Change of https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-slovakia
Change description : 2020-09-07 15:13:00: Major update on Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021 [Brexit]
Showing diff : 2020-06-29 15:35:17 +00:00..2020-09-07 14:14:39 +00:00
Official information for UK nationals moving to or living in Slovakia, including guidance on residency, healthcare, passports and the Withdrawal Agreement.
You should:
You should follow the advice of the Slovak Government and your local authority. You can also read our Slovakia travel advice for our latest guidance.
You should:
The British Embassy regularly holds events across Slovakia for UK nationals. Attend one of our citizen outreach meetings to keep up to date on working and living in Slovakia.
You can also:
The Withdrawal Agreement sets out the terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and provides for a deal on citizens’ rights. It sets out a transition period which lasts until 31 December 2020. During this time you can continue to live, work and study in the EU broadly as you did before 31 January 2020.
If you are resident in Slovakia at the end of the transition period, you will be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, and your rights will be protected for as long as you remain resident in Slovakia.
Any rights that are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement will be the subject of future negotiations. Read this guidance page for more information
In the meantime, make sure you are registered as a resident in Slovakia. We will update this guidance as soon as more information becomes available.
You should also read our guidance on living in Europe.
Check the entry requirements for Slovakia.
If you are resident in Slovakia before transition period ends on 31 December 2020 you will be able to stay.
If you’re staying in Slovakia for more than 3 months, you must register with your local Foreigners Police department as soon as possible. You should read the Ministry of the Interior’s guide to residence of foreign nationals in Slovakia.
Check the address of your local Foreigners Police department where you must register your stay. You can also check how to book an appointment online with the Slovak Foreigners Police Units (in Slovak).
You will need to obtain a new Residence Card before 30 June 2021. Read the Slovak Ministry of Interior guidance on the transition period and residency.
If there are changes to residency registration processes, we will update this page as soon as information is available.
Read our guidance on moving or retiring abroad.
OnThe 6 March 2020 the FCOFCDO has announced funding for organisations to provide practical support to UK nationals who may have difficulty completing their residency applications.
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In Slovakia, this practical support is being provided by The International Organisation for Migration. If you or someone you know may have difficulty completing the paperwork, you can contact them using the details below to discuss how they may be able to help you.
Helpline: 00421 908 342 340 available duringMon theto followingFri hours:
Mondayfrom -10am Tuesday:to 14:0012pm - 16:00 and Wednesday1pm -to Thursday3pm
Visit 10:00the -IOM 12:00Slovakia website
Email: UKnationalsSK@iom.int
Personal consultations are available uponby appointment only.
The rules on travel will stay the same until the transition period ends on 31 December 2020. During this time you can continue to travel to countries in the Schengen area or elsewhere in the EU with your UK passport.
Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip. Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay.
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Slovakia.
Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip.
From Your1 January 2021, you must have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport shouldto betravel validto formost thecountries proposedin durationEurope (not including Ireland). This requirement does not apply if you are entering or transiting to Slovakia, and you are in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement.
If you renewed your stay.current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.
You’llYou will need to renew your passport before travelling if you do not have enough time left on your passport.
WeAs a non-EEA national, different border checks will updateapply when travelling to other EU or Schengen area countries. You may need to show a return or onward ticket and that you have enough money for your stay. You may also have to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing. Your passport may be stamped for visits to these pagescountries.
From details1 ofJanuary any2021, changesyou will be able to thetravel rulesto asother soonSchengen area countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa for purposes such as informationtourism. This is available.a Yourolling should180-day signperiod.
To upstay for updateslonger, to thiswork guidance.or study, or for business travel, you will need to meet the entry requirements set out by the country to which you are travelling. This could mean applying for a visa or work permit. You may also need to get a visa if your visit would take you over the 90 days in 180 days limit.
Periods of stay authorised under a visa or permit will not count against the 90-day limit. Travel to the UK and the Ireland will not change.
Different rules will apply to EU countries that are not part of the Schengen Area. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.
If you are living in Slovakia or move there permanently before 31 December 2020, you’ll have life-long healthcare rights in Slovakia as you do now, provided you remain resident.
Health insurance is compulsory in Slovakia and there are 3 insurance companies you can use:
Your employer will pay contributions to your health insurance on your behalf.
You need to take your insurance card when visiting a doctor.
Read our guidance on who can access healthcare in Slovakia and how to register.
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.
YouRead canour applyguidance foron anhow S1to certificateget throughan theS1 Business Services Authority.form.
If you are resident in Slovakia, you must not use your 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:
There will be no changes to your healthcare access before 31 December 2020. You can also continue to use your EHIC as you did before during this time.
You should also read guidance on:
If you are resident in Slovakia on or before 31 December 2020, your right to work will stay the same, as long as you remain resident in Slovakia.
Read our guidance on working in an 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.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Slovakia to ensure you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Existing double taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Slovakia have not changed.
Read guidance about:
You should obtain professional advice on paying tax in Slovakia. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Slovakia.
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.
You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.
If you retire in Slovakia you can claim:
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.
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.
There will be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming the UK State Pension in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.
You can continue to receive your UK State Pension if you live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you can still claim your UK State Pension.
