Eligibility quiz
Do you have a Slovak living abroad certificate that is still valid?
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 consulates
Find the Slovak consulate responsible for your residence application. If you do not yet have a Slovak-living-abroad certificate, also find the Slovak mission responsible for the country where you live; it may be a different office.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Slovak consulate serves your city for a Slovak living abroad certificate and temporary residence application?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your certificate and residence applications.
See required documentsDownload the certificate form
If you do not yet have a valid Slovak-living-abroad certificate, download the certificate application form. You can also get it from the responsible Slovak mission.
Download the formFill in the certificate form
If you need a certificate, complete the application form. You will sign the pre-filled form at your appointment if you use the electronic service.
See how to applySearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I complete the Slovakia Slovak living abroad certificate application form?”
Book your certificate appointment
If you need a certificate, use the electronic service to submit the form and request an appointment at the mission responsible for the country where you live. Confirm the appointment through the message or email you receive.
Book an appointmentAttend your certificate appointment
Bring your completed application and documents to the mission. Sign the pre-filled form there and take part in the interview about your Slovak language skills and connection to Slovakia.
Prepare for your appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens at a Slovakia Slovak living abroad certificate appointment and interview?”
Wait for your certificate
The Office for Slovaks Living Abroad decides within 60 days after it receives a complete application. Respond if it asks for more information; if approved, you can request delivery of your certificate through the Slovak mission where you live.
See certificate decision detailsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Slovakia Slovak living abroad certificate decision take and how is the certificate delivered?”
Download the residence form
Download the temporary-residence application form for your Slovak living abroad residence application.
Download the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download the Slovakia temporary residence application form for a Slovak living abroad?”
Fill in the residence form
Complete the temporary-residence application form yourself.
See how to complete itSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Slovakia temporary residence application form for a Slovak living abroad?”
Arrange your residence appointment
Follow your responsible consulate's instructions to arrange an appointment to hand in your residence application.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a Slovakia Slovak living abroad temporary residence appointment at the consulate serving your city?”
Attend your residence appointment
Go in person to the responsible consulate with your application, valid travel document and supporting documents. The consulate gives you a receipt when it accepts your application.
Prepare for your appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Slovakia Slovak living abroad temporary residence application at a consulate?”
Complete your consular interview
Take part in the consular interview for your residence application. The consulate sends your application and its assessment to the police.
Prepare for your interviewSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens at a Slovakia Slovak living abroad temporary residence consular interview?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the police to decide your residence application and respond if they ask for more information or documents.
See decision detailsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Slovakia Slovak living abroad temporary residence decision take after applying at a consulate?”
Apply for an entry visa
If you need a national visa to enter Slovakia after your residence is approved, apply in person at the Slovak mission or designated service provider in the country where you live. Bring the documents required for the visa.
Find visa application detailsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply for a Slovakia national visa to enter for granted Slovak living abroad temporary residence?”
Travel to Slovakia
After your residence is approved, travel to Slovakia with the travel documents and any visa you need.
See entry detailsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter Slovakia after approval of Slovak living abroad temporary residence?”
Once in SlovakiaOnce in Slovakia
Complete your residence obligations
Follow the Foreigners’ Police instructions to report the start of your residence and arrange the medical examination and report when required.
See arrival obligationsSearches DuckDuckGo for “What must I report and what medical examination is needed after receiving Slovakia Slovak living abroad temporary residence?”
Collect your residence card
Follow the Foreigners’ Police instructions to collect your residence card. Your temporary residence is granted for five years and lets you live and conduct business in Slovakia.
Find card collection detailsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my Slovakia Slovak living abroad temporary residence card?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get birth certificates showing your connection to your Slovak great-grandparent through your grandparent and parent. If you were adopted, add the adoption decision.
Great-grandparent's nationality records
Get an official record showing your great-grandparent's Slovak nationality. This could be a birth or baptism certificate, civil-register extract, marriage or citizenship certificate, residence document stating nationality, or school certificate.
Marriage certificates *
Get the marriage certificates needed to connect the names on your family records. If a name changed for another reason, add the relevant name change or divorce record.
* Only if a marriage record is needed to show your family connection.
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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