AKMV 
- Ukrainian Citizens Conducting Business in Slovakia Must Apply for Temporary Residence
- Work Visas for Ukrainian Nationals
- What is the procedure for obtaining a residence permit?
- Which supporting documents must be attached to the application filed with the Alien Police?
- Which documents must be submitted following the granting of a temporary residence permit?
- Two Practical Recommendations
- Schedule of Statutory Fees
- Medical Examination of Foreign Nationals Following the Granting of Residence Status for the Alien Police / Medical Assessment Report for Foreign Nationals
In our previous article, we addressed the procedure for obtaining a work permit for a foreign national. An increasing number of Ukrainian citizens in Slovakia are currently operating on the basis of a sole proprietorship (živnosť). Unlike a limited liability company (s.r.o.), a sole proprietorship is not subject to such stringent requirements for obtaining a temporary residence permit for the purpose of business. Below, you will find detailed information regarding the procedure for acquiring a residence permit, the requisite supporting documents to be submitted, and the applicable statutory fees. We have also included two valuable recommendations for Ukrainian nationals, along with answers to your frequently asked questions.
We are here to advise you!
Please contact our law firm at recepcia@akmv.sk or by telephone at +421 915 046 749.
Ukrainian Citizens Conducting Business in Slovakia Must Apply for Temporary Residence
Ukrainian nationals may initially be granted a temporary residence permit for a maximum period of up to three years. Subsequently, they may apply for a renewal of their residence permit in the Slovak Republic. Once they have resided continuously within the territory of the Slovak Republic for a period of five years, they become eligible to acquire permanent residence.
Work Visas for Ukrainian Nationals
Ukrainian citizens do not require a visa to enter Slovakia, as they enjoy visa-free entry for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. In this case, if Ukrainian nationals intend to enter Slovakia, no visa is required, and they may lodge their application for a temporary residence permit directly with the competent Alien Police Department in the Slovak Republic.
What is the procedure for obtaining a residence permit?
- Registration of a Sole Proprietorship in Slovakia
- Opening a business bank account and depositing sufficient funds to meet the financial resources requirement for residence
- Submission of an application for a temporary residence permit with the Alien Police (in the case of Ukrainian nationals, the application may be submitted directly in Slovakia)
- The Alien Police Bureau has a statutory time limit of 90 days from the submission of a complete application to issue a decision granting temporary residence
Which supporting documents must be attached to the application filed with the Alien Police?
All supporting documents submitted by the applicant must be originals and must not be older than 90 days prior to the date of filing the application.
- Application for the Granting of a Temporary Residence Permit for the Purpose of Business
- Valid travel document (passport)
- Two color photographs measuring 3 x 3.5 cm
- Financial Proof – if the foreign national conducts business as a natural person (under a sole proprietorship), the required amount corresponds to twenty times the subsistence minimum, which in 2021 amounts to just under EUR 4,300. Financial proof is generally substantiated by submitting a certificate of bank account balance issued by a Slovak bank. Concurrently, a certificate of balance on a personal bank account must also be submitted. The balance must be at least twelve times the subsistence minimum (the subsistence minimum until June 30, 2021, is just under EUR 215), i.e., the personal account must hold just under EUR 2,600. If the foreign national submits certificates of account balance held in foreign banks, an official certified translation of the certificates, as well as bank statements showing transactions for the last 3 months on both accounts, must also be appended.
- Proof of Accommodation – more information regarding the requirements for substantiating accommodation for foreign nationals can be found here
- Extract from the Crime Register (Criminal Record Certificate) – if issued in Ukraine, it must first be legalized by Apostille in Ukraine and subsequently translated into Slovak. This procedure applies to other countries as well. More about the Apostille of documents can be found here. If the foreign national resided in another state for at least 90 days within any 180-day period during the last 3 years, a criminal record certificate from that country must also be submitted.
- Trade License Certificate does not need to be submitted as an original; a simple photocopy is sufficient.
Which documents must be submitted following the granting of a temporary residence permit?
- Medical report confirming that the foreign national does not suffer from a disease threatening public health. Examinations of foreign nationals for this purpose are provided in 7 cities across the Slovak Republic by the company medicalcontrol.sk. This report must be submitted by the foreign national to the Alien Police within 30 days of receiving the residence document.
- Insurance – the foreign national is obliged to submit proof of health insurance within 30 days of receiving the residence card. Ukrainian nationals operating as sole proprietors will fall under the public health insurance system, meaning they may select one of the three health insurance companies: VŠZP, Union, or Dôvera.
- An extract from the Commercial Register is no longer required for sole proprietorships under the updated regulations. Natural persons are no longer registered in the Commercial Register.
Two Practical Recommendations
- When submitting your application for a residence permit, also present a contract for work (zmluva o dielo) executed with your prospective business partner from Slovakia. This will enable you to demonstrate to the Alien Police your genuine intention to actually conduct business in Slovakia and show that you have a clear business strategy for your ongoing operations in the Slovak market. Indeed, in recent years, there has been a rise in bad-faith applicants whose sole interest was obtaining a residence permit, using the residence card as a gateway to the entire EU. By doing so, you will avoid complications during the interview with the Alien Police and increase the likelihood that your residence permit will ultimately be granted.
- Ukrainian nationals possess two passports. Many Ukrainian citizens held two valid passports, which they utilized when taking advantage of visa-free entry into Slovakia. At the Alien Police Department, upon submitting the application, applicants are required to sign a solemn declaration affirming that they hold only one passport.
Schedule of Statutory Fees
- €232 in the case of submission at the Foreign Police, or €240 in the case of submission at an embassy / diplomatic mission
- €24.50 for the issuance of the residence document
- €3 for the delivery of the residence card by courier
Legal services
- Legal services throughout the entire course of business operations conducted by foreign nationals in Slovakia
- Incorporation of a business entity or registration of a sole proprietorship
- Liaison with diplomatic missions and consular posts
- Our personal accompaniment at the Alien Police Bureau upon the submission of the application as well as upon the collection of the residence permit
Medical Examination of Foreign Nationals Following the Granting of Residence Status for the Alien Police / Medical Assessment Report for Foreign Nationals
Medical Examination of Foreign Nationals in Zlaté Moravce – No Appointment Required.
Medical Examination of Foreign Nationals in Bratislava and 12 Other Locations provided by Medical control s.r.o.
Tel.: +421 948 350 123
