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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...

To register a vehicle in Slovakia under a new owner, the following documents are required: passport or residence permit card confirming identity; both vehicle registration certificates; notarized power of attorney, if the owner or buyer cannot appear in person; purchase agreement or deed of gift; compulsory liability insurance policy issued in the name of the new owner; proof of payment of the administrative fee for re-registration. The transfer of ownership must be completed within 30 days after signing the contract. By law, the registration fee ...

In Slovakia, consumer rights protection is regulated by Act No. 250/2007 Z. z., the Civil Code, and additional regulations. Last year, amendments were adopted to strengthen buyers’ rights. If a product turns out to be of poor quality, the customer has the right to file a complaint. A consumer is entitled to request a resolution if: a manufacturing defect is discovered; the product does not meet the declared specifications; damage occurs that is not the fault of the buyer. A complaint must be submitted in writing. This can be done by filling...

The processing time for a residence permit application in Slovakia varies depending on the basis for submission and the place where the documents are filed. Legally established timeframes: up to 90 days — the standard maximum processing period; up to 60 days — for residence permit applications based on employment, if confirmation from the Ministry of Labor is provided; up to 30 days — if the basis for submission is related to studies, obtaining a Blue Card, performing specific activities, etc. If the documents are submitted outside the ...

Obtaining a driver’s license in Slovakia is a structured and clear process, but it has its own specifics. The minimum age to start training for a category B license (passenger cars) is 17, while the exam can be taken from the age of 17.5. The training is divided into theoretical and practical parts. Theory covers traffic rules, road signs, basics of safety, and eco-driving. It usually takes around 120 hours and includes lectures, multimedia tests, and analysis of accident situations. Practice consists of at least 30–40 hours of driving. Lessons take place both on a tra...

According to the Slovak Labor Code, employees are entitled to a mandatory break for rest and meals, which lasts at least 30 minutes and must be taken after four hours of work. This break is not included in paid working time. Refusing the break is not allowed by law, even if the employer agrees, as it may violate labor standards and company regulations. The break is essential for restoring energy and maintaining employee health. The working day can only be shortened in agreement with the employer by using flexible schedules, shift work, or individual arrangements. Any changes ...

According to the Civil Code of Slovakia, everyone is obliged to exercise caution to avoid causing harm. However, for accidental damage to goods in a store, the store itself is responsible unless the customer’s fault is proven. The customer is not required to pay for damaged goods if, for example: they slipped on a wet floor without warning signs; dropped an item because the aisles between shelves were too narrow; stumbled over obstacles created by store staff; the item was placed unstably on a shelf. The customer must pay for the damage if they were intoxicated, behaved negl...

The Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic has officially presented new mobile applications that allow storing and using documents on a smartphone. Mobile eID is a modern way of digital identity verification via a mobile device. Once activated, the service enables access to the government portal slovensko.sk, as well as the signing of official documents using a smartphone or computer with biometric authentication technologies such as facial recognition, fingerprints, or a secure PIN code. E-DOKLADY is a separate mobile application developed for creating and storing digita...

Citizens of third countries have the right to obtain a temporary residence permit in Slovakia for the purpose of studies if they meet one of the following criteria: they are enrolled in full-time secondary school education and are under 20 years old on the date of application; they are undergoing qualification, vocational, or specialized training and are under 23 years old; they are university students studying directly in Slovakia; they are participating in language or preparatory courses for university admission, provided that such preparation is organiz...

According to the Slovak Labour Code, all employees are entitled to at least 4 weeks of paid vacation per year (5 weeks for those aged 33 and above). The right to the full annual leave is granted after one year of employment; before that, an employee may take leave proportionate to the time worked. Minors, pregnant women, and parents of young children are entitled to special conditions. Vacation can be split into parts, but one of them must last at least 2 consecutive weeks unless otherwise agreed by the employee and employer. Vacation pay is provided before the start of the leave. Unus...

The payment of fees at the Slovak Immigration Police is carried out through the purchase of an eKolok. There are several ways to obtain an eKolok — you can choose the one that’s most convenient for you: At the Immigration Police office — directly on-site via a special terminal. Payment can be made in cash or by bank card. The receipt is valid for 30 days from the date of payment. Online via the official website — select the required service, pay by bank card, and print out the ready eKolok. Validity period — one ...

For many people, it’s common to open a bottle of water or snack bar before reaching the checkout, but in Slovakia, this can lead to unpleasant consequences. Until the moment of purchase, the product remains the property of the store, and using it without permission is considered illegal. If the item is not paid for, it is treated as theft. Damages up to €700 can result in an administrative fine, while anything above that amount leads to criminal liability. Some supermarkets may tolerate this practice, but it’s always better to ask staff first. Opening packaging before payin...