Guidance

Travel to Slovakia for work

Check if you need a visa or permit to work in Slovakia and how to get one if you do.

From:
Department for Business and Trade
Published
29 June 2021
Last updated
15 April 2024 — See all updates

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:

  • translated
  • ‘legalised’ (with an apostille) or notarised
  • originals, or if copies are acceptable
  • signed in ink (a wet signature), or if they can be signed electronically (an e-signature)
  • dated within a certain period of time, such as 90 days before you submit your application

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:

  • running or attending job interviews
  • going to court as witness
  • attending trade fairs
  • attending board meetings
  • meeting clients or customers (including entertainment like eating at a restaurant)
  • meeting colleagues, contractors or sellers
  • fact-finding visits
  • negotiating, signing or executing deals or contracts
  • attending, speaking or presenting at a conference
  • studying
  • attending entertainment functions
  • team-building activities
  • supervising the work of a vendor or contractor
  • supervising or managing a team
  • completing internal audits for your company
  • follow-up work after a business meeting
  • leisure travel, such as holidays or visiting friends or family

These activities are usually allowed while travelling under the Schengen visa waiver.

Border checks

At the border, you may be asked to show:

  • proof of return travel, such as plane or train tickets
  • health insurance that covers your entire stay
  • proof of accommodation for your entire stay
  • enough money for the duration of your trip
  • an invitation letter from your employer explaining your trip

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:

  • working in international transport services
  • delivering goods or services as part of a commercial contract
  • carrying out installation work, a warranty service or repairs under a commercial contract
  • programming, installing or setting up a system under a commercial contract
  • receiving or providing professional training under a commercial contract
  • carrying out seasonal work in agriculture, forestry, fishery, industrial production, construction or in accommodation and catering services
  • lecturing
  • working as a professional sportsperson
  • providing healthcare services
  • volunteering
  • working as a journalist accredited in Slovakia
  • working within the scope of an international treaty
  • working for a company registered as a significant investor in Slovakia by the Ministry of Economy
  • an executive of a company
  • a member of the armed forces or rescue team
  • posted (transferred) by an EU-registered company

You may not need a visa or permit if you’re in Slovakia for up to 30 days in a year if you’re:

  • an artist taking part in an artistic event
  • working in science, education and learning and taking part in a scientific event – such as researchers, sociologists, chemists, and teachers

You’re allowed to have an employment relationship, but it cannot 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 do not 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:

  • an employment confirmation
  • a contract such as a commercial contract
  • proof of required qualifications, such as a diploma and professional certificates

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.

Temporary residence permits

You need to apply for a temporary residence permit if your work is not 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 (EU ICT) temporary residence permit if you’re transferring to a branch in Slovakia to work for:

  • up to 3 years
  • 1 year if you’re a trainee

To qualify you must:

  • be a manager, specialist or trainee
  • have worked for the UK company for at least 6 months, or 3 months if you’re a trainee
  • meet minimum income requirements
  • keep your UK employment contract
  • stay on UK payroll

The branch in Slovakia must:

  • not have been fined by the Labour Inspectorate in the past 5 years for violating working conditions
  • show that they’re meeting the required tax, health insurance, social security and pension contribution obligations
  • not have had any justified negative claims made against them by their employees

The EU ICT permit takes 3 to 4 months to get. You cannot 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.

  1. You submit an ICT temporary residence permit application and attend an interview at the Slovakian embassy or consulate.

  2. You register with the local police in person or by post within 3 days of arriving.

  3. You submit your biometrics to the ‘Foreign Police’.

  4. You collect your temporary residence permit from the ‘Foreign Police’.

  5. You sign up for health insurance within 3 days of getting your temporary residence permit card.

  6. 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:

  • completed application form
  • UK passports for you and any dependants, valid for at least 3 months after your intended departure date
  • 2 recent colour passport photos
  • UK employment contract
  • confirmation from your UK employer that they’re transferring you under the intra-company transfer rules
  • confirmation your UK employer is taking financial responsibility for you
  • organisational chart showing the relationship between the UK and Slovak companies
  • degree certificate (‘legalised’ with an apostille)
  • police clearance certificate (‘legalised’ with an apostille)
  • birth certificates for any children, if applying with family (‘legalised’ with an apostille)
  • marriage certificate, if applicable (‘legalised’ with an apostille)
  • proof of health insurance cover
  • proof you have enough money to support any dependants
  • confirmation of accommodation in Slovakia for a minimum of 6 months, such as a notarised lease contract or hotel confirmation

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:

  • have an employment contract or offer for a highly skilled position with a company in Slovakia for at least 1 year
  • be placed on Slovak payroll
  • earn at least 1.5 times the average monthly wage for your position in Slovakia
  • have a university degree officially recognised by the Slovak Ministry of Education (for regulated professions) or a relevant Slovak university (for unregulated professions)

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.

  1. Your employer reports the job vacancy to the labour office (labour market test), unless you have a labour shortage job.

  2. You submit an EU Blue Card temporary residence permit application and attend an interview at the Slovakian embassy or consulate.

  3. You register with the local police in person or by post within 3 days of arriving.

  4. You submit your biometrics to the ‘Foreign Police’.

  5. You collect your temporary residence permit from the ‘Foreign Police’.

  6. You sign up for health insurance within 3 days of getting your temporary residence permit card.

  7. 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:

  • completed application form
  • UK passports for you and any dependants, valid for at least 3 months after your intended departure date
  • 2 recent colour passport photos
  • employment offer from the company in Slovakia
  • vacant position notification from the labour market test
  • degree certificate and a recognition of education document (in the case of regulated professions the decision is issued by the Slovak Ministry of Education, and in the case of unregulated professions the decision is issued by a university which provides a course in the same or related field of study)
  • police clearance certificate (‘legalised’ with an apostille)
  • birth certificates for any children, if applying with family (‘legalised’ with an apostille)
  • marriage certificate, if applicable (‘legalised’ with an apostille)
  • proof you have enough money to support any dependants
  • confirmation of accommodation in Slovakia for a minimum of 6 months, such as a notarised lease contract or hotel confirmation

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.

