What is a residence permit in Slovakia?

In everyday speech, a residence permit, or VNZ, usually refers to a permit that allows a foreigner to legally reside in Slovakia for longer than a short-term stay. Slovak law uses a more precise term—temporary residence, or prechodný pobyt in Slovak.
For citizens of non-EU countries, Slovak law provides for temporary residence, permanent residence for five years, permanent residence for an unlimited period, and long-term residence. These are different legal statuses, each with its own grounds, conditions, and application process.
This page focuses primarily on temporary residence, which in Russian-speaking communities is most often referred to as a VNZ. It can be granted to a third-country national who plans to work, engage in business, study, live with family, or engage in other activities prescribed by law.
A VNZ is always granted for a specific purpose. Simply wanting to live in Slovakia is not enough. The applicant must prove a legal basis, submit the necessary documents, and meet the established requirements.
However, even having a complete set of documents does not automatically guarantee approval. The decision is made by the Foreign Police, which evaluates not only the formal availability of documents but also the applicant’s compliance with the requirements for the chosen residence permit. There is no legally guaranteed right to temporary residence. (Migračné informačné centrum)

Act No. 404/2011 of the Slovak Republic on the Residence of Foreigners

Migration Information Centre (IOM) – What is temporary residence?

Temporary residence in Slovakia may be granted for the following purposes:

Entrepreneurship
Employment or seasonal employment
Studies
Carrying out specific activities, such as teaching, sports, art, volunteering, journalism, or medical work; completing an internship; or participating in government or European programs.
Conducting research and development.
Research and development activities
Family reunification
Performance of official duties by civilian units of the armed forces.
Residence of a person who has been granted the status of a Slovak residing abroad.
Residence of a person who has already been granted long-term resident status in another EU member state.
The EU Blue Card is also considered a temporary residence permit. It is intended for highly qualified workers who meet the requirements for professional qualifications, employment contract, and salary.
In practice, the most common grounds for temporary residence remain employment, entrepreneurship, education, and family reunification. However, the purpose of residence should not be chosen based on the principle of “where it’s easier,” but rather on the person’s actual situation and the activities they actually plan to engage in in Slovakia. (Migračné informačné centrum)
Source:
IOM Migration Information Centre – Types of Temporary Residence

How to obtain a residence permit in Slovakia

An application for temporary residence is generally submitted in person. An exception is provided, for example, in the case of family reunification, when documents may be submitted on behalf of an incapacitated applicant by the foreigner with whom the reunification is taking place.
As a general rule, the initial application is submitted abroad at a Slovak diplomatic mission accredited to the state that issued the applicant’s passport or to the state in which the applicant has legal residence.
When submitting documents through a consulate, the applicant is interviewed in person. The purpose of this interview is to preliminarily assess the application, verify the rationale for the chosen basis, and determine whether the applicant actually plans to carry out the stated activity.
In certain cases, the initial application can be submitted directly at a foreign police station in Slovakia. This option is available to individuals who:
hold a valid residence permit in Slovakia or another European Union country;
are in Slovakia on a certain type of national visa;
Has a Schengen visa issued for seasonal employment and is applying specifically for seasonal employment;
Has the right to visa-free entry to Slovakia;
Has temporary protection in Slovakia;
Holds a Slovak Residence Abroad ID;
Has one of the permitted types of residence provided by law.
However, the right to legally reside in Slovakia does not always mean the right to apply to the police for any type of temporary residence permit. Specific restrictions apply for certain purposes. (Migračné informačné centrum)

Source:
Procedure and place for filing a temporary residence application

Special rules for residence permits for entrepreneurship

As of July 1, 2025, initial applications for temporary residence permits for entrepreneurship will be accepted exclusively at Slovak diplomatic missions abroad. Applications cannot be submitted directly to the Foreign Police based solely on visa-free stay, national visas, or temporary protection.
An exception may be a legally required change in the purpose of an existing residence permit.
To obtain a temporary residence permit for entrepreneurship, you must prepare a business plan. It is recommended to attach documents confirming the feasibility and sustainability of the project: preliminary agreements with suppliers and clients, lease agreements, proof of professional experience, diplomas, certificates, and other evidence that the declared activity is not just a paper trail.
The Foreign Police requests the position of the Slovak Ministry of Economy. The Ministry does not make the final decision on granting temporary residence permits, but rather evaluates whether the planned activity can benefit the country’s economy. The assessment takes into account the feasibility of the business plan, the applicant’s professional experience, the proposed investments, job creation, the presence of potential clients and partners, and other circumstances confirming the viability of the business.
When renewing an entrepreneurial residence permit, it is no longer the plan that is reviewed, but rather the actual activities: accounting reports, taxes, contracts, invoices, employees, income, and fulfillment of state obligations. Therefore, simply registering a company or živnosť and not actually conducting business is not sufficient. (MH SR)

Sources:
Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic – Foreign Entrepreneurship
Residence Permit for Entrepreneurship for a Company Director
Residence Permit for Entrepreneurship Based on živnosť

What documents will be required?

