FAQ

No. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens have free access to the Slovak labour market and do not need a work permit to work in Slovakia.

Employers nevertheless have certain registration and reporting obligations when employing EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.

It depends on the person's residence status, type of employment and individual circumstances.

Depending on the situation, a third-country national may work in Slovakia on the basis of a temporary residence for employment, an EU Blue Card, a work permit together with the relevant residence status, or under one of the exemptions provided by Slovak legislation.

Certain categories, including researchers and university teachers under specified conditions, may have access to the labour market without a work permit or confirmation of the possibility of filling a vacant position.

Yes. A third-country national who has been granted temporary residence for the purpose of research and development and carries out research or development activities on the basis of a hosting agreement may work in Slovakia without a separate work permit or confirmation of the possibility of filling a vacant position.

The employer or host organisation may nevertheless have reporting obligations towards the competent Labour Office.

Not automatically. Being enrolled as a PhD student does not in itself establish an employment relationship with the university.

A PhD student may receive a doctoral scholarship and may also have a separate employment contract or another form of work arrangement with the university or another employer. In such a case, the employment relationship is separate from their status as a PhD student.

Yes. PhD students may work alongside their studies. The applicable conditions depend on their nationality, residence status and type of employment.

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens have free access to the Slovak labour market. For third-country nationals, specific rules apply depending on the purpose of their residence and the type of work performed.

Under certain conditions, yes. Slovak legislation provides exemptions from the usual labour-market assessment for certain categories of third-country nationals, including specified researchers, university teachers and other academic or research staff.

Although the labour market situation is not taken into account in such cases, the employer may still be required to report the vacancy and fulfil other statutory reporting obligations.

Yes, it is generally possible to have more than one employment relationship. However, for third-country nationals, whether additional employment is permitted without further formalities depends on their residence status and the conditions under which they have access to the Slovak labour market.

Additional employment may also have implications for taxation and social security.

Yes, this may be possible, for example in the case of secondment/posting, cross-border employment or other forms of international research mobility.

However, working in Slovakia while remaining employed abroad may affect which country's employment, social security and tax rules apply. Within the EU/EEA/Switzerland, the applicable social security legislation is determined under EU social security coordination rules.

For more information, see Social security coordination within EU/EEA/Switzerland. 

An employer employing a foreign national in Slovakia has various registration, reporting and contribution obligations, depending on the employee's nationality and residence/employment status.

These may include obligations towards the competent Labour Office and, where Slovak social security legislation applies, registration with the Social Insurance Agency and payment of social insurance contributions.

If you are employed in Slovakia, your salary may be subject to Slovak income tax and social security contributions. The exact treatment depends on your individual circumstances, including whether Slovak social security legislation applies and whether an international tax treaty or social security coordination rules are relevant.

For more information, see the Taxation and Social security sections.

The Slovak social security system consists of social insurance, state social support and social assistance. Social insurance provides protection in situations such as sickness, maternity, unemployment, disability and old age.

Whether you are covered by Slovak social insurance depends on your individual circumstances, particularly your economic activity and, in cross-border situations, the applicable EU coordination rules or international social security agreements.

Health insurance is separate from the social insurance system.

Read more in Social security system in Slovakia.

As a general rule, employees working in Slovakia are subject to Slovak social insurance, irrespective of their nationality. Social insurance contributions are paid by both the employee and the employer.

However, exceptions may apply in cross-border situations, particularly under EU/EEA/Swiss social security coordination rules or international social security agreements.

If you are employed and subject to Slovak social security legislation, both you and your employer pay social insurance contributions. Your employer calculates and deducts your share from your remuneration and pays the contributions to the Social Insurance Agency.

The contributions cover different branches of social insurance, including sickness, pension and unemployment insurance

Not solely because you are a PhD student. Full-time PhD study itself does not establish an employment relationship or compulsory social insurance.

If you work alongside your studies, however, social insurance obligations may arise from that employment or other work arrangement.

Students who are not compulsorily insured may also take out certain forms of voluntary social insurance, subject to the applicable conditions.

Receiving a scholarship or fellowship does not automatically mean that you are covered by Slovak social insurance.

Your social insurance status depends on the nature of your activity and funding arrangement and, in international situations, on which country's social security legislation applies.

Researchers coming to Slovakia without a Slovak employment contract should therefore verify their social security coverage before or at the beginning of their stay.

Under EU social security coordination rules, you are generally subject to the social security legislation of only one country at a time, even if you work in two or more countries.

The applicable legislation is determined according to EU coordination rules. The Portable Document A1 (PD A1) certifies which country's legislation applies.

Read more in Social security coordination within EU/EEA/Switzerland.

Not necessarily. Under EU social security coordination rules, a person temporarily posted to Slovakia may, if the relevant conditions are fulfilled, remain subject to the social security legislation of the sending country.

The applicable legislation is normally certified by a Portable Document A1 (PD A1).

For persons coming from third countries, the situation depends, among other things, on whether Slovakia has an applicable bilateral social security agreement with the country concerned.

