Slovakia residence permit in 2026
The most common route is your own business: a fee of about $400 at an embassy and about $6,700 in the company account. We cover the grounds for Slovak residence, money, documents, timelines and the path to permanent status.
In short
- Grounds: business, work, family reunification, study, special activities.
- Business fee - about $370 at the Slovak police or about $400 at an embassy.
- Money for business: about $6,700 in the company account and living funds from $340 a month.
- Decision - within 90 days, within 30 days for some categories.
- Permanent status - after 5 years of temporary residence.
In detail
Slovak residence is granted not for money but for a purpose: business, work, study or family reunification. For Russian citizens the most common route is their own business: a fee of about $400 at an embassy, about $6,700 in the company account and proof of living funds. The decision comes within 90 days, and after 5 years of temporary residence you can get permanent status.
Grounds and fees for Slovak residence
Temporary residence in Slovakia is granted for a specific purpose, which determines the fee, the term and the documents.
| Ground | Fee | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Business | ~$370 at the Slovak police, ~$400 at an embassy | entrepreneurs and owners of a Slovak company |
| Work | ~$290 | those hired by a Slovak employer |
| Family reunification | ~$230 | spouses and children of people already living in Slovakia |
| Special activities | ~$160 | volunteers, teachers, programme participants |
The residence card is issued separately: about $15 if you wait up to 30 days, or about $45 for issue within 2 working days.
Slovak residence through business
An entrepreneur sets up a Slovak company or registers as a sole trader and then applies for residence. The main condition is money, checked on two lines.
- Living funds - at least the subsistence minimum for each month of stay, about $340 a month from 1 July 2026. For a stay longer than a year, twelve such amounts are proven, about $4,000.
- Business funds - about $6,700 in the company account, twenty subsistence minimums.
Money in the account is not an expense but proof that the business and life are funded. How to register a company and open an account is covered on the company registration in Slovakia and business account in Slovakia pages.
How to get Slovak residence: steps and timing
- Ground. A company, an employment contract, marriage or university enrolment.
- Documents: passport, proof of purpose, accommodation in Slovakia, an apostilled and translated criminal record certificate, health insurance, proof of funds.
- Filing - in person at the Slovak embassy accredited for the country that issued your passport or the country where you legally live. In some cases the foreign police in Slovakia accept the application.
- Decision - within 90 days; within 30 days for some categories, such as investors, researchers and family members.
- The residence card after entry.
A Russian citizen living in another country on a residence permit can apply at the Slovak embassy in that country, with no need to travel to Russia to file.
How much Slovak residence costs
In total the state takes about $415 for residence through business at an embassy, including the card, excluding company registration, translations and insurance. About $6,700 must also be held in the company account, plus proof of living funds. We will calculate the total for your family in the chat, and Murblz names the cost of its support after reviewing your situation.
A fee of about $400, and about $6,700 in the company account
The law does not stop you from applying for Slovak residence on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fee: too little money in the company account, a criminal record certificate without an apostille or translation, a lease that does not prove accommodation, filing at the wrong embassy. A refusal comes after months of waiting, and everything starts again. We register the company, open the account, collect and translate documents and handle the application through to the residence card and renewals. We guarantee professional work and a transparent process, and in most cases a result on the first application.
The cost of our support depends on the ground and the family; a manager will calculate it in the chat.
Residence term and the path to permanent status
- Business - residence for up to 3 years, renewable.
- Work - for the term of the employment contract, usually up to 2 years.
- Permanent status - after 5 years of continuous temporary residence.
- Citizenship - a long road: years of permanent residence and a Slovak language exam.
A Slovak residence permit gives the right to live in the country and travel in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180. It does not allow work in another EU country. Similar options in neighbouring countries are Hungarian residence and the Czech nomad visa, and all routes in Europe are in our residence permits abroad section.
How we help
The law does not stop you from applying on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fee: too little money in the company account, a criminal record certificate without an apostille, accommodation without a supporting lease, filing at the wrong embassy. We register the company, open the account, collect documents and handle the application through to the residence card and renewals.
A company in Slovakia
Registering a business for residence.
Learn more →A personal account in Slovakia
A bank for life in the country.
Learn more →Property in Slovakia
Buying a home to live in or let.
Learn more →FAQ
How do you get a Slovakia residence permit in 2026?
How much does a Slovakia residence permit cost?
How much money do you need for Slovak residence through business?
Can a Russian citizen get a Slovakia residence permit?
When can you get permanent residence in Slovakia?
How long does a Slovak residence application take?
Don’t want to figure this out alone?
We handle the whole process end to end: we check your documents, match a program to your situation and give you honest timelines and costs. Ask your question in the chat: the free consultation starts right here. Legal representation before authorities and courts is handled by Murblz specialists together with locally licensed partners.
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