Eligibility quiz
Do you already have a valid Slovak living abroad certificate?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Slovakia
You can live in Slovakia for five years.
During that time, you can leave Slovakia and return.
Study in Slovakia
You can study while living in Slovakia, although this residence does not itself give you student benefits.
Work in Slovakia
You can work without a work permit, though other employment procedures may still apply.
You can also run a business.
How to apply
From outside SlovakiaFrom outside Slovakia
Find your consulate
Find the Slovak embassy or consulate in the country where you live. You can apply there for the Slovak living abroad certificate you need before applying for residence.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Slovak embassy or consulate serving your city accepts Slovak living abroad certificate applications?”
Download the certificate form
Download the Slovak living abroad certificate application form for an applicant aged 14 or older.
Download the formFill in the form
Complete and sign the certificate application, naming your direct ancestor.
See how to applySearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Slovak living abroad certificate application form?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your certificate and residence applications.
See required documentsHand in your application
Bring your completed certificate application and documents to the consulate in person and attend an interview if asked. You can instead submit the certificate application in person at the Office for Slovaks Living Abroad in Slovakia.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Slovak living abroad certificate application at a Slovak consulate in your city?”
Wait for your certificate
Respond if the Office for Slovaks Living Abroad asks for more evidence. You can request delivery of your certificate through the consulate.
See decision timingSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Slovak living abroad certificate application take at a Slovak consulate?”
Find your residence consulate
Find the Slovak embassy or consulate responsible for the country that issued your travel document or the country where you have permanent residence. It may not be the same office where you applied for your certificate.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Slovak embassy or consulate serving your city accepts Slovak living abroad temporary residence applications?”
Download the residence form
Download the temporary residence application form.
Download the formFill in the form
Complete and sign the residence form, choosing the purpose for a Slovak living abroad. Applying within 60 days after your certificate is issued means you do not need a separate criminal-record document for the residence application.
See how to applySearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Slovakia temporary residence application form for a Slovak living abroad?”
Hand in your application
Bring your completed residence application, valid travel document and required documents to the consulate in person. Ask the consulate how it receives applications.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Slovakia temporary residence application for a Slovak living abroad at a Slovak consulate in your city?”
Attend your interview
Take part in the consulate interview and sign its record. If you need an interpreter, you can arrange one at your own expense.
See interview detailsSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens at a Slovak consulate interview for temporary residence as a Slovak living abroad?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the police to decide your residence application and respond to any requests for more information.
See decision timingSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does Slovakia temporary residence for a Slovak living abroad take at a consulate?”
Once in SlovakiaOnce in Slovakia
Complete your residence card
Once in Slovakia, follow the Foreign Police instructions for your residence document, including appearing for biometrics. Your approved residence lets you live and run a business in Slovakia.
See card stepsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get a Slovakia residence card after approval for temporary residence as a Slovak living abroad?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get birth certificates or baptism records for you, your parent and your Slovak grandparent to show how you are related. Provide originals or officially certified copies, and bring the originals to show if you use copies. If you were adopted, add the adoption decision.
Grandparent's nationality records
Get a record showing your Slovak grandparent's Slovak nationality; being born or having lived in Slovakia alone is not enough. It can be a birth or baptism record, a civil registry extract, a marriage or citizenship certificate, or a residence or school record that states their nationality. Provide the original or an officially certified copy, and bring the original to show if you use a copy.
Marriage certificates *
Get the marriage certificates needed to connect you, your parent and your Slovak grandparent. Provide originals or officially certified copies, and bring the originals to show if you use copies. Add divorce or name change records if they are needed to explain a change of name.
* Only if a marriage record is needed to connect the names in your family records.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Residence and reporting duties
To continue living in Slovakia, apply to renew your residence by its last valid day.
Renewal is not automatic and can be granted for up to five years if you still meet the conditions.
Keep your residence card valid, report your address and required changes, and follow the conditions of your residence.
Residence can be lost
Your residence ends if it expires, you give it up, you die or another status replaces it.
Police can cancel your residence for false information, public-order or security concerns, expulsion or other legal grounds.
Losing your separate certificate, including for no longer qualifying or harming Slovakia's interests, can put your residence at risk.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
r/SlovakCBD
English Reddit group for people interested in Slovak visas and citizenship
Join on Redditr/AnchorLessEurope
English Reddit group for people living in Europe interested in visas
Join on RedditForeigners in Bratislava
English Facebook group for people living in Slovakia interested in Slovak local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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