). Fee EUR 350.
4
Renew with proof of taxed income

On renewal, sole traders must prove taxed income (tax base minus tax) of at least 20x subsistence minimum for the prior fiscal period.

Official Sources

Company Formation High confidence

Limited Liability Company (s.r.o.) Formation

Establishing a Slovak limited liability company (spolocnost s rucenim obmedzenym). Only the company's authorised representative (konatel) may use the company as the basis for a business residence permit.

Processing time: Trade licence within 3 working days; company registration motion filed within 90 days of founding
Validity: Company exists from its entry in the Commercial Registry
Language requirement: None
Documents: 6 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Via business residence then EU long-term residence after 5 years
Citizenship: Yes · Naturalisation generally after 8 years of permanent residence

Requirements

Registered capital of at least EUR 5,000
Minimum member contribution EUR 750
Before registration, each cash deposit at least 30%, with total paid deposits at least EUR 2,500
Memorandum of Association with verified signatures
Trade licence for the company's activity
Proof of entitlement to use the registered-seat property

Required Documents

Memorandum of Association (two copies, verified signatures) required
Trade-licence certificate (two copies) required
Property-use entitlement for the registered seat required
Deposit-administrator declaration required
Tax-administrator consent required
Official registry-court motion form required

Official fees

Minimum registered capital 5,000 EUR

Trade licence (unregulated) 7 EUR

Estimated total 5,007 EUR

Process Steps

1
Set up the company

Set the name/activity/seat and draft the Memorandum of Association with verified signatures.
2
Obtain the trade licence

Obtain the trade licence for the company's intended activity from the Trade Licensing Office.
3
File the registry-court motion

File the motion to the registry court (official form, Memorandum x2, property-use entitlement, trade-licence certificate x2, deposit-administrator declaration, tax-administrator consent) within 90 days of founding. The company exists from its Commercial Registry entry.
4
Apply for business residence as konatel

Only the authorised representative (konatel) may then apply for the business residence permit.

Official Sources

Investor / Golden Visa Medium confidence

Significant Foreign Investor and Investor Staff Residence

Residence for significant foreign investors under Act No. 175/1999 Coll. on Measures Concerning Preparation of Major Investments. The Ministry of Interior official page for this pathway is at https://www.minv.sk/?significant-foreign-investor-1= (the previously cited URL https://www.minv.sk/?significant-foreign-investor is a dead link returning HTTP 404). Act 175/1999 remains in force. The pathway provides accelerated 30-day processing for investor staff.

Processing time: 30 days for investor staff and their spouse and children under 18
Validity: Per the underlying residence purpose (employment/business)
Language requirement: None
Documents: 5 required
Permanent residence: Yes · EU long-term residence after 5 years of continuous legal residence
Citizenship: Yes · Naturalisation generally after 8 years of permanent residence

Requirements

Significant-foreign-investor status under Act No. 175/1999 Coll., or employment with a business-service or technology centre
Valid passport
Proof of purpose (investor confirmation / employment)
Clean criminal record
Proof of accommodation (may be older than 90 days for investor staff)

Required Documents

Official application form required
Valid passport required
Proof of significant-investor status or employment with the investor/centre required
Criminal-record extract required
Accommodation document (may be older than 90 days for investor staff) required

Official fees

Residence application fee (employment basis) 250 EUR

Residence card issuance 10 EUR

Estimated total 260 EUR

Process Steps

1
Establish investor or staff status

Obtain significant-foreign-investor status under Act No. 175/1999 Coll., or secure employment with a recognised business-service or technology centre.
2
File the residence application

File the residence application; investor staff (and spouse and children under 18) receive a decision within 30 days.

Official Sources

Family Reunification High confidence

Temporary Residence for Family Reunification

Residence for the spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents of a third-country residence-holder sponsor. Within the first 9 months, employment requires a separate work permit; afterwards no permit is needed.

Processing time: 90 days (30 days if filed at the same time as a Blue Card family member)
Validity: Up to 5 years
Language requirement: None
Documents: 7 required
Permanent residence: Yes · EU long-term residence eligible after 5 years of continuous legal residence
Citizenship: Yes · Naturalisation generally after 8 years of permanent residence (3 years for spouses of Slovak citizens)

Requirements

Sponsor holds a valid Slovak residence permit
Qualifying family relationship (spouse, dependent child, or dependent parent)
Marriage certificate / birth certificate as proof of purpose (foreign marriages require a Slovak marriage certificate from the Special Registry Office in Bratislava)
Valid passport
Clean criminal record
Proof of accommodation
Health insurance

Required Documents

Official application form required
Valid passport required
Marriage certificate or birth certificate proving the relationship required
Slovak marriage certificate from the Special Registry Office in Bratislava (for foreign marriages) required
Criminal-record extract required
Accommodation document required
Medical report (within 30 days of collecting the card) required

Official fees

Family-reunification residence application fee 200 EUR

Residence card issuance 10 EUR

Estimated total 210 EUR

Process Steps

1
Obtain registry documents

Obtain the marriage/birth certificate; for marriages abroad, secure a Slovak marriage certificate from the Special Registry Office in Bratislava (a translation alone is insufficient).
2
File the family-reunification application

File at a Slovak embassy abroad or the Foreign Police. Fee EUR 200 plus card fee. Processing 90 days.
3
Register and (if working early) obtain a work permit

Report to the Foreign Police within 3 working days; if seeking employment within the first 9 months, obtain a separate work permit. After 9 months no work permit is required.

