Living in Slovakia

This page tells you what to do ahead of Brexit. It will be updated if anything changes, including if a deal is agreed.

TheYou Britishcan Embassyalso:

• read regularlyLiving holdsin eventsthe acrossEU: Slovakiaprepare for UKBrexit
• read nationals.the AttendSlovak onegovernment’s of our citizen outreach meetingsannouncement toon keepthe uprights toof dateUK onnationals living, working and livingstudying in Slovakia afterif Brexit.

  Youthe canUK also:

  leaves the EU without a deal
  • read the Slovak Foreigners Police information for UK nationals on residence in relation to Brexit
  • readregister Livingfor inour theoutreach EU: prepare for Brexitevents

  Visas and residency

  Check the entry requirements for Slovakia.

  If you’re staying in Slovakia for more than 3 months, you must register with your local foreign police department. You can also read the Ministry of the Interior’s guide to residence of foreign nationals in Slovakia. You can book your appointment online with the Slovak Foreigners Police Units.

  Visas and residency after Brexit

  If youthere areis residenta indeal, Slovakiayour beforeresidency rights will be recognised and preserved until the end of the implementation periodperiod.

  If onthe 31UK Decemberleaves 2020the EU without a deal, the Slovak government has stated that if you register your stay with the Foreigners Police before the day the UK leaves the EU, you will be ableentitled to stay.permanent residency. For more information, you should read:

  • Ifthe thereSlovak areForeigners Police announcement on UK nationals’ rights in Slovakia in a no deal scenario

  • the European Commission’s website on UK nationals’ residency rights in the EU in the event of a no deal

  After the UK leaves the EU, UK nationals who did not register their residence before Exit Day will have to apply for residency as non-EU nationals.

  In the event of changes to residency rules or registration processes after Brexit, we will update this page as soon as information is available.

  Passports and travel

  You can apply for or renew your British passport from Slovakia.

  Read our travel advice for Slovakia and sign up for up-to-date information on local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.

  Read our guidance on moving or retiring abroad.

  Passports and travel after Brexit

  After Brexit, the rules on travel will change. Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip. YourYou’ll need to renew your passport shouldbefore betravelling validif foryou do not have enough time left on your passport.

  If the proposedUK durationleaves the EU with a deal, nothing will change until the end of your2020. stay;In this time you docan notcontinue needto anytravel additionalfreely periodin ofthe validitySchengen onarea with your passportUK beyondpassport. this.What happens after 2020 will form the next part of negotiations.

  You’llIf needthere’s no deal, you must have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to renewtravel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland). If you renewed your current passport before travellingthe ifprevious youone doexpired, notextra months may have enoughbeen timeadded leftto onits yourexpiry passport.

  Thedate. rulesAny extra months on travelyour willpassport stayover the10 sameyears untilmay thenot endcount oftowards the implementation6 periodmonths onneeded.

  If 31there’s Decemberno 2020.deal, DuringUK thisnationals timewill younot canneed continuevisas tofor travelshort tostays countrieselsewhere in the Schengen areaEU. orYou elsewherewill be able to stay up to 90 days in theanother EU, withEEA youror UKEFTA passport.

  Wecountry, willwithin updatea these180 pagesday withperiod. detailsYou must retain evidence of anytravel changes(e.g. totrain theand rulesplane astickets), soonin ascase informationthese isare available.requested Youby shouldnational signauthorities. upIf foryou updateshold a residence permit from an EU, EEA or EFTA country, you will be able to thistransit guidance.through other EU, EEA or EFTA countries to reach your country of residence.

  Healthcare

  Read the NHS guidance on healthcare for UK nationals living in and visiting Slovakia.

  Health insurance is compulsory in Slovakia and there are 3 insurance companies you can use:

  • Union zdravotná poisťovňa
  • Dôvera zdravotná poisťovňa
  • Všeobecná zdravotná poisťovňa

  Your employer will pay contributions to your health insurance on your behalf.

  You need to take your insurance card when visiting a doctor.

  State healthcare: S1

  If you live in Slovakia and receive an exportable UK pension, contribution-based Employment Support Allowance or another exportable benefit, you may currently be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK. You will need to apply for a certificate of entitlement known as an S1 certificate.

  European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

  If you are resident in Slovakia, you must not use youra European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from the UK to access healthcare in Slovakia.

  When you travel from Slovakia for a temporary stay in another European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, you can use an EHIC to access state-provided healthcare in that country. During that short stay:

  • the EHIC covers treatment that is medically necessary until your planned return home
  • an EHIC is not a replacement for comprehensive travel insurance
  • for more information you can read our travel advice pages and advice on foreign travel insurance

  If you are a student, read the NHS guidance on healthcare and studying abroad.

  You can find English-speaking doctors in Slovakia.

  You must check your prescriptions are legal in Slovakia.

  Healthcare after Brexit

  ThereIf there is a deal, your current rights on access to healthcare in Slovakia will beremain the same until the end of the implementation period, as long as you remain a resident in Slovakia.

  If there’s no changesdeal, the Slovak government has said that all UK nationals in Slovakia will be able to youraccess healthcare accessuntil beforeat 31least Decemberthe end of 2020.

