Slovakia student visa and temporary residence for study

Temporary residence for study covers three groups: pupils in full-time secondary education who are under 20 on the day of application (under 23 for follow-up, qualification, specialisation or higher vocational programmes); university students; and people attending language or professional preparation for university studies organised by a Slovak university. Courses at private language schools are not covered; they use the national visa described on the language course page.

The police may refuse the application if there is a reasoned suspicion that a secondary or university student will not be able to pursue the studies, in addition to the general grounds such as security risks or false documents.

The application is made on the official form with a valid passport and documents not older than 90 days: confirmation of admission from the school or the competent state authority (or from the organisation running a government or EU programme), and criminal record extracts with an apostille and an official Slovak translation. Pupils at secondary school do not need a criminal record. University students do not have to prove accommodation; secondary school pupils do, for at least six months.

The current Act no longer lists proof of funds as an attachment for students. During a residence check, however, every permit holder must be able to show funds of at least the subsistence minimum for each remaining month, up to one year ahead: EUR 295.22 a month for an adult from 1 July 2026.

A temporary residence application filed abroad is lodged in person at the Slovak mission accredited for the country that issued your passport or where you live. The mission conducts a short interview, records it, translates the record into Slovak and sends it with its recommendation to the foreign police department that decides. Once the permit is granted, a visa-required applicant obtains a national visa for collecting the permit (fee EUR 15) and picks up the residence card in Slovakia; the card costs EUR 10, or EUR 39 for delivery within two working days.

If you are already in Slovakia lawfully, for example on a national visa, you can file at the foreign police department instead. Book the appointment through the Ministry of Interior booking system; the police decide within 90 days.

Within 30 days of collecting the residence card you hand the police a medical report, no older than 30 days and issued by a specialist in infectious diseases, confirming that you do not have a disease that threatens public health; the deadline can be extended by 60 days on request. You must also take out health insurance valid in Slovakia within three working days of collecting the card.

University students can work without a work permit or vacancy confirmation for up to 80 hours a month across all employers, secondary pupils for up to 40 hours. The Migration Office runs Centres of Services for Foreigners that help international students with residence applications, renewals and everyday questions.

Apply for renewal at the foreign police, in person or through the electronic service, no later than the last day of the current permit. After completing university studies you can ask for a renewal of nine months to look for a job or start a business. Graduates of Slovak secondary schools and universities who live in Slovakia lawfully can be employed without a work permit or vacancy confirmation, and can change their purpose of stay to employment at the police.

A student’s spouse (both at least 18) and unmarried children under 18 can apply for temporary residence for family reunification; the parents of a student cannot use this route. The family application costs EUR 200, children under 18 are exempt, and the family must share accommodation with the student.