I have resided in Slovakia for more than 5 years, and I hold a valid residence card expiring after 2020

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

You must obtain a new Residence Card.

You can either apply for the new Residence Card before 31 December 2020 or before 30 June 2021.

Applying before 31 December 2020

If you apply for the new Residence Card before 31 December 2020, you will be able to decide between two options:

a) Get the EU Residence Card (“Pobytový preukaz rodinného príslušníka občana EÚ”)

In this case, you will first get the same type of Residence Card as your previous one. Its validity will be until 30 June 2021. Then, if you want to stay in Slovakia beyond 30 June 2021, you will have to go to the Foreign Police again and apply for the Long-term Residence Card (see point b)) before 30 June 2021. The Long-term Residence Card is issued with a maximum validity of ten years.

b) Get the non-EU Residence Card: Long-term Residence Card (“Povolenie na pobyt – osoba s dlhodobým pobytom – EÚ”)

In this case, you will get a new type of Residence Card. The Foreign Police will grant you the Long-term Residence Card with a maximum validity of ten years. You will not need to apply for its replacement before 30 June 2021, as stated under point a).

Tip:

Until 31 December 2020, you can decide between applying for the EU Residence Card or the non-EU Residence Card. Although you have this right of choice, we recommend to directly get the non-EU Residence Card. This way, you will avoid going to the Foreign Police twice and paying the optional fees for the second Residence Card.

Applying after 1 January 2021

In case you do not apply for one of the two above Residence Cards by 31 December 2020, your residence status will be changed automatically from 1 January 2021. However, you will have to apply for a new Residence Card before 30 June 2021. In this case, you will only be able to get the Long-term Residence Card, i.e. opting for the EU Residence Card will no longer be possible.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for the new Residence Card, you must go to the Foreign Police Department competent according to your place of residence in Slovakia. You must do so in person. Applying electronically, by mail or by means of an authorised representative is not possible. It is also not possible to use the online booking system of the Foreign Police for this purpose.

Find your competent Foreign Police Department and check the office hours here. Contact details of Foreign Police Departments are available here.

You must submit the following documents at the Foreign Police:

Valid passport
Your current Residence Card
One passport size colour photograph (3 x 3.5 cm)
Application form completed in Slovak language
Optional fee(s)

There are special application forms designated specifically for this purpose and are available only at the Foreign Police. In case of applying before 31 December 2020, you will be able to indicate your choice of the Residence Card type, i.e. whether you want the EU Residence Card or the non-EU Residence Card, directly in this application form.

The above conditions apply regardless of when you apply for the new Residence Card (i.e. before 31 December 2020 or before 30 June 2021) and regardless of whether you opt for the EU Residence Card or the non-EU Residence Card.

FEES AND TIMELINES

The new Residence Card will be issued free of charge, within 30 days from your application.

For your convenience, you may consider paying one or both of the following optional fees:

Expedited issuance of the Residence Card within two working days (instead of the standard 30 days): 24.50 EUR
Sending the Residence Card to your address in Slovakia (to avoid going to the Foreign Police again in order to collect it): 3.00 EUR

Fees at the Foreign Police are paid in form of electronic fee stamps (eKolok), which may be bought directly at the Foreign Police Department through a vending machine, or at a post office. The fees may be paid in cash or with a card.