1. When are Union citizens obliged to register their residence?
Union citizens staying on the territory of the Slovak Republic for a period of up to 3 months from the date of entry into the territory of the Slovak Republic without residence registration are only obliged to notify the local competent Foreign Police Department of the start of their stay within 10 working days from the date of entry into Slovakia; the form template is available at the website of the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic.
If the stay on the territory of the Slovak Republic exceeds 3 months, Union citizens are obliged to register their residence in person at the local competent Foreign Police Department of the Police Force; residence registration is free of charge; deadline for registration: within 30 days from the expiry of the 3-month period from entry into the territory of the Slovak Republic.
2. When do Union citizens obtain the right to permanent residence?
Permanent residence of a Union citizen – after 5 years of lawful and continuous stay, the right to permanent residence for a Union citizen shall arise automatically. In specific cases, a Union citizen shall acquire the right to permanent residence sooner than after 5 years of continuous stay. In connection with acquiring the right to permanent residence, Union citizens shall apply for a residence card with a validity of 10 years, called the ‘Residence Card of EU Citizen’, or have it changed, if they already hold such a residence card.
3. When is it required to register residence of Union citizens’ family members?
If their stay on the territory of the Slovak Republic does not exceed 3 months from the date of entry into the territory of the Slovak Republic without residence registration, on condition that they accompany or join a Union citizen on the territory of the Slovak Republic – the obligation to provide documentary evidence of a family relationship with a Union citizen. Obligation to notify the start of the stay at the local competent Foreign Police Department of the Police Force within 10 working days from entry into the territory of the Slovak Republic; form template is available at the website of the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic.
If staying on the territory of the Slovak Republic for more than 3 months, family members of Union citizens have the right to stay on the territory, provided they are accompanying or joining a sponsor (Union citizen) who is their family member. A family member of a Union citizen is obliged to apply for a residence document at the local competent Foreign Police Department of the Police Force within 30 days from the expiry of the 3-month period from entry into the territory of the Slovak Republic.
4. When do Union citizens’ family members obtain the right to permanent residence?
Permanent residence of family members of Union citizens – after 5 years of lawful continuous stay together with a Union citizen as the sponsor of the stay. In connection with acquiring the right to permanent residence, family members of Union citizens are required to apply for a residence document called a ‘Residence Card of an EU Citizen Family Member ’ with a 10-year validity (at the latest on the last day of validity of the previous residence document).
5. What documents are required to register residence?
6. Which office should be contacted?
The contact details of Foreign Police Departments of the Police Force are available at the website of the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic.
7. What sanctions are applicable for non-compliance with obligations?
- Fine for administrative offence: violation of obligations set out in Act No 404/2011 on Residence of Foreigners, as amended – up to EUR 300, reduced fine when paid on the spot – up to EUR 165.
- Administrative expulsion: when posing a threat to national security, public order and public health.
8. Frequently asked questions and answers
Frequently asked questions and answers are available directly at the website of the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic.