How can foreigners obtain a residence permit in Slovakia?

The author of this information is Oleg Kazankov, who holds the position of owner and director of the company rusky sk s.r.o. If you are interested in the process of obtaining a residence permit in Slovakia, it is important to understand that simply purchasing real estate is not sufficient grounds for its issuance. One way to legalize your stay in the country is to engage in entrepreneurial activities, which requires the establishment of a limited liability company (LLC) or registration as a sole trader. Additionally, it is possible to acquire an already operating business. It is also essential to have a place of residence, which can be either owned or rented.

The process of applying for a residence permit

Citizens of the Russian Federation, CIS countries, and other regions that require a visa can apply for a residence permit at the Consulate General of Slovakia in their place of residence or, while in the country, at the foreign police departments (cudzinecká polícia). However, it is important to note that in the second case, this is only possible if the foreigner entered Slovakia on a national visa type D, marked "for submitting documents for a residence permit," and not on a standard visa type C. To obtain such a visa, it is necessary to provide the Consulate General with a complete set of documents, which will be thoroughly checked.

Recommendations for obtaining a visa

It is recommended to consider obtaining a type D visa and submitting documents for a residence permit directly in Slovakia. This is because one of the mandatory conditions for obtaining a residence permit based on business is the presence of a detailed business plan. When applying to the Consulate General, compliance with this condition is essential. Additionally, the business plan is sent for review to the Ministry of Economy of Slovakia. Often, the ministry rejects the business plan, citing its non-compliance with the interests of the country's economy. It is impossible to contest such a decision while outside Slovakia, whereas it can be done when in the country and submitting documents to the police.

Preparation of a business plan

To successfully advance at this stage, a more convincing business plan should be provided. Usually, the police do not require it if all the documents for obtaining a residence permit are properly prepared, if the company or individual entrepreneur is registered, and if the applicant has acquired or rented a place to live.

Consideration of applications

It is important to understand that all applications for residence permits are processed in Slovakia, and the final decision is made at the level of local police departments for foreign affairs in the area where you intend to live. Each application is reviewed within three months from the date of submission.

Necessary documents

Now let's take a look at the list of documents that may be required for applying for a residence permit in Slovakia:

• A completed application in the established format of the Ministry of Interior of Slovakia in Slovak language.
• A valid foreign passport, which is a mandatory requirement.
• Additional information confirming your financial capability.
• Documents related to your place of employment.
• Documents confirming the place of residence.

It is important to pay attention to preparing all the necessary documents to meet the requirements and ensure a successful application submission.

Documents for obtaining a residence permit in Slovakia

To successfully apply for a residence permit in Slovakia, the applicant must gather a number of documents that must meet the established requirements. The first step will be to provide two color photographs of standard size 3 by 3.5 centimeters. This is a mandatory requirement needed to confirm the applicant's identity.

Certificate of absence of criminal record

The next important document that needs to be prepared is a certificate of no criminal record. This document is issued by the local department of internal affairs at the applicant's place of residence and must have legal validity. To achieve this, it needs to be certified with an apostille or go through the process of super-legalization at the Slovak consulate in the applicant's country of residence. Furthermore, a certificate of no criminal record will also be required from the country where the applicant has been for the last three years. This condition applies to those who have spent more than 90 days in that country in the last six months.

Confirmation of financial capability

Additionally, a bank statement confirming the applicant's financial stability will be required. This document should reflect the balance in the personal account. To determine the minimum amount necessary for living, the subsistence minimum is used, which for 2019 is 205.07 euros per month.

Documents for entrepreneurs

If the applicant is an entrepreneur, they will need to ensure the availability of:

• certificate of individual entrepreneurship registration;
• business plan if he intends to create a limited liability company (LLC);
• extracts from the register of trade or business organizations.

To confirm financial capabilities in business, it is important to provide a statement from the business account, with the amount being at least 4,102 euros for individual entrepreneurs and 20,507 euros for founders of LLCs.

Confirmation of housing availability

In addition, it is necessary to have a document confirming the availability of housing in Slovakia. This can be a cadastral extract from the land registry, issued in the name of the applicant. If the applicant plans to temporarily stay with relatives or friends, they need to obtain the property owner's consent, allowing them to reside at the specified address. The mentioned address will be recorded in the residence permit. It will also be helpful to provide proof of the Slovak citizen's ownership rights.

State duty

It is necessary to pay a state fee of 232 euros.Additionally, there is a fee of 132.5 euros for each family member over 18 years old. There is no fee for children under 18. Furthermore, one should also consider the additional costs for obtaining the identification card. For example, expedited processing can cost 24.5 euros and take two working days, while the standard processing will take significantly longer—up to a month—but will only cost 4.5 euros.

Documents for family members

In the case of applying for a residence permit for family members, additional documents will need to be gathered.

• a marriage certificate, certified with an apostille;
• birth certificates of children, also with an apostille;
• A statement from the main applicant in which they undertake the obligation to provide accommodation for all family members in Slovakia.

