Slovakia

Temporary Residence for Business Purpose

Slovakia's Temporary Residence for Business Purpose (prechodný pobyt na účel podnikania) is a residence permit for third-country nationals who wish to establish and operate a business in Slovakia. Governed by Act No. 404/2011 on the Residence of Foreigners (§22), the program targets entrepreneurs who will operate as sole traders under a trade licence, or as statutory officers (executive directors) of Slovak limited liability companies (s.r.o.) or cooperatives without being in an employment relationship. A significant reform under Amendment Act No. 178/2025, effective 1 July 2025, introduced mandatory business plan submissions evaluated by the Ministry of Economy, an annual quota of 700 applications, and a requirement that all initial applications be submitted at Slovak diplomatic missions abroad. An innovative project (startup) pathway offers expedited 30-day processing for applicants whose business plan involves an innovative project.

• Third-country national intending to conduct business as a sole trader or statutory officer of a Slovak company
• Business plan submitted using the official Ministry of Economy template, demonstrating economic benefit to Slovakia; startup pathway applicants use a dedicated innovative project template
• Personal bank account balance of at least EUR 3,409.56 (12× the monthly subsistence minimum of EUR 284.13)
• Business account balance of at least EUR 5,682.60 for sole traders (20× subsistence minimum) or EUR 28,413.00 for company statutory officers (100× subsistence minimum)
• Proof of accommodation for a minimum of 6 months (minimum 12 m² per occupant, 6 m² per additional person)
• Clean criminal record from country of citizenship and any country of residence exceeding 90 days in the past 3 years (apostilled and translated into Slovak)
• Valid health insurance for the duration of the permit
• No specific educational qualifications required, though the Ministry of Economy considers education, professional experience, and language skills when assessing the business plan

• Valid passport
• Business plan using the Ministry of Economy template (standard or innovative project version)
• Supporting documentation: preliminary contracts, lease agreements, supplier/customer agreements
• Criminal record extracts (apostilled and officially translated into Slovak) from country of citizenship and all countries of residence in the past 3 years
• Proof of accommodation (ownership affidavit, rental contract, notarised owner statement, or hotel confirmation)
• Current bank account balance confirmations for both personal and business accounts
• Trade licence certificate (for sole traders) or memorandum of association and signature specimen (for company statutory officers)
• All documents must be no older than 90 days and translated into Slovak (Czech translations also accepted)

The permit is granted for a fixed 3-year term, renewable for additional 3-year periods. Renewal applications must be submitted at least 90 days before permit expiry at the relevant Foreign Police department, with a fee of EUR 200. Renewal requires demonstration of active business operations, tax compliance, and financial statements from the previous accounting period. After 5 consecutive years of legal and continuous temporary residence, holders may apply for long-term residence (EU long-term resident status), initially granted for 5 years and extendable indefinitely.

Holders may sponsor spouse (both must be at least 18), unmarried children under 18, dependent unmarried adult children with long-term health conditions, and dependent parents for temporary residence for family reunification. Family members can apply simultaneously with the principal applicant. Financial requirements for family reunification: EUR 3,409.56 for a spouse, EUR 200 per additional family member over 18. Application fees: EUR 200 at Foreign Police, EUR 220 at diplomatic missions; children under 18 are exempt from fees.

Holders become Slovak tax residents if they have permanent residence in Slovakia or spend 183 or more days per calendar year in the country, triggering worldwide income taxation. Sole traders are subject to personal income tax at 15% on taxable income up to EUR 60,000 and 25% above that threshold. Corporate income tax is 15% on taxable income up to EUR 100,000 for small companies and 21% above. Social and health insurance contributions apply to sole traders. Holders must register with the tax authority, file annual income tax returns, and maintain accounting records.

As of 1 July 2025, all initial applications must be submitted in person at Slovak diplomatic missions (embassies/consulates) abroad — submission at Foreign Police departments in Slovakia is no longer permitted for first-time applicants.

The process follows these steps:

1. Obtain a trade licence from a District Office trade licensing unit (approximately 7 working days) or register a limited liability company at the Companies Register (approximately 7 days).
2. Prepare a business plan using the official Ministry of Economy template, along with all supporting documentation.
3. Submit the application in person at the competent Slovak embassy or consulate, with all documents translated into Slovak.
4. The Foreign Police forwards the application to the Ministry of Economy, which issues an advisory opinion within 60 days.
5. The Foreign Police issues its decision within 90 days total (or 30 days for innovative project applications).
6. Upon approval, the applicant receives a national visa (Type D) valid for 120 days to enter Slovakia. The applicant must enter within 180 days of permit issuance.
7. Within 3 working days of entry, the holder must register with the Foreign Police department at their accommodation address.
8. Within 30 working days of collecting the residence card, the holder must submit proof of health insurance and a medical certificate confirming no communicable diseases.

Fees: EUR 350 at diplomatic missions (EUR 330 at Foreign Police for renewals). Residence card issuance: EUR 10 (standard 30-day processing) or EUR 39 (expedited 2-business-day processing). Renewal fee: EUR 200.

Annual quota: 700 applications per year (introduced 1 July 2025 and continuing in 2026), distributed across Slovak embassies worldwide — the largest allocations go to Ukraine (190), Tbilisi (68), Belgrade (62), and Hanoi (53). Applicants should apply early in the year as quotas may fill quickly — the quota represents a significant reduction from the approximately 10,256 business permits issued in 2024.