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If you are in Slovakia and face an emergency situation, it is important to know how to quickly call for medical assistance. The main ambulance number is 155. This is a direct number for calling emergency medical services throughout Slovakia. You can also call the pan-European emergency number 112, which is available even with foreign SIM cards and works in all EU countries. To ensure that help arrives as quickly as possible, when speaking with the dispatcher you should: state the address or exact location (city, street, house number, landmarks, GPS location); briefly...

In business relations in Slovakia, the parties are generally free to agree on payment deadlines. However, there are statutory limits that must be taken into account. Standard payment deadline. According to the Commercial Code, an invoice must be paid no later than 60 days from the date of receipt of the invoice or the payment request, or from the moment the creditor fulfills their obligation — whichever occurs later. The payment period may exceed 60 days if it is agreed by both parties, provided that such an extension does not disrupt the balance of interests and is not cons...

Starting January 1, 2026, restrictions on cash payments in Slovakia will be reinstated and tightened as part of efforts to combat the shadow economy and tax evasion. The maximum amount for cash transactions between entrepreneurs, as well as between an entrepreneur and a consumer, will be limited to €5,000. For transactions between private individuals, the limit will remain €15,000. Previously, due to the state of emergency, these limits were effectively suspended. However, from the beginning of the new year they will fully come back into force, with exceptions allowed only in...

Permanent residence for an unlimited period is granted to foreign nationals who meet specific requirements under Slovak law. This status provides a high level of stability and grants rights similar to those of Slovak citizens (except for voting rights and access to certain public offices). Permanent residence for an unlimited period may be obtained in the following cases: After 4 years of residence with a 5-year permanent residence permit. If a foreign national already holds a 5-year permanent residence permit and has lived in this status for at least four years, they may ap...

Slovakia has a strict zero-tolerance policy on drinking and driving — the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.0%. Even the smallest amount of alcohol in your system can result in fines and more serious consequences. What penalties apply? Fines start from €200 and up. In serious cases, penalties may include license suspension or imprisonment. If a road accident occurs while driving under the influence, criminal liability is possible. Even a single glass of beer or wine is considered a violation. Cyclists on public roads are also required to comply with the zero-alcohol limit....

The extension of a residence permit in Slovakia is handled by the Migration Police. The application must be submitted exclusively to the office responsible for the district of your official residence registration. Please note: even if another branch is geographically closer or more convenient, submitting documents there will result in the application being rejected. To determine which office is responsible for your address, visit the official website of the Slovak Ministry of the Interior (minv.sk), where you can find a list of all Migration Police departments (cudzinecká pol&ia...

Everything stays on the internet — including details that may become an unwanted part of your digital history. If you need to delete compromising or unnecessary information, you can use the “right to be forgotten,” which is protected under European legislation. Who owns the data? If information about you has been published without your consent, you have the right to request its removal. This applies to photos, videos, posts, and other materials. How to submit a request? Contact the owner of the website and ask them to remove the data. Your request should...

Starting January 1, 2026, the rules for sick leave payments in Slovakia will change. The newly adopted amendments extend the period during which an employer is required to compensate an employee for lost income — from the current 10 days to 14 days of temporary incapacity for work. Only from the 15th day of illness will the sickness benefit be paid by the Social Insurance Agency, provided that all legal requirements are met. This change is part of the budget consolidation package approved by the parliament. If an employment contract is terminated during sick leave, the main ...

Online shopping is convenient, but sometimes an unpleasant situation occurs — the product turns out to be defective, and the seller is in no hurry to replace it. What rights do customers in Slovakia have, and how can they ensure a fair resolution? According to the Slovak Consumer Protection Act, if a product has a defect, the customer has the right to request: an exchange for an identical, non-defective product; a free repair; a refund if replacement or repair is not possible. These rules apply both to purchases in physical stores and orders from online ...

A child born in Slovakia does not automatically receive a residence permit. Parents must submit the necessary documents to the Migration Police to obtain a residence permit for their newborn. The type of residence permit issued to the child depends on the parents’ status: If both parents have temporary residence — the child can receive a temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunification. If one or both parents hold long-term residence — the newborn is also granted temporary residence for family reunification. ...

The National Council of Slovakia has adopted an important decision that will significantly simplify business operations for thousands of entrepreneurs. Starting from 2026, a new law comes into force abolishing the transaction tax on financial operations for self-employed individuals (SZČO). This change applies not only to individual entrepreneurs but also to freelancers, artists, athletes, and other professionals conducting business under independent registration. Beginning January 1, 2026, these taxpayers will be exempt from paying transaction tax. This means that any transfers, ...

Starting December 1, 2025, Slovakia will introduce new, higher meal allowance rates for all employees working under an employment contract. This change aims to support workers amid rising prices and ensure proper conditions for meals during the workday. Updated allowance rates will be: €9.30 — for working hours between 5 and 12 hours; €13.90 — for working hours between 12 and 18 hours; €20.60 — for working hours exceeding 18 hours. The increased meal allowances will start being paid together with the October salary. As be...

In recent years, the topic of work-life balance has become one of the most discussed across Europe — and Slovakia is no exception. One of the key questions in this context is whether employees are obliged to answer work-related calls beyond their official working hours. The Labour Code of the Slovak Republic guarantees every employee the right to rest and personal time. The employer must respect the worker’s private time unless otherwise stated in the employment contract or a specific agreement. Exceptions include: when the employee is officially on duty and mu...

According to Slovak legislation, a temporary residence permit for the purpose of employment is issued for the period corresponding to the duration of the employment contract, but for no longer than 5 years. If the employment contract is valid for a shorter period, the residence permit will be issued for that same duration. In the case of an open-ended (permanent) employment contract, the maximum validity of the residence permit is determined based on confirmation from the Labour Office. When submitting your application, it is crucial to accurately indicate the intended duration of...

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is a free document that confirms your right to receive medical care in EU countries, as well as in Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, during holidays or short trips. Foreign nationals who are not EU citizens but legally reside in the EU and are insured under a national health system can also apply for this card. However, they cannot use it for treatment in Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, or Liechtenstein. The card guarantees access to emergency and necessary medical care under the same conditions as local residents. Fo...