AMENDMENT TO THE ACT ON THE RESIDENCE OF FOREIGNERS EFFECTIVE FROM JULY 1, 2025

#150The Court of Justice clarifies the conditions under which a tax exemption may be prohibited under EU law.

The amendment to the Act on the Residence of Foreigners, effective from July 1, 2025, introduces several key changes. Business residence permits will only be available through Slovak embassies abroad, with the number of applications limited to 700 per year. Applicants must submit a business plan and proof of financial means across two separate bank accounts. Read more in the post.

The National Council of the Slovak Republic has approved changes to the Act on the Residence of Foreigners, introducing the following modifications:

Temporary Residence for Business Purposes

1. Application Submission: As of July 1, 2025, applications for temporary residence for business purposes can no longer be submitted at the Foreigners’ Police Department. Applications must be submitted exclusively at Slovak diplomatic missions.
2. Quotas: The number of applications is limited to 700 for the year 2025, as set by government regulation, with allocations specified for each diplomatic mission.
3. Requirements: Applications must include a business plan (template available on the website of the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic) and a document proving the feasibility and sustainability of the business activity or a business plan for implementing an innovative project.
4. Financial Security: Applicants must demonstrate financial security for both residence and business activities by providing statements of balance from two separate bank accounts.
5. Duration: Temporary residence for business purposes is granted for 3 years.

Change of Residence Purpose

1. Business Purposes: A request to change the purpose of temporary residence to business can be submitted at the Foreigners’ Police Department only after 24 months from the granting of the original residence permit.
2. Study Purposes: Changing the purpose of a study-based residence to another purpose is permitted only after successful completion of studies, i.e., passing the final examination at a secondary school in Slovakia or obtaining a university degree (1st, 2nd, or 3rd level) in Slovakia or abroad.

National Visa

1. Extended Validity: The validity of a national visa required for submitting a residence application is extended from 90 to 120 days.

Required Documents

1. Changes in Requirements: When applying for residence, it is no longer necessary to submit a photograph or proof of financial security (except in specific cases).
2. Exceptions: Proof of bank account balance is still required for:
1. Applications for temporary residence for business purposes,
2. Applications for long-term residence,
3. Birth of a child in the territory of Slovakia or the EU,
4. Verification of an invitation.