The Ministry of Interior of Slovakia has introduced an updated version of the electronic booking system at the Alien Police departments. Now, services are divided into authorized (for people with temporary or permanent residence) and unauthorized (for those without residence, including temporary protection). These changes aim to reduce chaos and fight the resale of appointment slots, which was a big problem with the old system. We wrote a detailed article about the current situation with appointments, the prices for booking them, and how resellers work – What is happening with the reservation system at the Alien Police in Slovakia. The police are already investigating fraud cases, and authorized services using BOK are meant to minimize these risks. Let's look at the details, including key changes from 2025, recommendations, and a step-by-step guide for booking.
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What services are available at the Alien Police in Slovakia?
Authorized Services
These services are for foreigners with a valid temporary residence permit (pobyt), permanent residence permit (trvalý pobyt), or an expired residence card (if it's out of date or lost). These individuals must be registered in the foreigner's registry and must authenticate using their residence card and BOK code. Appointment slots are available up to 60 days in advance.
List of Authorized Services
Applying to extend temporary residence (Obnovenie prechodného pobytu).
Applying to change the purpose of temporary residence (Prechodný pobyt – zmena účelu pobytu).
Applying for permanent residence for 5 years (Trvalý pobyt na 5 rokov).
Applying for permanent residence for an unlimited time (Trvalý pobyt na neobmedzený čas).
Applying for long-term residence (Dlhodobý pobyt).
Applying for a new residence card (Žiadosť o vydanie dokladu o pobyte) to replace a lost, expired, or damaged card.
Applying for a national visa (Národné vízum) or extending a Schengen visa.
Registering the right of residence for an EU citizen's family member (Registrácia práva na pobyt rodinného príslušníka občana Únie).
Registering the right of permanent residence for an EU citizen's family member (Registrácia práva na trvalý pobyt rodinného príslušníka občana Únie).
Family ticket for family reunification (Rodinný lístok): applying for or extending temporary residence for a spouse or parents.
Verification of invitation (Overenie pozvania).
If you have a valid residence card: you need a BOK code and must log in to the Ministry of Interior's e-services portal using your card (see instructions below). After logging in, you won't need to enter your data manually; you can directly choose the purpose of your visit. Important: If your card is expired or lost, log in as an unauthorized user. At the data entry step, provide your first name, last name, date of birth, and the number of your expired/lost card (not your passport).
What is a BOK code?
A Secure Personal Code (BOK) is your personal six-digit code that acts as a key to confirm your identity in online services. Think of it like a password linked to your electronic identification card, such as a residence card (temporary or permanent) in Slovakia. This code is used with your card for electronic communication with government agencies, other individuals, or legal organizations. It consists of any six digits that you choose yourself and is stored on your card's chip. Without it, access to many government online services is limited.
How to activate your BOK code: step-by-step guide
If your BOK code is not yet activated (for example, when you first receive your card), you must activate it in person. Foreigners can activate it not only at the Alien Police but also at district offices or client centers to avoid overcrowding. Go to any district police office or client center, where an employee will verify your identity using your card and documents. Then, you will be allowed to enter a new six-digit code, which will be activated immediately. Alternatively, you can activate the code at the Alien Police without booking an appointment. This option is available on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays. Go to the police station before 7:00 AM to join the walk-in queue. At 7:30 AM, when the police station opens, go to the terminal. Press the "Bez termínu" (without appointment) button, then "Informácie" (information). The terminal will issue a number. Wait until your number appears on the screen. Go to the indicated counter and say you want to activate your BOK code. You will be directed to a booth where your identity will be checked, and you will be allowed to enter your six-digit code. After entering, the code will be activated. You can now use it for online booking and other services.
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How NFC works
If you have a card and a BOK code, how you log in to the portal will depend on your card type. New cards with an NFC chip (issued from 10/18/2023) work with both computers and phones using wireless connection. Older cards, received before this date, only support wired connection and can only be used with a computer or laptop.
