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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...

If a student with a residence permit (residence for study purposes) in Slovakia meets certain conditions, they may be exempt from paying for health insurance themselves — the state can cover the cost. This is possible if the following requirements are fulfilled: the student holds a temporary residence permit for study and is enrolled in full-time education; they are under the age of 26; they reside in Slovakia with a parent who already has health insurance in the country; the student is financially dependent on that parent. To apply for state-co...

A residence permit for the purpose of special activity in Slovakia is a type of permission granted to foreign nationals who are undertaking specific or unique tasks that do not fall under the standard categories such as employment, study, or business. This type of residence permit may be issued if the applicant's activity is of significant importance to the state or meets certain criteria established by Slovak legislation. Examples of such "special" purposes may include: scientific or research activities; cultural projects; work in international...

The validity of a Slovak driving license depends on the vehicle category and the age of the license holder: For categories AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B, BE, and T, the license is valid for 15 years or until the driver reaches the age of 65. If the applicant is over 63, the license is issued for 5 years from the date of the medical examination. For professional categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, and DE, the license is valid for 5 years after undergoing medical and psychological evaluations. Slovak driving licenses are recognized in all countries of the European Economic A...

As part of the Integrated Transport System of the Bratislava Region, a 50% fare discount is available to the following categories of passengers: children and teenagers aged 6 to 17 — a photo ID is required to verify age, if necessary; school pupils — must present a school ID with an activated transport function, an ISIC card, or a valid travel pass; full-time university students up to 26 years old — need a university card with transport functionality, an ISIC card, or a valid student travel pass; students and school pupils studying full-t...

If you decide to terminate your employment in Slovakia, it’s important to be aware of the notice period. It begins on the 1st day of the month following the submission of your resignation letter. The notice period is 1 month if you’ve worked at the company for less than a year, or 2 months if you’ve been employed for a year or longer. To properly resign, you must submit a written resignation letter to your employer and obtain confirmation that it has been received.   You can leave earlier, but only with your employer’s agreement. In this case, ...

Many people believe that court is a universal solution for resolving any dispute. However, in practice, there are situations in which filing a lawsuit in Slovakia is either impossible or simply meaningless. Let’s look at the most common scenarios: The statute of limitations has expired. In most cases, the time limit for filing a lawsuit is three years. If this period has passed without a valid reason, the court has the right to reject the case. Lack of evidence. The court relies solely on verified facts: documents, witness testimonies, audio and video recording...

 There are specific regulations and restrictions in Slovakia regarding the installation of air conditioners. These requirements aim to preserve the exterior appearance of buildings, reduce noise levels, and ensure comfortable living conditions for all residents. In apartment buildings, installing an air conditioner—especially its outdoor unit—typically requires approval from the building management or neighbors. For buildings with historical value, placing air conditioning units may be strictly limited or even completely prohibited. The system must operate quietly so a...

Starting from July 1, 2025, a new subsistence minimum will come into effect in Slovakia — it will be set at €284.13. This update will lead to adjustments in immigration requirements, especially regarding the acquisition of a residence permit (residence card) based on business activity. For example, the minimum personal bank account balance required for applicants will be at least €3,450, while the business account must hold at least €5,700. In addition, the minimum net profit that must be reflected in the tax return for the previous year will also change from ...

A loan agreement in Slovakia is a contract whereby the lender provides the borrower with money or property, which must be returned in the future. To avoid disputes, it is important to clearly understand the rights and obligations of both parties. The lender is obligated to transfer the loan amount and comply with the terms of the agreement. The borrower must repay the loan amount, pay interest (if stipulated in the agreement), and use the funds as intended (if specified in the document). The lender has the right to demand repayment within the agreed timeframe and to receive inter...

According to the Slovak Labour Code, every employee must have a written employment contract signed before starting work duties. However, in practice, there are situations where an employer hires an employee without officially formalizing the employment. In such cases, the employment relationship is still considered valid, and the employee retains their rights even if no contract was signed. If an employee starts working without a signed agreement, it constitutes a violation on the part of the employer but does not deprive the employee of their entitled rights: receiving wag...

When renting accommodation in Slovakia, it is important to understand the main rights and obligations of both the tenant and the landlord. Below are key provisions that are commonly included in a rental agreement: The tenant is responsible for minor repairs, while major repairs are paid for by the landlord. Utility costs, such as water, electricity, and heating, are usually covered by the tenant, while the property tax is paid by the landlord. To allow new residents to stay permanently, the tenant must obtain the landlord's permission, except in the case of t...

If you reside in Slovakia and have received a new foreign passport, it is important to notify the Foreign Police in a timely manner. This procedure is mandatory and helps avoid issues with your documents and legal stay in the country. You must report the passport change within 5 working days from the date of receiving the new document. You can notify the police in one of the following ways: in person – visit the police department at your registered address; online – use the electronic service on the website of the Ministry of the Interior of Slovakia; ...