The full cost of obtaining a residence permit in Slovakia
One of the first questions almost every client asks is the cost of obtaining a residence permit in Slovakia. And this is quite logical. When planning a move to another country, it’s important to understand in advance what your budget will be, what expenses are mandatory, and which depend on your specific situation.
That’s why we’ve prepared a detailed example cost estimate. It shows the costs involved in the entire process, which payments are mandatory, and which depend on the chosen method of registration and the applicant’s individual situation.
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of obtaining a residence permit?
- What services are included in Slovakia Garant's support?
- What government payments must be paid?
- What additional costs may arise?
- Is it possible to pay for the registration in stages?
- How much money do you need to have in your bank account?
- Why can the cost of support vary significantly between companies?
We have already helped hundreds of people to move to Slovakia and start their business in the European Union. Slovakia Garant will be your reliable support in all processes.
It’s important to understand that the final cost depends on the basis for obtaining a residence permit, the number of applicants, family composition, the need for additional documents, the volume of translations, and the chosen application strategy.
That’s why we always begin our work with a consultation, during which we analyze the client’s situation and calculate all upcoming expenses in advance. Afterwards, you receive a clear financial picture without hidden fees or unexpected surcharges.
Assistance in obtaining the first residence permit based on entrepreneurial activity
* Submission of documents for obtaining the first residence permit on the basis of entrepreneurial activity is possible only through the consular office of the Slovak Republic in the country of citizenship or in the country where the applicant has the legal right of residence.
Cost of registration
Company services for obtaining your first residence permit based on entrepreneurial activity
€1,500
Company registration (s.r.o.)
€700
Registration as a sole proprietor (živnosť)
€360
Provision of a legal address for 1 year (center of Bratislava, Staré Mesto)
€240
State fee for filing a residence permit application
€369
Special medical examination upon receipt of the residence permit card
€165
Court-certified translation of documents into Slovak (per standard page of 1,800 characters with spaces)
€30
Notarial services (certification of signatures and documents)
from €50
Opening a personal bank account
€150
Opening Business accounts
€300
Submitting documents to the Foreigners’ Police after receiving a residence permit
€300
Sending health insurance information to the Foreigners’ Police
€15
Health insurance registration
Free
Consultation on renting or buying real estate
Free
Consultation on preparing for a mortgage
Free
Initial consultation with an accountant
Free
Estimated cost of a full residence permit application for entrepreneurial activity (živnosť)
€3,479 (with minimum notary fees)
Estimated cost of a full residence permit application for director of a private company (s.r.o.)
€3,819 (with minimum notary fees)
What is important to know before you start registration?
* Submission of documents for the first residence permit based on business activity is possible only through a consular office of the Slovak Republic in the applicant’s country of citizenship or in a country where the applicant has a legal right of residence.
* A business plan is a mandatory part of the application package for a residence permit based on business activity. After submitting the documents, the police send it to the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic, which evaluates whether the planned business activity is consistent with the country’s economic interests. The conclusion of the Ministry of Economy is one of the documents considered when deciding whether to grant a residence permit.
* The applicant must have all necessary documents ready by the day of submitting the documents to the consular office.
* By the day of submitting the documents to the consular office, the applicant must have proof of residence (registration) in Slovakia for at least six months.
* A certificate of good conduct must be provided from the applicant’s country of citizenship, as well as from all countries in which the applicant has resided over the past three years on the basis of a residence permit, temporary protection, long-term visa, or other legal status other than tourist residence.
* On the day of submitting documents to the consular office, the certificate of no criminal record must have been issued no more than 90 days prior to the application date.
Assistance in obtaining the first residence permit based on family reunification (spouse)
*A residence permit through family reunification can only be obtained for a spouse who has a valid residence permit in the Slovak Republic or is a citizen of the Slovak Republic.
Cost of registration
Our services for obtaining your first residence permit based on family reunification (spouse/husband)
€900
Court-certified translation of documents into Slovak (2 standard pages)
€60
Notarial services (certification of signatures and documents)
from €50
State fee for filing a residence permit application
€239
Special medical examination upon receipt of the residence permit card
€165
First appointment with the Foreign Police for submitting documents
€300
Sending health insurance information to the Foreign Police
€15
Health insurance registration
Free
Estimated cost for a first-time residence permit through family reunification (spouse)
€1,729 (with minimum notary fees)
What is important to know before you start registration?
