Government approves legislative amendments to foreigners' residence, visas, employment and citizenship

The government approved a proposal to amend laws concerning the residence of foreigners, visas, employment of third‑country nationals, and Slovak citizenship.

The changes include:

• Clearer rules for applying for national visas, more precise documentation requirements and defined deadlines. 
• The validity of national visas related to residence will be extended from 90 to 120 days. 
• Improving digitalisation, enabling fully electronic submission for selected application types.
• Clearer rules for granting or renewing residence permits, including reduced paperwork for proving accommodation or purpose of stay, expanded exemptions from medical assessments and updated rules for long‑term residence and Slovak‑language requirements. 
• Employment‑related residence rules will be aligned with EU legislation, especially concerning single permits and periods of unemployment.
• A smooth transition for displaced persons after temporary protection for displaced persons from Ukraine ends in March 2027 by introducing a transitional period and a dedicated mechanism allowing eligible individuals to apply for purpose‑based residence if they meet the legal conditions and support the continuity of employment and stability of labor market.
• Simplified procedures  for citizenship, especially for descendants of former Czechoslovak citizens, and more options for submitting applications through diplomatic missions, including electronically or by post.

The new legislation is proposed to take effect on 15 July 2026, except for provisions related to the ETIAS travel authorisation system, which will apply once ETIAS becomes operational.