No. Health insurance and social insurance are two separate systems in Slovakia.

Social insurance provides cash benefits and pensions in situations such as sickness, maternity, unemployment, disability and old age. Health insurance covers healthcare and medical treatment.

For more information, see theHealth insurance section

Yes, you should have valid health insurance coverage for your stay in Slovakia. The type of coverage depends on your circumstances, including your nationality, residence and employment status and whether you are insured in another country.

Depending on your situation, you may be covered by Slovak public health insurance, health insurance in another EU/EEA country or Switzerland, or commercial health insurance.

If you are insured under the public health insurance system of another EU/EEA country or Switzerland and are temporarily staying in Slovakia, the EHIC gives you access to medically necessary state-provided healthcare under the same conditions and at the same cost as persons insured in Slovakia.

The EHIC is intended primarily for temporary stays and does not necessarily replace the health-insurance arrangements required when moving your residence or employment to Slovakia.

Where Slovak legislation applies, your employer fulfils the relevant registration obligations related to your employment, including registration with the Social Insurance Agency.

Health-insurance registration depends on your particular situation and insurance status. You should therefore verify with your employer and the relevant health insurance provider whether any action is also required from you.

Yes. Various programmes support international PhD students, researchers and university teachers coming to Slovakia.

One of the main mobility schemes is the National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic, which supports mobility of international students, PhD students, university teachers, researchers and artists for stays at Slovak higher education and research organisations.

Other funding opportunities may be available through Slovak institutions, bilateral programmes, European programmes or individual universities and research organisations.

Yes. The European EURAXESS portal provides a searchable database of funding and hosting opportunities for researchers across Europe.

Opportunities can be searched according to criteria such as research field, researcher profile and destination.

EURAXESS Jobs & Funding

It depends on the funding programme. Many mobility and research funding schemes require applicants to identify a Slovak host university or research organisation before submitting an application.

For some programmes, the application is prepared jointly with the host institution or submitted by the host organisation rather than directly by the researcher.

Always check the eligibility and application requirements of the particular funding scheme.

Yes. There are funding opportunities specifically available to PhD students and early-stage researchers, including scholarships for research stays, mobility grants and participation in research projects.

Eligibility conditions differ between programmes, so applicants should check whether the particular scheme supports doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers or other researcher career stages

Yes. Postdoctoral researchers may apply for various national, institutional and European funding schemes.

European opportunities include, for example, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships, under which researchers apply together with a host organisation. EURAXESS also publishes hosting offers from institutions interested in supporting MSCA applications.

Yes. Several scholarship and mobility programmes support short-term research stays at Slovak universities and research organisations.

The permitted duration, eligible applicants and amount of financial support depend on the particular programme.

Yes. Slovak researchers and research organisations may participate in various bilateral, multilateral and European research programmes.

The Slovak Research and Development Agency (APVV) supports research projects as well as international scientific and technological cooperation through specific calls.

Slovak Research and Development Agency (APVV)

Not necessarily. Eligibility depends on the particular APVV call. APVV funding is generally connected to research and development projects carried out by eligible organisations, and the requirements concerning the applicant, project team and participating organisations are specified in each call.

Researchers should therefore consult the conditions of the relevant call and their host institution before preparing an application. APVV applications for open calls are submitted through its electronic system.

You can search for opportunities through the EURAXESS Jobs & Funding portal and the funding resources available through EURAXESS Slovakia.

EURAXESS Centres can also provide information and guidance to researchers planning their mobility to or from Slovakia.

Individuals working or receiving income in Slovakia may be subject to Slovak income tax. The extent of their tax liability depends, among other things, on whether they are considered a Slovak tax resident or non-resident, the source and type of their income, and the provisions of any applicable double taxation treaty.

For more information, see the Taxationsection.

Generally, yes. Income from employment performed in Slovakia for a Slovak employer is generally subject to Slovak income tax.

The employer normally calculates and withholds monthly tax advances from the employee's salary.

Tax residence depends on several factors under Slovak legislation, including residence and habitual presence in Slovakia. Staying in Slovakia for at least 183 days in a calendar year may be relevant when determining tax residence.

However, if you could be considered a tax resident of both Slovakia and another country, an applicable double taxation treaty contains rules for determining your residence for treaty purposes.

Importantly, staying in Slovakia solely for the purpose of study is treated specifically under Slovak tax legislation and does not automatically make a person a Slovak tax resident.

Not necessarily. Certain scholarships are exempt from Slovak income tax, including scholarships provided from the state budget or by higher education institutions, as well as certain comparable scholarships provided from abroad.

However, the tax treatment depends on the type and source of the scholarship or funding. A payment described as a scholarship is therefore not automatically tax-exempt in every situation.

It depends on the nature and source of the funding. Some scholarships and similar payments are exempt from income tax, while other grants, fellowships or remuneration may constitute taxable income.

Researchers should check the conditions of the particular funding scheme and, where necessary, clarify its tax treatment with the funding or host organisation.