The exact set of documents required depends on the applicant’s purpose of residence, citizenship, country of previous residence, marital status, application method, and other circumstances.
The basic package typically includes:
a completed application form;
a valid passport;
confirmation of purpose of residence;
a certificate of good conduct;
confirmation of accommodation in Slovakia, unless an exception is provided for the selected category;
confirmation of payment of the state fee;
confirmation of financial support for accommodation (if applying for a temporary residence permit for entrepreneurship for the first time).
When applying for a job, the purpose of residence is confirmed by documents related to the employer, the vacancy, and the foreigner’s access to the labor market. In some cases, confirmation of eligibility for the vacant position is submitted directly to the police by the employment agency.
For students, confirmation from the educational institution is required. For family reunification, documents confirming the relationship and legal status of the primary family member are provided.
For a temporary residence permit for entrepreneurship, simply registering a company or sole proprietor is not sufficient. You must confirm your purpose of residence, provide a business plan, evidence of its feasibility, funds for living expenses, and separate funds for running the business.
Most documents must be no more than 90 days old at the time of submission.
Foreign official documents generally require an apostille or consular legalization, unless an international treaty provides an exception. Documents not written in Slovak must be translated into Slovak by an official translator. In cases provided by law, translation into Czech is permitted.
If the translation is completed outside of Slovakia, confirmation from the Slovak diplomatic mission that the translation was prepared by an authorized person may be required. A separate exception applies for translations completed in the Czech Republic.
The final list of documents must be compiled individually. Even if the purpose of residence is the same, the package may differ for two applicants. Using a random list from the internet often leads to unnecessary expenses, missed deadlines, or an unprepared submission. (Migračné informačné centrum)

Source:
Documents for a temporary residence application

Financial support for a residence permit for entrepreneurship

Separate proof of financial support for the initial application for temporary residence is currently required primarily for residence permits for entrepreneurship.
From July 1, 2026, the minimum subsistence level will be EUR 295.22 per month.
If a residence permit is requested for a period longer than one year, proof of financial support for living expenses must be equivalent to twelve subsistence minimums, or EUR 3,542.64.
In addition to the funds for living expenses, separate proof of funds for business activities must be provided.
For a sole proprietor operating under a živnosť (private partnership), the required amount is twenty subsistence minimums, or EUR 5,904.40.
For the director of a commercial company, the required amount is one hundred subsistence minimums, or EUR 29,522.
Funds for business activities must be confirmed in a separate business account. This account must not be the same as the account in which personal funds for living expenses are confirmed. The amounts depend on the current minimum subsistence level and may change annually. Therefore, it is necessary to double-check them before submitting documents. (Migračné informačné centrum)

Sources:
Financial support for temporary residence
Residence permit for entrepreneurship for a company director

For what period is a residence permit granted?

The duration of temporary residence depends on its purpose and the documents submitted by the applicant.
A residence permit for entrepreneurship can be granted for up to three years.
A residence permit for employment is granted for the intended period of employment, but for no more than five years. The actual duration depends on the reason for employment and the duration of the employment relationship.
A residence permit for study can be granted for the intended period of study, but for no more than six years.
A residence permit for special activities, research, and development is usually granted for up to two years. For certain categories, such as professional athletes, other periods may apply.
A residence permit for family reunification can be granted until the end of the primary family member’s residence, but for no more than five years.
An EU Blue Card can be granted for up to five years.
These are maximum periods. They do not mean that the police are obligated to grant residence for the entire possible period. The actual duration may depend on the length of the employment contract, the training, the status of the primary family member, the duration of the housing arrangements, and other circumstances. It’s also important to distinguish between the duration of the residence permit granted and the validity of the card itself. In some cases, the card may be issued for a shorter period than the duration of the status granted, for example, due to the expiration of a passport or housing document.
If the purpose of residence continues to exist and the applicant meets the established requirements, the temporary residence permit can be extended multiple times. The application must be submitted no later than the last day of the current residence permit, but delaying submission until the last day is not recommended. (Migračné informačné centrum)

Source:
Temporary Residence Periods

Is it possible to change the purpose of a residence permit?

