Slovakia participated in an informal EU ministerial conference in Cyprus focused on implementing the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.
Slovakia has consistently raised concerns, in particular about the mandatory solidarity mechanism and migrant quotas.
As of 12 June 2026, a new Act on International Protection (No. 69/2026) has entered into force, replacing the Asylum Act 2002.
The new law on international protection introduces border procedures with decisions made within 12 to 16 weeks. Under the new system, border asylum procedures will begin once the police decide to apply them. Applicants may then be placed under restrictions on their liberty or freedom of movement, with such measures subject to judicial review. During the process, they will stay in a dedicated facility.
If a decision is not reached within the prescribed timeframe, the case will be transferred to the standard asylum procedure within Slovakia. The law also regulates the granting of temporary protection in line with EU rules, particularly for situations involving a mass influx of displaced persons, such as those arriving from Ukraine.
The law also introduces new terminology, replacing the term asylum seeker with the term applicant for international protection and instead of the term person granted subsidiary protection, the term foreigner with subsidiary protection will be used.
The new regulation strengthens the security measures, including the obligation to record the interviews for transparency and safeguard of applicants for international protection.
The Act on International Protection also brings to unified protection statuses, granting asylum and subsidiary protection for an indefinite period with permanent residence, reducing the administrative burden associated on repeated extensions of protection.
The law also sets an independent monitoring mechanism led by the Ombudsman
Slovakia states it will meet EU obligations while continuing to prioritise national interests and security priorities.
- Ministry of the Interior | Ministerstvo vnútra (12 June, 2026), Migračný pakt - Slovensko presadzuje ochranu svojich národných záujmov, účinný je nový zákon o medzinárodnej ochrane [Migration Pact - Slovakia promotes the protection of its national interests, the new law on international protection is effective],