Total migration inflow to the Slovak Republic continued to rise in 2016 albeit at a lower rate, reaching 7 700 persons compared with 7 000 in 2015. This marked the highest level since 2008. The total migration outflow remained roughly stable in 2016 at 3 800 persons (3 900 in 2015), a high level compared with most years since the early 1990s. Net immigration to the Slovak Republic has risen for two consecutive years after the strong decline between 2008 and 2014 and reached 3 900 persons in 2016.
Total migration inflow increased due to a substantial rise in return migration by Slovak citizens, from 3 200 in 2015 to 4 100 in 2016. Emigration of Slovak citizens was stable (3 800 in 2015 and 3 700 in 2016). Slovak citizens accounted for 97% of outflow in 2016. Most foreigners migrating to the Slovak Republic were EU citizens, as in previous years. Those arriving in 2016 included 600 citizens from Hungary, 500 from the Czech Republic, 500 from Romania and 200 each from Italy and Poland. Non-EU inflows mainly came from Asia.
The total number of foreigners with residence permits in the Slovak Republic continued to grow, from 85 000 in 2015 to 93 000 in 2016 and 98 000 in mid-2017. The number of foreigners in employment grew more rapidly, from 25 500 in 2015 to 35 100 in 2016 and 49 500 by December 2017, according to figures from the Centre of Labour, Social Affairs and Family. Of these, 44% were from non-EU countries, principally Serbia, Ukraine and Viet Nam. The number of newly granted residence permits (including permits granted to persons already residing in the Slovak Republic) reached the highest level in this decade, approaching 25 000 in 2016, after 24 000 in 2015 and 17 000 in 2014. Third-country nationals from outside the EU/EFTA accounted for 70% (17 400) of the residence permits granted in 2016. Most of these permits were temporary (14 500). By contrast, most new permits for permanent residence were granted to EU/EFTA citizens (7 300 in 2016). Third-country nationals were granted 2 200 permanent residence permits and obtained tolerated residence in another 700 cases. The principal nationalities with new residence permits in 2016 were Ukrainians, Russians and Serbians, followed by Koreans and Iranians. Close to 500 persons obtained Slovak citizenship in 2016, including about 100 each from the Czech Republic and Serbia.
According to labour force survey data, 150 000 Slovaks were employed abroad in the second quarter of 2017. This is slightly down from 2016 (160 000). The main countries of employment were Austria (56 000), the Czech Republic (38 000) and Germany (22 000).
Applications for refugee status in the Slovak Republic remain limited and fell by half between 2015 and 2016, to 150. In the first 8 months of 2017, slightly more than 100 applications were filed. Acceptance rates increased. Refugee status had been granted in fewer than three dozen cases per year since 2000, but rose to 167 in 2016 (mostly nationals of Iraq). Only 35 procedures were terminated, after much higher numbers in previous years. The applications in 2016 were most frequently filed by nationals of Ukraine and Afghanistan.
In mid-2017, the Slovak Republic introduced the EU Intracompany Transfer (ICT) Permit in the context of the EU ICT Directive, in addition to an existing national scheme for ICT. The new permit is available to third-country nationals sent by their employer to work for more than 90 days in the same company located in the Slovak Republic. The residence permit is valid for up to three years and is renewable. Family may join the ICT for family reunification and enjoy access to the labour market.
To facilitate the recruitment of third-country nationals for Strategic Service Centres (SSC) – business process outsourcing – in the Slovak Republic, maximum processing times for permits for employment in SSCs have been shortened (30 days instead of the usual 90 days). The Ministry of Economy may, upon application, recognise units within private companies as SSCs if they provide services to other parts of the company (e.g. financial, HR or IT services).
In February 2018, the Law on Employment Services was revised. From May 2018, a facilitated procedure – including a labour market test exemption – will be in place for occupations in shortage in districts where unemployment is below 5%. The shortage list will be determined by a tripartite commission on an annual basis. A firm-level ceiling of 30% will apply to the employment of foreign workers.
