Moving to Slovakia is not just changing your home, but also a challenge in finding housing. This is especially true for Ukrainians who came as refugees, received temporary residence (pobyt) or permanent residence (trvalý pobyt). In this article, we explain where and how to look for housing, how to avoid scammers, what to check before signing a contract, and what rights a tenant has.
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Where to look for housing?
The most popular platforms for searching are:
⭐️ To avoid searching manually on all sites, use the free Telegram bot - @homefinder_slovakia_bot. It automatically collects new ads from open sources and allows you to filter them by city, price, number of rooms, or show only offers from direct owners.
You can also view ads on Facebook Marketplace and in various Facebook groups, for example like - Prenájom a podnájom - Bratislava, bez realitky or Podnájom, prenájom, ubytko Košice . You can find more groups directly through the search on the social network. Owners often post their rental ads directly here - the main thing is to try to formulate the first message to the owner correctly and have a well-designed Facebook profile - this is your first impression, so try to make it the best. We recommend writing your first message to the owner, if you are writing to them on social media, first in Ukrainian and then translating it into Slovak using a translator or (which is a better option) ChatGpt. It is worth writing basic information about yourself immediately - this will speed up the housing search and will not waste your time or the landlord's time if some points do not suit either of you. We recommend mentioning in the message:
age
nationality
from what date you are looking for housing
if you have children, pets
clarify if and where you work
how many people will live in the apartment
Write that you can provide recommendations from previous landlords (if any), also mention that you are tidy, will take care of the housing, pay rent on time, and other important details.
What does a rental agreement (nájomná zmluva) look like?
The agreement must be in writing. It must include:
Landlord's and tenant's details (full name, address, ID number);
Address of the housing;
Amount of monthly rent and list of utility payments;
Rental period (e.g., for 12 months);
Conditions for extension or early termination;
Deposit amount (usually 1–2 months);
Signatures of both parties.
An example of the agreement can be found here
Do you need advice or help finding accommodation in Slovakia?
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What to check before signing
Ask to see the landlord's ID and proof of ownership (a letter from the cadastre).
Find out if utilities are included in the price — most often it says rent + "energie" (utility costs).
Create a handover report for the property with photos of any damage (dents, stains, scratches).
Clarify the conditions under which the deposit is returned.
Can they refuse because of pets or nationality?
Under Slovak law, a landlord cannot discriminate against tenants based on:
nationality,
origin,
language,
refugee status,
sex or marital status.
Slovakia does not have a separate law that directly prohibits a landlord from refusing tenants with pets. However, as a general rule, the presence or absence of pets should be a matter of agreement between the parties. If the contract does not have a clear prohibition, the tenant has the right to keep a pet, especially if it is, for example, a non-aggressive domestic cat or dog. At the same time, the landlord can include a ban on pets in the contract — in which case it will be a legally binding condition. Any ad with the text "not for foreigners" or "no Ukrainians" is a violation of the equal treatment law (law No. 365/2004 Coll.). Contact in case of discrimination:
Realtors: is it worth using them?
Many agencies offer rental assistance but charge a commission (usually one month's rent). If you don't speak Slovak, are unsure about legal nuances, or are looking for housing urgently — a realtor's services can significantly simplify the process. Advantages of using an agency:
Realtors will help with translation and communication with the landlord;
They can find housing that is not yet published online;
They guarantee a legally verified contract and will explain the terms;
They will help avoid fraud (they will check documents and owners);
They can accompany you during the contract signing and move-in.
But it is important:
Check the agency's license;
Clarify the commission amount and what services are included in advance;
Do not pay anything in advance before viewing the property and signing the contract;
Ask for a written contract and a receipt for payment of services.
Contact only verified agencies or those with recommendations from other Ukrainians.
⭐️ If you need a recommendation for reliable realtors in Slovakia - write to us on Telegram - @kompas_support , we can recommend verified specialists.
Avoid scammers
Scammers often rent out non-existent apartments or ask for prepayment for "reservation" — after which they disappear. This is especially dangerous for foreigners who are not yet familiar with the local market and laws. If an apartment is offered too cheaply or the landlord asks for payment before viewing the property — this is a red flag. We have described the scam schemes in more detail in a separate article: How to recognize scammers in Slovakia and not become a victim Renting housing in Slovakia is not scary. It is worth knowing your rights, carefully reading contracts, and using verified sources of information.
⭐️ And our free and convenient bot for finding housing - @homefinder_slovakia_bot - will help you take the first step.
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Do you need advice or help finding accommodation in Slovakia?
Leave your request and we can give you free advice and help with this matter!