This depends on your tax residence, the source and type of income, and any applicable double taxation treaty.

Slovakia has concluded double taxation treaties with numerous countries. These treaties determine which country has the right to tax particular types of income and provide mechanisms to prevent the same income from being taxed twice.

You may have tax obligations in more than one country, but this does not necessarily mean that you will ultimately pay tax twice on the same income.

Where a double taxation treaty applies, it establishes rules allocating taxing rights between the countries and provides a method for eliminating double taxation.

It depends on the type and amount of your income and your individual circumstances.

Employees who receive only employment income may, under certain conditions, request their employer to perform an annual tax settlement instead of filing a tax return themselves. In other situations, including certain cases involving additional or foreign income, the individual may be required to file a Slovak tax return.

Potentially, yes. Spending less than 183 days in Slovakia does not automatically mean that your income is exempt from Slovak taxation.

For example, employment income earned from work performed in Slovakia for a Slovak employer is generally taxable in Slovakia even if the employee is a Slovak tax non-resident. Different rules may apply where the employer is established abroad and an applicable double taxation treaty applies.

Official information, forms and guidance are available from the Financial Administration of the Slovak Republic.

For an international audience, information on the taxation of Slovak tax residents and non-residents is particularly relevant.

Most banks in Slovakia offer current accounts to foreign nationals. The documents and conditions required vary between banks and may also depend on whether you are an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen or a third-country national and whether you reside in Slovakia.

You will generally be asked to provide a valid identity document. Banks may request additional documents, such as proof of residence or address, a residence permit, or information concerning your tax residence.

Fees for opening and maintaining an account, as well as the possibility of opening an account online, vary between banks. 

The official currency of Slovakia is the euro (EUR).

Payment by debit or credit card is widely available in shops, restaurants, hotels and other establishments. Nevertheless, it can be useful to carry some cash, particularly for smaller purchases or in places where card payments are not accepted.

ATMs are widely available throughout Slovakia.

Driving licences issued by EU/EEA Member States are generally recognised in Slovakia, provided that they are valid.

For driving licences issued outside the EU/EEA, recognition depends on the country that issued the licence and the applicable international agreements. In some cases, an International Driving Permit may be required together with the national driving licence.

Different requirements may apply if you become resident in Slovakia, including rules concerning the exchange of a foreign driving licence.

Yes. Slovakia has an extensive network of trains, buses and urban public transport.

Major cities operate their own public transport systems, usually including buses, trams and/or trolleybuses. Tickets can often be purchased through ticket machines, mobile applications or other electronic systems, depending on the city.

Rail and intercity bus connections are available between most major towns and cities.

Discounts may be available, but eligibility depends on the transport operator, age, student status and type of transport.

PhD students should not automatically assume that all student discounts apply to them. Always check the conditions of the particular transport provider.

Incoming researchers and PhD students can choose between university accommodation, private rental accommodation, shared apartments and short-term accommodation.

Availability and prices vary considerably by location. University dormitories may be available to PhD students and visiting researchers, but places are limited and conditions differ between institutions.

It is advisable to contact your host university or research organisation before arrival to ask about available accommodation and local options.

Read more in the Accommodation section.

Your reporting and residence obligations depend on your nationality, type of stay and accommodation arrangements. Hotels, dormitories and other accommodation providers may fulfil certain reporting obligations on behalf of their guests, while persons staying in private accommodation may need to take additional steps themselves.

Slovakia has several mobile network operators offering prepaid SIM cards and subscription plans.

A prepaid SIM card can be a convenient option for newcomers who do not yet have a Slovak bank account or long-term residence arrangement. Identification may be required when purchasing or registering a SIM card.

The general European emergency number is 112 and can be used to contact emergency services.

Other national emergency numbers are also available for individual services. For medical emergencies, see the Medical Caresection.

Medicines are sold in pharmacies (lekáreň), which are easily recognisable by the pharmacy sign, often a green cross.

Some medicines are available without a prescription, while others require a prescription from a doctor. Opening hours vary, and emergency pharmacy services are available according to local schedules.

For more information, see the Medical Care section.

Slovakia uses 230 V / 50 Hz electricity and type E electrical sockets, which are also compatible with many type C plugs.

Visitors from countries using different plug types or voltage standards may need a plug adapter and, in some cases, a voltage converter.

Opening hours vary, but shops and supermarkets are generally open throughout the working week and on weekends, with larger supermarkets often remaining open into the evening, usually until 8 or 9 pm

Banks, public authorities and other institutions usually have more limited opening hours on working days.

Most shops are closed on certain public holidays when retail sales are restricted by law.

Slovak is the official language. English is spoken in universities, research environments and among younger people, particularly in larger cities (especially the capital), but English proficiency cannot be assumed in all situations.

Knowledge of some basic Slovak can be useful when dealing with local services, landlords, healthcare providers or public authorities.

Various universities, language schools and other organisations offer Slovak language courses for foreigners. Some host universities and research institutions also organise courses for international students and staff.

For more information, please check the relevant section.