  If you are living in Slovakia, you must confirm your residency status and review your healthcare cover. You canmust alsodecide continuehow you will ensure access to usehealthcare if there’s no deal.

  If you currently have your EHIChealthcare costs paid for by the UK, asgovernment, we can help if you didare before,asked to pay for treatment during thisthe time.first 6 months after Brexit. To organise a payment, you must give your healthcare provider’s details to the NHS Business Services Authority’s Overseas Healthcare Services.

  IfYour youEHIC aremay livingnot inbe Slovakiavalid orif movethere’s thereno permanentlydeal. beforeThe 31UK Decemberhas 2020,offered you’llto havemaintain life-longthe EHIC scheme if there’s no deal, however this is reliant on Slovakia continuing to accept UK EHICs.

  Read the NHS guidance on healthcare rightsfor UK nationals in Slovakia asand youhow doit now,may providedchange youafter remain resident.Brexit.

  Working in Slovakia

  Read our guidance on working in another EU country.

  You may need to apply for a UK police certificate.

  Your employer must notify the local labour office within 7 working days of you starting your job.

  Working in Slovakia after Brexit

  YourRead the guidance on providing services after Brexit if you’re planning to start a business, provide a service, or do a job in a regulated profession after Brexit.

  If there is a deal, your right to work will stay the same,same asuntil longthe asend youof remainthe residentimplementation in Slovakia.period.

  Money and tax

  The UK has a double-taxation agreement with Slovakia to ensure people do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.

  Read guidance about:

  • telling HMRC if you leave the UK to live abroad

  • tax on your UK income if you live abroad

  • paying income tax in Slovakia

  You should obtain professional advice on paying tax in Slovakia. Find an English speaking lawyer in Slovakia.

  National Insurance

  Find out if you can pay National Insurance while abroad in order to protect your state pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.

  If you are employed or self-employed in the EU or EEA and you have a UK-issued A1/E101 form, you will remain subject to UK legislation until the end date on the form.

  If the end date on your form is after 31 October 2019, you should contact the relevant EU, EEA or Swiss authority to confirm whether you need to start paying social security contributions in that country after 31 October, as well as UK National Insurance contributions.

  Find out more about social security contributions after a no-deal Brexit.

  Money and tax after Brexit

  Brexit will not change existing double-taxationdouble taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Slovakia. You should send your taxpayer queries about double taxation relief to the relevant tax authority.

  Pensions

  YouIf willthere’s needno todeal, tellit themay UKbecome governmentmore officesexpensive thatto dealuse with your benefits,bank pensioncard andin taxSlovakia. ifRead youmore areabout movingusing ora retiringbank abroad.

  Therecard, willinsurance be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming the UK State Pension in the EU, EEA or Switzerlandother asfinancial aservice resultif ofthere’s theno UK leaving the EUdeal.

  Pensions

  If you retire in Slovakia you can claim:

  • your UK State Pension if you retire abroad or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre to claim

  • pensions from working abroad, if you have worked in other EU countries

  If you have worked for at least 15 years and you have reached the retirement age as stipulated under Slovak law, you can claim your pension in Slovakia. You will only need to make one single application covering all the countries where you have worked. You can make your application in person at the nearest Social Insurance Agency’s branch (in Slovak).

  If you have worked in the UK or any other EU Member State you need to indicate this on the form. The Slovak authorities will liaise with the relevant governments and agree on the amount that should be paid to you. Each EU Member State where you have worked will send you the appropriate pension payments separately to your bank account. The UK or Slovak authorities will contact you directly if they need further information.

  Life certificates

  If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you don’t.

  Pensions after Brexit

  YouThe canUK government will continue to receivepay youra UK State Pension ifto youthose liveeligible in the EU, EEAafter orBrexit. SwitzerlandYour andUK youState canPension stillwill claimbe youruprated UKin StateApril Pension.

  If2020, you2021 areand living2022 if you live in the EU, EEA or SwitzerlandSwitzerland.

  If bythere 31is Decembera 2020deal and you willwork getand yourpay UKsocial Statesecurity Pensioncontributions upratedin everySlovakia, yearyou forwill asstill longbe asable youto continueadd toyour liveUK there.social security contributions towards your Slovak pension. This will happen even if you startclaim claiming your pension on or after 1the Januaryend 2021,of as long as you meet the qualifyingimplementation conditions.period.

  If youthere’s areno livingdeal, inthe SlovakiaSlovak bygovernment 31will Decembercontinue 2020,the youcurrent willarrangements beuntil ablethe toend countof future2020. socialPeriods securityof contributionsworking towardsin meeting the qualifying conditions for your UK Statewhile Pension.

  Ifit youwas worka andmember payof socialthe securityEU contributionsand inbefore Slovakia,31 youDecember 2020 will stillcount be able to add your UK social security contributions towards your Slovak pension. ThisPeriods willof happenwork evenbeyond if you claim your pension after the end of the2020 implementation period.

