A permanent residence permit is a more stable status for a foreigner and is issued for a longer period of time than a temporary residence permit. In addition to the length of your stay, a permanent residence permit gives you almost equal rights with the citizens of the country. The document is issued by the migration police, the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the diplomatic office of Slovakia in your country.

There are the following forms of permanent residence permit in the Slovak Republic:

· Permanent residence permit in Slovakia for a period of 5 years,

· Permanent residence permit in Slovakia for an unlimited period of time,

· Long-term residence permit in Slovakia,

· The right to stay on the territory of Slovakia of a citizen of another EU member state and members of his family.

Who can get a permanent residence permit?

Permanent residence permit in Slovakia: dlhodobý pobyt

This type of permanent residence in Slovakia is the most common form of permanent immigration, as it applies to all third-country nationals who are not the spouse of a Slovak National, and the basis for applying for this form of residence permit is to have a previous residence permit in Slovakia for at least 5 years. Most often, the application is submitted by foreigners who have a residence permit in Slovakia on the basis of business activities.

An application for permanent residence in Slovakia can only be submitted to the migration police.

Residence permit in Slovakia for a period of 5 years

This type of permanent residence in Slovakia applies primarily to foreigners who are the husband/wife or child of a Slovak citizen. Another possibility of obtaining it is if it is in the interests of the Slovak Republic. This can be in scientific, sports or, what is worth paying attention to, in economic interests – so an investor of interest in Slovakia can also get a residence permit.

You can apply for permanent residence in Slovakia both at the police station and at the Consular Office of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic.

List of required documents

Almost all types of permits require a standard set of documents:

• a completed application form;

• two color photos;

• receipt for payment of the administrative fee (the cost depends on the purpose of accommodation and place of submission);

• a valid international passport;

• a document which are confirmed the purpose of your stay;

• certificate of no criminal record;

• housing availability document;

• the confirmation of financial security.

It is worth noting that different types of residence permits may require additional documents in accordance with the application. Be sure to check out the full list in detail when applying.

The acquisition of citizenship is regulated by Law № 40/1993 about the citizenship of the Slovak Republic, according to which there are three possibilities:

• Acquisition of citizenship by birth,

• Acquisition of citizenship by adoption,

• Acquisition of citizenship by admission to citizenship.

The latter method of acquiring citizenship differs from the first two in that in this case we are talking about acquiring citizenship at will. Also, the concept of naturalization or rooting is used. A person who is wishing to acquire citizenship must submit an application, and the state authorities make a decision with the right to refuse citizenship.

Acquisition of citizenship of the Slovak Republic 

This method of acquiring citizenship differs from the other two in that in this case we are talking about acquiring citizenship optionally. The concept of naturalization or rooting is also used. A person who is wishing to acquire citizenship is required to submit an application, and governmental bodies that make decisions have the right to both grant and deny citizenship. The standard method of obtaining citizenship in accordance with the law is 8 years with a residence permit, and then there are exceptions when citizenship can be obtained faster. Most often, foreigners apply for citizenship after ten years of residence in Slovakia.

Other exceptions:

• immediately: a person with high achievements and value for the Slovak Republic in the field of Economy, Science, Technology, Culture, social sphere or in sports. Or acquisition of citizenship for any other reasons that are beneficial for Slovakia,

• 2 years with a residence permit: a minor child with a guardian who is a citizen of the Slovak Republic or a legal entity with an address in Slovakia, 

• 4 years with a residence permit: refugee,

• 5 years with a residence permit: is married to a Slovak citizen and lives with him on the territory of Slovakia.

Admission to citizenship of the Slovak Republic is carried out by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Slovak Republic on a permissive basis, and the ministry considers the application for citizenship and transfers the case to the minister, and only the minister of internal affairs, in accordance with the law, personally makes a decision.

In the process of reviewing the application, a three-person commission conducts an interview with the applicant, which consists of:

• from the interview itself, which contains questions about the applicant's personality, family, as well as the history, geography and socio-political development of Slovakia,

• read an article from a Slovak newspaper which is contained at least 500 words in voice. The applicant receives the article immediately before reading it, and a statement of the content of the article that the applicant has read. To do this, he is given 30 minutes.

• The oath of allegiance is also a prerequisite for the acquisition of citizenship of the Slovak Republic: “Sľubujem na svoju čes č a svedomie, že budem verný Slovenskej republike, budem dodržiava ú Ústavu Slovenskej republiky, ústavné zákony, zákony a iné všeobecne záväzné právne predpisy a Riadne plnių všetky Povinnosti štátneho občana slovenskej republiky.”

Slovak citizens who acquire foreign citizenship may retain Slovak citizenship “if they have a residence permit registered in the territory of the state whose citizenship they acquire at the time of acquiring foreign citizenship, and present documents confirming these facts.”

A foreigner who plans to perform or continue working in a highly qualified profession in Slovakia can apply for a permit of this type.

In Slovakia, A Blue Card is issued for a period of up to four years and gives the right to enter, reside, work, leave and re-enter Slovakia for the period for which it is issued.

As a rule, you apply for a blue card at the Slovak consulate in your country of citizenship or country of residence. You can also apply for a blue card directly in Slovakia at the relevant aliens Police Department if you legally reside in Slovakia, or within 30 days of entering Slovakia if you already have a blue card issued by another EU country.

For more information about the conditions for obtaining a blue card and a list of required documents, please visit the European immigration portal: https://ec.europa.eu/immigration/blue-card/slovakia_en.