Foreign-born population – 2024 | 4.1% of the population | Main countries of birth: |
0.2 million, 50% women | Evolution since 2014: +30% | Czechia (46%), United Kingdom (7%), Ukraine (6%) |
International Migration Outlook 2025
In 2024, the Slovak Republic received 21 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status and free mobility), ‑14% compared to 2023. This figure comprises 5% immigrants benefiting from free mobility, 77% labour migrants, 16% family members (including accompanying family) and 0.2% humanitarian migrants. Around 2 800 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 1 400 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants (excluding intra-EU migration). In addition, 34 000 intra-EU postings were recorded in 2023, a ‑43% decrease compared to 2022. These posted workers are generally on short-term contracts.
Ukraine, Hungary and Czechia were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2023. Among the top 15 countries of origin, Ukraine registered the strongest increase (300) and Czechia the largest decrease (‑96) in flows to Slovak Republic compared to the previous year.
In 2024, the number of first asylum applicants decreased by ‑63%, to reach around 100. The majority of applicants came from Ukraine (30), Belarus (15) and Afghanistan (15). The largest increase since 2023 concerned nationals of Belarus (15) and the largest decrease nationals of Türkiye (‑100). Of the 120 decisions taken in 2024, 50% were positive.
Emigration of Slovak citizens to OECD countries decreased by ‑5% in 2023, to 25 000. Approximately 26% of this group migrated to Czechia, 19% to Germany and 17% to Austria.
From July 2024, several changes for labour migrants were introduced. For those with an EU Blue Card, the required wage was reduced to 1.2 times the average wage in the Slovak economy; for persons who completed university studies in the last three years, to the level of the average salary; and the minimum required length of the employment contract was shortened to six months. Managers and specialists in the field of information and communication technologies were able to replace higher education with proof of the acquisition of higher professional skills, and employees in regulated professions will have to present proof of qualification recognition. Blue Card holders for longer than two years may start a business or are allowed to be unemployed for a period of six months. From July 2025, applicants for long-term residence will be required to demonstrate Slovak language proficiency at A2 level; Blue Cards are valid up to five years (vs. four) and holders (after two years) may start a business or be unemployed for up to six months.
The process of obtaining temporary residence for the purpose of employment was streamlined in July 2024. Employer can request to fill the vacant position after 20 working days following the report of a vacancy; the Labour Office will decide within 15 working days; the candidate will have 90 days to submit an application for residence and will be able to start working immediately.
Holders of temporary residence for the purpose of study will not be able to apply to the foreign police to change the purpose of residence if they do not successfully complete their studies.
From July 2024, holders of a Schengen visa for seasonal employment and persons granted temporary refuge are able to apply for residence at the Foreign Police Department. New rules on allowances for those providing accommodation to Ukrainians who qualify for assistance on grounds such as age, vulnerability or material need, were also announced. They include checks on vulnerability and reduce some allowances.
To reduce bureaucracy and enhance efficiency, the immigration system is being digitalised to facilitate online applications for residence permits, renewals, and related services. Employers must still report vacancies and obtain labour-office consent but now apply electronically to the labour office (with the draft contract) and receive a decision in 15 working days. Once consent is granted, the third-country national applies for a temporary residence/work permit; the worker may start work immediately upon submitting the (completed) application, while the police decide within 60 days. Individuals under temporary protection, notably from Ukraine, will receive EU-standard ID cards to improve security and mobility.
Under amendments to the Labour Code in January 2025, a new seasonal work contract (max 520 hours/year) with reduced social contributions was introduced. The scope of seasonal work has been broadened to include all hospitality jobs, including restaurants and hotels and administrative conditions are simplified. These changes facilitate short-term hiring of workers – domestic or foreign – for seasonal sectors.
For further information: www.minv.sk.