  Benefits

  There will be nosubject changesto beforefuture 31negotiations. DecemberFor 2020more toinformation, you can read the rulesEuropean Commission’s announcement on claimingsocial UKsecurity benefitscoordination in the EU,event EEAof ora Switzerlandno asdeal.

  Read aour resultguidance ofon thepensions UKif leavingthere’s theno EUdeal.

  Benefits

  You may still be able to claim some UK benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in Slovakia. You should:

  • read our guidance on which benefits you can claim if you live abroad

  • use our tool to check which benefits you can claim while you’re abroad

  Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit can’t be paid to you if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

  You may be eligible to claim some Slovak social security benefits.

  You can request proof of the time you’ve worked in the UK from HMRC if you are asked for this.

  Benefits after Brexit

  IfThe you are living in the EUUK, EEAgovernment or Switzerland by 31 December 2020, you will continue to receivepay anychild UKand disability benefits youto alreadythose receive.eligible Thisin willthe continueEU forafter asBrexit.

  If longthere asis youa livedeal there and meet all other eligibility requirements.

  If you work and pay social security contributions in Slovakia, your UK social security contributions will be taken into account when applying for Slovak contributions-based benefits. This will happen even if you claim contributions-based benefits after the end of the implementation period.

  Read the guidance on benefits and pensions if there’s no deal.The Slovak government plans to continue the current arrangements until the end of 2020. This means that your rights will not change if you are a registered resident in Slovakia before the UK leaves the EU. For more information, you can read the European Commission’s information table on social security coordination in the event of a no deal.

  Driving in Slovakia

  If you are a resident in Slovakia, you canmust exchange your UK licence for a Slovak driving licence after 185 days. You can still use your Slovak licence in the UK for short visits or exchange it for a UK licence without taking a test if you return to live in the UK.

  Read our guidance on:

  • driving licence renewal and exchange

  • what you need to drive abroad

  • road travel in Slovakia

  Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to Slovakia

  Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.

  You should read the European Union’s guidance on car registration and taxes in Slovakia. You may be exempt from some of these taxes. If so, you will need certificates of exemption.

  Driving in Slovakia after Brexit

  DrivingIf there is a deal, driving licence rules will stay the same untilduring 31the Decemberimplementation 2020.period.

  If there’s no deal, the Slovak authorities will recognise UK driving licenses for driving in Slovakia.

  Consider exchanging your UK licence for a Slovak one if you plan to drive to other EU countries. You can exchange your UK driving licence on a voluntary basis if you have been residing in Slovakia for at least 6 months. We advise you to check the Foreign Office travel advice for any EU Member States that you intend to drive through.

  Read our guidance on driving in the EU after Brexit.

  Voting

  You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

  • check if you are able to vote

  • register as an overseas voter if you would like to vote

  If you’re resident in Slovakia, you can vote in local municipal and European parliamentary elections. You can read the European Union’s guidance on voting in Slovakia.

  Voting after Brexit

  YouAfter Brexit, you will continue to be able to vote and stand in local elections. You will no longer be eligible to vote in European Parliament elections.

  Births, deaths, getting married

  If your child is born in Slovakia, you will need to register the birth abroad.

  If someone dies in Slovakia you can:

  • read our guidance on what to do after someone dies abroad
  • read guidance for UK nationals on bereavements in Slovakia
  • find a list of English-speaking funeral directors in Slovakia

  Find out how you can get married abroad.

  Find out about notarial and documentary services for UK nationals in Slovakia.

  You may also need:

  • English-speaking lawyers in Slovakia
  • translators and interpreters in Slovakia
  • notary and documentary services for Slovakia

  Accommodation and buying property

  Read our guidance on buying a property abroad.

  Pets

  CurrentYou petwill still be able to travel to and from the UK with a cat, dog or ferret when the UK leaves the EU. But the rules will staychange. theYou samecan untilread 31guidance Decemberon 2020.pet travel to Europe.

  While the UK is still a Member State you’ll be able to travel with your pet to the EU under the current pet travel rules using your current EU pet passport. If you’re travelling with your pet for the first time,time you must visit your vet to obtain a pet passport.

  Read guidance on returning your cat, dog or ferret to the UK.

  For moving pet travelhorses and other equines read guidance on export horses and ponies: special rules.

  Emergencies

  You can dial the European emergency number 112 or Slovakia also has:

  • 150 for fire and rescue

  • 155 for emergency medical service

  • 158 for police

  You can read a list of emergency numbers in Slovakia.

  If you’re the victim of crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad, contact the British embassy in Bratislava..

  Returning to the UK

  Read guidance on:

  • access to benefits and services in the UK if there’s no deal
  • bringing your family to the UK
  • access to higher education, 19+ further education and apprenticeship funding
  • importing vehicles back to the UK
  • bringing your pet back to the UK
  • checking your tax status after returning to the UK

  Tell the Slovak and UK authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently.

  You need to return your residence card to your local foreign police department when you leave Slovakia.

  To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.

  If you get healthcare in Slovakia through the S1 form, you must contact the Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 (0)191 218 1999 to make sure your S1 is cancelled at the right time.

  Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax, access to services and bringing family members.

  Disclaimer

  Please note that this information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the SlovakSlovakian authorities. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.