Long-term residence
- Last Updated: 25 November 2025
- who has legally resided in Slovakia for an uninterrupted period of at least 5 years directly before the submission of the application;
- whose long-term residence expired or was cancelled due to legally stipulated reasons;
- who has had five years of authorized, continuous residence in the territory of the Slovak Republic or Member States as a holder of a Blue Card, another residence permit for the purpose of highly qualified employment, research and development or studies, as an international protection beneficiary or as a holder of a residence permit for the purpose of family reunification with a Blue Card holder and has been staying in the territory of the Slovak Republic as a Blue Card holder or as a family member of a Blue Card holder for at least two years immediately before applying.
Download Fact Sheet Long term residenceThe possibility to apply for a long-term residence does not apply to a foreign national, who:
- is an asylum seeker;
- has tolerated residence as a victim of human trafficking deciding whether he/she will cooperate with the law enforcement authorities;
- is a temporary protection seeker or beneficiary;
- has temporary residence for the purpose of studies;
- has temporary residence for the purpose of special activity (internship, participation in a government/EU programme) or fulfilment of an obligation of the Slovak Republic under an international agreement;
- has temporary residence for the purpose of seasonal employment;
- stays in Slovakia as a posted employee in international transport or within the provision of services;
- enjoys privileges and immunities according to international law.
The application for long-term residence must be submitted in person, using an official form at the Foreign Police Department in Slovakia. It must be submitted together with a valid passport, and the following documents, not older than 90 days:
- proof of fixed and regular income for the applicant and their family members to avoid being a burden to the Slovak social security system;
- proof of health insurance in Slovakia;
- proof of accommodation (only if the applicant's long-term residence expired or was cancelled due to legally stipulated reasons).
As of 15 July 2025, knowledge of the Slovak language at A2 level is verified by successfully passing a language exam at a language school.
Proof of Slovak language proficiency is not required if the applicant:
- is under 14 years of age at the time of submitting the application;
- holds a temporary residence permit as a Slovak living abroad;
- can prove that they have completed secondary education at a school with Slovak as the language of instruction; or
- can prove that they have studied for at least two school years at a secondary school with Slovak as the language of instruction or completed a study program in Slovak at a university, provided that no more than five years have passed since completing the studies.
If the applicant does not submit a valid passport, the application will not be accepted. Application processing time is 90 days.
Application
The application must be submitted on an official form issued by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic.
[back to the list of documents]
Finances
Fixed and regular income may be proved mainly by an employment contract, employer´s confirmation of the monthly salary, a bank account balance confirmation held in the name of the foreign national, or proof of receiving a pension. A foreign national, who has had a temporary residence for the purpose of family reunion before applying for long-term residence, or a family member of an asylum holder or a foreign national under subsidiary protection may prove fixed and regular income by a notarially certified affidavit of the spouse, parent, or person to whose personal care he/she is entrusted to, certifying that he/she will provide the applicant with financial and material sureties during his/her stay in Slovakia, accompanied by a document according to the previous sentence.
[back to the list of documents]
Accommodation
A foreign national must submit a document on accommodation only when applying for a long-term residence due to the fact that his previous long-term residence was cancelled or expired in accordance with legally stipulated reasons.
[back to the list of documents]
Proof of Slovak Language Proficiency
According to information from the Bureau of Border and Foreign Police of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic, proficiency in the Slovak language must be demonstrated by passing an exam at one of the following language schools:
1. Jazyková škola, Palisády 38, 811 06 Bratislava
2. Súkromná jazyková škola International House Bratislava, Námestie SNP 14, 811 06 Bratislava
3. Súkromná jazyková škola iCan, Panónska cesta 3604/17, 851 04 Bratislava
4. Súkromná jazyková škola Volis Academy, Štefánikova 19, 811 05 Bratislava
5. Súkromná jazyková škola, Pplk. Pľjušťa 26/777, 909 01 Skalica
6. Súkromná jazyková škola ako súčasť Súkromnej strednej odbornej školy Via Humana, Kráľovská 11, 909 01 Skalica
7. Súkromná jazyková škola E-KU Inštitútu jazykovej a interkultúrnej komunikácie, Piaristická 2, 949 01 Nitra
8. Súkromná jazyková škola PREMIER CLASS, Studená 855/165, 949 01 Nitra
9. Jazyková škola, 1. mája 2, 911 01 Trenčín
10. Jazyková škola, Veľká okružná 24, 010 01 Žilina
11. Súkromná jazyková škola MOBILE COLLEGE, P. Mudroňa 10, 036 01 Martin
12. Súkromná jazyková škola RK Centrum UNIVERSA, Kuzmányho 5, 974 01 Banská Bystrica
13. Jazyková škola, Mnoheľova 828, 058 46 Poprad
14. Jazyková škola, Hlavná 113, 040 01 Košice
15. Jazyková škola, Užhorodská 8, 040 11 Košice
16. Súkromná jazyková škola iCan, Mojmírova 12, 040 01 Košice
17. Jazyková škola, Plzenská 10, 080 01 Prešov
18. Jazyková škola ako súčasť Gymnázia, Školská 13, 040 11 Moldava nad Bodvou
19. Jazyková škola ako súčasť Strednej odbornej školy, Mierová 727, 072 22 Strážske
20. Jazyková škola ako súčasť Gymnázia, Ľ. Štúra 26, 071 01 Michalovce
[back to the list of documents]
Telegram/Signal:
IOM Slovakia 
