Slovakia
Slovak Republic · Capital: Bratislava
A eurozone member and the world's largest per-capita car producer, with an industrial economy, low costs and a capital an hour from Vienna.
Migration statistics
Who is arriving
Top source countries and the make-up of recent arrivals into Slovakia.
Policy overview
2 visa routes into Slovakia
Eligibility, fees, processing times and whether each route leads to permanent residence.
EU Blue Card
SkilledSK-EUBC
Residence for highly qualified non-EU professionals.
Eligibility
- Degree
- Salary of at least 1.2x the average monthly wage
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
SK-TR
Employer-sponsored residence for shortage occupations.
Eligibility
- Job offer
- Shortage-occupation or labour test
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Background
Economic context
The numbers behind the move
Pay reflects the local market in Slovakia, what you'd typically earn there, not your current salary.
Skill shortages
Sectors actively recruiting from abroad
Where Slovakia needs foreign talent most, and what those roles pay.
Automotive manufacturing
VW, KIA, Stellantis and Jaguar Land Rover plants drive constant hiring.
IT & shared services
Bratislava and Košice host multinational tech and service centres.
Recent changes
What's changed lately
Recent policy changes that affect migrants, newest first.
No policy changes recorded in the last 90 days. The intelligence agent is monitoring.
Quality of life
What living there feels like
Bratislava
Capital & auto/IT hubA small capital on the Danube with most corporate, auto and IT jobs, minutes from Austria.
- Cost index
- 62
- 1-bed rent
- $850
- Quality
- 80
Košice
Eastern tech & steelThe eastern hub built around US Steel and a growing IT scene.
- Cost index
- 50
- 1-bed rent
- $600
- Quality
- 78
Žilina
Car-plant townA northern industrial town anchored by a major KIA plant.
- Cost index
- 48
- 1-bed rent
- $560
- Quality
- 78
Safety & climate
The reception you can expect
How welcoming the public and political mood is, how safe it is, and how geopolitically stable the country is right now.
Anti-migrant sentiment
trendIndustry depends on foreign labour though national politics is cautious on migration.
Higher = more hostile public/political climate.
Geopolitical stability
A composite of governance, security and regional-risk signals. Higher means a more predictable environment for settling long term.
Higher = more stable.
Safety
Safe with low violent crime across the country.
Higher = safer (crime index 26/100).
Where to live
Which Slovakia city fits you?
Cities matched to who you are, career, family, retirement, study or remote work. We flag the ones to consider and the ones to approach with care.
Bratislava
Compact & Danube-side
A small capital on the Danube with most corporate, auto and IT jobs, minutes from Austria.
Žilina
Mountain-flanked
A northern industrial town anchored by a major KIA plant.
Košice
Historic & industrial
The eastern hub built around US Steel and a growing IT scene.
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