* A residence permit through family reunification can only be obtained for a spouse who holds a valid residence permit in the Slovak Republic or who is a citizen of the Slovak Republic.
* An apostilled marriage certificate and its certified translation into Slovak are required for processing.
* A certificate of good conduct must be provided from the applicant’s country of citizenship, as well as from all countries where the applicant has resided for the past three years on the basis of a residence permit, long-term visa, temporary protection, or other legal status other than tourist residence.
* On the day of submitting documents, the certificate of good conduct must be issued no more than 90 days before the application date.
* On the day of submitting documents to the consular office, the applicant must have proof of residence (registration) in Slovakia for at least six months.
* After receiving the residence permit card, the applicant must undergo a special medical examination and provide proof of health insurance to the Foreign Police within the statutory deadline.
Assistance in obtaining the first residence permit based on family reunification (child)
*A residence permit for a child through family reunification can only be obtained from a parent who has a valid residence permit in the Slovak Republic or who is a citizen of the Slovak Republic.
Cost of registration
Company services for obtaining a first residence permit based on family reunification (child)
€600
Court-certified translation of documents into Slovak (2 standard pages)
€60
Notarial services (certification of signatures and documents)
from €50
State fee for filing a residence permit application
€39
Special medical examination upon receipt of the residence permit card
€150
First appointment for submitting documents with the Foreign Police
€300
Sending health insurance information to the Foreign Police
€15
Estimated cost for a first-time residence permit through family reunification (child)
€1,214 (with minimum notary fees)
What is important to know before you start registration?
*A residence permit for a child through family reunification can only be obtained for a parent who holds a valid residence permit in the Slovak Republic or who is a citizen of the Slovak Republic.
*To obtain a residence permit, you must provide the child’s birth certificate with an apostille and its certified translation into Slovak.
*To obtain a residence permit, the other parent’s notarized consent to grant the child a residence permit in the Slovak Republic is required, unless otherwise provided by law. Such consent can be certified by a Slovak notary, a consular office of the Slovak Republic, or a notary in the country where the document is issued.
*If the child has reached the age of 14, you must provide a certificate of good conduct from their country of citizenship, as well as from all countries where they have resided for the past three years on the basis of a residence permit, long-term visa, temporary protection, or other legal status other than tourist stay.
*On the day of submitting documents, the certificate must be issued no more than 90 days before the application date.
The child must reside with the parent with whom the family reunification is being sought.
*On the day of submitting documents, proof of residence in Slovakia must be provided. If the accommodation is provided by the property owner, their honest declaration (čestné vyhlásenie) must be submitted no earlier than 90 days before the application date.
*After receiving the residence permit card, you must undergo a special medical examination and provide proof of health insurance to the Foreign Police within the statutory deadline.
Assistance in obtaining the first residence permit based on employment
* Submission of documents for obtaining the first residence permit based on employment is possible only through the consular office of the Slovak Republic in the country of citizenship or in the country where the applicant has the legal right of residence.
Cost of registration
Our services for obtaining your first temporary residence permit based on employment
€500
Assistance with the Úrad práce consent process (job registration, communication with the employer, and preparation of necessary documents)
€350
First appointment for submitting documents to the Foreigners Police
€300
State fee for filing a temporary residence permit application
€289
Special medical examination upon receipt of the temporary residence permit card
€165
Estimated cost of fully processing a first-time residence permit based on employment: €1,604
What is important to know before you start registration?
*The first residence permit based on employment can only be obtained after the employer receives consent from the Úrad práce to employ a third-country national. Applicants cannot obtain such consent independently.
* The procedure begins with the employer registering a vacant position with the Úrad práce. If a citizen of the Slovak Republic or a citizen of a European Union member state is not hired for the vacancy within 21 calendar days, the employer has the right to continue hiring the foreign worker.
* The employer then submits a personal application to the Úrad práce for a specific foreign national. The application must specify the position, place of work, salary, working conditions, and other information about the future employment.
* The Úrad práce reviews the employer’s application within 15 working days and makes a decision on whether to grant or deny the employment permit (súhlas).
* After a positive decision, the consent (súhlas) is automatically sent to the government agency specified by the employer when submitting the application. This may be the Slovak consular office in the country of application or the Foreign Police in Slovakia.
* To obtain a residence permit, you must provide a valid passport, a police clearance certificate, proof of residence in Slovakia, and other documents required by law.
