At the beginning of the second half of 2026, Slovakia is increasing the subsistence minimum and unemployment benefits, while another package of amendments to the Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals comes into force. Here is an overview of the main legislative changes.
Subsistence Minimum
The subsistence minimum (životné minimum) in Slovakia increased by almost 4% from 1 July 2026. It now amounts to €295.22, an increase of €11.08 compared with the previous level. The subsistence minimum for each additional adult living in the same household is €205.96, while for a child it is €134.80.
The new subsistence minimum will remain in effect from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.
The increase affects virtually all residents of the country. The subsistence minimum is a key benchmark used to determine the tax-free portion of personal income, the child tax bonus and the calculation of various social benefits.
For foreigners holding a temporary residence permit (prechodný pobyt) in Slovakia, the subsistence minimum is also particularly important. It determines the minimum level of income—or the amount of funds that must be available in a bank account—required to obtain or renew a residence permit.
From 1 July 2026, the required amount increases from €5,682 to €5,904 for sole traders, and from €17,047 to €17,713 for legal entities. However, the migration law amendments expected to take effect on 15 July 2026 may substantially ease these requirements, meaning the new thresholds could only apply for a short period.
Unemployment Benefit
At the beginning of the second half of the year, the maximum unemployment benefit is also recalculated.
From 1 July 2026, the maximum benefit amounts to €1,553.30 for a 31-day calendar month and €1,503.20 for a 30-day month. Previously, the maximum amounts were €1,651.10 and €1,597.90, respectively.
This benefit is available to people who have paid—or had paid on their behalf—social insurance contributions for at least 730 days during the previous four years. Unemployment benefits can be received for a maximum of six months.
It should be noted that since autumn 2025, Slovakia has applied stricter rules for unemployment benefits. Starting from the fourth month of unemployment, payments are reduced by 10%, eventually falling by 20% by the sixth month.
Amendments to the Foreigners Act
On 15 July 2026, another package of amendments to the Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals will enter into force. The changes introduce new rules for holders of temporary protection, tighten requirements for foreign entrepreneurs and expand digital services for migrants.
Business Residence Permits
One of the most significant changes concerns foreigners running businesses in Slovakia.
Previously, residence permit renewals were assessed based on profit after tax. Under the new rules, authorities will instead consider total taxable income or the amount of tax actually paid.
Entrepreneurs will also be required to remain free of outstanding tax and social contribution debts throughout the entire period of their stay. Even debts that are difficult to enforce may become grounds for revoking a residence permit.
The previous option allowing the Ministry of Economy to approve a residence permit extension as an exception when a business failed to meet the required performance criteria is also being abolished.
At the same time, the new rules significantly relax income requirements. Sole traders (živnostníci) will only need to demonstrate the minimum taxable income, while companies will only have to pay the minimum corporate tax (starting from €340 per year). In practice, this means that even businesses with minimal or no activity may retain their residence permits.
New Rules for Foreign Employees
The amendments introduce clearer limits on the period during which foreign nationals may remain unemployed.
If a foreign employee loses their job, they must notify the authorities. The permitted unemployment period will be:
- up to three months if the residence permit has been valid for less than two years;
- up to six months if the person has held the permit for a longer period.
If the previous employment involved exploitation or labour rights violations, this period may be extended by an additional three months.
Foreign nationals will also be required to notify the police within seven working days whenever they lose or obtain employment.
In addition, obtaining an employment-based residence permit will become simpler. It will be sufficient for the new employer to submit an application to the labour office, after which the employer will receive notification of the decision.
Long-Term Residence and the Slovak Language
The rules for proving Slovak language proficiency when applying for long-term residence will become more flexible.
Applicants who have studied at a Slovak school for at least two years, as well as people with certain medical conditions, will be exempt from the language examination.
The list of institutions authorised to conduct the language examination will also be expanded. In addition to official examination centres, universities and language schools will be allowed to administer the test.
Another important change concerns the validity of language certificates submitted to the Foreign Police. The existing requirement that the certificate must be no more than 90 days old is being abolished.
National Visas
One of the key changes is the simplification of procedures for obtaining national visas and residence permits.
The process will become more transparent, with clearer rules on the required documents, application procedures and processing deadlines.
In addition, the validity of a national visa issued in connection with a residence permit application will be extended from 90 days to 120 days.
