Despite the fact that the so-called single permit is the most common way how a foreigner from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland can be employed in Slovakia, there are still several cases where it is necessary/possible to obtain a work permit to be employed.
In Slovakia, you can be employed only with a work permit, if:
- You hold temporary residence for the purpose of a family reunion and in the period within 9 months from being granted temporary residence for the purpose of a family reunion,
- You hold temporary residence of a third country national with acknowledged long-term residence in another EU Member State, in the period within 12 months from the beginning of the stay in the territory of SR,
- You will be employed for the purpose of seasonal employment for a period no longer than 90 days during 12 consecutive months,
- You will be employed as a seafarer on a ship registered in Slovakia or on a ship that sails under the flag of the Slovak Republic, or
- If it is stipulated by an international treaty binding for the Slovak Republic (e.g. in-house transfer pursuant to the agreement on WTO).
Work permits can be issued for up to 2 years or 5 years based on the international treaty. For seasonal workers work permits can be issued for up to 90 days for 12 consecutive months.
A work permit is non-transferable. It is issued for specific employment with a specific employer and it is also binding as to the type of work and place of work. If you want to change your employer, you will have to obtain a new work permit.
Work permits are issued by the Labour Office locally competent according to your future place of work.
The future employer must report a job vacancy at least 10 working days before submitting the application for a work permit.
Application for a work permit
The application for a work permit is submitted at a competent Labour Office on an official application form. The application forms are available also for download from here. The application can be submitted in person, by mail or your future employer may do so on your behalf on basis of a power of attorney.
The application for a work permit can be submitted no earlier than 10 working days after reporting the job vacancy.
The application for a work permit must be submitted together with:
- Official application form for a work permit printed, completed in Slovak language and signed,
- Copy of the document on residence (if it was granted to you),
- Contract of employment or written promise of employment,
- Decision on the recognition of a document on education or an authenticated and officially translated document proving required education in case of regulated professions,
- Written power of attorney (if the application is submitted on your behalf by your future employer or by the company you were deployed to).
In the case of seasonal employment of a third country national not requiring a Schengen visa the application must be submitted together with:
- Document on accommodation at least for the duration of the employment,
- Document on health insurance during the residence in Slovakia.
If the application for a seasonal work permit is submitted by the employer the application must be submitted together with::
- Confirmation that the employer is not in bankruptcy, dissolution or under compulsory administration,
- Confirmation that the employer does not have any registered pending employees’ claims arising from the employment.
The application for a work permit will be processed within 20 working days. If the third country national obtained a seasonal work permit in the last five years before submitting the application, the Labour Office will grant a work permit within 10 working days from the date of submitting a complete application.
The application, including all attachments, must be submitted in the Slovak language. Foreign documents need to be officially translated into Slovak language and a certified translator seal must be attached. Alternatively, an official translation into the Czech language can be submitted, but such a translation must be attested by the Slovak embassy accredited for the country of translation.
Unless an international agreement provides otherwise, documents issued abroad must be certified by a higher verification clause (apostille / consular legalization).
Applying for a work permit is free of charge.
Employer’s Reporting Duty
The employer is obliged to notify the Labour Office in writing of the commencement and termination of employment of a foreign national within seven working days from the commencement of the employment and its termination. The notification must be submitted together with a copy of the contract of employment.
If the foreign national does not take up the post or if the employment of a work permit holder ends prematurely, the employer has a duty to notify the Labour Office about this fact within seven working days.
Work Permit Extension
Validity of the work permit can be extended - also repeatedly - for up to 2 years. You can get the work permit extension only on the condition that you will work for the same employer and on the same work position.
Validity of the work permit for the purpose of seasonal employment may be renewed once by the Labour office if it has been granted for less than 90 days, whereas the total duration of work permit not exceeding 90 days for 12 consecutive months; this also applies to employment with another employer.
You should apply for your work permit extension no earlier than 90 and no later than 30 days, resp. 20 days (in case of seasonal employment) before the expiration of your current work permit and equally no earlier than 10 working days of reporting the job vacancy at the locally competent Labour Office.
If you intend to change employer or work in a different position, you have to apply for a new work permit.