If an EU/EEA/Swiss national intends to stay in Slovakia for less than 3 months, he/she is only obliged to report the residence, i.e. to submit the “Notice of the stay” to a respective Foreign Police department within 10 working days from the day of his/her arrival in Slovakia. This is usually made by the accommodation provider if the person stays in an accommodation facility, i.e. hotel, hostel or dormitory. If accommodated in private accommodation (e.g. in a private rented flat or at a friend’s place), the EU/EEA/Swiss national is obliged to submit the notice of stay to a respective Foreign Police department. It can be done either in person or sent as a registered letter via regular postal service.

If an EU/EEA/Swiss national intends to stay in Slovakia for longer than 3 months, he/she is first obliged to report the residence, i.e. to submit the “Notice of the stay” to a respective Foreign Police department within 10 days from the day of his/her arrival in Slovakia (as mentioned in the previous paragraph). After that, he/she can stay in Slovakia without any further obligations for up to 3 months from the entry on the territory of the Slovak Republic. Once this period of 3 months is over, the EU/EEA/Swiss national is obliged to apply in person for the registration of residence in the Slovak Republic within the next 30 days.

What do you need to report the residence?

If you are staying in private accommodation you are obliged to submit the following documents:

• completed form “Notice of the stay” (available in 7 languages; it must be completed in the Slovak language; the forms are also available at local Foreign Police departments),
• valid ID/passport.

What do you need for the Registration of Residence of an EU/EEA/Swiss Nationals?

Come in person to a respective Foreign Police department during the office hours and present the following:

• completed form “Application for registration of the right of residence of Union citizen” (select the document called “Žiadosť o obnovenie prechodného pobytu, …, o registráciu práva občana Únie, …”; please note that it must be completed in Slovak);
• valid ID/passport;
• document proving the purpose of your stay in Slovakia or sufficient financial resources.

The confirmation of registration of the residence is issued immediately upon the submission of a complete application. If you wish to obtain an EU national residence card, you are also required to submit the following:

• 2 recent photographs 3 × 3.5 cm;
• proof of accommodation (e.g. confirmation from the accommodation facility or a lease agreement or an affidavit of the owner of the apartment, the document must be in Slovak and the signatures on agreement/affidavit must be notarized).

Fee: 4.50  € for issuing the EU national residence card.

When applying for registration of the right of residence of Union citizen it is possible to request for accelerated issuance of the residence card (within 2 working days). The service fee is €24,90.

Although the Act on the Residence of Foreigners gives you only a possibility (does not impose an obligation) to apply for the EU national residence card, you should know that this document makes a foreigner’s life significantly easier, especially when dealing with authorities – banks, insurance companies, etc.