--- title: "Slovakia Spouse of a resident requirements 2026: 5-year stay" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/slovakia/family/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- Slovakia · Spouse visas # Slovakia Spouse of a resident **First stay:** 5 yrs Temporary residence for family reunification (spouse of a third-country national) Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **First stay:** 5 yrs (Granted until the end of the sponsor's residence, for at most five years.) - **Who can apply:** Most passports (Third-country nationals (citizens of states outside the EU/EEA).) - **Work:** Yes (The holder may run a business. Employment needs a work permit from the labour office during the first 9 months after the permit is granted, and there is no legal entitlement to one; after 9 months of continuous residence in Slovakia no work permit is needed. Family members of an EU Blue Card holder need no work permit.) ## Key facts Spouse of a resident is a spouse visas route for Slovakia. You can work locally. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source. - **Government fees:** €200 ≈ $220 - **Processing:** Up to 90 days - **First stay:** 5 yrs ## Cost, time and long term To apply: government fee €200 ≈ $220; decision: up to 90 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included. **Government fees: €200 ≈ $220** - EUR 200 (≈ $220) Administrative fee for the application for temporary residence for family reunification; EUR 100 (≈ $110) for renewal. Applicants under 18 pay no fee. **Renewal: Renewable** Granted until the end of the sponsor's residence, for at most five years. [Slov-Lex](https://www.slov-lex.sk/static/SK/ZZ/2011/404/20261001.html) **Permanent residence: After 5 years of residence** Long-term (indefinite) stay after 5 years of lawful, continuous residence before applying; study time counts at half, while seasonal work and some special-activity permits do not count. [Slov-Lex](https://www.slov-lex.sk/static/SK/ZZ/2011/404/20261001.html) **Citizenship: Conditions** Citizenship needs 8 years of continuous permanent residence immediately before applying. [Slov-Lex](https://www.slov-lex.sk/static/SK/ZZ/1993/40/20260612.html) **Processing: Up to 90 days** The police department decides on a temporary residence application within 90 days. [Slov-Lex](https://www.slov-lex.sk/static/SK/ZZ/2011/404/20261001.html) **Presence rules: Absence limits** Absences of up to six consecutive months and ten months in total do not break the 5 years for long-term stay. [Slov-Lex](https://www.slov-lex.sk/static/SK/ZZ/2011/404/20261001.html) ## Why this route may not fit Check this before you apply. - Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports ### What you'll need #### Who can apply - Applicant is the spouse of a third-country national with temporary or permanent residence in Slovakia, and both spouses are at least 18. #### What you must show - The administrative fee is EUR 200 (≈ $220) for the first permit and EUR 100 (≈ $110) for renewal; applicants under 18 pay no fee. #### Documents - Valid travel document, proof of the family relationship, criminal record certificate and proof of secured accommodation. #### Steps 1. The application is filed in person at a Slovak embassy, with an interview, or at a police department where the applicant already stays lawfully. #### After you arrive - The permit is granted until the sponsor's residence ends, at most five years. - After a divorce or once three years of continuous temporary residence are completed, a change of residence purpose can be requested within 30 days. ## What happens at day 183 How Slovakia decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records. - **Stay on this route:** **Up to 5 years at first, renewable** - **Tax residence:** - **At least 183 days in a calendar year** Staying in Slovakia at least 183 days in the calendar year, continuous or in several periods, makes the person habitually resident (unlimited liability). - **Foreign-source income:** Individuals with permanent residence, a home or habitual abode in Slovakia are taxed on worldwide income; employment-type income is taxed at 19%, 25%, 30% and 35% on bands tied to the subsistence minimum. [All tax rules for Slovakia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/slovakia/tax/) Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026 ## What you need to arrange - **Accommodation** Valid travel document, proof of the family relationship, criminal record certificate and proof of secured accommodation - **Police certificate and civil documents** Valid travel document, proof of the family relationship, criminal record certificate and proof of secured accommodation Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts. **Full official text** Temporary residence for the spouse of a third-country national with temporary or permanent residence, granted until the end of the sponsor's residence and for at most five years. (sources 1, 2, 3) #### What you must show and pay - A fee of EUR 200 (≈ $220) · Administrative fee for the application for temporary residence for family reunification; EUR 100 (≈ $110) for renewal. Applicants under 18 pay no fee. (source 2) #### Requirements - Applicant is the spouse of a third-country national with temporary or permanent residence in Slovakia, and both spouses are at least 18. (source 1) - The administrative fee is EUR 200 (≈ $220) for the first permit and EUR 100 (≈ $110) for renewal; applicants under 18 pay no fee. (source 2) - Valid travel document, proof of the family relationship, criminal record certificate and proof of secured accommodation. (source 1) - The application is filed in person at a Slovak embassy, with an interview, or at a police department where the applicant already stays lawfully. (source 1) - The permit is granted until the sponsor's residence ends, at most five years. (source 1) - After a divorce or once three years of continuous temporary residence are completed, a change of residence purpose can be requested within 30 days. (source 1) #### Stay - Granted until the end of the sponsor's residence, for at most five years. - First stay: up to 60 months, decided case by case. - Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal. #### Nationality Third-country nationals (citizens of states outside the EU/EEA). Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia. #### Work The holder may run a business. Employment needs a work permit from the labour office during the first 9 months after the permit is granted, and there is no legal entitlement to one; after 9 months of continuous residence in Slovakia no work permit is needed. Family members of an EU Blue Card holder need no work permit. #### Family Spouse (both at least 18), unmarried children under 18, dependent adult children unable to care for themselves and dependent parents of the holder or spouse can apply for temporary residence for family reunification, valid until the holder's residence ends and for at most five years. Checked 2026-10-12 ## Official sources 1. [Act No.](https://www.slov-lex.sk/static/SK/ZZ/2011/404/20261001.html) · Slov-Lex (Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic) · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-10-01 2. [Act 145/1995 on administrative fees (fee schedule, in force 1 January 2026)](https://www.slov-lex.sk/static/SK/ZZ/1995/145/20260101.html) · Slov-Lex, Government of the Slovak Republic · checked 2026-10-11 3. [Act No. 5/2004 Coll. on Employment Services, consolidated text effective 1 August 2026 (Slovak)](https://www.slov-lex.sk/static/SK/ZZ/2004/5/20260801.html) · Slov-Lex, Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic · checked 2026-10-10 4. [Act No. 40/1993 Coll. on Slovak citizenship, Section 7 (granting of citizenship)](https://www.slov-lex.sk/static/SK/ZZ/1993/40/20260612.html) · Slov-Lex (Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic) · checked 2026-10-11 ## Spouse of a resident and its alternatives | Route | Money needed | Stay | Work | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Spouse of a resident | – | 5 yr, renewable | Yes | | [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/slovakia/spouse-of-citizen/) | – | 5 yr, renewable | – | | [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/spouse-of-citizen/) Portugal | – | – | – | | [Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/family-reunification/) Spain | Needs income of €900+ a month ≈ $1,010 | – | Yes | | [Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) Georgia | – | 1 yr, renewable | – | ## Questions people ask ### How much money do I need for the Spouse of a resident? A fee of EUR 200 (≈ $220). Administrative fee for the application for temporary residence for family reunification; EUR 100 (≈ $110) for renewal. ### How long can I stay on the Spouse of a resident? Granted until the end of the sponsor's residence, for at most five years. ### How long does the Spouse of a resident take to process? The police department decides on a temporary residence application within 90 days. ### Can I work on the Spouse of a resident? Yes. The holder may run a business. ### Can I bring my family on the Spouse of a resident? Spouse (both at least 18), unmarried children under 18, dependent adult children unable to care for themselves and dependent parents of the holder or spouse can apply for temporary residence for family reunification, valid until the holder's residence ends and for at most five years. ### Who can apply for the Spouse of a resident? Third-country nationals (citizens of states outside the EU/EEA). Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia. ### Does the Spouse of a resident lead to permanent residence in Slovakia? Time on the Spouse of a resident counts toward permanent residence in Slovakia, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. ### How are Spouse of a resident holders taxed in Slovakia? No special regime in our records is tied to the Spouse of a resident. The standard rules apply: Individuals with permanent residence, a home or habitual abode in Slovakia are taxed on worldwide income; employment-type income is taxed at 19%, 25%, 30% and 35% on bands tied to the subsistence minimum. ## More in Slovakia [Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/slovakia/working-holiday/) [Innovative startup permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/slovakia/business-innovative-project/) [Company representative permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/slovakia/business-company-representative/) [Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/slovakia/temporary-residence-business/) [Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/slovakia/eu-blue-card/) [Major investor staff permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/slovakia/significant-foreign-investor/) [Work permit (single permit)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/slovakia/temporary-residence-employment/) [Intra-company transfer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/slovakia/intra-company-transfer/) ## Spouse and partner visas elsewhere [🇮🇹 Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) [🇬🇷 Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/spouse-of-citizen/) [🇫🇷 Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) [🇬🇧 Fiancé visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/fiance-visa/) [🇳🇱 Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/spouse-of-citizen/) [🇨🇾 Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## How this was checked **Checked on 2026-10-12 against 4 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources. Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out. 1. [Act No.](https://www.slov-lex.sk/static/SK/ZZ/2011/404/20261001.html) · Slov-Lex (Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic) · checked 2026-10-10 2. [Act 145/1995 on administrative fees (fee schedule, in force 1 January 2026)](https://www.slov-lex.sk/static/SK/ZZ/1995/145/20260101.html) · Slov-Lex, Government of the Slovak Republic · checked 2026-10-11 3. [Act No. 5/2004 Coll. on Employment Services, consolidated text effective 1 August 2026 (Slovak)](https://www.slov-lex.sk/static/SK/ZZ/2004/5/20260801.html) · Slov-Lex, Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic · checked 2026-10-10 4. [Act No. 40/1993 Coll. on Slovak citizenship, Section 7 (granting of citizenship)](https://www.slov-lex.sk/static/SK/ZZ/1993/40/20260612.html) · Slov-Lex (Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic) · checked 2026-10-11 Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.