Obtaining a residence permit in Slovakia based on work is one of the most common ways to legally live and work in the country. Employment in Slovakia is increasingly attractive to foreign professionals due to moderate unemployment, a variety of jobs, and relatively low taxes.

Slovakia has highly developed industries such as automotive, IT, engineering, mechanical engineering, and pharmaceuticals. The country is actively developing sectors such as finance, trade, logistics, and tourism. Slovakia is home to many international companies, including major automakers such as Volkswagen, Kia, and Peugeot, as well as IT companies and startups.

Among the professions in demand are:

  • Engineers (mechanical engineering, electronics, information technology)
  • IT specialists (software developers, data analysts, cybersecurity specialists)
  • Healthcare workers (doctors, nurses, pharmacists)
  • Finance and accounting specialists
  • Migrant workers in construction, agriculture and manufacturing

Temporary residence for employment purposes is granted by the police department, if there are no reasons to reject the application of a third-country national on the basis of a work permit. That is, a company interested in hiring a foreigner must post an open vacancy on the Slovakian labor exchange. After 20 working days, you can apply for a residence permit. The police department issues a temporary residence permit for employment purposes for the expected period of work, but for a maximum of five years. When we accompany the process of processing documents for temporary residence for employment, we ourselves post advertisements on the labor exchange on behalf of the employer. For a successful registration procedure, such a vacancy must be correctly posted and contain the necessary information.

The main steps are:

  1. Obtaining a work permit for non-EU citizens will take 20 working days
  2. Submitting an application for a residence permit at the Slovak consulate in your country or at the Foreign Police in Slovakia.
  3. Processing of the application for a residence permit may take from 30 to 60 days.
  4. Obtaining a residence permit.
  5. Undergoing a medical examination and registering with an insurance company.

Residence permit for positions with labor shortage

To obtain a residence permit (RP) in Slovakia based on employment in a position where there is a labor shortage, certain procedures must be followed. Slovakia has a system that allows foreign nationals to work in the country under a contract if they occupy positions for which there is a shortage of local workers.

Steps to obtain a residence permit for a position with labor shortage:

  1. Checking the list of professions with labor shortage: Slovakia has a list of professions with a shortage of local workers. These professions are periodically updated and published by the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Family of Slovakia. The list includes both highly skilled and less skilled professions in various industries, such as construction, IT, medical sector, manufacturing, agriculture and others.

  2. Finding a job and signing a contract: If you have found a vacancy in one of these professions, you must sign an employment contract with an employer in Slovakia. The advantage of this type of residence permit is that the employer does not need to post the vacancy on the labor exchange and wait 20 working days, as is required for the standard procedure for obtaining a residence permit for employment.

  3. Applying for a residence permit: Once you have an employment contract, you must apply for a residence permit to work in Slovakia. The application is submitted to the Migration Service. It is also important that the employer has a license to employ foreign workers, if this is required for a specific profession.

  4. Waiting for a decision: Usually, the process of reviewing a residence permit application takes only 1.5 months, compared to a regular application, where the review takes 3 months. Once the application is approved, you will receive a residence permit, which will allow you to work and live in Slovakia for the duration of the contract. You can officially work after submitting your residence permit application, without waiting for a decision.

  5. Renewal of residence permit: A residence permit based on work activity can be renewed if you continue to work in the same position for which it was issued. In the event of changes in working conditions or a change of job, you will need to submit a new application.

Important points:

  • It is important to keep the list of professions with labor shortage up to date, as it is updated, and your profession may be excluded from it. The list of in-demand professions is updated every 3 months.
  • Some professions may require additional certifications or licenses, even if they are on the shortage list.
  • If you need more information on a specific profession or steps, our company is ready to help you

EU Blue Card

Obtaining a residence permit (RP) based on the EU Blue Card in Slovakia is a process that allows highly qualified specialists from non-EU countries to work and live in the country. The EU Blue Card gives the right to work, live and move throughout the European Union.

The process of obtaining a RP based on the EU Blue Card in Slovakia includes several key stages:

  1. Checking eligibility

To obtain an EU Blue Card, you must meet certain requirements:

  • High qualifications: Possession of a university degree or equivalent qualification.
  • Job offer: Possession of a contract or job offer from an employer in Slovakia in a skilled field. The employer must confirm that the offered salary level meets the established minimum requirements for the Blue Card.
  • Minimum salary: The candidate’s salary must not be lower than a certain threshold. In Slovakia, the minimum salary for Blue Card holders is approximately 1.5 times the national average salary.
  1. Submitting an application for a Blue Card

You can submit an application for a Blue Card at the Slovak consulate in your home country, or at the local immigration office if you are already in Slovakia.

  1. Reviewing the application

The process takes up to 30 days,but may vary depending on the complexity of the case and availability of all required documents.

  1. Obtaining a Blue Card:

Once your application is approved, you will be issued a Blue Card for a period of 1 to 4 years, depending on your contract with your employer.

If your employment continues, the Blue Card may be extended.

Benefits of the EU Blue Card in Slovakia:

  • Access to the EU labour market: The Blue Card gives you the opportunity to work not only in Slovakia, but also in other EU countries if you are offered a job in another country.
  • Family reunification: Your family can also obtain a residence permit in Slovakia.
  • Social security rights: Blue Card holders have the same social security rights as Slovak citizens.
  • Obtaining a Blue Card is an attractive opportunity for highly qualified professionals, as it opens the door to working and living in the EU with additional rights and benefits.