Ukrainians with temporary protection status will be able to apply for a temporary residence permit (prechodný pobyt) after the protection period officially ends.
The process has been simplified. Instead of a full application for a residence permit, which is a long and difficult process, Ukrainians will be able to apply directly for a residence card (vydanie dokladu o prechodnom pobyte). This reduces bureaucracy and speeds up the process.
What conditions must be met?
You will need to prove the purpose of your stay in Slovakia and that you have housing. The full list of documents is still being finalized, but the main requirements include:
️ Proof of purpose of stay. This could be employment, studying at a Slovak university, running a business (živnosť or s.r.o.), or family reunification. ️
Proof of housing. You need to provide a rental agreement or another document that proves your place of residence.
These changes will take effect when the Slovak government decides to end temporary protection. The status is currently extended until March 4, 2027. The new law is preparation for the future and creates legal certainty.
Transition period: what if you cannot get a permit?
Lawmakers have included a "plan B". If a person cannot or does not manage to submit documents for a residence permit for any reason, they will not become illegal. After the dočasné útočisko (temporary protection) ends, these individuals will be able to legally stay in Slovakia for another year.
This clause was added to the law thanks to the active position of human rights organizations. The initial draft from the Ministry of Interior was much stricter: it only provided the right to stay, which would be lost upon the first exit from the country, and did not grant access to the labor market or medical services. The final version of the law guarantees much broader rights, ensuring a smoother transition period.
