11/30/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/30/2022 10:59
This guide is for British citizens travelling for business or other work purposes. It explains what employers, employees, or the self-employed need to do if they need a visa or permit.
This information is provided as a guide only. You must always check the exact application process and document requirements with Slovakia's embassy or immigration authorities.
Entry requirements
If you're going to Slovakia to work (or any other EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein) you must make sure you meet passport and other travel requirements.
Slovakia is in the Schengen area. If you're travelling for business for up to 90 days in a 180-day period, you may be able to do some business-related activities without needing a visa or permit, such as attend business meetings. It does not matter how many countries you visit in the Schengen area. Your total stay must be no more than 90 days in every 180 days. The 180-day period keeps 'rolling'.
If you're staying for longer, or for other types of work, you may need a visa or permit.
The Slovakian authorities are responsible for setting and enforcing entry rules. They decide which activities need a visa or permit, or which may be exempt.
You must always check with Slovakia's embassy or immigration authorities before you travel, to make sure you meet their legal requirements.
If you're working in more than one country, you need to check the entry rules of each country.
If you need a passport, visa or permit, you should apply well in advance of travel.
Visa and permit documents
This guide explains the general application process for some of the visa or permit types available in Slovakia. It includes a checklist of documents that you'll usually need to include when applying.
It may not cover all scenarios so you must always check the exact application process and document requirements with Slovakia's embassy or immigration authorities.
You must also check what format the documents should be presented in, including if they must be:
Countries often use the terms visa, work permit and residence permit differently. For example, some may refer to a work permit as a visa.
This guide uses the same terms used in Slovakia, so you know which ones to use when speaking to Slovakia's authorities.
Check if you need a visa or permit
You do not need a visa or permit if you're travelling to Slovakia for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for specific business-related activities. These activities can include:
These activities are usually allowed while travelling under the Schengen visa waiver.
Border checks
At the border, you may be asked to show:
Register with the Slovakian police
If you plan to stay for more than 72 hours (even as a tourist) you must complete a notice of stay form. You give this to the 'Foreign Police ' or post it to them within 3 days of arriving in the country.
If you're staying in a hotel or rented accommodation the accommodation provider will do this for you.
Check Slovakia's exemptions
Certain types of work and activities do not require a visa or permit because they're exempt.
All countries have their own exemptions. What may be exempt in one country may not be in another. You should always check with the country's authorities.
You may not need a visa or permit if you're in Slovakia for up to 90 days because you're:
You may not need a visa or permit if you're in Slovakia for up to 30 days in a year if you're:
You're allowed to have an employment relationship, but it can't be for more than 30 days.
Notifying the labour office
If you're working for a company in Slovakia they need to notify the local labour office by:
They need to do this in person or by post within 7 days.
You may need to notify the Labour Office if you're travelling under an exemption. Check the requirements with Slovakia's embassy or immigration authorities.
Register with the tax office
Companies that don't have a registered branch in Slovakia but want to provide services there under a commercial contract should check if they need to register for VAT in Slovakia.
They have to do this before their employees can start working.
Show proof of exemption
You need to be able to show proof that you're exempt to the authorities on request. This could be:
Further checks
If you're not sure if you need a visa or permit to travel you can get advice from Slovakia's embassy or immigration authorities.
Applying for visa or permit
This guide outlines the steps required for each visa or permit to help you prepare, but you'll need to check the exact rules and processes with Slovakia's immigration authorities or embassy.
Taking your family
If you have a family they can join you as dependants with all of the permits listed in this guide.
You need to apply for a temporary residence permit if your work isn't exempt and you're:
Temporary residence permits are valid for up to 4 years depending on which one you need.
Transferring from a UK-based company to a branch in Slovakia
You need an EU intra-company transfer () temporary residence permit if you're transferring to a branch in Slovakia to work for:
To qualify you must:
The branch in Slovakia must:
The permit takes 3 to 4 months to get. You can't extend it beyond 3 years or 1 year if you're a trainee.
How it works
You need to check with Slovakia's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
Your employer reports the job vacancy to the labour office (labour market test), unless you have a labour shortage job.
You submit an ICT temporary residence permit application and attend an interview at the Slovakian embassy or consulate.
You register with the local police in person or by post within 3 days of arriving.
You submit your biometrics to the 'Foreign Police'.
