Located in Central Europe, with beautiful natural treasures and historical monuments, Slovakia is home to more than 100,000 expats from around the world. Slovakia, officially the Slovak Republic, is a developed country with a high-income economy, a safe living environment, and high standards of living. The country performs well in many other fields, such as civil liberties, press freedom, peacefulness, etc.
Slovakia also offers great opportunities for career development accompanied by affordable social life. All these factors have served as a magnet for foreigners moving to Europe to choose Slovakia as their new permanent home, especially students and individuals who want to work there.
Do I Need a Visa to Move to Slovakia?
Whether you need a visa to move to Slovakia or not depends on the country you are traveling from:
- EU/EEA and Switzerland citizens can move to Slovakia with only their valid identity card or EU passport. They do not need a visa to enter the country.
- Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens will need a visa (long stay) if they want to stay in Slovakia for more than three months. The type of visa you need depends on the purpose of your travel.
How Can I Move to Slovakia as an EU Citizen?
EU/EEA and Switzerland citizens can move to Slovakia for longer than three months (90 days) without obtaining a visa beforehand. Furthermore, since Slovakia is part of the European Union, you will also be entitled to the same rights as other EU citizens.
After arriving in the country, you must register your residence within 30 days of your arrival to Slovakia at the competent Foreign Police Department, together with the documents that they will require you to submit. You will be allowed to live, work and study in Slovakia.
How Can I Move to Slovakia as a Non-EU Citizen?
Third-country nationals wishing to move to Slovakia for a period longer than three months (90 days) need to obtain a D visa (long-stay visa), also known as a national visa. The type of long-stay visa you apply for depends on the purpose of your travel to Slovakia. For example, you can get a long-stay visa for work, studies, family reunification, etc.
Once you are granted any type of long-stay visa, you will also be granted a residence permit (temporary, permanent, tolerated).
Moving to Slovakia to Work
Third-country nationals moving to Slovakia for employment purposes must apply for a Slovak work visa. Slovakia issues several types of work visas that you can choose to apply for depending on the type of work you are going to do; however, one of the most common types of work visas for foreigners is the single permit.
Depending on what type of employment you will perform, you can apply for one of the following work visas.
- Single Permit.
- Work Permit.
- EU Blue Card (highly skilled workers).
The work visa will be valid for the same duration as your employment contract, but you can renew it. You are also allowed to bring your family members with you.
Moving to Slovakia to Study
If you are admitted to a Slovak educational institution and want to move to Slovakia to continue your studies, you will need to apply for and obtain a student visa. You can apply for a student visa at the nearest Slovak diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate) in your home country.
The student visa is usually issued for a period of one to three years or until your educational program is completed. With this type of visa, you will be allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week and bring your family members with you.
Moving to Slovakia for Family Reunification
Nationals from non-EU countries who have a family member in Slovakia can join them by obtaining a Slovakia family visa. There are two types of family visas that you can apply for:
- Family reunification visa (if you are married to a Slovak citizen).
- Family visa for accompanying family members of foreign workers.
The application for a family visa is made at the nearest Slovak embassy or consulate in your home country. Once you are granted the family visa, you will obtain a residence permit valid for five years. This type of visa allows you to freely work and study in Slovakia.
Family members that can apply for a Slovak family visa include:
- Spouses of a Slovak citizen or a third-country national with a residence permit in Slovakia.
- Minor children of a foreigner who is the spouse of a Slovak citizen with a permanent residence in Slovakia.
- Children of Slovak citizens wishing to live with their parents.
Why Should I Move to Slovakia?
Here are the pros and cons of moving to Slovakia:
| Pros | Cons |
| Healthcare— Slovakia offers universal healthcare coverage to its residents. The Slovak healthcare system consists of both the public and private sectors. More than 98% of the Slovak population is covered by health insurance. | Bureaucracy and corruption— Slovakia has been struggling with corruption for a long time. Corruption is ranked the second most problematic factor for doing business in Slovakia. |
| Affordable accommodation— real estate in Slovakia is more affordable than most European countries. Most Slovaks purchase land, whereas expats moving to Slovakia usually rent first. | Low salaries— Slovakia has many job opportunities, but the salaries are lower than in most European countries. |
| Job opportunities— Slovakia offers great job opportunities for career development. The country also offers a wide range of jobs and affordable social life. | |
| Free movement— the Slovak passport ranks 34th in the world, and its holders can travel visa-free to 148 countries and territories from March 2023. | |
| People— as an expat, you will feel welcome in Slovakia. Slovaks are warm, helpful, and polite people and will make you feel part of their community. | |
| Nature— Slovakia is a nature lover’s paradise. With meadow forests, chasms, canyons, gorges, beautiful waterfalls, and underground caves, you will be amazed by the natural beauty that surrounds every corner of the country. |
Does Slovakia Allow Dual Citizenship?
The Slovak Republic recognizes dual citizenship only in certain cases, such as if you have acquired the citizenship at birth, through marriage, or if you had another citizenship before becoming a Slovak citizen.
However, the country does not allow its nationals to maintain dual citizenship. In such cases, Slovak citizenship is automatically lost.
How Long Do I Need to Live in Slovakia to Win Citizenship?
To be eligible for Slovak citizenship you must have a minimum of at least eight years of uninterrupted permanent residence in Slovakia. This is how you can acquire citizenship by naturalization.
