If you’re planning to hire foreign (non-EU) workers in Slovakia, it is essential to navigate the work permit and visa process correctly to remain compliant with Slovak laws. Below is an outline of the key steps required to legally employ a foreign worker in Slovakia:
- Find a Job Candidate and Offer Employment. The first and most crucial step is to secure a valid job offer for the foreign candidate from a Slovak employer. Without an official employment offer or contract in place, the prospective foreign employee cannot proceed with any work permit or visa application.
- Employer’s Responsibilities (Labor Market Test). Before hiring a non-EU citizen, the employer must fulfill certain obligations to ensure no suitable local candidate is available for the role:
- Report the Job Vacancy to the Slovak Labour Office. The employer is required to notify the Slovak Labour Office about the open position. This step gives local Slovak and EU/EEA citizens an opportunity to apply for the job before it is offered to a foreign national.
- Advertise the Position for at Least 10 Working Days. The vacancy should be advertised (often through the Labour Office registry and possibly other public job portals) for a minimum of ten business days. This period is meant to ensure that no suitable local candidate is available to fill the position. Only after this advertising period can you move forward with hiring a third-country national if no eligible local applicant is found.
- Submit the Work Permit Application. Once the vacancy is cleared (meaning no local applicant has taken the job after the 10-day advertisement period), the next step is to apply for a work permit for the foreign worker. The work permit application, along with all required supporting documents, must be submitted to the competent Slovak Labour Office. In many cases the employer handles this application, though in some situations the prospective employee can submit the paperwork as well. Required documents typically include the employment contract or official job offer, proof of the labor market test completion, the candidate’s qualifications, and other forms as specified by Slovak authorities.
- Labour Office Decision. After submission, the Slovak Labour Office reviews the work permit application and decides whether to issue the work permit. Typically, a decision is made within about 20 working days (roughly one month). During this time, the authorities verify that all conditions are met and that no local worker is available to fill the job. If everything is in order and the labor market test requirements have been satisfied, the Labour Office will approve the work permit for the foreign employee.
- Apply for a Temporary Residence Permit. In addition to obtaining the work permit itself, the foreign worker will need to secure a temporary residence permit for the purpose of employment in Slovakia. This is essentially the visa or residency authorization that allows the individual to live in Slovakia and legally work there. The residence permit application is typically submitted after the work permit approval. The application can be filed at the Slovak embassy or consulate in the foreigner’s home country (or country of residence). In some cases – for example, if the foreign national is already legally in Slovakia – the application may be submitted directly at the Foreign Police Department in Slovakia. The applicant will need to provide documents such as the work permit approval (or evidence of work permit application, if a single-permit process is in place), a valid passport, proof of accommodation in Slovakia, evidence of health insurance, and a clean criminal record, among other requirements.
- Await the Residence Permit Decision. After applying for the temporary residence permit, the foreign employee must wait for the Slovak authorities to process and decide on the application. The processing time for a residence permit can vary, but it generally takes up to 90 days (about three months). During this period, Slovak officials may conduct background checks or request additional information. It’s important for the employer and the employee to be patient and ensure that they respond promptly if any further documentation or steps are required during the review process.
- Apply for an Entry Visa (if required). Once the work permit is approved and the residence permit is granted or in process, the foreign worker may need to obtain an entry visa to travel to Slovakia (commonly a long-term D visa for work). This step is usually necessary if the foreign national is outside the Schengen Area and does not already have the right to enter Slovakia. The visa application is submitted at the Slovak embassy or consulate in the worker’s home country after receiving confirmation of the residence permit approval. The applicant will have to submit their passport, the work permit approval, the letter or proof of the approved temporary residence permit, and any other documents required by the embassy. Once the visa is issued in the passport, the foreign worker is allowed to travel to Slovakia to begin employment.
- Complete the Hiring Process in Slovakia. After obtaining the necessary visa, the foreign employee can enter Slovakia to commence work. Upon arrival, there are a few final formalities to complete. The foreign worker should register their address/residence with the local Foreign Police within the required timeframe (usually within 3 working days of arrival in Slovakia). This registration is a legal requirement for all foreigners residing in Slovakia long-term. Once registration is done and the employee has collected any residence card or permit documents, the process is complete. At this point, the foreign worker is legally authorized to start working in Slovakia for the employer. The company should ensure all employment contracts and payroll arrangements comply with Slovak law, and the new hire can now integrate into the workforce.
By following the above steps, Slovak employers can successfully navigate the process of hiring foreign workers. Ensuring compliance with each step – from labor office notification to visa issuance – will help avoid legal issues and delays, allowing the foreign employee to start work in Slovakia as smoothly as possible.