You sign up for health insurance within 3 days of getting your temporary residence permit card.
You complete a medical exam and provide a medical report to the 'Foreign Police' within 30 days of getting your temporary residence permit card.
Application documents
Slovakia's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Working for a company in Slovakia on a Slovakian contract
You can apply for one of these temporary residence permits if you've been offered a job with a company in Slovakia:
EU Blue Card
To qualify for an EU Blue Card you must:
The EU Blue Card takes 2 to 3 months to get. The degree recognition process can take 2 to 3 months, so you should apply well in advance.
It's valid for up to 4 years and you can extend it. This type of permit can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
How it works
You need to check with Slovakia's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
Your employer reports the job vacancy to the labour office (labour market test), unless you have a labour shortage job.
You submit an EU Blue Card temporary residence permit application and attend an interview at the Slovakian embassy or consulate.
You register with the local police in person or by post within 3 days of arriving.
You collect your temporary residence permit from the 'Foreign Police'.
You sign up for health insurance within 3 days of getting your temporary residence permit card.
You complete a medical exam and provide a medical report to the 'Foreign Police' within 30 days of getting your temporary residence permit card.
Application documents
Slovakia's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Single permit
To qualify for a single (temporary residence) permit you must:
A single permit takes 4 to 5 months to get. It's valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it. This type of permit can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
How it works
You need to check with Slovakia's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
Your employer reports the job vacancy to the labour office (labour market test), unless you have a labour shortage job.
You submit a temporary residence permit application and attend an interview at the Slovakian embassy or consulate
You register with the local police in person or by post within 3 days of arriving.
You submit your biometrics to the 'Foreign Police '.
You collect your temporary residence permit from the 'Foreign Police'.
You sign up for health insurance within 3 days of getting your temporary residence permit card.
You complete a medical exam and provide a medical report to the 'Foreign Police' within 30 days of getting your temporary residence permit card.
Application documents
Slovakia's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Self-employed work
You need a temporary residence permit for business to work in Slovakia as a sole trader or executive of a commercial company.
To qualify you need to show one of the following:
The business permit takes up to 4 months to get. It's valid for up to 3 years and you can extend it.
How it works
You need to check with Slovakia's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You submit a temporary residence permit application and attend an interview at the Slovakian embassy or consulate
You register with the local police in person or by post within 3 days of arriving.
You submit your biometrics to the 'Foreign Polic e'.
You collect your temporary residence permit from the 'Foreign Police'.
You sign up for health insurance within 3 days of getting your temporary residence permit card.
You complete a medical exam and provide a medical report to the 'Foreign Police' within 30 days of getting your temporary residence permit card.
Application documents
Slovakia's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Carrying out a 'special activity'
You can get a temporary work permit for special activity if you're in Slovakia for more than 90 days and you're:
The 'special activity' temporary residence permit takes 3 to 4 months to get. It's valid for up to 2 years, or 5 years if you're a sports professional. You can extend it.
How it works
You need to check with Slovakia's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You submit a temporary residence permit application and attend an interview at the Slovakian embassy or consulate
You register with the local police in person or by post within 3 days of arriving
You submit your biometrics to the 'Foreign Poli ce'.
You collect your temporary residence permit from the 'Foreign Police'.
You sign up for health insurance within 3 days of getting your temporary residence permit card.
You complete a medical exam and provide a medical report to the 'Foreign Police' within 30 days of getting your temporary residence permit card.
Application documents
Slovakia's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Research work
To qualify for a temporary residence permit for research and development you must:
How it works
You need to check with Slovakia's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You submit a temporary residence permit application and attend an interview at the Slovakian embassy or consulate
You register with the local police in person or by post within 3 days of arriving.
You submit your biometrics to the 'Foreign Pol ice'.
You collect your temporary residence card from the 'Foreign Police'.
You sign up for health insurance within 3 days of getting your temporary residence permit card.
You complete a medical exam and provide a medical report to the 'Foreign Police' within 30 days of getting your temporary residence permit card.
Application documents
Slovakia's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
The research temporary residence permit takes 2 to 3 months to get. It's valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it.
Slovakian government guidance
Read official Slovakian government information on visas, work permits, and residence permits.
Check for travel changes
European governments may update or change their rules without notice.
You should always check foreign travel advice for Slovakia on issues, such as safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings) before travelling, or planning to travel.