Official Sources

Research / Scientist High confidence

Temporary Residence for Research and Development

Residence for researchers hosted by an accredited Slovak research organisation under a hosting agreement. Researchers may also conduct business without a separate business residence.

Processing time: 30 days
Validity: Max 2 years
Language requirement: None
Documents: 5 required
Permanent residence: Yes · EU long-term residence eligible after 5 years (research periods count toward the combined 5-year requirement)
Citizenship: Yes · Naturalisation generally after 8 years of permanent residence

Requirements

Hosting agreement with an accredited research organisation
Valid passport
Clean criminal record (proven via the country of longest residence in the last 10 years)
Health insurance
Accommodation document not required; medical report not required

Required Documents

Official application form required
Valid passport required
Hosting agreement with an accredited research organisation (proof of purpose) required
Criminal-record extract from the country of longest residence in the last 10 years required
Health insurance proof required

Official fees

Research-residence application fee 140 EUR

Residence card issuance 10 EUR

Estimated total 150 EUR

Process Steps

1
Conclude a hosting agreement

Sign a hosting agreement with an accredited Slovak research organisation.
2
File the research-residence application

File the application at a Slovak embassy abroad or the Foreign Police. Fee EUR 140. Processing 30 days.
3
Register after arrival

Report to the Foreign Police within 3 working days of arrival and conclude health insurance within 3 working days of collecting the card.

Official Sources

Digital Nomad Medium confidence

National (D) Visa for Long-Stay (No Dedicated Digital Nomad Visa)

Slovakia has no dedicated digital-nomad visa. Remote workers and other long-stay categories use the national (D) visa (long-stay, max validity 1 year) or the trade-licence/business residence route.

Processing time: 30 days (requires prior consent of the Ministry of Interior)
Validity: Max 1 year
Language requirement: None
Documents: 6 required

Requirements

Valid passport (valid at least 90 days beyond departure)
Proof of purpose
Proof of health insurance
Subsistence proof (EUR 56/day, or EUR 26/day if accommodation prepaid)
Appointment and fingerprinting (over 12) at a Slovak diplomatic mission

Required Documents

National visa application form required
Passport (valid >= 90 days beyond departure) required
ICAO photo 3x3.5 cm required
Proof of purpose required
Proof of health insurance required
Proof of subsistence funds required

Official fees

National visa (SR-interest/treaty) 50 EUR

National visa (in connection with a residence application) 90 EUR

National visa (language-school student) 30 EUR

Estimated total 170 EUR

Process Steps

1
Book an appointment

Book an appointment at a Slovak diplomatic mission (some categories at visa centres) and attend for fingerprinting (over 12).
2
Submit the national visa application

Submit the application with passport, photo, proof of purpose, health insurance, and subsistence proof. The relevant fee applies (EUR 50 SR-interest/treaty; EUR 90 in connection with a residence application; EUR 15 for existing residence-permit holders; EUR 30 language-school students).
3
Await the decision

Decision within 30 days (requires prior Ministry of Interior consent). Refusals are generally non-appealable.

Official Sources

Official Ministry of Foreign Affairs — National Visa · Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic

Ancestry / Descent High confidence

Citizenship by Descent / Ancestry

Slovak citizenship by birth to a Slovak parent, or where at least one parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent was a Czechoslovak citizen born in Slovak territory. The reduced fee (EUR 30) applies and the language/knowledge test is waived.

Validity: Permanent (citizenship)
Language requirement: Language and knowledge test waived for the ancestry route
Documents: 3 required
Citizenship: Yes · Upon successful application (no residence period for the ancestry-based grant)

Requirements

Birth to a Slovak parent; OR at least one parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent who was a Czechoslovak citizen born in Slovak territory
Documentary proof of the qualifying ancestral link (birth/citizenship records)
Foreign documents apostilled/superlegalised and Slovak-translated

Required Documents

Applicant's identity and birth documents required
Ancestor's Czechoslovak citizenship and birth records establishing birth in Slovak territory required
Chain of civil-registry documents linking the applicant to the ancestor required

Official fees

Citizenship fee (Czechoslovak ancestor) 30 EUR

Process Steps

1
Gather ancestral evidence

Obtain records proving a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent was a Czechoslovak citizen born in Slovak territory, plus the linking civil-registry documents.
2
File the descent-based citizenship application

File at a Slovak embassy/consulate or the competent district office; the language/knowledge test is waived and the EUR 30 reduced fee applies.

