Living in Slovakia
Information about moving to, living or retiring in Slovakia – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.
Getting help with living in Slovakia
Help from the Slovak government
For any questions about moving to or living in Slovakia, you may be able to get help from the:
The UK government and the British Embassy in Bratislava cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Slovakia.
Professional help in country
You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Slovakia, including:
- lawyers
- translators
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for Slovakia to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Slovakia. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Slovakia before you travel.
Visas and residence documents
Check which visa or residence document you need to live in Slovakia.
You can get a visa or residence document to:
- work
- study
- do business
- join family
For more information, read guidance on:
- Slovak visas and residence documents, includes a service to check if you need a visa
- Slovak visa types (in Slovak)
- applying for or renewing a residence document
In 2025 there were changes to residence rules related to:
- temporary residence for business
- validity periods for visas connected to residence applications
- documents needed for residence applications
See rules on carrying personal ID in the safety and security section of the travel advice for Slovakia. These rules apply to residents as well as visitors.
Registering your address as a resident
Within 3 days of your arrival, you must register your address in Slovakia with the Foreign Police Department.
If you have any problems or questions about registering your address, contact the Foreign Police Department.
Extending or replacing your visa or residence document
Contact the Foreign Police Department unit nearest to you for information on how to:
- extend your visa or residence document - or see their residencies advice and documents to download the temporary residence renewal application form
- replace a lost, damaged or stolen visa or residence document
Permanent residency
You can normally apply for permanent residency in Slovakia if you’ve lived in the country for 5 uninterrupted years. You also may be able to apply sooner than this depending on your personal circumstances.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read guidance on permanent residency in Slovakia.
Citizenship
Slovakia recognises dual citizenship with the UK, though there are exceptions.
You do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Slovak citizen.
Slovak citizens who become British citizens could automatically lose their Slovak citizenship. Read guidance on losing Slovak citizenship (in Slovak).
To find out if you’re eligible for Slovak citizenship:
- read guidance on ways of getting Slovak citizenship and applying for Slovak citizenship
- contact the Slovak Ministry of the Interior
- contact the Slovak Embassy in London
Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications
The British Embassy in Bratislava cannot help with Slovak visa, residency or citizenship applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
- the Slovak Ministry of the Interior (in Slovak)
- the Slovak Embassy in London
- an English-speaking lawyer in Slovakia
Residency if you moved to Slovakia before 1 January 2021
If you moved to Slovakia before 1 January 2021, and have been legally living there since then, you and your family members have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
Residence documents if you moved to Slovakia before 1 January 2021
If you moved to Slovakia before 1 January 2021, make sure you have a new residence document (Povolenie na pobyt). This shows that you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
Under the new digital Entry/Exit System (EES), you’ll need a new residence document when entering or leaving Slovakia. If you have one, you will not have to register with the EES when entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area. Without it, you may be wrongly identified as overstaying in the Schengen area and denied entry to Slovakia or other Schengen countries.
Renewing your residence document if you moved to Slovakia before 1 January 2021
You’ll need to renew your residence document before it expires.
Read guidance on temporary residence to find out how to renew your residence document. You must book an appointment with your local Foreign Police Department office (in Slovak) to do this.
Bringing family members to Slovakia if you moved there before 1 January 2021
The Slovak government’s information on staying in Slovakia after Brexit explains:
- which family members can join you in Slovakia
- how and when they should apply for their residence document
- fees and processing times
Passports and travel
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
If you have a Slovak residence document or long- stay visa, the time you spend in Slovakia does not count towards the 90-day visa-free period you can spend in the Schengen area.
Always carry your passport and residence document when entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area. If you’re asked to show your passport at border control, make sure you also show your residence document or other evidence of residence status. Your passport may be stamped if you do not.
If you have dual citizenship with an EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country, you should enter and leave Slovakia using your EU or EFTA passport.
Dual citizens travelling to the UK
When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.
EU Entry/Exit System (EES)
Under the new digital Entry/Exit System (EES) there are new rules on entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area. Non-EU nationals will need to have their photo and fingerprints taken or verified at the border. This data will be stored in a digital record and used to monitor how long visitors have spent in the Schengen area.
British nationals legally resident in Slovakia, and who have a residence document (Povolenie na pobyt) do not need to register with the EES.
If you’re legally resident in Slovakia but do not have a residence document, contact the Foreign Police Department for information on how to get one.