Starting a business

When it comes to starting a business or becoming a sole proprietor, it can be helpful to bring in a business partner or consult specialized agencies. According to Slovak law, the director of a company or the representative of a sole proprietor can be either a citizen of Slovakia or a foreign national with a residence permit. This is due to the need to appoint a person responsible for conducting business who officially and legally resides in the country.

Responsibility of the founder and director of a business

The founder of the company is not held criminally liable for the actions of the business. His responsibilities are limited to establishing the company, distributing the profits, and the liquidation process. The director is responsible for the firm's activities, and in the case of individual entrepreneurship, all obligations fall on the trusted person.

In cases where there are suspicions of tax violations committed by the owner of a limited liability company, the authorized representative may sometimes be held liable instead of the founder themselves. In practice, such cases are extremely rare, as individuals in managerial positions are only responsible for the company's activities for three months after the founder obtains a residence permit.

The cost of representation services varies from€500 to €2000.

Overcoming challenges when starting a business

In such circumstances, certain difficulties can indeed arise. However, if one approaches the issue with all seriousness, these challenges will prove to be solvable.

Requirements for the company's current account

According to established regulations, to open a business bank account for a legal entity in Slovakia, it is necessary to have an amount equal to 100 times the subsistence minimum, which currently amounts to €20,507. Experienced entrepreneurs recommend dividing this amount into two parts: €5,000 should be presented as share capital, while the remaining €15,507 is provided by the founder as an interest-free loan intended to support the company in its early stages.

The founder can return this loan to their account immediately after obtaining a residence permit. It is important to note that it is recommended to keep the funds in the account for three months, as during this period local law enforcement agencies conduct a verification of the applicant's documents.

Some wish to withdraw funds immediately after receiving documents from financial institutions in order to then purchase or rent housing. However, it is important to keep in mind that the law allows the police to check the financial status of a foreigner, and such checks are carried out only in special cases where there are doubts about the authenticity of the provided documents.

Renting or buying a home?

Now let's ask ourselves the question of what is more advantageous for a foreigner — renting or buying property? Undoubtedly, buying real estate is considered the more preferable option. Slovak authorities view the purchase of housing as an investment in the country's economy.

Foreigners who own property and are not citizens of European Union countries are exempt from the mandatory interview with the police when renewing their residence permit, provided they can confirm that their business genuinely contributes to the development of the Slovak economy.

Interview for tenants

On the other hand, housing tenants are required to undergo an interview with local police representatives. To complete this procedure, it is necessary to bring all the required documents, such as:

• contracts with local organizations;
• invoices confirming the conduct of real economic activity.

The police are conducting an analysis to verify that the company is operational and not a shell scheme contributing to the country's economic indicators, which in turn raises hopes for a successful extension of the residence permit.

Real estate prices in Slovakia

When it comes to the real estate market, the highest price levels are found in the capital of Slovakia, Bratislava, where prices are largely comparable to those in Moscow or St. Petersburg. However, in the outskirts of the capital, you can find small one- and two-room apartments that cost around €50,000.

For example, a unique property is up for sale in Bratislava — an apartment building with an area of 942 m², priced at €3.5 million. This building is fully rented out, with a net yield of 3.5%. The property was built in 2014 and underwent certification after renovations in 2019, making it practically new.

The complex includes alarm and air conditioning systems, which provide a high level of comfort and safety for the residents.

The costs of obtaining a residence permit in Slovakia can vary significantly depending on numerous factors. These expenses should be taken into account before starting the application process. The material presented below lists the main items of expenditure that may arise during the process of obtaining a residence permit.

Main expenses for registration

First of all, it is important to note that the amount needed to start a business or obtain a mortgage ranges from €800 to €1000. These amounts depend on the registration of a legal address for one year, both for individual entrepreneurs and for limited liability companies, which can cost between €100 and €350.

Expenses for translation and notary services

The next important aspect of the documentation process is the costs associated with translating the necessary documents. For example:

• The translation of the criminal record certificate and its apostille by an accredited translator will cost approximately €40.
• Translations of documents confirming marital status, such as marriage certificates and birth certificates, also cost around €40 each.
• Notary services for document certification will cost approximately €50.

If you need the services of a representative, the cost of such services can range from €500 to €2000, depending on the complexity of the work and the volume of documents.

Medical examination and insurance

The obligation to undergo a medical examination in this process cannot be ignored either; its cost is approximately €200. After moving, it is necessary to arrange...medical insurance for foreignersThe amount for the year is approximately €300.

It is important to note that the medical examination and insurance registration must be completed within three days of entering the country. These requirements must be followed to avoid potential issues with the immigration services.

Extension of residence permit

Once the residence permit has been obtained and the foreigner plans to stay in the country for an extended period, they need to think ahead about its renewal. The owner of the LLC and their family members must submit the documents for renewal at least a month before the current residence permit expires. The duration of the new residence permit will be determined based on the income earned during the first year of stay in Slovakia and can range from one to three years.

According to the established rules, to extend the residence permit for one year, the owner of a limited liability company must have a net profit of at least60 times the minimum subsistence levelwhich today amounts to approximately €12,304.2. The corporate tax rate for such companies is 21%.