Official Sources

Official Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Slovak Citizenship by Descent · Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic

Permanent Residence High confidence

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
Documents: 6 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Unlimited permanent residence after holding 5-year permanent residence for at least 4 years
Citizenship: Yes · 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

Estimated total 49 EUR

Process Steps

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

Permanent Residence High confidence

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)
Documents: 5 required
Permanent residence: Yes · This is the long-term residence status itself
Citizenship: Yes · 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.

Official Sources

Citizenship / Naturalization High confidence

Citizenship by Naturalisation

Naturalisation under Act No. 40/1993 Coll. generally requires 8 years of continuous permanent residence, plus a Slovak language and general-knowledge test. Reduced periods apply for spouses of Slovak citizens (3 years) and asylees (5 years). There is no legal entitlement; the Ministry of Interior may reject even when all conditions are met.

Processing time: Lengthy administrative procedure (varies)
Validity: Permanent (citizenship)
Language requirement: Slovak language test (read aloud a 500+ word press article, then write a recollection in 30 minutes before a three-member commission) plus general knowledge of Slovak history/geography/politics; exemptions for under 14/over 65, current/former Czech citizens, Slovak-living-abroad certificate holders, and recent Slovak-medium graduates
Documents: 7 required
Citizenship: Yes · 8 years of continuous permanent residence (3 years for spouses of Slovak citizens; 5 years for asylees; 10 years for continuous residence with a PR permit at application)

Requirements

8 years of continuous permanent residence immediately before application (reduced periods for spouses, asylees, PR-holders, minors, stateless persons, Czechoslovak ancestry, significant-contribution persons)
Integrity proof (criminal-record extracts not older than 6 months from every state of citizenship and every state of residence in the last 15 years)
Pass the Slovak language and general-knowledge test (unless exempt)
Tax, health-insurance, social-insurance, and employment confirmations
All foreign documents apostilled/superlegalised and Slovak-translated

Required Documents

Structured signed CV required
Valid ID with recent photo required
Birth certificate required
Marital-status proof required
Residence proof required
Criminal-record extracts (not older than 6 months) from every state of citizenship and residence in the last 15 years required
Applicant's Questionnaire plus tax/health/social-insurance/employment confirmations required
Release-from-citizenship certificate (former citizens)

Official fees

Naturalisation fee (adult, on grant) 1,000 EUR

Naturalisation fee (child under 15) 140 EUR

Fee for former SK/Czechoslovak citizens 30 EUR

Estimated total 1,170 EUR

Process Steps

1
Meet the residence period

Hold the required period of permanent residence (8 years standard, or a reduced period for the relevant category).
2
Gather documents and pass the test

Assemble the integrity, status, and financial documents and pass the Slovak language and general-knowledge test (unless exempt).
3
File the application

File at the district office in the regional seat, or at a Slovak embassy/consulate. The Ministry of Interior decides; there is no legal entitlement.
4
Pay the fee on grant

Pay the fee on receipt of the citizenship certificate (adult EUR 1,000; reduced fees for children, former SK/Czechoslovak citizens, and others; exemptions for asylees, over-65s, and certain groups).

Official Sources

Some pathway details are machine-translated and may contain minor inaccuracies. Always verify with official sources.

Views of the country

Frequently asked questions

What is the temporary residence for employment in Slovakia?

It is a single permit for third-country nationals combining work and residence. Applications are usually filed in person at a Slovak diplomatic mission abroad. The Foreigners' Police decides the application under Act No. 404/2011 Coll.

How do I apply for an EU Blue Card in Slovakia?

The EU Blue Card is a residence pathway for highly qualified workers. You apply in person at a Slovak embassy or consulate, and the Foreigners' Police processes the application under Act No. 404/2011 Coll.

Can I move to Slovakia for business?

Yes, you can apply for temporary residence for business with a trade licence or as a company director. Since 1 July 2025, business residence applications must be filed at embassies under an annual quota. You can also form a limited liability company (s.r.o.) as part of the pathway.

What are the study residence requirements in Slovakia?

Temporary residence for study allows third-country nationals to study in Slovakia. Applications are filed in person at a Slovak diplomatic mission. The subsistence minimum as of July 2025 is EUR 284.13 per month, which may be part of the financial requirement.

How do I get family reunification residence in Slovakia?

Temporary residence for family reunification lets you join a family member who legally resides in Slovakia. The application is filed in person at a Slovak diplomatic mission abroad. The Foreigners' Police decides it under Act No. 404/2011 Coll.

What are the options for permanent residence in Slovakia?

You can apply for permanent residence after five years or for unlimited permanent residence. From 15 July 2025, you need A2 level Slovak for EU long-term residence. The Foreigners' Police handles these applications under Act No. 404/2011 Coll.

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