The Parliament of Slovakia has approved a comprehensive set of changes to legislation governing the stay of foreigners. The amendments will affect visa and residence permit procedures, employment of foreign nationals, digital documents, as well as the status of Ukrainian refugees after the end of the temporary protection regime, which is currently scheduled for March 2027.
National Visas
One of the key changes is the simplification of procedures for obtaining national visas and residence permits. Authorities have pledged to make the process more transparent: the required documents, processing times, and application procedures will be clearly defined. In addition, the validity period of a national visa issued in connection with a residence permit application will be extended from 90 to 120 days.
Digital Documents
The law also provides for further digitalisation of migration services. For certain procedures, foreigners will be able to submit applications entirely online, together with all required documents.
Another innovation is the possibility to use a digital version of the residence permit card via the eDoklady application. Foreign nationals will be able to create an electronic equivalent of the document and present it in certain situations. However, when crossing borders and in some official procedures, the physical card will still be required, as authorities must be able to verify its authenticity and status.
Rules for Applying for Temporary and Permanent Residence
The amendments also aim to reduce administrative burdens for foreigners. In certain cases, proof of place of residence and purpose of stay will be simplified, the list of situations in which a medical certificate is not required will be expanded, and the rules for obtaining long-term residence permits will be clarified.
Special attention is given to entrepreneurs. Authorities intend to more thoroughly assess the real economic contribution of a foreigner’s business activity in Slovakia and take into account compliance with financial obligations when granting or extending residence permits.
Protection for Ukrainians
Significant changes also concern Ukrainian nationals who are staying in the country under temporary protection. The law introduces a transitional mechanism in the event of the termination of the temporary protection regime, which at the EU level is expected in March 2027.
Under the new rules, Ukrainians will retain refugee status for one additional year after the end of temporary protection and will be able to continue working and residing in the country under the same conditions. During this period, they will be able to apply for a standard residence permit based on the legal grounds under which they have actually been staying in Slovakia for at least six months. This may include employment, entrepreneurship, studies, or family reunification.
However, obtaining the new status will only be possible after a security screening. Those who do not meet the conditions for obtaining a residence permit will be required to leave the territory of Slovakia after the end of the transitional period.
Rules for financial compensation for housing Ukrainian refugees are also changing. In the future, this support will be directly linked to the duration of the temporary protection regime and will end once it expires.
Citizenship
The amendments also affect the process of acquiring Slovak citizenship. The procedure is expected to be simplified, especially for descendants of former citizens of Czechoslovakia. Applications for citizenship will be able to be submitted not only in person but also through Slovak diplomatic missions abroad, by post or in electronic form.
In addition, new citizens will be able to register their permanent residence within 90 days of receiving the citizenship certificate, without waiting for a separate confirmation of citizenship.
Most provisions of the law are set to take effect on 15 July 2026. Exceptions apply to provisions related to the European ETIAS system, which will enter into force in line with its launch in the European Union.
