Where and how to apply

In general, it is recommended to file the application for temporary residence at the Slovak embassy in the country of your citizenship or country of your residence. In specific cases stipulated by law (e.g. if you are not subject to visa requirements, if you already hold a valid residence permit in the country/in another EU member state), you may submit your application for residence at the competent Foreign Police Department in Slovakia. The application must be submitted in person.

The fee for applying for a temporary residence for the purpose of business is EUR 232 (if the application is submitted at the Foreign Police Department) or EUR 240 (if the application is submitted at the Slovak embassy).

Documents required

You must submit:

• a completed and signed application form in Slovak;
• a valid passport and two colour photographs (3 x 3.5 cm);
• a business plan, a business plan for implementation of an innovative project, or a document confirming the authorization to do business (if you are listed in the Trade Register or a similar register, the document proving the purpose of residence does not have to be submitted);
• a criminal record statement from the country of your citizenship and from all countries where you resided for more than 90 days during six consecutive months in the past three years;
• a document on financial means to cover the costs of your stay (bank account balance confirmation);
• a document on financial coverage of business activities (business bank account balance confirmation; the bank account has to be different than the one proving the coverage of the costs for your stay);
• a document on your accommodation in Slovakia;
• administrative fee EUR 232 (if the application is submitted at the Foreign Police Department) or EUR 240 (if the application is submitted at the Slovak embassy);
• administrative fee EUR 4.50 (for issuing a residence document).

Administrative fees at the Foreign Police are paid in form of electronic fee stamps (eKolok), which may be bought directly at the Foreign Police Department through a vending machine, or at a post office. Consular fees at Slovak embassies are paid in cash or via bank transfers. It is recommended to verify the possible means of payment with the specific embassy.

Further requirements

All documents issued by official authorities abroad must be translated into Slovak by a certified translator and properly authenticated (apostille or superlegalisation). It is possible to submit documents issued or verified by official authorities of the Czech Republic in the Czech language.

The documents must not be older than 90 days at the time of submitting the application.  

You must enter the territory of the Slovak Republic within 180 days from being granted the residence.

You must report the beginning of your residence at the Foreign Police Department within three working days from your arrival to Slovakia.

Within 3 working days from collecting the residence document in Slovakia, you must get a health insurance.

Within 30 days from collecting the residence document, you must submit at the Foreign Police a document on health insurance.

Within 30 days after collecting the residence document, you must submit a medical report not older than 30 days confirming that you do not suffer from a disease constituting a threat to public health (this can be prolonged by 60 days, if requested).

You must reside in the territory of Slovakia for more than half of the length of the granted temporary residence in a calendar year.

Duration of validity of permits

You may obtain temporary residence for the purpose of business for the foreseen duration of the business, however for a maximum of three years, with the possibility of extension.

Conditions for renewal

Temporary residence may be renewed repeatedly. Temporary residence for the purpose of business may be renewed for a maximum period of three years.

If you want to apply for renewal of temporary residence, you must do so in person at the competent Foreign Police Department no later than the last day of validity of the temporary residence. The temporary residence is considered legal in the territory of Slovakia until the decision on its renewal. It is required that the purpose for which the temporary residence was granted still lasts. The application for renewal of temporary residence must be accompanied by a valid passport, otherwise the Foreign Police will not accept the application.

The application must be submitted together with:

• a valid passport;
• one colour photograph (3 × 3.5 cm);
• a document on accommodation in Slovakia;
• a document on health insurance;
• a confirmation on payment of tax and customs duties, health insurance contributions, social insurance contributions and old-age pension contributions arising from the business activities and from all the commercial companies and cooperatives which you act on behalf of (if you are not a taxpayer or are exempt from paying social insurance contributions, you must submit a document confirming this fact);
• a document proving taxed income from the business, for the previous fiscal year at least in the amount of 20-times the statutory life minimum;
• if you did not do business throughout the entire previous fiscal year, you must document a taxed income in the amount of 2-times the statutory life minimum for every month of residence in the previous fiscal year;
• if you have not yet been authorised to do business in the previous fiscal year, you must submit a document on financial coverage of the business activities in the amount of 10-times the statutory life minimum (is documented by a business bank account balance confirmation);
• administrative fee EUR 132.50;
• administrative fee EUR 4.50 (for issuing a residence document).

Administrative fees at the Foreign Police are paid in form of electronic fee stamps (eKolok), which may be bought directly at the Foreign Police Department through a vending machine, or at a post office.

Appeals

You can file an administrative appeal to the Directorate of Foreign Police/Directorate of Border and Foreign Police. You can file a judicial appeal to the Regional Court.

Further information

More on self-employment based on a trade licenseSearch for available translations of the preceding linkEN•••

More on residence permitsSearch for available translations of the preceding linkEN•••

More on visasSearch for available translations of the preceding linkEN•••

Overview of all necessary information (including residence and self-employment)Search for available translations of the preceding linkEN•••

More on working in Slovakia

Change of business activities

Change of business activities is possible. If you are self-employed based on a trade license, you may pursue several business activities, but need to hold a trade license for each of them.

Change of status

If you wish to change your status, i.e. change the type or purpose of your residence (e.g. from business to employment), you must submit a new application for residence at the Foreign Police Department, no later than the last day of validity of your current residence.

If the purpose of your residence status ceases to exist (e.g. you no longer do business), you must inform the Foreign Police Department within three working days.

Family members

If you hold a temporary residence for the purpose of Business in Slovakia and would like your family members to join you, they may apply for temporary residence for the purpose of family reunification.

Family members include your spouse of at least 18 years of age, your and your spouse’s unmarried children younger than 18 years of age, your unmarried children younger than 18 years of age, unmarried children of your spouse younger than 18 years of age, your dependent unmarried children older than 18 years of age, or dependent unmarried children of your spouse who cannot provide for themselves due to a long-term unfavourable health condition, your dependent parent or parent of your spouse who lacks appropriate family support in the country of origin or dependent family members pursuant to an international treaty.

The Foreign Police Department can grant your family members residence until the validity of your residence expires.

Your family members may study, conduct business (does not apply to parents and children older than 18 years of age) and be employed during their stay in Slovakia. However, they need to obtain a work permit in the period of up to 12 months from being granted temporary residence. After the period of 12 months, they may work without a work permit.

Long-term residence

You may apply for long-term residence after you have legally resided in Slovakia for at least five consecutive years directly prior to the submission of your application. The application must be submitted at the competent Foreign Police Department according to your place of residence.

More on long-term residence