A residence card or residence permit in Slovakia is a document that allows you to legally live, study and work in Europe. It is the main document for living in Slovakia. Find out more about the peculiarities of obtaining a residence permit and obtaining Slovak citizenship in 2024

Slovakia is an attractive country for migrants in the center of Europe. You can legally work, study, and obtain a residence permit here. If you want to settle in this country, find out how to get a residence permit in Slovakia and what requirements you need to fulfill to successfully acquire the status. According to statistics, the largest number of expats arrive in Slovakia from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Belarus, and Russia.

Grounds for obtaining a temporary residence permit in Slovakia 2024

A temporary residence permit in Slovakia is required for foreigners who plan to work, do business or study in this country. The procedure for obtaining a permit involves submitting a package of documents in accordance with the requirements of the state and filing an application.

Slovakia distinguishes between temporary and permanent residence permits. A temporary residence permit is granted on the basis of various nuances, including:

1. Business or entrepreneurship;

2. Work (seasonal or permanent);

3. Study;

4. Lecturing, sports, cultural activities, internships and other types of professional activities;

5. Research and development activities;

6. Family reunification;

7. Service in peacekeeping armed forces;

8. The status of a Slovak residing abroad;

9. Holding a long-term residence permit in another EU country.

Additionally, it is worth mentioning the EU Blue Card as another type of residence permit granted to foreigners working in highly skilled fields in the European Union. These mechanisms are designed to promote economic development and facilitate international cooperation.

Temporary residence for foreigners in Slovakia

If you plan to stay in Slovakia for more than 90 days in a six-month period, you need to apply for a temporary residence permit. This permit is issued for a certain period of time depending on the purpose of your stay.

The first temporary residence permit is granted for a maximum period of 2 years and can be extended several times. If you come to Slovakia to study, the permit can be extended up to 5 years.

A temporary residence permit is granted for one specific purpose, such as study, employment, entrepreneurship, specialty activities (art, sports, pedagogy, internships), family reunification, research and development, or performance of duties in the civilian components of the armed forces.

In order to apply for a temporary residence permit, you must have a valid passport, secure accommodation in Slovakia, a document confirming the purpose of your stay, a certificate of no criminal record, and a sufficient financial guarantee for at least one year.

The application can be submitted at the Migration Police office closest to your place of residence or at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic if you are outside the country. After obtaining the permit, you are free to travel and re-enter the territory of Slovakia during the validity period of your permit.

Documents for obtaining a residence permit in Slovakia 2024

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

1. A completed application;

2. Two color photos (3 x 3.5 cm);

3. Receipt of payment of the administrative fee (the cost depends on the purpose of residence and the place of submission);

4. A valid foreign passport;

5. A document confirming the purpose of stay;

6. Certificate of no criminal record;

7. Document on the availability of housing;

8. Proof of financial security.

It is worth noting that different types of residence permits may require additional documents depending on the grounds for application. Do not forget to familiarize yourself with the full list when applying.

After the permit is issued, you will have 6 months to enter Slovakia and 3 days to notify the migration police of your arrival in the country.

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For safe relocation to any country in the world, obtaining citizenship and employment, use the advice of an international lawyer. We help you solve complex and simple issues for your comfort and safety anywhere in the world.

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Permanent residence permit in Slovakia

Permanent residence in Slovakia is a form of legal stay for foreigners that provides access to education, employment, business, healthcare and social security. The first permanent residence permit is issued for 5 years, and after that you can apply for an extension for an indefinite period.

The following persons can apply for the first permanent residence permit:

1. Spouses of Slovak citizens or their relatives permanently residing in Slovakia;

2. Unmarried children under 18 years of age who are under the care of a foreigner with permanent residence in Slovakia;

3. Children under 18 years of age of a foreigner with permanent residence in Slovakia or children under the care of a foreigner with permanent residence;

4. Children over 18 years of age who are dependent on a foreigner with a permanent residence permit.

A permanent residence permit for an indefinite period can be obtained after obtaining a temporary residence permit or the first permanent residence permit. To apply, you need to have a valid passport, organized residence in Slovakia, a certificate of no criminal record and sufficient funds for at least one year.