Unauthorized Services
These services are available for foreigners who do not yet have a residence document in Slovakia (first-time applicants, cross-border e-service users, persons with temporary protection without a card). Go to the booking website. Booking is done without authorization by entering personal data (first name, last name, date of birth, phone number, email, and passport number (foreign passport if it's your first registration in Slovakia; identifier if you are odidenec and want to get a plastic card). Appointment slots are available up to 40 days in advance.
List of Unauthorized Services
Applying for initial temporary residence (Udelenie prechodného pobytu), including temporary protection (Dočasné útočisko).
Applying for permanent residence for 5 years (Trvalý pobyt na 5 rokov) for first-time applicants.
Registering the right of residence for an EU citizen (Registrácia práva občana Únie).
Applying for a temporary protection card (Žiadosť o vydanie dokladu o pobyte – dočasné útočisko) for individuals with paper confirmation of temporary protection.
Applying for a national visa (Národné vízum) for first-time applicants.
Applying for invitation verification (Overenie pozvania) for individuals not registered in the system.
Important: Bookings are tied to a specific person and limited to 1 booking per 15 calendar days across all of Slovakia (even a canceled booking counts). If the rules are violated, the system automatically cancels the booking without an alternative. On the MIC IOM website, you can download all the necessary forms for booking an appointment at the Slovak Alien Police. Available documents include applications for residence permits in Slovakia, applications for residence extension, and other important forms for migration procedures.
How to book an appointment at the Alien Police
Also, in response to our article – What is happening with the reservation system at the Alien Police in Slovakia – we received some tips from people who resell appointments. We are sharing them below as recommendations that might help you get an appointment yourself:
Logging in via phone with an NFC card If you log in to the Ministry of Interior portal from a phone with NFC, you need to install the eIDENTITA app (App Store, Google Play). Then go to the booking website and click Prihlásiť sa
Choose to log in using your Slovak card
The system will automatically open the app. On iOS, first enter your BOK code, then place your card on the phone; on Android, do it the other way around. It's important to place the card correctly on the NFC area.
After confirmation, you will return to the portal, select Cudzinci (Foreigners), then Rezervačný systém (Reservation system), and proceed to book an appointment with the police. Your data will be filled in automatically, so you only need to select the Okruh situácií (Category of situations) and Situácie (Situations) depending on your needs, choose an available time slot, and agree to the processing of personal data.
After booking, the system will give you a PIN code. You need to enter this code at the terminal when you visit. Plan carefully: if you do not come or cancel your appointment, you will be blocked for 60 days!
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Log in using a computer
If your card was issued before October 18, 2023, you cannot use your phone to log in. You need a computer or laptop and a special card reader (čítačka). This method works for both old and new cards. You can buy them in electronics stores, for example here: Card readersTo use the card, you need the eID klient program. It lets you enter passwords (BOK, PIN, PUK) and view data and certificates on the card. You can download it from slovensko.skNow you have everything you need. Go to the booking website and click "Prihlásiť sa" (Log in). Then, choose to log in with your Slovak card (as in steps 1.3 and 1.4). On the website, select "Card reader connected to your computer".
In the eID klient window (which will appear automatically), enter your BOK code. Then, go back to the menu Cudzinci (Foreigners) → Rezervačný systém (Booking system). Choose your language, agree to the rules and personal data processing. All your data will be loaded automatically. You just need to select "Okruh situácií" (Category of situations) and "Situácie" (Situations) depending on what you need, and choose an available time slot.
After booking, the system will give you a PIN code. You need to enter this code at the terminal when you visit. Plan carefully: if you do not come or cancel your appointment, you will be blocked for 60 days!Important: Do not share your card or passwords – it is like a notary's signature. Use strong codes and do not keep them with your card. These new rules are meant to stop the "buying" of appointment slots, which was a problem with the old system. The police are already investigating such cases. Using authorized services with a BOK code should reduce fraud.
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