Getting a Long Stay Visa for Slovakia: What to Do in 2026

If you're going to be staying in Slovakia for an extended period of time, you may need to apply for the right permissions to do so.

"Permission" comes in the form of a long-stay visa and sometimes a residence permit, depending on the purpose of your trip.

Some travelers need a long-stay visa, while others don't. Which category do you fall into? Do you need to apply for a Slovakian long-stay visa? Which one? And what's the application process like?

Slovakian long-stay visas

A long-stay visa for Slovakia allows its holder (a foreigner) to stay in the country for more than 90 days. They can be valid for up to one year.

Applying for one is an involved process. While there are several steps, it is relatively straightforward.

Who should apply

Whether or not you need to apply depends on a few factors, including your nationality and how long you intend to stay in Slovakia.

If you are NOT a citizen of an EU/Schengen country AND you plan to be in Slovakia for more than 90 days, you likely need to apply for a long stay visa.

Not just anyone can apply for one, however. In order to apply for one, your situation needs to fall into one of the following categories:

• You need one alongside a residence permit.
• You're over the age of 15 and are going to Slovakia to attend language school (a minimum of 25 lessons per week).
• You need to fulfill the obligations of Slovakia from international treaties.
• Your trip is in the interest of Slovakia (this can mean several things, but includes international studying, highly qualified workers, reuniting family members, and more).
• You are a family member of someone granted asylum/protection in Slovakia.

Visa types

You may see the terms Type D visas or national visas. Though the terminology is different, they both refer to the same thing: a long-stay visa.

There are several types of long stay visas for Slovakia, and the type you should apply for depends on your situation. For example, if you're going to Slovakia for work, you likely need to apply for a work visa.

Most categories also have "sub-categories" within them. For instance, there isn't just one type of work visa. There are specific work visas for specific situations, like self-employment or highly qualified professionals, for instance.

The one you need is the one that most accurately reflects the purpose of your journey to Slovakia.

Types include (but aren't limited to):

• Study visas
• Work visas
• Visas to join family members (such as a spouse)
• Visas for highly qualified job seekers

How to apply

The application process contains a few steps that you'll need to complete. The steps are generally as follows:

Determine the type of visa you need. As mentioned above, you'll need to apply for the visa that most accurately reflects your unique situation.

Make sure you meet the minimum requirements. Each visa has a list of requirements that applicants will need to meet in order to qualify.

Begin collecting documents for your application. Your application will consist of a completed long-stay visa application form, as well as a series of documents that prove you meet the qualifications.

Book an in-person appointment in your country of residence. This appointment takes place at a Slovakian diplomatic mission, or sometimes a visa application center, depending on the visa type and your location. To apply for a long-stay visa for Slovakia, an in-person appointment is mandatory. You'll bring all of your collected documents and your application form with you.

Attend your appointment and submit your completed visa application.

Wait for a decision. At your appointment, if your application is complete, it will be forwarded to the appropriate Slovakian authorities for a decision to be made.

Required documents

There are general documents that nearly all applicants will need to provide, regardless of the specific type of long-stay visa they're applying for.

These are considered "basic documents" and include:

• A completed application form for a national visa.
• A passport. It needs to remain valid (so, unexpired) for an additional 90 days AFTER your trip to Slovakia.
• A recent color photo for your visa. This photo needs to adhere to ICAO standards.
• A document that confirms the reason you want to stay in Slovakia and need a long-stay visa. This is dependent on the type of visa you're applying for.
• Proof of health insurance that covers you for the entire (intended) length of your visa.

These basic documents are at the core of your application, but more documents are required depending on the specific type of visa you're applying for, too.

For example, students attending language school must show proof of financial means and that they have accommodations lined up.

Highly qualified workers also need to submit specific proof of education and a valid work contract/letter from their Slovakian employer.

You can find specific requirements on the Slovakian Embassy's official website, which is highly advised. Information can update and change, so it's always best to get information directly from the official source - especially when it comes to sensitive processes like visas and immigration.

FAQs for Slovakia long stay visas