Changes to residence law for foreigners
Changes were introduced to the application procedure for temporary residence for business purposes in Slovakia. As of 1 July third-country nationals are required to submit their applications exclusively through the competent diplomatic mission of the Slovak Republic and a quota will be set annually to determine the number of applications that will be accepted. For 2025, this quota is set at 700 applications. Temporary residence granted for business purposes will be issued for a duration of three years.
Another amendment stipulates that third country nationals who already hold temporary residence in Slovakia for a purpose other than business, and who intend to begin business activities, may apply to change the purpose of their stay to business only after two years of continuous residence. Additionally, the revised legislation extends the validity period of a national visa issued in connection with a residence application from 90 to 120 days.
Report on migrant temporary workers
The EU-funded JUSTMIG project published a research report on migrant temporary workers in the automotive and care sectors in Slovakia.
In recent years, due to domestic labour shortages, Slovakia has seen increased labour migration. The majority of these immigrants are third-country nationals (TCNs), from Ukraine, Serbia and Vietnam in particular, with employment concentrated in sectors such as manufacturing, transportation and social care.
The report finds that temporary migrant workers in Slovakia’s 450 active temporary work agencies often experience precarious employment conditions. It recommends that increased focus is placed on promoting the meaningful integration of these temporary workers, through stronger employment regulations, sector-specific inclusion measures, and cross-sectoral cooperation. It notes that this is essential not only for social cohesion but also for Slovakia’s long-term economic resilience.
Study of attitudes, media and politics related to migration
A recent publication – made available by Slovakia’s Institute of cultural and tourism management, culturology and ethnology – gives a comprehensive overview of how Slovakia’s migration landscape has evolved since its EU accession in 2004, examining not only statistics but also underlying drivers, such as labour mobility, geopolitical instability, and policy shifts at national and EU levels. Much focus is placed on how migrants are portrayed in Slovak media and political discourse.
The study finds that the media has the potential to promote integration in Slovakia by better including migrants’ voices and highlighting their contributions to society, as well as by avoiding dehumanising language. Public broadcasters, in particular, are seen as key actors in promoting inclusive narratives and intercultural understanding, a crucial step in fostering social cohesion in Slovakia’s increasingly diverse society.
Social survey of people displaced from Ukraine
A recently published report – the product of collaboration by a number of social science institutions in Slovakia – examines the situation of people displaced from Ukraine granted temporary protection in Slovakia. The report focuses on 1) employment and economic activity, 2) the family, caregiving responsibilities, social networks and community support, and 3) the psychological context of integration.
Key findings include that 67% of people displaced from Ukraine in Slovakia are employed, primarily in the services and retail sectors. Many, especially women with young children, were found to be working below their level of qualification. A significant number are employed via insecure arrangements, such as fixed-term contracts or temporary agencies. The report highlights that many in this focus group, especially single mothers, face overlapping burdens of low income, childcare responsibilities, and housing instability. Formal childcare is often unavailable, prompting parents to rely on informal networks or to forgo employment entirely. Language proficiency is found to significantly shape integration: those fluent in Slovak report better relationships and a stronger identification with Slovak society.
EMN overview of migration and asylum system
The European Migration Network (EMN) published an overview of the organisation of Slovakia’s migration and asylum system.
The short report maps existing inter-ministerial cooperation platforms, describes relevant legal instruments and details the engagement of non-governmental and international organisations in the field. It also addresses recent developments such as the implementation of temporary protection mechanisms for persons fleeing the war in Ukraine and the coordination of humanitarian assistance, emergency accommodation, and access to basic services, serving to highlight the systemic links between migration management and integration policies.
Illegal employment of third-country nationals
Another recently published EMN report analyses the phenomenon of the illegal employment of TCNs in Slovakia, within the broader European context. It provides a detailed overview of the legal definitions, national legislation, and institutional actors involved in combating undeclared work.
The report highlights that TCNs are particularly vulnerable to exploitation due to language barriers, limited awareness of legal rights, and dependence on intermediaries. In Slovakia, exploited workers are found mainly in construction, agriculture, hospitality, and manufacturing sectors. The state has taken steps to improve transparency, such as introducing electronic systems for monitoring employment and simplifying procedures for legal work. The report recommends more robust coordination, improved data collection, and balancing enforcement with support for migrants to ‘regularise’ their status in the country without fear of punishment.
Local level participatory approaches to migrant and refugee integration
Community-based, participatory approaches that empower migrants to take an active role in facilitating the integration of others are increasingly shaping municipal efforts to promote social cohesion in Slovakia. Within this evolving landscape, the city of Trnava developed an innovative and participatory model of inclusion that is setting new standards for local-level action with national relevance: the Volunteering Community Connectors initiative.
Launched by the ConnecTT Support Centre for Foreigners, the initiative engages intercultural mediators and peer supporters – who are themselves migrants or refugees living in the city – to enhance communication, mutual understanding, and the inclusion of migrant communities. By foregrounding participatory planning, Trnava’s model addresses these shortcomings and repositions integration as a collaborative civic process.
