Familiy reunion in Slovakia

Family members are considered to be:

• sponsors spouse, if both are at least 18 years old;
• a common single child of the third-country national and sponsors spouse younger than 18 years of age;
• sponsors single child younger than 18 years of age;
• a single child of sponsors spouse younger than 18 years of age;
• sponsors dependent single child older than 18 years of age or dependent single child of sponsors spouse older than 18 years of age who cannot take care of him/herself due to the long-term unfavorable health condition;
• sponsors parent or a parent of sponsors spouse who is dependent on his/her care and lacks appropriate family support in the country of origin.

In addition to meeting the conditions, to obtain a residence permit based on a family reunion in Slovakia the applicant (a residence permit holder) will need to support its documents confirming:

• the family ties;
• health insurance for all family members;
• proof of financial solvency;
• proof of accommodation;
• proof of clear criminal record;
• if only one parent requests the reunification – consent of the other parent.

All documents at the time of filing for a residence permit for family reunification should be no older than 90 days, and the documents issued by official authorities abroad must be translated into Slovak by a court-appointed translator and properly legalized.

You can either apply in person for a temporary residence for the purpose of family reunification at the Slovak embassy in your country of citizenship or residence or directly in Slovakia, at the Alien Police Department.

Employment of family members in Slovakia

A family member with a temporary residence for the purpose of family reunification can work or undertake a business. However, they need to obtain a work permit for the first 12 months after being granted temporary residence.

School enrollment

Your child can be enrolled in school on the basis of Slovakian residence permit, birth certificate, health insurance, report card from the former school, and a Certificate from the Slovak pediatrician that the child is healthy.

Duration of permit

Temporary residence for the purpose of family reunification shall be granted until the end of the validity of residence of a sponsor with whom the family member applies the right for family reunification, however, maximum for five years.

Long-term residence

After your family members legally resided in Slovakia for five years, they may be issued long-term residence and after 10 years – the citizenship of Slovakia.