* Proof of residence in Slovakia is required for most applicants. An exception is drivers engaged in international freight transport, for whom the law requires a different procedure for proving residence.
* In most cases, obtaining a residence permit for employment consists of two separate government procedures: first, the employer obtains the consent of the Úrad práce (Office of Employment) to employ a foreign citizen, and then the residence permit application is submitted. Therefore, the overall processing time includes both stages and is typically longer than many applicants expect.
What is included in the cost of support?
The first line of each estimate shows the cost of Slovakia Garant’s services for the selected procedure. This includes consultations, analysis of your situation, development of a registration strategy, preparation of a full package of documents, interaction with government agencies, coordination of all stages of the process, client support, and organizational support until completion.
The estimated cost of the full registration process, indicated below, includes both the cost of our services and mandatory expenses incurred during the document processing process. This allows you to understand the full budget in advance and avoid unexpected additional costs.
The remaining payments listed in the estimate are paid directly to government agencies, notaries, certified translators, medical institutions, banks, and other organizations. Before each stage, we will inform you in advance of the required payment, the recipient, and the deadline.
For more information about our commitments to clients, terms of support, and money-back guarantee, please see the “Guarantees” section.
What else is important to consider?
Although we’ve tried to provide a detailed breakdown of costs, each situation remains unique. The final cost may depend on your country of citizenship, the chosen basis for obtaining a residence permit, family composition, the number of documents requiring translation, and the specifics of your specific case.
The above calculations do not include airfare, accommodation, food, or other personal expenses related to traveling to Slovakia.
Property search services are also not included in the cost. Some clients already own a home in Slovakia, while others are just planning a move. Some are looking for an apartment in Bratislava, others in another region, some need a small apartment, and still others need a house for the whole family. Therefore, property searches, rental or purchase transaction support, and registration arrangements are calculated individually and are provided only at the client’s request.
Before we begin, we always prepare a customized cost estimate specifically for your situation. This ensures you understand the full budget for the process in advance and can plan your move with confidence.
Why do the prices for services from different companies differ?
If you’ve compared quotes from several companies, you’ve likely noticed that the cost of obtaining the same residence permit can vary significantly.
This isn’t always because one company is cheaper than another. More often than not, it’s the scope of services included in their support that differs.
Some companies only support certain stages of the process, while others include significantly more work in their price. Furthermore, the initial price doesn’t always reflect the full budget for the process. Some mandatory expenses are billed separately during the process.
That’s why we recommend comparing not only the final price but also the range of services you receive for that price.
If you’ve already received a quote from another company, we’ll help you compare the scope of support free of charge and explain which expenses are already included in the price and which may arise later. This will allow you to make a decision based on complete information, not just the lowest price.
We believe that professional support begins with complete transparency. That’s why we strive to provide our clients with the most detailed information possible upfront about all stages of the process and the associated costs.
How much money do I need to have in my bank account?
According to Act No. 404/2011 of the Slovak Republic “On the Residence of Foreigners,” when applying for a residence permit, applicants are generally required to prove that they have sufficient financial resources. To do so, they must submit a bank statement confirming that they have funds in the amount specified by law.
It is important to understand that these funds are not a government fee and are not transferred to the state budget. They remain the applicant’s property and, after receiving a residence permit, may be used at the applicant’s discretion.
The amount of financial resources required depends directly on the subsistence minimum established in the Slovak Republic. As of July 1, 2026, the subsistence minimum is €295.22 per month. This figure is used to calculate most requirements related to proving financial resources.
When applying for the first residence permit, the applicant must prove the availability of funds equal to 12 times the subsistence minimum, which as of July 1, 2026, amounts to:
€295.22 × 12 = €3,542.64
For ease of budget planning, we recommend having at least €3,600 in a personal bank account.
If the first residence permit is being applied for on the basis of entrepreneurial activity, the law imposes additional requirements for proving the financial viability of the business.
For a sole proprietor (živnosť), you must additionally prove that you have funds equivalent to 20 times the minimum subsistence level, which amounts to:
295.22 € × 20 = 5,904.40 €
If the residence permit is issued as a director of one’s own company (s.r.o.), the company’s bank account must demonstrate funds equivalent to 100 times the minimum subsistence level, which amounts to:
€295.22 × 100 = €29,522.00
The financial requirements may change annually, as the minimum subsistence level in the Slovak Republic is revised as of July 1 of each year.
