Living in Slovakia
Residency Permit
December 2007
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAVELERS TO SLOVAKIA
American citizens intending to enter Slovakia as a member of the Schengen area for tourism or business not exceeding 90 days within any 6-month period of time do not need visa. A valid passport is required. Under the current legislation, travelers must either register with a hotel or other official accommodation provider or, within 3 days register with the aliens police department (http://www.minv.sk) in the district of residency in Slovakia.
INFORMATION ON LONG TERM OR PERMANENT STAY IN SLOVAKIA
In accordance with the Law of the National Council of Slovakia No. 48/2002 Coll. on the stay of foreigners in Slovakia as amended later by law 558/2005 (effective December 15, 2005), persons intending to stay in Slovakia longer than a total of 90 days during any 6-month period must submit an application for a Temporary Term Residence Permit
either at a diplomatic or Consular Mission of the Slovak Republic in the country of their residence (Embassy of the Slovak Republic, 3523 International Court, NW, Washington D.C. 20008, tel: 202 237 1054, e-mail: info@slovakembassy-us.org, web page http://www.slovakembassy-us.org)
or at the aliens police department in the district of their residency in Slovakia.
A permit can be granted for a period of not more than two years with a possibility of repeated extension provided that the application for a renewal of the permit is submitted no later than 60 days before the expiration of its validity.
An application for a permit, which is to be completed in Slovak, must be accompanied by:
1. A document certifying the reason for the stay in Slovakia, such as:
a/ preliminary job agreement issued by the appropriate Labor Center, or
b/ notification of acceptance for study, medical treatment, training, etc., or
c/ document on discontinuation of the procedure for issuing a Trade License from Trade Licensing Office (document must indicate that the missing long term stay permit is the only reason for the interruption of the procedure), or
d/ verified copy of a Trade License Certificate, or
e/ notarized copy of the entry into Commercial Register, or
f/ notarized agreement on establishment of a company (by a Notary Public in Slovakia)
2. A document showing method and source of income in Slovakia with a specified monthly figure (e.g. a copy of the bank statement by which the money is transferred to Slovakia, copy of the agreement between the applicant and his employer concerning salary, etc.)
3. A document certifying an accommodation contract, such as:
a/ agreement on obtaining an apartment, or
b/ document about the purchase of an apartment, or
c/ legalized copy of an agreement of lease of an apartment, or
d/ legalized statement from the owner of an apartment from whom the apartment is to be rented or with whom the apartment is to be shared including an opinion of the local Municipal Office, or
e/ notarized certification from lodging facility (hotel, hostel, etc.)
4. A certificate of No Criminal Record in Slovakia, which can be obtained from the Slovak authorities with the assistance of the Slovak Embassy. Information about the application as well as the application itself will be sent to you upon your request. It takes approximately six weeks to have the application processed by the Slovak authorities.
5. Medical Examination Results of the following tests:
a/ FW (sedimentation)
b/ HbsAg
c/ BWR
d/ anti HIV1
e/ anti HIV2
f/ Bi (bilirubin, ALT, Urine chemical)
g/ X-ray of lungs with description
Locally, the tests can be performed only at the Oddelenie cudzokrajnych chorob, Fakultna nemocnica in Bratislava, Martin or Kosice.
Contact for the Bratislava clinic, located on is Americke namestie, tel: 02/5292 5688
6. Three passport size photographs 3x3.5cm
7. Document certifying that the applicant has obtained health insurance in Slovakia
8. Fee
If filing through the Slovak Embassy in the United States, the application is subject to a consular fee of $7 by a money order or cashier's check made payable to the Embassy of the Slovak Republic. Personal checks cannot be accepted.
Issuance of the residency permit by the aliens police departments in Slovakia is subject to additional fee, varying according to the purpose of stay in Slovakia up to max. 7,000 SKK (equivalent approx. $220).
9. Valid passport
In accordance with the above cited law, the permit may only be issued to a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the prospective stay in Slovakia.
