Hiring foreign workers in Slovakia is a common practice among employers who are facing staff shortages.
When companies can’t find enough qualified local candidates, bringing international workers in Slovakia is the only viable solution.
If you’re looking to hire EU nationals, no major challenges occur, as these individuals have the right to freely enter and work in the country.
However, when it comes to hiring from outside the EU, the process can have some pitfalls – if you don’t know the exact steps that need to be taken.
Read on as we break down the procedures and requirements for hiring foreign workers in Slovakia.
Foreign Workers in Slovakia: An Overview of the Hiring Process
In Slovakia, the employment options for third-country nationals are primarily governed by two key laws:
According to these laws, most non-EU citizens who are to work in the country for more than 90 days must hold a work and residence permit.
Let’s take a closer look at each of the steps in the hiring process so you can get started on hiring foreign workers in Slovakia today!
Step 1: Conduct a Labor Market Test
Before you start recruiting internationally, you must report the vacancy to the competent Office of Labor, Social Affairs, and Family (“Úrad práce”). You can report the vacancy in person, by email, or by fax.
The official form for reporting a vacancy can be found here.
The Labor Office will determine if a candidate from the local Register of Unemployed Job Seekers can fill the role. If the position remains open for at least 20 working days, you may start exploring the international labor market.
To do so, post your job ad on VideoWorkers and select candidates from the applicant pool or search the database directly.
Once you’ve found the perfect match, you can conclude a contract of employment or a written promise of employment (available for download from here).
Exemptions from the Labor Market Test
Under certain circumstances, you don’t need to conduct a labor market test before hiring foreign workers in Slovakia.
To be exempted from the labor market test requirements, you must meet the following requirements:
- The job must face a labor shortage (as established by the Central Office of Labor, Social Affairs and Family)
- The proportion of third-country nationals hired in the company is less than 30% of the total workforce
- The job location should be in a region where the occupation is officially recognized as facing a shortage of skilled workers
If you meet these requirements, you will still have to report the job vacancy.
However, there’s no need to wait for the mandatory 20 working days. Instead, the Labor Office will issue a certificate that enables you to fill the role without the need to test the local labor market.
Step 2: Your Future Worker Applies for Temporary Residence for the Purpose of Employment (Single Permit)
Next, your future worker must file an application for temporary residence for employment purposes. This is called a single permit and allows your prospective employee to stay and work in Slovakia for more than 90 days.
The single permit is the most common type of authorization to enter Slovakia for employment purposes. It is a single application that includes a residence permit and a work permit.
This means that it is not necessary for you as an employer to submit a separate application for a work permit.
Your future worker must submit the application to the competent Slovak Diplomatic Mission located in their country of residence.
Single Permit for Slovakia: Supporting Documents
The required documents for a single permit are as follows:
- Duly completed and signed application form
- Valid passport
- Two recent photographs (3 cm x 3.5 cm)
- An employment contract or a written promise of employment
- In cases of regulated professions: Certification recognized or authenticated by the competent authorities stating that the candidate has the required education for the position
- If applicable: Academic qualifications recognized by the competent authorities
- Criminal record from each country where the candidate resided for more than 90 days in the last 3 years
- Proof of financial means (e.g., bank statement or employer’s confirmation of the agreed salary)
- Proof of accommodation in Slovakia
- A certificate from the municipality stating that the accommodation complies with the criteria established by the Ministry of Health
You can find more details about the recognition of foreign diplomas here.
All documents issued by foreign authorities must be translated into Slovak and authenticated. Additionally, they must not be older than 90 days.
The fee for applying for temporary residence is € 170. Additionally, the applicant will pay a fee of € 4.5 for the issuance of the single permit.
The processing time for a single permit varies between 30 and 90 days.
If the candidate receives a positive answer on the application, they have 180 days to enter Slovakia.
Foreign Workers in Slovakia: After Entering the Country
Upon entering the country, your worker must take additional steps in order to comply with Slovak immigration law.
These steps include:
- Inform the Foreign Police Department of their arrival in Slovakia within three working days after entering the country
- Within 30 days after collecting the residence documents, they must provide the Foreign Police with a medical report confirming they do not have a disease that poses a risk to public health
- Obtain health insurance from a public insurance system (VŠZP, UNION, Dôvera) within 3 days after collecting the residence documents
Your worker can renew the temporary residence for a maximum period of 5 years.
Hiring Foreign Workers in Slovakia: Final Considerations
There are currently tens of thousands of foreigners employed in Slovakia in different industries.
In the future, Slovakia is expected to require even more qualified workers, especially in sectors such as healthcare, transportation, and provision of services.
If you’re considering hiring foreign workers in Slovakia to address your labor shortages, let us assist you. Create your free company account with VideoWorkers and get access to the largest pool of international talent.
We’re dedicated to making your hiring process fast and seamless, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your company.