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Business Setup and Support in Slovakia OBTAIN A TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT IN SLOVAKIA

Fedortsov Oleksandr

Senior lawyer

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fedortsov@prikhodko.com.ua

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Lawyer practicing international migration. Specializes in issues of migration law - paperwork on the territory of Ukraine and the countries of the European Union (Romania, Hungary, Spain, Czech Republic).

OBTAIN A TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT IN SLOVAKIA

Slovakia remains one of the most attractive EU countries for the relocation of Ukrainian business and families. Geographic proximity, a clear mentality, and a stable economic zone make this country an ideal platform for starting a new life.

However, the realities of 2025 have brought significant adjustments to migration processes. Changes in Ukrainian legislation regarding military registration and new European Union security requirements demand a professional approach to legalization.

As experts in international migration law, we detail the procedure for obtaining a temporary residence permit in Slovakia (Prechodný pobyt), taking into account current legal nuances.

Why choose a Residence Permit and not “Temporary Protection”?

Many Ukrainians still confuse the status of “Temporary Asylum” (Dočasné útočisko) with a full-fledged residence permit in Slovakia. In 2025, this difference becomes critical. Temporary Protection is a humanitarian but unstable status tied to the decisions of the EU Council on extension.

In contrast, obtaining a Residence Permit in Slovakia (Prechodný pobyt) provides you with long-term advantages:

The right to reside regardless of the military-political situation.
The possibility of counting years of residence towards Permanent Residence (Trvalý pobyt) and citizenship.
Full access to loans and mortgages.
The opportunity to travel freely within the Schengen area countries without the 90-day limitations (which exist with a visa-free regime but are removed with a Residence Permit card).
The right to family reunification.

Grounds for obtaining a Residence Permit in Slovakia

The migration legislation of the Slovak Republic clearly defines the purposes on the basis of which a foreigner can obtain a residence permit.

Business Immigration (Entrepreneurial activity)

This is the most popular route for Ukrainians. You can register as a private entrepreneur (Živnostník) or become the director of your own company (LLC/S.r.o.).

Advantages: A loyal tax system. For private entrepreneurs (Živnost), there is an option to pay fixed taxes or use flat-rate expenses (60%), which significantly reduces the tax burden.
2025 Requirements: It is necessary to provide a business plan or confirmation of the economic justification for the activity.

Employment

A Residence Permit through employment is issued based on a contract with an employer. The Slovak labor market is experiencing a shortage of qualified personnel, especially in the fields of IT, construction, and medicine (doctors and nurses).

Nuance: The employer must first declare the vacancy to the Labor Office, and only if no candidate is found among Slovaks within 20-30 days can they hire a foreigner.

Study and Special Activity

Students of Slovak universities receive a Residence Permit for the duration of their studies. This category also includes athletes, lecturers, and volunteers.

Family Reunification

If one spouse already has a residence permit in Slovakia, they can apply for reunification for their wife/husband and minor children. This is the fastest way to legalize family members of a business migrant.

The Impact of Changes in Ukrainian Legislation 2025 on Obtaining a Residence Permit

We cannot ignore the fact that the legalization procedure for men of conscription age (18-60 years) has become more complicated due to changes in the mobilization legislation of Ukraine.

Validity of international passports. For a Residence Permit application, the passport must be valid. Obtaining a new passport at foreign branches of the State Enterprise “Document” or consulates is now only possible with up-to-date military registration documents (updated data via the application or the presence of a paper-based military registration document).
Legalization of documents (Apostille). For a Residence Permit, Slovakia requires a certificate of no criminal record from Ukraine with an apostille. It can be ordered remotely, but the production time in 2025 may be increased due to the load on the Ministry of Internal Affairs services.
Border Crossing. If you are in Ukraine, remember: having an open Residence Permit (pobyt card) of another country is not an unconditional basis for men to travel abroad during martial law, if they do not fall under the categories of exceptions (those with many children, persons with disabilities, drivers of the “Shlyakh” system, etc.).

Therefore, the relocation strategy should be developed individually with a lawyer, considering your current location and the availability of documents.