10. Criminal History Record from FBI
Foreigners must provide certification from the competent national authority of their own country that they have no criminal record. Acting on information received from the FBI that such a certification is available to residents of the U.S., the Slovak Government started requiring such a certification from Americans applying for residence and/or work permits.
As of January 1, 2006, the Slovak Aliens Police no longer accpts affidavits or other sworn statements in lieu of a criminal history record from the applicant’s home country. The U.S. Embassy will no longer have the ability to issue any type of document accepted by the Slovak authorities for this purpose. Therefore, we recommend to those American citizens intending to apply for residency permit in Slovakia, to apply for the FBI background check in the U.S., prior their arrival in Slovakia.
Any American citizen can apply directly to the FBI for a criminal history search. Inked fingerprints on an approved card must be submitted with a signed request and a certified check or money order for $18 to:
FBI CJIS Division
ATTN. SCU
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, West Virginia 26306
tel. (304) 625-5590.
http://www.fbi.gov
An "approved" card means a special fingerprint form available from law enforcement agencies in the US. The FBI does not require that the fingerprints be taken by a law enforcement authority; any person can do so. (The Embassy does not have a stock of these forms, and cannot assist with taking the fingerprints.) The FBI states that fingerprints must be clear and readable and all applicable information boxes on the card must be completed. Any smudged fingerprints will be returned unprocessed. A common error is the use of too much ink, which smears the print.
A holder of a Long Term Stay Permit is obliged to notify local Border and Aliens' Police if he/she will be absent from Slovakia for more than 180 days. The date of planned termination of a temporary stay in Slovakia should be reported in writing to local BFP prior departure.
Any change (change of name, address, travel document, citizenship, etc.) must be reported to the Aliens’ Police no later than 3 days after the change was made.
Violation of the law can result in sanctions (fine, deportation, inadmissibility to Slovakia).
HOW TO USE A CAR IN SLOVAKIA
Disclaimer: The information furnished below is only a general guidance for American citizens, as the interpretation of the Slovak laws and regulations does not fall within the competence of the American Embassy.
Tourist Requirements
A driver’s license issued in the United States is not valid for driving in Slovakia by itself. The driver must also have an International Driving Permit. These can be obtained from AAA offices in the U.S.
Cars legally registered elsewhere may be brought into and driven in Slovakia for up to six months, provided the driver has liability insurance valid in Slovakia and proof of registration and ownership (or proof of the owner’s permission to be driving the car to Slovakia) and provided the driver is not residing in Slovakia.
Requirements for Residents
Americans with a long term residency permit in Slovakia must register their car with the Slovak police office responsible for the district in which they reside. This procedure includes an inspection of the car and verification that its technical parameters meet Slovak requirements. A Customs Deposit must be paid (19% of the car's value, plus 19% value added tax). This deposit is usually refunded when the car leaves the country. It is important to obtain up-to-date information from Slovak Embassy in Washington D.C., shipping company or customs office ahead of time.
All vehicles registered in Slovakia must be covered by a liability insurance policy that is valid in Slovakia. Collision/comprehensive insurance is optional.
American citizens who are long term residents in Slovakia, and are in possession of a state driver’s license, are obliged to apply to exchange this U.S. state driver’s license for a Slovak Driver’s license. Conditions for the exchange are set by the Law on Road Traffic effective, from February 2009.
A condition for exchange of a foreign driver’s license under the law is membership of the issuing country in either in Geneva Convention (U.S. ratified the Convention in 1950) or Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.
The law obliges all holders of a state driver’s license who also have a residency permit in Slovakia, to apply to exchange their state DL for a Slovak DL no later than 60 days after elapsing of 185 days from the residency permit issuance. The applications are filed with the Dopravny inspektorat at the District Police department in the place of residency in Slovakia. The Slovak DL is issued in the EU format and may be used in all EU countries.