There are also other criteria that you must meet to be eligible for citizenship by naturalization (probity check, Slovak language proficiency, knowledge about the country, etc.). However, residence time in Slovakia is crucial.
Other ways you can win Slovak citizenship are:
- Citizenship by birth.
- Citizenship by descent.
- Citizenship by adoption.
- Citizenship by marriage.
- Citizenship by investment.
Can I Bring My Personal Belongings to Slovakia?
If you are moving to Slovakia from a European country, you can import your belongings duty-free since the importation of personal goods between individual EU member states is established.
In cases where you come from a non-EU country (third country), you might be subject to customs duties such as import and excise duties and value-added tax (VAT). However, in certain cases, you can be exempt from import duties if:
- Your belongings are imported in a consignment and the intrinsic value does not exceed €150, regardless of how many goods are in the consignment.
- Your belongings are imported by you personally when returning from a third country, depending on the mode of transport:
- By air- the value of the goods does not exceed €430.
- Other means of transport- the value of goods does not exceed €300.
Personal belongings include the following items:
- Furniture.
- Clothing.
- Personal belongings.
- Appliances.
- Computers.
- Vehicles (bikes, motorcycles, cars).
Items listed below are not allowed to enter Slovakia:
- Alcohol.
- Antiques.
- Asbestos.
- Bullion and currency.
- Chain letters.
- Electrical appliances.
- Fur.
- Live trees and other plants.
- Pornography.
- Precious metals.
- Reproductions of bank notes or designs resembling them.
- Saccharine.
- Seeds and fruit, etc.
Can I Move to Slovakia With Pets?
To bring your pets with you to Slovakia, you must meet the standard EU rules that apply to everyone, regardless of their country of origin. This means that whether you are traveling from within the EU or from a country outside of Europe, you must meet the same rules.
To import your pets (cat, dog, or ferret) to Slovakia, you need to fulfill the following requirements:
- Your pets must be marked with a transponder as specified in Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 576/2013).
- Your pets mu be vaccinated against rabies by an authorized veterinarian in accordance with Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 576/2013).
- Your pets must undergo a rabies antibody titration test in accordance with Annex IV to Regulation (EU) No 576/2013.
- Dogs must be treated against Echinococcusmultilocularis by a veterinarian within a period of not more than 120 hours and not less than 24 hours prior to their arrival.
- Your pets must have a health certificate and declaration.
- Pets must pass through a traveler’s point of entry.
- Your pets must have an EU Pet Passport (pets traveling from EU countries).
- A written declaration is required if another person (not the owner) is accompanying the pets for the owner.
Banned dog breeds from entering Slovakia are:
- American Stafford.
- DogoArgentino.
- Fila Brasilliero.
- Bull Terrier.
- Dobermann.
- Rhodesian Ridgeback.
- Rottweiler.
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Most Popular Areas in Slovakia for Expats
Here are some of the most popular places for expats to move to in Slovakia:
- Bratislava
- Kosice.
- Presov.
- Levoca.
- Poprad.
Bratislava
Located in the southwestern part of Slovakia, Bratislava is set along the Danube River, surrounded by vineyards, mountains, and forests. Bratislava is the political, cultural, and economic center of Slovakia, with many museums, theatres, and galleries.
Due to the low unemployment rate, Bratislava has become a focal center for expats moving to Slovakia for work, especially for fresh graduates looking to find their first job and win an international experience. Bratislava is also great for foreign students, and it has many universities and educational institutions.
When it comes to living costs, Bratislava is considered the 4th most expensive city in Eastern Europe. Overall, the estimated monthly costs for a single person living in Bratislava would be around €700 without including rent.
Košice
Košice is a beautiful city in the eastern part of Slovakia that has become popular among expats. It is the largest city in East Slovakia and a major hub of art, culture, and delicious gastronomy. Košice is a popular destination for students to live in since it is more affordable than other European university cities. The weekends in Košice are vibrant and full of activities, especially nightlife.
The city is also more affordable than Bratislava, but it is still considered to be expensive to live in. Košice is a safe destination to visit and live alone or with your family.
Prešov
Another great expat destination in the eastern part of Slovakia and the south of Košice is the beautiful city of Prešov. The historic town is famous for its medieval oval marketplace, Renaissance, and churches.
Compared to other big cities in Slovakia, Prešov is much cheaper, and you can get by with around €700, including rent. Prešov is a perfect place if you are looking to settle down, and you can easily find a job and move there. The city is also a tolerant place, and you will find people of different cultures and, races, religions living harmoniously together.
Levoča
Levoča is a town in the Prešov region with a population of 14,700 residents. The town has a great number of architectural monuments and is a famous pilgrimage site. It is also a famous tourist destination as it offers natural landscapes, mountains, caves, medieval castles and towns, folk architecture, spas, and ski resorts.
Although it can be packed with tourists, Levoča is a quiet town. The town is also very safe whether you are moving there alone or with your family.
Poprad
With a breathtaking view of Slovakia’s High Tatras Mountains, Poprad will mesmerize you. Poprad has many popular attractions, which makes it worth a visit, even better moving there. The town is perfect for hiking or skiing day trips, so if you are an adventurous person, you will enjoy every minute in Poprad.
Since you will be so close to natural beauty, you will feel the urge to be adventurous, so you can participate in different winter sports, such as dog sledding, with beautiful husky breeds. Poprad is an amazing place to explore Northern Slovakia and offers many great places to discover.