Europe · Slovak · updated 2026-10
Moving to Slovakia: visas, cost of living & citizenship
A single person needs about $1,700 a month to live in Bratislava, and a family of four about $3,800, including rent. Slovakia usually lets you apply for permanent residence after 5 yrs, with citizenship after 8 yrs, and dual citizenship is limited. Most work routes need a job offer or an investment.
- Main city
- Bratislava
- Language
- Slovak
- Permanent residence
- 5 yrs
- Citizenship
- 8 yrs
- Dual citizenship
- Limited
- Digital nomad visa
- No
Cost of living in Slovakia, per month in US$
Safety
Political stability & governance
Worldwide Governance Indicators, World Bank. Moderate overall (60/100).
Family-friendliness
Spouse and children can join on most work and residence permits, and spouses can usually work. Public schooling is free; international schools are common in the capital.
Visa & residence routes
Who gets easier access to Slovakia
EU/EEA free movement: you can live and work here with simple registration.
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Visiting: 93 passports can visit visa-free, 0 with an electronic travel authorisation, 0 get a visa on arrival, 0 can apply for an eVisa and 105 need a visa in advance (Passport Index dataset).
Road to permanent residence & citizenship
Last checked 2026-10.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Slovakia?
About $1,700 a month for one person and $3,800 for a family of four in Bratislava, including rent. A city-centre 1-bedroom flat costs around $750 a month and a 3-bedroom around $1,400. Prices are 64% of US levels. Slovakia is the 40th cheapest of the 76 countries in the index.
Is Slovakia safe to live in?
Slovakia scores 70/100 for safety (safe), ranking 36th of 76. The homicide rate is 1.12 per 100,000 people (US 5.8, UK 1.0, Japan 0.2).
Is Slovakia politically stable?
Slovakia scores 60/100 for stability (moderate), ranking 45th of 76, based on the World Bank's indicators for political stability, rule of law, control of corruption and government effectiveness.
Is Slovakia good for families?
Slovakia scores 64/100 for family-friendliness (very good), ranking 40th of 76. Life expectancy is 78.4 years and under-5 mortality is 6.3 per 1,000 births. Spouse and children can join on most work and residence permits, and spouses can usually work. Public schooling is free; international schools are common in the capital.
How long does it take to get permanent residence in Slovakia?
Usually 5 yrs of legal residence.
How long until I can become a citizen of Slovakia?
Usually 8 yrs of residence. Dual citizenship: limited.
Can I move to Slovakia without a job offer?
Most routes need a job offer from a local employer or a significant investment. Citizens of EU / EEA free movement countries can move freely.
Who can live and work in Slovakia without a visa?
you can live and work here with simple registration. (EU / EEA free movement: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland.)
Similar countries in Europe
- Poland$1,700/mo · safety 75 · PR 5 yrs
- Greece$1,650/mo · safety 71 · PR 5 yrs
- Lithuania$1,650/mo · safety 59 · PR 5 yrs
- Croatia$1,600/mo · safety 78 · PR 5 yrs
- Slovenia$1,850/mo · safety 82 · PR 5 yrs
- Latvia$1,550/mo · safety 59 · PR 5 yrs
See also: cheapest countries to live · safest countries · most stable countries · best countries for families · where citizens of Slovakia can move