Slovakia
SVKSlovakia is an EU and Schengen member with the euro since 2009. Long-stay residency for non-EU foreigners is via employment (incl. EU Blue Card), business investment, family reunification, or studies.
Slovakia introduced an expedited naturalisation procedure for descendants of Slovaks abroad in 2022 — descendants up to three generations of Slovak emigrants who can document Slovak ancestry are eligible without the full 8-year residence requirement. Slovakia permits dual citizenship since the 2022 reform; previously dual citizenship was effectively prohibited and many naturalising Slovaks lost their citizenship.
- Naturalisation
- 8 years
- Tax system
- Residence Based
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Capital
- Bratislava
- Region
- europe
- Population
- 5,450,000
- Cost-of-living
- 50 /100
Passport Rank
#9
Visa-Free
156
destinations
Visa-free travel
A Slovakia passport has visa-free access to 156 destinations. See the full Slovakia passport breakdown →
Passports that enter Slovakia without a prior visa (91)
Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.
Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.
Immigrating to Canada from Slovakia
Current IRCC processing times for Slovakia nationals, by application type.
| Visitor visa (outside Canada) | 29 days |
| Super visa | No processing time available |
| Study permit | 3 weeks |
| Work permit | No processing time available |
| Sponsor a dependent child | No processing time available |
| Adopted child (citizenship) | Not enough data |
| Government-assisted refugees | Not enough data |
| Privately sponsored refugees | sponsor: Not enough data / refugee: Not enough data |
Your application may take longer than the times shown here. They’re not a maximum or a guarantee.
As of 2026-09-22 (IRCC). See all Canada processing times →
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — “Check processing times”. This is a copy of the version available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Reproduced under the Government of Canada’s non-commercial reproduction terms; not endorsed by or affiliated with IRCC.
Sources & last verified
Government of Canada — non-commercial reproduction (canada.ca Terms and conditions)
Country Details
- Capital
- Bratislava
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Languages
- Slovak
- Population
- 5,450,000
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Naturalisation
- 8 years
- Schengen / EU
- Schengen / EU
- Climate
- Continental
- English Proficiency Rank
- #23
- GDP per capita
- $28,544
- Life expectancy
- 78.37 yrs
- Population growth
- -0.15%/yr
GDP per capita, life expectancy, and population growth: World Bank (2025).
Indices
Cost of Living
50
Safety
75
Healthcare
65
Quality of Life
165
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 8 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bratislava | $750 | $580 | $270 | $200 | $33 |
| Košice | $460 | $350 | $250 | $180 | $28 |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- Schengen C
- National D
- Temporary Residence Permit
- Single Permit (Work)
- EU Blue Card
- Student Residence Permit
- Family Reunification Permit
- Tolerated Stay
- Long-Term EU Resident Permit
- Authority
- Border and Foreign Police Bureau
- Official Portal
- www.minv.sk
- Phone
- +421 2 4859 2150
- kpcp.ba@minv.sk
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 8
- Language Test
- Yes (Slovak B1)
- Civic Test
- Yes
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- Yes
- Fee
- $800
- Processing
- ~24 months
International Schools
← scroll the table →
| School | City | Curriculum | Tuition (USD/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| British International School Bratislava | Bratislava | British / IGCSE / A-Level | $12,000–$22,000 |
Daily Life Logistics
Internet
70 Mbps median
65% fibre coverage
eSIM: Slovak Telekom, Orange Slovensko, O2 Slovakia
LGBTQ+ Legal Status
- Same-Sex Marriage
- Not legal
- Civil Partnerships
- Not recognised
- Anti-Discrimination Law
- Yes
- ILGA Rank
- #35
Religious Life
- Halal Food
- Limited
- Kosher Food
- Limited
- Prayer Facilities
- Limited
Regulators & official sources
Bodies that regulate immigration advice in Slovakia, and the official sources indexed for it by Visa Atlas. Descriptions are verbatim; each links to its source.
Slovak Bar Association
SAKProfessional body of advocates in Slovakia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed advocates.
Related Guides
Fastest paths to an EU passport in 2025
A sourced comparison of the shortest EU naturalisation timelines, from 2-year descent fast-tracks to 5-year residency routes — plus the hidden requirements that extend them in practice.
Exit tax: countries that charge you to leave
Country-by-country reference of departure taxes, deemed-disposition rules, and wealth-locking regimes that trigger when tax residency ends.
Related on The Citizenship Desk
Visa routes
Official visa and residence routes for Slovakia, indexed from Visa Atlas. Each links to its government source. This is a licensed external index, distinct from our own curated visa guides.
Residence
Permanent Residence (Slovakia)
ResidenceIf you have lived in Slovakia lawfully for five years, this is your settlement status - secure, longer-term residence and a step toward citizenship.
Work (sponsored)
Temporary Residence for Employment / Single Permit (Slovakia)
Work (sponsored)If you have a Slovak job offer, this is the main route - one application that combines your residence and your right to work in Slovakia.
Family
Temporary Residence for Family Reunification (Slovakia)
FamilyIf a close family member lives lawfully in Slovakia, this route lets you join them and build toward settlement together.
Study
Temporary Residence for Study (Slovakia)
StudyIf you have been admitted to a Slovak university or school, this residence permit lets you live in Slovakia for the length of your studies.
Entrepreneur
Temporary Residence for Business / Self-Employment (Slovakia)
EntrepreneurIf you run a business or are self-employed in Slovakia, this route gives you residence tied to that enterprise - but recent rules added a quota and a business plan.
Skilled migration
EU Blue Card (Slovakia)
Skilled migrationIf you are a highly qualified professional with a Slovak job offer at the required salary, the EU Blue Card gives you residence with EU-wide mobility.
Sources & last verified
Route index from Visa Atlas (CC BY 4.0), as of 2026-09-12. Each route links to its official government source.
Citizenship by Descent
Sources & last verified
- Last verified