For more information about how the EES will work and when it will come into force, read:
Healthcare in Slovakia
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
To find out how to get medical treatment:
- contact your insurance provider
- read guidance on healthcare in Slovakia and health in Slovakia
- find English-speaking medical facilities and doctors for British nationals in Slovakia
Working in Slovakia
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.
To work in Slovakia, you may need a work permit or work visa. Our guidance on travelling to Slovakia for work explains the different work permits and visas available to you.
You do not need a work permit or visa if you have been living in Slovakia legally since before 1 January 2021, as you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
To apply for a job, you may need to provide a UK police certificate.
If you live in Slovakia and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country before 1 January 2021, read guidance for frontier workers.
Recognition of qualifications
If you want to work in Slovakia, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised.
Driving in Slovakia
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
The Slovak government portal provides information on driving in Slovakia, including:
- applying for a Slovak licence
- renewing your licence
- exchanging a foreign licence
For more information read guidance on:
- driving in the EU
- road travel in Slovakia, in safety and security in the travel advice for Slovakia
Driving in Slovakia using a foreign driving licence
You can drive in Slovakia for 185 days using a driving licence issued in:
- the UK
- Gibraltar
- Jersey
- Guernsey
- the Isle of Man
You cannot replace or renew any of these licences if you live in Slovakia.
Exchanging a UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man driving licence
After completing 185 days of residency, you must exchange your driving licence (in Slovak) within 60 days to continue driving. You’ll need to go to your nearest Regional Police Directorate office (in Slovak) with your passport, driving licence and residence card to do this.
You cannot start the process before you’ve been resident for 185 days. You do not have to take a test.
To exchange, you’ll need to get confirmation of your driving licence by doing one of the following:
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get a check code from the DVLA – for English, Welsh and Scottish driving licences
- get a check code from the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) – for Northern Irish driving licences
- contact the department that issued your licence to request a letter or certificate of entitlement – for Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man licences
You’ll also need to:
- get an official Slovak translation of the confirmation of your driving licence – find a find a translator or interpreter in Slovakia
- get a medical certificate (in Slovak) if you are over 65
- get medical and mental health certificates if you want to drive category C and D vehicles such as lorries
- pay a fee for your new Slovak licence (in Slovak)
You cannot use an international driving permit instead of exchanging your licence.
Disabled drivers
You can apply for a Slovak disabled parking card (in Slovak).
You may be able to apply for an EU parking card for people with disabilities.
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Slovakia, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Tax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Slovakia so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Contact the Financial Administration of the Slovak Republic or HMRC for any questions including about double taxation relief.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Slovakia. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Slovakia.
National Insurance
Check if you need to pay National Insurance if you’re going to work in the EU, Gibraltar, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Your UK state pension is calculated differently if you’ve previously lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and now live in the EU.
Claiming a Slovak pension
You can claim an old-age pension if you have worked in Slovakia for 15 years and reached pension age (in Slovak). Contact your nearest social security office (in Slovak) to find out whether you can claim an old-age pension.
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.
You can also read guidance on benefits and pensions for UK nationals in the EU, EEA or Switzerland.
Claiming Slovak benefits
You may be entitled to some Slovak benefits. To find out if you’re eligible and how to claim read EU guidance on Slovak benefits.
Buying and renting property in Slovakia
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
Read guidance on buying property in Slovakia.
Contact an English-speaking lawyer if you’re considering buying property or land in Slovakia.
Voting in Slovakia
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- vote in UK elections from abroad
- register as an overseas voter
Slovak elections
You cannot vote in national parliamentary elections in Slovakia.
You also cannot vote in European elections unless you hold citizenship of an EU country.
You can vote and stand in municipal elections in the respective city or district if you are a registered permanent resident in Slovakia and are over 18 years old.
Read guidance on elections in Slovakia (in Slovak).
Studying in Slovakia
If you plan to study in Slovakia, you must meet all visa and residence requirements before you travel.
You do not need a student visa if you have been living in Slovakia legally since before 1 January 2021, as you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
For more information, read guidance on:
You can also contact:
- your higher education provider in the UK or Slovakia
- the Slovak Ministry of Education (in Slovak)
- Slovak Embassy in London
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
- getting permission to take your child abroad
- claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education
The European Commission provides information about the school system in Slovakia.
All children aged 6 to 16 must attend school in Slovakia. Home schooling is allowed in some circumstances.
Childcare
The Ministry of Labour (in Slovak) is responsible for childcare services in Slovakia.
