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SKEntry · residence · long-term status

Legal ways to live in Slovakia.

Slovakia currently offers 5 active paths relevant to remote workers. There is no dedicated digital nomad visa, so the practical alternatives matter. Conditions below come from official immigration sources — filter by your citizenship.

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5 legalization paths · 6 sources · official immigration sources only

passport-specific

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5 legalization paths

01

Choose your route

A compact map of every documented option for Slovakia. Start with eligibility and duration, then open the full conditions below.

  1. 01Visa-free stay (Schengen 90/180)Getting in · Visa-free stayWho qualifiesUS citizens, UK citizens, Ukrainian citizensDuration3 moNo direct PR path
  2. 02EU/EEA/Swiss citizens — right of residenceStaying long-term · Special programWho qualifiesEU citizensDuration10 yrs +→ PR path
  3. 03Temporary residence for businessStaying long-term · Temporary residenceWho qualifiesAll except EU citizensDuration3 yrs +→ PR path
  4. 04EU Blue Card (highly-qualified employment)Staying long-term · Temporary residenceWho qualifiesAll except EU citizensDuration5 yrs +→ PR path
  5. 05Temporary protection for Ukrainian citizensStaying long-term · Special programWho qualifiesUkrainian citizensDuration8 mo +No direct PR path

02

Getting in

Who can enter Slovakia and on what terms — visa-free windows and entry visas.

01Getting in
Visa-free stayactive

Visa-free stay (Schengen 90/180)

For: US citizens, UK citizens, Ukrainian citizens

Duration
3 months
Path to PR
No

Requirements (3)

03
  1. 01Passport of a visa-exempt country (US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan and others; Ukraine with a biometric passport)
  2. 0290 days within any rolling 180-day window, counted across the whole Schengen area
  3. 03From late 2026, visa-exempt travellers must obtain ETIAS pre-travel authorisation

03

Staying long-term

Grounds for residence — business, employment, special programs — with the conditions to qualify.

02Staying long-term
Special programactive

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens — right of residence

For: EU citizens

Duration
10 years, renewable
Path to PR
Yes
Family
Included

Requirements (3)

03
  1. 01No visa or permit needed; full labour-market access and business on the same terms as Slovaks
  2. 02Report the start and place of stay to the Foreign Police within 10 working days of entry
  3. 03For stays over 3 months: sufficient funds and health insurance (or be employed/self-employed/studying)
03Staying long-term
Temporary residenceactive

Temporary residence for business

For: All except EU citizens

Duration
3 years, renewable
Path to PR
Yes
Family
Included
Fee
240 EUR
Income requirement
5,904 EUR/year

Requirements (4)

04
  1. 01Conduct business in Slovakia as a sole trader (živnosť) or company statutory representative
  2. 02Funds: sole trader €5,904.40 (20× subsistence) in a business account; company representative €29,522 (100×)
  3. 03A business plan is required (since 1 July 2025), reviewed by the Ministry of Economy; application filed at a Slovak embassy abroad
  4. 04Health insurance and accommodation
04Staying long-term
Temporary residenceactive

EU Blue Card (highly-qualified employment)

For: All except EU citizens

Duration
5 years, renewable
Path to PR
Yes
Income requirement
1,883 EUR/month

Requirements (3)

03
  1. 01Employment contract with a Slovak employer for at least 6 months
  2. 02Recognised higher qualification in a high-skill occupation
  3. 03Salary at or above the Blue Card threshold
05Staying long-term
Special programactive

Temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens

For: Ukrainian citizens

Duration
8 months, renewable
Path to PR
No
Family
Included

Requirements (3)

03
  1. 01Ukrainian citizens (and certain family members) displaced by the war
  2. 02Registration for temporary protection (dočasné útočisko)
  3. 03Currently extended until 4 March 2027

Slovakia

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