Permanent residence in Slovakia (long-term and unlimited)

Slovak law knows three kinds: permanent residence for five years, which is granted at once to spouses and dependent relatives of Slovak citizens, certain children, or when it is in Slovakia’s interest; permanent residence for an unlimited period, available after at least four years of five-year permanent residence; and long-term residence, the EU status for foreigners who have lived in Slovakia lawfully and continuously for five years immediately before applying. Long-term residence is also open to people who held a Blue Card, research, study or protection status in EU states for five years, with at least the last two years in Slovakia as Blue Card holders or their family.

Long-term residence requires proof of Slovak at least at A2 level of the Common European Framework, by passing an exam at a language school or a public university. Exemptions apply to children under 14, holders of Slovak living abroad status, and people who completed lower secondary education in Slovak or studied at least two school or academic years in Slovak within the last five years; the Ministry of Interior can waive the exam for lasting health reasons.

Apply in person at the foreign police on the official form with a valid passport and documents not older than 90 days proving stable and regular resources for you and your family, such as an employment contract, an employer’s salary confirmation, a bank balance or a pension, together with health insurance and, in some cases, accommodation. Family members who previously held family reunification residence can rely on a declaration by the supporting spouse or parent.

The police decide within 90 days and can refuse if you do not meet the conditions or are a threat to security or public order, weighing the length of residence and your ties to your country of origin. For permanent residence for an unlimited period after four years of five-year permanent residence, you file at the police with health insurance and a criminal record where required; the police decide within 90 days and your existing permit stays valid until then.

Time on temporary residence for study, and on special activity such as an internship or EU and government programmes, counts at half its length; time on seasonal employment does not count. Absences of up to six consecutive months, and up to ten months in total, are allowed if you notified the police. People granted international protection can count the time from their asylum application. Holders of a study or seasonal permit, applicants for asylum or temporary refuge and people with diplomatic privileges cannot apply while in that status.

Long-term residence ends if you renounce it in writing, stay outside the EU for 12 consecutive months (24 months for former Blue Card holders and their families), or live outside Slovakia for more than six years. Holders of any residence must also notify the police in writing before staying outside Slovakia for more than 180 days in a row.