You can apply for a permanent residence permit at a migration police station or at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic if you are outside the country. After obtaining the permit, you have the right to travel freely and cross the borders of Slovakia during the validity period of your permit.

Obtaining Slovak citizenship in 2024

The process of acquiring citizenship in Slovakia is regulated by Act No. 40/1993 on the Citizenship of the Slovak Republic, which defines three main ways of acquiring citizenship.

The first way is acquisition of citizenship by birth, when a person automatically becomes a citizen of Slovakia by virtue of his or her birth in the country.

The second way is through adoption. This way also provides for the automatic acquisition of citizenship for a child after adoption.

The third way is acquisition of citizenship by admission to citizenship, also known as naturalization. This process involves becoming a citizen of your own free will. A person wishing to acquire citizenship is required to submit an application, and the state authorities make a decision on granting citizenship with the possibility of refusal.

As for the conditions for naturalization for foreigners residing in Slovakia, they must reside in the country continuously for at least ten years. After obtaining a permanent residence permit for an unlimited period of time and fulfilling the requirements for the length of stay, foreigners are eligible to apply for citizenship. In case of a positive decision, they become citizens of the Slovak Republic.

Acquisition of Slovak citizenship by naturalization

The main way to acquire Slovak citizenship is through residence in the country for a certain period of time. Of course, the standard period of residence for citizenship is 8 years with permanent residence. However, there are exceptions that allow you to obtain citizenship faster.

One of these exceptions is immediate citizenship for persons with high achievements that are of great importance to the country in the field of economy, science, culture or sports. Other exceptions include the possibility of obtaining citizenship after 2, 3, 4 or 5 years of residence in Slovakia, depending on the circumstances, such as custody of a minor child, refugee status, marriage to a Slovak citizen or birth in the country.

A quicker way to obtain citizenship is available to foreign Slovaks who first obtain the status of a foreign Slovak and then apply for permanent residence and later citizenship. This path can also be chosen by foreigners who have obtained a residence permit on the basis of entrepreneurial activity.

The denial of citizenship does not affect the permanent residence status, so a person can reapply for citizenship 2 years after the denial. In general, the process of acquiring citizenship in Slovakia can be individualized and depends on many factors, including the length of residence, status and circumstances of the person.

Acquisition of Slovak citizenship by birth

One of the most common ways of acquiring citizenship is by jus sanguinis, where children automatically acquire Slovak citizenship if at least one of the parents is a Slovak citizen, regardless of the child's place of birth or the parents' place of residence. This principle ensures that children whose parents have Slovak citizenship acquire Slovak citizenship.

There is also the principle of jus soli, according to which children acquire the citizenship of the state where they were born. This principle is applied in Slovakia, for example, to children born on its territory but having stateless parents or when a child cannot obtain the citizenship of his or her parents for some reason. In such cases, children automatically acquire Slovak citizenship.

For foreigners who want their children to become Slovak citizens, they can take advantage of these principles, including obtaining a Slovak residence permit and giving birth to a child in the country. This will give them the opportunity to provide their child with Slovak citizenship by renouncing their home country citizenship.

Acquisition of Slovak citizenship by adoption

Adoption of a child provides the possibility of acquiring Slovak citizenship only if at least one of the adoptive parents is a Slovak citizen. This approach is similar to the principle of acquisition of citizenship by birth, where only the citizenship of the parents matters, regardless of their place of residence. 

It is important to note that adoption of children is only allowed in relation to minors, which is different from some other countries, such as the Czech Republic, where adoption can be applied to persons who have reached the age of majority.

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Igor Usyk - Head of Migration department at VisitWorld

To ensure a safe move to a new country, I advise you to consult a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with a legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations during migration.

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Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents in Slovakia;

Legal advice on immigration in Slovakia;

Travel insurance for foreigners in Slovakia;

Medical insurance all over the world.

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