What Else Is Important to Know
The amounts listed above apply only to those grounds for obtaining a residence permit for which the law actually requires proof of financial support. For other categories of applicants, the requirements may differ significantly. For example, in cases of family reunification, financial support is in most cases confirmed by the sponsor with whom the applicant is reuniting, and for certain grounds for obtaining a residence permit, special rules established by law apply.
That is precisely why we recommend not relying solely on the general information posted on the website. Before you begin the application process, Slovakia Garant’s specialists will analyze your situation free of charge, determine which legal requirements apply specifically to your case, and inform you in advance of the documents, amounts, and proof required to successfully obtain a residence permit.
Can I file the paperwork on my own?
Yes, of course. The laws of the Slovak Republic do not require you to use specialized companies or intermediaries. If you are familiar with the law, speak Slovak, and are prepared to navigate all the requirements of government agencies on your own, you have every right to prepare the documents yourself, register a business or company, and complete the entire process of obtaining a residence permit.
That is precisely why we regularly publish free articles, record detailed video tutorials, host live streams, and share up-to-date information on our website, YouTube channel, and social media. We believe that people should understand the application process regardless of whether they use our services or not.
In practice, however, most difficulties stem not from filling out individual documents, but from correctly selecting the basis for obtaining a residence permit, complying with legal requirements, preparing a complete set of documents, arranging certified translations, ensuring documents remain valid, scheduling an appointment to file the application, interacting with government agencies, and fulfilling all subsequent obligations after receiving the residence permit card.
If you decide to seek the assistance of specialists, we recommend verifying in advance that they are indeed authorized to provide the relevant services in accordance with the laws of the Slovak Republic. This applies in particular to company registration, business operations, the preparation of legal documents, and representation in matters related to the provision of legal assistance.
Using the services of individuals who lack the legal authority to provide such services may result in serious legal consequences. If violations are detected, government authorities have the right to conduct additional inspections—both of the business registration or company registration itself and of the subsequent issuance of a residence permit, if it was based on such documents. This is precisely why it is very important to entrust the preparation of documents only to specialists who operate within the framework of current legislation.
It is certainly possible to handle the paperwork on your own. However, the language barrier, a lack of familiarity with administrative procedures, the specifics of Slovak legislation, and the requirements of various government agencies often lead to errors, which take significantly more time and cost considerably more to correct than seeking professional assistance from the very beginning.
The choice is always yours. Our goal is to provide accurate information, honestly explain all possible options, and help you navigate the application process as smoothly and safely as possible, in full compliance with the laws of the Slovak Republic. If you decide to entrust the process to the specialists at Slovakia Garant, we will handle all organizational matters, guide you through every step, and do everything possible to ensure that the process of obtaining a residence permit is as clear, comfortable, and predictable as possible for you.
How do I choose a company to help me apply for a residence permit?
Today, there are a large number of companies and private professionals in Slovakia offering assistance with obtaining a residence permit. The cost of services, the scope of support, and the level of professional expertise can vary significantly. Therefore, when choosing a company, we recommend paying attention not only to the cost of services but also to the company’s experience, reputation, and the legality of the assistance provided.
Before signing a contract, we recommend verifying several important points.
What should you look out for?
✅ The company is officially registered in the Slovak Republic. If necessary, this can be verified in the Commercial Register.
✅ The company has been operating in the market for several years and has practical experience in assisting foreign nationals.
✅ The company has a physical office where you can visit in person to discuss any questions with specialists.
✅ The company enters into a formal contract that clearly defines the rights and obligations of both parties.
✅ Clients are informed in advance which services are included in the support fee and which expenses are billed separately.
✅ The company has genuine client reviews on independent platforms, such as its Google profile.
✅ The company regularly publishes expert articles, monitors changes in legislation, and openly discusses its work.
✅ When it comes to registering a business, incorporating a company, preparing legal documents, or obtaining legal representation, make sure that these services are provided by individuals who are legally authorized to do so under the laws of the Slovak Republic.
Choosing a company is not just a matter of cost. The applicant’s peace of mind throughout the entire registration process depends largely on the proper preparation of documents, compliance with legal requirements, and professional support.
The choice is always yours. Our goal is to provide accurate information, honestly explain all possible options, and help you make an informed decision. That is why we openly discuss the application process, publish updates on legislative changes, and explain each step of obtaining a residence permit in detail even before we begin working together.