Residence Permit in Slovakia - Types and Procedure

If you want to apply for a residence permit in Slovakia in 2026, our lawyers are at your service. Once you decide on the pathway for relocation, you can rely on us for a tailored approach for a comfortable immigration procedure.

Quick Facts
Temporary residence permit types	Business, student, temporary permits, European Blue Card
Time needed to obtain the temporary residence permit (approx.)	The police decide within 90 days as a rule (30 days in certain cases, e.g. jobs in shortage occupations)
Temporary residence permit validity	Up to 3 years (business), up to 5 years (employment, family reunification), up to 6 years (studies)
Documents for obtaining temporary residence	Valid passport, proof of address, recent photographs, proof of accommodation, documents supporting the relocation, clean criminal record
Mandatory registrations with state authorities (i.e. with the population/municipality register)	YES, with the Foreign Police within 3 days from arrival
Dependents can join the temporary permit holder (Yes/No)	YES
Temporary or permanent residency for investment purposes	YES, it is possible to obtain a residence permit in Slovakia through investment
Types of investments available for residency purposes	Business incorporation with job creation
Minimum investment amount	EUR 100 million
Minimum temporary residence before applying for permanent residence	5 years of temporary residency
Residency for individuals married to a citizen of the country	5 years
Documents for obtaining permanent residence in Slovakia	Valid ID/passport, proof of living in Slovakia for the required period of time, proof of local address
Naturalization requirements	After 8 years of living in Slovakia, 5 years through marriage
Citizenship after permanent residence	8 years of holding a permanent residence permit in Slovakia
Dual citizenship permitted (Yes/No)	YES, dual citizenship is permitted in Slovakia

Who can qualify to immigrate to Slovakia and obtain a residence permit?

Foreign citizens interested in immigration to Slovakia and seeking to obtain a temporary residence permit in Slovakia can qualify for temporary stays in the country if one of the following is met:

he or she has entered Slovakia based on a visa (this requirement applies to non-EU citizens);
he or she has entered the country based on an EU visa (this is also an option for non-EU citizens);
he or she has obtained a tolerated residence certificate in accordance with the Slovak law.

Do I need to apply for a Slovak residence permit if I am an EU citizen?

No, this requirement does not apply to EU nationals. However, you have the obligation to register your stay in Slovakia if you plan to reside here for more than 3 months.

What are the main ways to obtain a residence permit for Slovakia as a non-EU citizen?

You can apply for a residence permit based on:

employment;
entrepreneurship;
family reunification;
studentship.

NOTE: If you relocate for employment purposes, you will also need to obtain a work permit or a confirmation of the possibility to fill a vacancy from the local Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family (unless exempt).

Our team has created this concise infographic on obtaining residency in Slovakia:

What are the steps to relocate and obtain a residence permit in Slovakia?

The first and most important step is to decide on the way you want to immigrate to Slovakia and for how long. Then:

you must draft the necessary documents in accordance with the reason for relocation;
you must also apply for a long-term stay visa;
you must find accommodation prior to arriving in Slovakia.

NOTE: Our Slovak lawyers can assist with the drafting of the necessary documents for immigration, as well as other procedures, such as buying a property, if you are interested in permanent relocation.

What documents must I prepare to obtain a temporary residence permit in Slovakia?

The following:

standard application form;
proof of payment of the application fee;
valid passport;
documents supporting the purpose of the residence permit (employment contract, business plan, enrolment acceptance letter, etc.);
clean criminal record certificate;
proof of accommodation;
proof of financial self-sufficiency if you come here for business purposes.

NOTE: Certain documents cannot be older than 3 months at submission. You can check the requirements with our lawyers in Slovakia for compliance.

A similar list of documents is required for individuals interested in moving to another European country, such as Denmark, however if you need more details about the immigration process in that country, the best option would be to get the assistance of our partners from Immigration-Denmark.com.

Are there any other obligations to attend to after obtaining a Slovak residence permit?

Yes, as follows:

you must relocate to Slovakia within 6 months from obtaining the residence permit;
you must report to the Foreign Police Department and register your stay within 3 days from arrival in the country;
you must also register for health insurance within 3 days from being issued the residence card.

Our law firm in Slovakia can also assist in these aspects once you arrive in the country.

What is the validity of a temporary residence permit in Slovakia?

Depending on the reason for relocation, the following apply:

Business – three years;
Employment – up to five years;
Studies – six years;
Special activity – two years;
Research and development – two years;
Family reunion – five years;
Performance of service obligations – five years;
Blue card holders of the European Union – three years.

Here is also a video on this topic:

How long does it take to obtain a residence permit in Slovakia?

Up to 90 days as a rule (30 days in certain cases).

How long must I live in Slovakia to obtain permanent residency?

Permanent residence can be obtained for those who have had long-term residence permits for 5 years and have lived 4 years in Slovakia based on them.

There are legal steps that need to be taken if you want to obtain a residence permit in Slovakia in 2026. Just get in touch with our law firm in Slovakia and have our associates help you with the process.