If you are living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020 you will get your UK State Pension uprated every year for as long as you continue to live there. This will happen even if you start claiming your pension on or after 1 January 2021, as long as you meet the qualifying conditions explained in the new State Pension guidance.
If you are living in Slovakia by 31 December 2020, you will be able to count future social security contributions towards meeting the qualifying conditions for your UK State Pension.
If you work and pay social security contributions in Slovakia, you will still be able to add your UK social security contributions towards your Slovak pension. This will happen even if you claim your pension after 31 December 2020.
ReadIf you are considering moving to Slovakia on or after 1 January 2021 and you are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, the rules depend on negotiations with the EU and may change. Check our guidance on benefits and pensions in the EU.
You can continue to receive your UK State Pension if you live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you can still claim your UK State Pension.
You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.
You may still be able to claim some UK benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in Slovakia. You should:
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.
There will be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming UK benefits in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.
If you are living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020, you will continue to receive any UK benefits you already receive. This will continue for as long as you live 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 31 December 2020.
ReadIf you are considering moving to Slovakia on or after 1 January 2021 and you are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, the rules depend on negotiations with the EU and may change. Check our guidance on benefits and pensions in the EU.
Driving licence rules will stay the same until 31 December 2020.
If you are a resident in Slovakia, you can voluntarily 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:
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.
You can vote and stand in local elections in Slovakia if you are a registered resident in Slovakia.
You cannot vote in national parliamentary elections in Slovakia or European Parliament elections.
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
If your child is born in Slovakia, you will need to register the birth abroad.
If someone dies in Slovakia you can:
Find out how you can get married abroad.
Find out about notarial and documentary services for UK nationals in Slovakia.
You may also need:
Read our guidance on buying a property abroad.
Current pet travel rules will stay the same until 31 December 2020.
If you’re travelling with your pet for the first time, you must visit your vet to obtain a pet passport.
Read guidance on bringing your pet into the UK.
You can dial the European emergency number 112 or Slovakia also has:
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..
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.
Please note that this information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Slovak authorities. The ForeignForeign, and Commonwealth & Development Office will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Major update on Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021
Visas and residency section updated to include information about how to access the UK National Support Fund for those who may find it harder to complete their residency applications.
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.
Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement
Brexit Update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.
Brexit update: We have added new information on residency, pensions and benefits.
EU Exit update: We have added new information in "Passports and travel after the UK leaves the EU section"
EU Exit update: We have added new information about pensions.
EU Exit update: updated information on EU Exit in healthcare, visas and residency, passports, driving and working sections
EU Exit update: added information about citizens outreach meetings in April in EU Exit section
We have added information on residence in relation to EU Exit to the Visas and residency section.
We have updated the contact details you need to apply for an S1 form.
Updated information on passports: you must use the checker tool to see if your passport is still valid for your trip
EU Exit update - Updated information on access to healthcare
EU Exit update: added the Slovak government´s announcement about a no deal scenario for British nationals to EU Exit section
EU exit update - updated information on pensions and driving
Information added about applying to the penalty register in the Working in Slovakia section
EU Exit update: New information in residency and visa section on draft withdrawal agreement in principle between the UK and EU. Plus information on travelling with pets in Europe in Pets section.
We have updated ´residence of foreign nationals´ under the visas and residency section
Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.
First published.
2025-08-14 14:51
Launch date of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) has been added.
2025-07-03 11:35
Visa and residency was updated with information from the new Foreigners Act.
2025-02-11 16:20
Driving in Slovakia has been updated to reflect an increase in fees for exchanging a driver’s licence.
2024-10-25 12:37
The section about the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) has been edited to reflect the postponement of the system’s launch, which had been planned for Autumn 2024.
2024-06-17 14:29
Information on the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) that will be introduced in Autumn 2024 has been added to the Passports and travel section.
2023-02-24 14:29
Guidance has been fully reviewed and updated.
2022-09-06 14:37
Added new guidance: ‘Before you go’ and ‘medicine’. Guidance reviewed and updated in the following sections: ‘healthcare’, ‘visas’, and ‘births, deaths, marriages, and civil partnerships’.
2022-04-28 14:17
Updated information in the “Passports and travel” section about the documents needed when travelling within the Schengen area.
2022-03-11 08:00
Important information in the Working in Slovakia, and National insurance sections if you work in Slovakia, even it if it is for an employer based in the UK.
2021-03-01 16:35
Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines. Driving section updated with new guidance on exchanging your UK licence for a Slovak one.
2020-09-07 15:13
Major update on Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021
2020-06-29 16:33
Visas and residency section updated to include information about how to access the UK National Support Fund for those who may find it harder to complete their residency applications.
2020-01-23 14:58
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.
2019-09-23 16:47
Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement
2019-09-03 16:48
Brexit Update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.
2019-08-12 15:51
Brexit update: We have added new information on residency, pensions and benefits.
2019-06-04 09:43
EU Exit update: We have added new information in “Passports and travel after the UK leaves the EU section”
2019-05-14 15:19
EU Exit update: We have added new information about pensions.
2019-04-17 15:35
EU Exit update: updated information on EU Exit in healthcare, visas and residency, passports, driving and working sections