Examples of extension calculations

To better understand the renewal process, we can look at a few examples:

• With an annual income of €16,000, after paying a tax of €3,360, the net profit will be €12,640.
• If the profit amounts to €32,000, then after taxes the net profit will be €25,280, which will allow for a two-year extension of the residence permit.
• With an income of €48,000, it is possible to extend for three years, with a net profit after taxes amounting to €37,920.

For those who decide to use the remaining funds, it is regulated that they can be withdrawn from the settlement account as dividends, which are subject to a tax of7%Other profit taxes do not apply in this case.

Total expenses over five years

If we consider the total expenses over a five-year period, a business owner can expect to pay approximately €17,000 in corporate taxes and around €3,000 for accounting services. Thus, the total costs associated with obtaining a permanent residence permit may amount to approximately€20,000These funds, although not small, may seem relatively modest compared to those of other European Union countries.

Extension for individual entrepreneurs

For individual entrepreneurs and their families, there are special conditions for extending residence permits. The owner of the individual entrepreneurship must earn at least €5,000 per year and pay a profit tax of19%However, the amount up to €3,830 is not subject to tax.

Thus, the process of obtaining and renewing a residence permit in Slovakia requires a serious approach and consideration of all possible expenses. It is a great opportunity for those who dream of living and working within the European Union.

The relevance of extending the residence permit in Slovakia

The issue of extending residence permits in Slovakia is becoming relevant for many categories of people.

For those who have a temporary residence permit, it is important to adhere to the established deadlines and conditions, as this plays a key role in maintaining their status.

Particular attention should be paid to entrepreneurs and individual business owners, who need to consider tax deductions from their income.

Taxes when extending a residence permit

For example, if we consider an extension for one year, with a corporate tax rate of 19%, the net profit for an income of €5000 would be around €3830. The tax on that amount would be approximately €222.3.

Nevertheless, if we talk about a two-year extension with an income of €10,000, then, considering similar deductions, the net profit will be approximately €6,170, and the tax in this case will increase to €1,172.3.

Next, for the extension into the third year with an income of €15,000 after all deductions, the tax may amount to about €2,122.30.

Thus, based on a five-year calculation, an entrepreneur with a temporary residence permit will be required to pay around €1112, not including additional expenses.

Additional expenses

It is also worth noting that, in addition to taxes, there are many additional costs associated with accounting services, as well as social and health insurance, which can total up to €14,000.

In the end, over the entire period, these expenses may total less than €20,000.

Obtaining a residence permit for EU citizens

For citizens of European Union countries, the process of obtaining a residence permit in Slovakia has some nuances.

Despite their origin, they are required to go through the process of obtaining a local residence permit, following the same rules as citizens of non-EU countries.

Many of them find jobs locally or start their own businesses as sole proprietors or through limited liability companies.

Lack of strict requirements

It is important to emphasize that there are no strict requirements for EU citizens regarding proof of business income.

This allows them to continue their operations even while being unprofitable, which helps extend their status legally.

Residents of countries such as these particularly take advantage of this opportunity:

• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Estonia
• Bulgaria
• Romania
• Slovenia
• Croatia

Difficulties for citizens of third countries

However, for citizens of non-EU countries, the process of obtaining an extension faces much stricter requirements.

They need to provide convincing arguments that their business is profitable.

This can turn out to be a challenging task, especially for those who do not speak the local language and are not familiar with the regulations and personal contacts.

In some cases, to create the appearance of profit, foreigners may transfer their own funds to the company.

Prospects after five years

After five years of living in Slovakia, a holder of a temporary residence permit has the right to apply for permanent status, and three years later, they have the opportunity to become a citizen of the country.

This is particularly noteworthy because when foreign citizens obtain permanent resident status, they receive almost the same rights as Slovaks, with the exception of the right to vote in elections.

Furthermore, after obtaining this status, they can close their companies and find employment in any other organization, both in Slovakia and in other European Union countries.

Conclusion

It is important to note that the process of obtaining a residence permit in Slovakia requires careful preparation and an understanding of all the nuances of the legislation. I have thoroughly familiarized myself with the necessary steps and documents, and I can confidently say that this approach is a key factor for successfully achieving the intended goal.

Starting a business or acquiring real estate is not just a formal action, but a strategic step that requires careful attention and wise planning.

The difficulties in obtaining a residence permit may seem insurmountable, howeveropening a company or sole proprietorshipthey provide significant advantages. It's important not only to properly prepare all the documents but also to think throughbusiness planthat will serve as a strong argument before the authorities reviewing your request.

Recommendations

I strongly recommend submitting your residency documents directly in Slovakia, as this opens up more opportunities and significantly increases your chances of success. Filling out all forms, adhering to requirements, and having quality documentation can greatly simplify the process.

To anyone planning to move to Slovakia, I advise:

• Weigh all the pros and cons.
• Consider all possible options.
• Be sure to consult professional advisors.

Understanding local realities, laws, and customs will help avoid many mistakes and make the process of integrating into a new life much easier.

Result

So, if you intend to carry out your plans to move to Slovakia, keep in mind thatpreparedness and knowledge of all the nuances— the key to your success. Explore, plan, and take action! Good luck with your endeavors!