Neighboring Countries
Most neighboring countries (e.g. Austria) also require American tourists to have an international driver’s permit in addition to a valid driver’s license from their home state. Americans driving without a valid international driving permit may be subject to a hefty fine.
Police Checks
There are occasionally police checks on roads in Slovakia, and all drivers must stop for them. Even if you don't break any rules, the police have the authority to stop you for a random check. They usually check that your vehicle papers are in order. Occasionally they may check your alcohol level, though this usually only occurs after dark. You should always have the following documents with you when driving and show them to the police upon request:
- a valid Slovak DL, or state DL along with International driver's licence
- car registration papers (Malý technický preukaz)
- proof of insurance
- personal identification.
Fines
If the police decide to issue a fine, you have a right to defer payment until later, which, however, may mean additional fees for administrative processing of the fine which may result in a payment of usually double amount of the original fine.
Driving rules
Here are some local driving rules to keep in mind while driving in Slovakia:
- your headlights must be on at all times
- seat belts are required for all passengers (even in back seats)
- children under 12 must sit in the rear of the vehicle
- right turns on red are not permitted
- use of cellular phones while driving is strictly prohibited, except when hands-free set is used
- eating and anything else unconnected to driving is not allowed
- trams, trolleys and buses that are turning always have the right-of-way
- pedestrians in a crosswalk have the right-of-way
- Driving under the influence of alcohol is strictly prohibited. The blood alcohol tolerance level is zero percent. Refusal of a blood test on alcohol may result in a fine of up to 869 USD.
Winter tires are compulsory on all roads covered with snow or ice and chains are necessary in certain mountainous areas.
In the Slovak Republic, vehicles travel on the right side of the road. Headlights must be used at all times (day and night). The maximum legal speed on highways is 130 kilometers per hour (78 mph). On smaller roads the maximum speed is 90 kph (54 mph). The limit in towns is 50 kph (31 mph). Safety reflection vests and first aid kits are compulsory equipment for each vehicle.
Drivers must yield the right of way to all vehicles with flashing blue lights (police, ambulances, fire trucks, motorcades). Vehicles with yellow or orange lights usually mean that traffic must slow down. Drivers must always be cautious on side roads where slowly moving vehicles, such as agricultural vehicles, may not be well marked.
Penalties for drivers involved in car accidents involving injury of death are decided by a court of law. Penalties for minor offenses are not generally large, but foreigners are sometimes targeted for additional sums. Anyone suspecting this has occurred should ask for a written receipt and note the name and number of the traffic officer imposing the fine.
Gasoline is readily available. Gas stations typically do not offer repair service; private mechanics must be found. Most gas stations accept credit cards, but mechanics less frequently accept them, so travelers should expect to pay for these services in cash.
A highway user decal must be purchased for travel on most major roads outside of Bratislava. The decal is valid for the calendar year in which it is purchased, and is available at gas stations, post offices and some newspaper kiosks. The cost is 36.50 EUR for all vehicles up to 3.5 tons. A short-term decal valid for 30 days may be purchased for 9.90 EUR and for 7 days for 4.90 EUR.
Accidents
In case of an accident where the estimated damage exceeds €4,000, you must call the police. As a foreign citizen, the police are obliged to give you a record of the accident with time, place, and all information about the car, plus a detailed description of the damage. If damage is minor, parties can exchange insurance information and solve the accident through those channels.
Insurance companies
(Disclaimer: These companies are listed solely as a courtesy service. The Embassy does not recommend or take responsibility for any of the companies/services listed here.)
Insurance for non-residents is provided by:
Slovenská kancelária poisťovateľov (Slovak insurer's bureau). To purchase insurance you need to visit the office in person. Take with you your ID, car title (technický preukaz), information about the car and its owner, and, of course, money. For more information visit their website (it is in English!) at http://www.skp.sk
American citizens with local residency status can purchase insurance policies with the insurance companies: Allianz, Generali, Ceska Poistovna Slovensko, Kooperativa and Axa.
