Slovakia’s Business Residence Permit Changes Take Effect on July 1, 2025

Key Points to Know

1. Slovakia is set to update the rules for obtaining residence permits for business owners soon.

2. If approved, these new regulations are expected to take effect on July 1, 2025.

3. The changes will also impact entrepreneurs and freelancers who require this type of permit.

The Slovak government has announced modifications to the Business Residence Permit system that will affect business owners, freelancers, and entrepreneurs alike.

Starting July 1, 2025, the updated regulations will introduce a quota system and changes related to processing procedures, with exact details to be released by the government shortly.

While the new requirements will be more stringent in some areas, there will also be some simplifications, such as relaxed rules regarding the submission of physical documents.

What Entrepreneurs in Slovakia Should Expect

Business residence permits intended for entrepreneurs, business owners, and freelancers in Slovakia will be issued only if specific procedures are followed.

For instance, initial permit applications must now be submitted via Slovak consular offices instead of the immigration agency, which is anticipated to lengthen processing times.

Although the government has not yet confirmed the specific quota numbers, some document requirements have been eliminated. Notably, applicants will no longer need to provide physical photographs or proof of financial means.

These reforms reflect the government’s preference for standard employment permits, as business permits have sometimes been exploited by companies to evade tax and social security obligations.

Slovakia Plans to Extend National Visa Validity

In an effort to attract more foreign nationals, Slovak authorities propose extending the validity of national visas issued to third-country nationals.

Specifically, Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok has put forward a proposal to increase the validity period of Slovakia’s national visas from 90 to 120 days—adding an extra 30 days.

This extension aims to give applicants more time to secure appointments within the reservation system, which will soon be mandatory by law.

The Cabinet has already approved these changes, which await parliamentary approval. If approved, they are expected to be implemented by July 1, 2025.

These upcoming changes should ease the process for many, especially foreign workers. Slovakia is also planning to raise the number of national visas issued annually to Chinese nationals, targeting 1,000 visas per year.

Foreign nationals wishing to relocate to Slovakia for long-term stays, including work, must first obtain a national visa and then apply for a residence permit after arriving in the country.