  1. Your employer reports the job vacancy to the labour office (labour market test), unless you have a labour shortage job.

  2. You submit a temporary residence permit application and attend an interview at the Slovakian embassy or consulate

  3. You register with the local police in person or by post within 3 days of arriving.

  4. You submit your biometrics to the ‘Foreign Police’.

  5. You collect your temporary residence permit from the ‘Foreign Police’.

  6. You sign up for health insurance within 3 days of getting your temporary residence permit card.

  7. 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:

  • completed application form
  • UK passports for you and any dependants, valid for at least 3 months after your intended departure date
  • 2 recent colour passport photos
  • employment offer from the company in Slovakia
  • vacant position notification from the labour market test
  • degree certificate (‘legalised’ with an apostille)
  • police clearance certificate (‘legalised’ with an apostille)
  • birth certificates for any children, if applying with family (‘legalised’ with an apostille)
  • marriage certificate, if applicable (‘legalised’ with an apostille)
  • proof you have enough money to support any dependants
  • confirmation of accommodation in Slovakia for a minimum of 6 months, such as a notarised lease contract or hotel confirmation

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:

  • that your project is innovative
  • documentation showing that you’re allowed to carry out business in Slovakia – not needed if you’re listed in the Slovakian trade register or similar register

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.

  1. You submit a temporary residence permit application and attend an interview at the Slovakian embassy or consulate

  2. You register with the local police in person or by post within 3 days of arriving.

  3. You submit your biometrics to the ‘Foreign Police’.

  4. You collect your temporary residence permit from the ‘Foreign Police’.

  5. You sign up for health insurance within 3 days of getting your temporary residence permit card.

  6. 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:

  • completed application form
  • UK passports for you and any dependants, valid for at least 3 months after your intended departure date
  • 2 recent colour passport photos
  • business plan or documentation authorising you to work as a sole trader in Slovakia, such as a trade register listing
  • police clearance certificate (‘legalised’ with an apostille)
  • birth certificates for any children, if applying with family (‘legalised’ with an apostille)
  • marriage certificate, if applicable (‘legalised’ with an apostille)
  • proof of enough money to support your business which must be 20 times the minimum subsistence amount
  • proof of health insurance cover
  • proof you have enough money to support any dependants
  • confirmation of accommodation in Slovakia for a minimum of 6 months, such as a notarised lease contract or hotel confirmation

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:

  • a lecturer
  • an artist
  • a sports professional
  • working for the Slovakian government, or an EU program, or assisting with Slovak commitments to international agreements
  • a healthcare professional
  • a volunteer
  • a journalist

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.

  1. You submit a temporary residence permit application and attend an interview at the Slovakian embassy or consulate

  2. You register with the local police in person or by post within 3 days of arriving

  3. You submit your biometrics to the ‘Foreign Police’.

  4. You collect your temporary residence permit from the ‘Foreign Police’.

  5. You sign up for health insurance within 3 days of getting your temporary residence permit card.

  6. 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:

  • completed application form
  • UK passports for you and any dependants, valid for at least 3 months after your intended departure date
  • 2 recent colour passport photos
  • documentation of the professional activity you’re carrying out in Slovakia, such as employer confirmation, a contract, or confirmation from a professional organisation
  • commitment from the employing organisation that they’ll be financially responsible for your return travel if you’re told to leave the country
  • police clearance certificate (‘legalised’ with an apostille)
  • birth certificates for any children, if applying with family (‘legalised’ with an apostille)
  • marriage certificate, if applicable (‘legalised’ with an apostille)
  • proof you have enough money to support any dependants
  • confirmation of accommodation in Slovakia for a minimum of 6 months, such as a notarised lease contract or hotel confirmation

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.

  1. You submit a temporary residence permit application and attend an interview at the Slovakian embassy or consulate

  2. You register with the local police in person or by post within 3 days of arriving.

  3. You submit your biometrics to the ‘Foreign Police’.

  4. You collect your temporary residence card from the ‘Foreign Police’.

  5. You sign up for health insurance within 3 days of getting your temporary residence permit card.

  6. 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.

Updates to this page

Published 29 June 2021
Last updated 15 April 2024 + show all updates

  1. Hyperlink updated to reflect new minimum income requirements for a single temporary residence permit.

  2. Content reviewed. No changes made. (The information provided is up-to-date as of 11 September 2023.)

  3. Updated link to  information card 9a for notifying the local labour office that you are starting work for a company in Slovakia. Updated link to Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of Slovak Republic setting out minimum income requirement if you are transferring from a UK-based company to a branch in Slovakia. (The information provided is up-to-date as of 21 July 2023).

  4. Content reviewed. No changes made. (The information provided is up-to-date as of 22 March 2023).

  5. EU ICT: Your employer no longer needs to report the vacancy to the labour office. Single permit: We've updated the monthly minimum wage required (€700 as of 2023). (The information provided is up-to-date as of 9 January 2023).

  6. Updated to clarify that you need to provide a medical report to the ‘Foreign Police’ within 30 days of getting your temporary residence permit card. The information provided is up-to-date as of 23 September 2022.

  7. Content reviewed. No changes made. The information provided is up-to-date as of 30 November 2021.

  8. First published.

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