In 2022, the Slovak Republic received 24 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status and free mobility), ‑9.6% compared to 2021. This figure comprises 5% immigrants benefitting from free mobility, 78% labour migrants, 15% family members (including accompanying family) and 0.2% humanitarian migrants. Around 3 400 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 1 400 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants (excluding intra-EU migration). In addition, 60 000 intra-EU postings were recorded in 2022, a 320% increase compared to 2021. These posted workers are generally on short-term contracts.
Czechia, Hungary and Ukraine were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2022. Among the top 15 countries of origin, Viet Nam registered the strongest increase (44) and Hungary the largest decrease (‑100) in flows to the Slovak Republic compared to the previous year.
In 2023, the number of first asylum applicants decreased by ‑26%, to reach around 400. The majority of applicants came from Türkiye (100), Bangladesh (60) and Ukraine (20). The largest increase since 2022 concerned nationals of Türkiye (55) and the largest decrease nationals of Ukraine (‑100). Of the 170 decisions taken in 2023, 44% were positive.
Emigration of Slovak citizens to OECD countries increased by 32% in 2022, to 27 000. Approximately 24% of this group migrated to Czechia, 20% to Germany and 18% to Austria.
In October 2023, migrants with a contract in an occupation on a shortage list, and whose nationality was one of 17 non-EU countries, may apply for a National Visa which grants employment rights. The visa is valid one year and is renewable. The government has announced efforts to accelerate the processing of applications for work permits. Legislative changes in the labour migration framework after January 2023 also subjected the Intracompany Transfer category to Labour Office approval of the vacancy.
In March 2022, as a result of the war in Ukraine, the Slovak Government allowed permanent residency in the Slovak Republic to: Ukrainian nationals and their family members; foreigners who are not Ukrainian nationals and possess international protection on Ukrainian territory; foreign nationals who are not nationals of Ukraine and have permanent residency there granted before 24 February 2022 and are unable to return under safe and stable circumstances to their country or region of origin.
In June 2022 changes to asylum law, relating to the integration of asylum seekers and foreigners granted subsidiary protection, included financial assistance, counselling and accelerated entry to the labour market. This was followed in September 2022 by increases to the housing allowance for asylum seekers with temporary status, lasting until February 2023. Provisioning of such housing allowances was prolonged once again through December 2023. Persons holding endorsement on temporary refuge expiring at the end of 2022 had their status automatically prolonged to 4 March 2024 and subsequently to 4 March 2025. The housing allowances were prolonged through 2024. An employer in the Slovak Republic may hire a third country national who has been given temporary refugee status, in both contractual and non-contractual form.
Currently entry to the Slovak Republic is allowed to all persons fleeing the war in Ukraine. Entry is possible for persons who do not have a valid travel document (biometric passport), although they must apply for temporary refuge or asylum. Persons without a valid passport may be admitted based on other documents. An unaccompanied child may be placed in a selected facility. After crossing the border, residents of Ukraine receive humanitarian aid, from both governmental and non-governmental organisations, including temporary refuge, accommodation, food, healthcare, hygiene and access to the labour market. After crossing the border, refugees are asked to visit a large‑capacity centre for advice.
Following parliamentary elections in September 2023, the new government introduced temporary restoration of control at the internal border with Hungary as a response to the increasing secondary transit migration from the so-called Western Balkan route. Apprehensions of illegal migrants decreased significantly. These controls were cancelled on 22 January 2024.
For further information: www.minv.sk