Temporary residence is tied to a specific purpose. If a person ceases the activity for which they were granted temporary residence and plans to engage in something else, in most cases it is necessary to submit a new application to change the purpose of residence.
For example, switching from temporary residence for employment to temporary residence for entrepreneurship is not automatic. The applicant must meet the requirements of the new purpose and submit a substantially complete set of documents required for the new purpose.
When changing the purpose of residence, it is generally not necessary to resubmit a certificate of good conduct if one was submitted during the previous application. A medical report is also generally not required again.
A temporary residence permit holder cannot apply to the Foreign Police to change the purpose of residence to entrepreneurship until 24 months have passed since the current residence permit was granted.
If 24 months have not yet expired, the application for a business purpose must generally be submitted through a Slovak diplomatic mission abroad. (Migračné informačné centrum)

Source:
Change in the purpose or type of residence

Peculiarities of changing a residence permit for study purposes

Separate rules apply for students.
A person with a residence permit for study purposes can apply for a change of purpose directly in Slovakia if they:
have successfully passed the final or matriculation exam at a Slovak secondary school;
have successfully completed secondary school in Slovakia;
have completed a first, second, or third level of higher education in Slovakia.
If these conditions are not met, an application for a different purpose must usually be submitted through a consulate abroad.
A person with a residence permit for language or vocational preparation for higher education cannot change their purpose of residence directly with the Foreign Police.
After successfully graduating from a Slovak higher education institution, a graduate can extend their residence permit for study purposes for an additional nine months to find work or start a business.
However, the restriction on changing the purpose to entrepreneurship before the expiration of 24 months also applies to holders of a student residence permit. (Migračné informačné centrum)

Source:
Residence permit for studies and rules for changing the purpose

What happens after receiving a residence permit?

Approval of the application and receipt of the card do not mean the procedure is complete.
If the application was submitted abroad, the foreigner must arrive in Slovakia within 180 days of being granted temporary residence.
No later than three working days after entry, the start of the stay must be registered, unless the hotel or other accommodation provider has not fulfilled this obligation.
Depending on the purpose of stay, the foreigner must obtain health insurance and provide proof of insurance to the police. As a general rule, insurance is obtained within three working days of receiving the card, and proof is provided to the police no later than 30 days later. Exceptions apply for employment, study, and certain other categories, as health insurance may be established on a different legal basis.
In certain cases, a medical certificate confirming the absence of any illnesses posing a threat to public health must be provided. The certificate must be no more than 30 days old and is generally provided to the police within 30 days of receiving the card.
Such a certificate is not required, for example, when changing the purpose or type of residence, or for certain special categories of foreigners.
Foreigners must maintain their stated purpose of residence, promptly report changes, meet insurance requirements, comply with immigration regulations, and submit renewal applications on time.
As a general rule, temporary residence permit holders must reside in Slovakia for more than half of the granted residence period within a calendar year. Exceptions are provided for certain categories related to international mobility. (Migračné informačné centrum)

Source:
Obligations after granting temporary residence

New obligations for entrepreneurs from July 15, 2026

For holders of a temporary residence permit for entrepreneurship, it is especially important that the business not exist merely in name.
The entrepreneur must actually conduct business, meet tax and insurance obligations, and have no overdue debts to the tax, customs, social security, or health insurance companies.
These requirements apply not only to their own business but also to commercial companies and cooperatives on whose behalf the individual acts as a director.
Starting from July 15, 2026, the existence of such debts may serve as grounds not only for denial of an extension but also for initiating the process of revoking an existing temporary residence permit for entrepreneurship.
When renewing a temporary residence permit, the individual entrepreneur must confirm the statutory minimum amount of taxable income for the previous tax period.
The company director must confirm the company’s payment of the established minimum tax amount. The specific amount depends on the company’s income and current tax regulations.
Therefore, it is not enough for a person who has received a temporary residence permit for entrepreneurship to simply prepare documents for the police once. Accounting, taxes, insurance obligations, and the reality of business operations must be constantly monitored. (Migračné informačné centrum)

Source:
Legislative changes effective July 15, 2026

New rules for employment-based residence permits

As of July 15, 2026, holders of a temporary residence permit for employment are required to notify the Foreigners Police within seven working days of the start and end of their unemployment period.
If employment terminates, the temporary residence permit is not always revoked immediately. The length of the period during which a person can find a new employer depends on the type of work permit and the length of time they have held the temporary residence permit.
For foreigners who have held a temporary residence permit for employment based on confirmation of their ability to fill a vacant position for less than two years, the job search period may be up to three months.
If such a temporary residence permit is valid for more than two years, the period may be up to six months.
For certain categories of workers, different timeframes and rules apply. Therefore, after the termination of employment, it is important not only to look for a new employer, but also to immediately check the procedure applicable to the specific type of temporary residence permit. (Migračné informačné centrum)

Source:
Changes in the rules for the employment of foreigners from July 15, 2026

What can you get after five years of residence?

