Changes to Slovakia's law on the residence of foreigners have applied since 15 July 2026. For people with temporary protection the main point is this: you can now apply for residence for a specific purpose. But only while protection is valid, which means until 4 March 2027.
Who can apply
Anyone who has been fulfilling the purpose of stay for at least 6 months before applying and still fulfils it. Most often this is employment or study.
Which documents are needed
- a valid travel document;
- proof of purpose, for example a confirmation of employment from the Social Insurance Agency or a confirmation of study;
- proof of accommodation (exceptions apply to students, researchers and some other groups);
- a criminal record extract from Ukraine not older than 90 days (children under 14 do not submit it).
How long it takes
After you apply, the authority has up to 60 days to tell you whether the conditions are met. The residence document is issued within 30 days of that notice.
What happens to those who do not apply
After protection ends, a person is still treated as a displaced person for one more year and must leave within that time unless they obtain another residence status.
What to watch now
- The 6 months must be complete on the day you apply. If you changed jobs recently, count the dates.
- The criminal record extract is valid for only 90 days, so order it at the end of the preparation, not at the start.
- Queues are longer in winter. The last weeks before 4 March are the worst time to apply.
Where to start
On migrant.sk, answer 3–5 questions about your situation and you get a plan: steps, documents, an estimated price and how long it takes.
Source: IOM Migration Information Centre. This article is for information only and does not replace an individual consultation.
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