Stages of obtaining a Residence Permit in Slovakia: Step-by-Step Instruction

The process of obtaining a pobyt card (Povolenie na pobyt) requires meticulousness. An error in a single certificate can lead to rejection.

Step 1: Preparation of the document package

You will need:

A valid international passport.
A certificate of no criminal record from Ukraine (apostilled) and from Slovakia.
A document confirming the purpose of stay (certificate of private entrepreneur registration, employment contract, university certificate).
Proof of Accommodation (Čestné vyhlásenie). Official registration in Slovakia is mandatory. This can be a lease agreement or a notarized consent from the property owner.
Financial Provision. In 2025, the amounts have changed due to the increase in the living minimum (Životné minimum). For a business Residence Permit, the personal account should have an amount of about 3500-4000 euros (the amount is indexed), and for the entrepreneurial account – about 5500 euros.

Step 2: Submission of the application to the Foreign Police

The appointment is made through an online system, which is often overloaded. The submission of documents takes place in person. They will take your biometric data (fingerprints and photo).

Step 3: Awaiting the decision and paying the fee

The official term for considering the application is up to 90 days (for study – 30 days). The administrative fee for considering the application depends on the type of Residence Permit (for example, for business it is about 230-250 euros).

Step 4: Medical examination

After receiving a positive decision, you are obliged to undergo a medical examination within 30 days for the absence of exotic diseases (Medical control). The results must be submitted to the police.

Step 5: Obtaining the ID card

The final stage is obtaining a plastic card, which is your main document in Europe.

It will also be useful: Residence permit in Slovakia for students

Important nuances of business immigration in 2025

Residence Permit Slovakia price and taxes are what interest entrepreneurs the most. If your annual income does not exceed 49,790 euros, you can claim the status of a taxpayer with a rate of 15%.

If the income is higher – the income tax rate may increase. It is also important to remember about social and medical contributions (Zdravotka and Socialka). In the first year of entrepreneurship, social contributions are often not paid, which makes Slovakia a “tax haven” for starting out.

Why contact professionals?

Independent obtaining a Residence Permit in Slovakia is associated with risks: incorrect translation of documents by a judicial translator, lack of free slots at the police, errors in filling out applications in Slovak.

Our company provides full “turnkey” support:

Analysis of your situation. Document verification taking into account Ukrainian and European legislation.
Business registration. Opening a Živnosť (private entrepreneur) or LLC in 2-3 days.
Police escort. We help reserve the date and accompany you during the submission, acting as translators and legal representatives.
Solving complex issues. Assistance with registration, apostille, and translations.

We guarantee transparency of the process and compliance of all actions with the current legislation of Slovakia and Ukraine. Get legal status in Europe without stress and bureaucratic hassle.

Time to act!

Do not put off your safe future. Migration rules are getting stricter every month. Ensure stability for yourself and your family in the heart of Europe today.

Do you still have questions about the Residence Permit in Slovakia? Sign up for a consultation with our migration lawyer. We will develop a personalized “roadmap” for your relocation.

How long does company registration take?

Registration as a sole proprietor (živnosť) usually takes up to 4 business days. Registration of a full limited liability company (s.r.o.) takes 7–10 days from the date all required powers of attorney are signed.

Can I open a company remotely without travelling to Slovakia?

Yes, the registration of a company or sole proprietorship can be completed entirely remotely on the basis of a notarised power of attorney. However, your personal visit will be required to submit biometric data for a residence permit to the immigration police, as well as for final identification at certain Slovak banks.

What taxes will I pay as a small business?

In 2026, legal entities with annual income of up to EUR 100,000 are subject to a reduced corporate income tax rate of 10%. If you operate as a sole proprietor, the system allows the deduction of so-called “flat-rate expenses” (a fixed percentage of expenses without supporting documents), which makes the tax burden minimal.

When is a company required to register for VAT?

Mandatory VAT registration arises if your company’s turnover in Slovakia over the last 12 months exceeds the threshold of EUR 50,000. It is also possible to register for VAT voluntarily at the launch stage if this is necessary for working with your European counterparties.

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