Five years of residence in Slovakia does not automatically qualify for permanent residence.
A person who has legally and continuously resided in the country for five years immediately prior to submitting an application may, subject to certain conditions, qualify for long-term residence.
This is a separate legal status. To obtain it, you must submit a separate application and prove that you meet all the requirements.
Not every period of residence is counted equally when calculating the five-year period.
A temporary residence permit for seasonal employment, for example, does not count towards this period.
Time spent studying and in certain types of specialized activities only counts half.
Time spent outside Slovakia is also important. As a general rule, absences of no more than six consecutive months and no more than ten months in total during the five-year period may be counted towards continuous residence.
Special rules apply for Blue Card holders, research program participants, and certain other categories.
To obtain long-term residence, you must prove stable and regular sources of income, health insurance, and housing. If the residential address has not changed, in some cases, re-confirmation of accommodation is not required.
From July 15, 2025, applicants must also generally demonstrate proficiency in the Slovak language at least at level A2. This proficiency is confirmed by an exam at a language school or a public higher education institution.
Children under 14, holders of the status of a Slovak living abroad, and individuals who have completed certain education in the Slovak language are exempt from the exam.
A person who, at the time of application, continues to hold a temporary residence permit for study, seasonal work, or certain types of specialized activities may not be able to immediately apply for long-term residence. In such a situation, it may first be necessary to transition to another suitable status.
Therefore, it is best to plan your path to long-term residence in advance: consider the purpose of the temporary residence permit, periods of absence from the country, extension history, income, insurance, and the need to prove proficiency in the Slovak language. (Migračné informačné centrum)

Source:
Long-term residence in Slovakia

How much does it cost to obtain a residence permit?

The final costs depend on the purpose of residence, the country of application, the number of documents, family composition, and the need for additional registrations or permits.
As of August 2026, the basic government fees for the initial application are:
Residence permit for entrepreneurship — €350 when submitted through a Slovak diplomatic mission abroad;
€330 applies for permitted submissions to the police, such as a legally permitted change of purpose of residence;
Residence permit for employment — €250;
Seasonal employment — €50;
Special activity — €140;
Family reunification — €200;
Performance of official duties by civilian units of the armed forces — €100;
EU Blue Card — €250.
For certain purposes and categories of applicants, exemptions from the administrative fee apply. In particular, persons under 18 years of age are exempt from the fee for granting or extending residence. The production and delivery of the residence card are charged separately:
€10 – standard production within 30 days;
€39 – rush production within two business days.
In addition to government fees, the following costs must be taken into account:
document translation by an official translator;
apostille or consular legalization;
notarization of signatures and copies;
health insurance;
medical examination;
obtaining documents in other countries;
travel and accommodation when applying through the consulate;
provision of accommodation in Slovakia;
company or sole proprietorship registration;
business plan preparation;
professional training and procedural support.
Not all of these costs are incurred in every case. Therefore, the promise of a uniform final cost for all applicants usually does not reflect the actual procedure. (Migračné informačné centrum)

Source:
Current government fees and card production costs

Professional support from Slovakia Garant

Obtaining a residence permit is more than just filling out an application. Before beginning the process, it’s important to correctly determine the purpose of residence, the application location, the current set of documents, a realistic timeframe, and a plan of action.
A mistake at the initial stage can result in the applicant registering an inappropriate business entity, preparing documents for the wrong consulate, missing a certificate’s expiration date, incorrectly confirming the purpose of residence, or encountering restrictions on changing status after the process has begun.
Slovakia Garant specialists analyze the client’s situation, compile a customized list of documents, organize the necessary translations and registrations, verify the readiness of the package, and guide the client through the main stages of the process.
The decision to grant a residence permit is always made by the relevant Slovak government agency. No private company can replace a government agency or guarantee its decision.
Professional training is needed for another purpose: to identify potential risks in advance, avoid common mistakes, and submit documents in accordance with current requirements. If you plan to obtain or renew a temporary residence permit, change your purpose of residence, relocate your family, register a business, or assess potential costs and risks in advance, schedule a professional consultation with Slovakia Garant.
Slovakia Garant
Gorkého 3, Staré Mesto, 3rd floor, Bratislava
Monday–Friday: 9:00–17:00
Phone: +421 919 327 860
The information on this page is current as of August 2026. Migration regulations, government fees, and government agency practices are subject to change. Before submitting your documents, please double-check the requirements for your specific applicant and your chosen purpose of residence.