Read their guidance on family and social assistance (in Slovak).
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in Slovakia, register the birth at the registry office (matričný úrad) in the municipality where they were born.
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
- apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in Slovakia, read guidance on:
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Read guidance on getting married in Slovakia.
The Slovak government portal (in Slovak) also has information on getting married or forming a civil partnership in Slovakia.
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
The Slovak government portal (in Slovak) has information on getting divorced in Slovakia.
Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer.
Documents for British people in Slovakia
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries
To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in Slovakia, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with you to Slovakia, read guidance on:
Returning to the UK
Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.
You should tell Slovak authorities that you are returning permanently to the UK. Tell your local:
- Slovak tax office
- local social security and benefit office if you’ve been getting benefits from the Slovak state
- registry office
- Foreign Police Department and return your Slovak residence permit card
Also tell your Slovak health insurance provider:
If the NHS funds your healthcare in Slovakia through the S1 form, contact the NHS Overseas Healthcare Team to cancel it.
Disclaimer
We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Slovak authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
Updates to this page
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Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand. Includes new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK ('Passports and travel' section).
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Launch date of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) has been added.
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Visa and residency was updated with information from the new Foreigners Act.
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Driving in Slovakia has been updated to reflect an increase in fees for exchanging a driver's licence.
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The section about the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) has been edited to reflect the postponement of the system's launch, which had been planned for Autumn 2024.
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Information on the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) that will be introduced in Autumn 2024 has been added to the Passports and travel section.
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Guidance has been fully reviewed and updated.
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Added new guidance: 'Before you go' and 'medicine'. Guidance reviewed and updated in the following sections: 'healthcare', 'visas', and 'births, deaths, marriages, and civil partnerships'.
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Updated information in the "Passports and travel" section about the documents needed when travelling within the Schengen area.
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Important information in the Working in Slovakia, and National insurance sections if you work in Slovakia, even it if it is for an employer based in the UK.
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Visas and residency section updated: new information on what to do if your Withdrawal Agreement residence document was issued in 2020 and the Slovak Foreigners Police have contacted you to update it.
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Guide reviewed and updated with new information, including in the sections on social security, driving, pets, births, deaths, marriages, civil partnerships and emergencies.
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Guidance reviewed for people who are moving or moved to Slovakia after 1 January 2021. Following the residency application deadline, it also includes sub-sections relevant to people living there since before 1 January 2021.
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Driving section: updated list of documents needed for exchanging a UK driving licence for a Slovakian one
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Additional support section updated with link to guidance on UK Nationals Support Fund; healthcare section updated including guidance on the S1 form and applying for EHIC and GHIC cards; working in Slovakia section updated with links to Department for International Trade (DIT) guidance on working or providing services and DIT guidance on recognition of professional qualifications.
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Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines. Driving section updated with new guidance on exchanging your UK licence for a Slovak one.
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Updated as the transition period ends with new information on residency, driving, pet travel and moving to Slovakia
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Passports and travel section updated on carrying proof of residence when travelling
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Healthcare section updated on how to apply for a new UK EHIC as a student or S1 holder. Working section updated with information on frontier workers.
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Major update on Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021
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Visas and residency section updated to include information about how to access the UK National Support Fund for those who may find it harder to complete their residency applications.
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Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.
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Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement
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Brexit Update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.
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Brexit update: We have added new information on residency, pensions and benefits.
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EU Exit update: We have added new information in "Passports and travel after the UK leaves the EU section"
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EU Exit update: We have added new information about pensions.
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EU Exit update: updated information on EU Exit in healthcare, visas and residency, passports, driving and working sections
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EU Exit update: added information about citizens outreach meetings in April in EU Exit section
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We have added information on residence in relation to EU Exit to the Visas and residency section.
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We have updated the contact details you need to apply for an S1 form.
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Updated information on passports: you must use the checker tool to see if your passport is still valid for your trip
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EU Exit update - Updated information on access to healthcare
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EU Exit update: added the Slovak government´s announcement about a no deal scenario for British nationals to EU Exit section
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EU exit update - updated information on pensions and driving
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Information added about applying to the penalty register in the Working in Slovakia section
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EU Exit update: New information in residency and visa section on draft withdrawal agreement in principle between the UK and EU. Plus information on travelling with pets in Europe in Pets section.
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We have updated ´residence of foreign nationals´ under the visas and residency section
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Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.
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First published.