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In this article, we are covering the complete guide to working in Slovakia. Detailing all the facts and things you need to know to begin your work in our little big country!
Slovakia is a fairly decent country to work in. It offers a wide range of jobs and nice pay. Depending on if you are an EEA citizen or a third-country citizen, you might need to obtain a work permit. This means you need a National Visa and a residence permit.
To find work in Slovakia, you can check profesia.sk as it is the largest work advertisement website in Slovakia. There are no fees for applying for a work permit. You can also work overtime for up to 150 hours a year. Read more to learn in detail about work in Slovakia, what you need and how to find work.
If you want to buy Slovak gifts or useful Slovak products, you can find them by clicking here (Amazon link).
Is It Good to Work in Slovakia
Working in Slovakia has its pros and cons, as it does in any other country in the world. If you are asking yourself whether or not to move to Slovakia for work, you should first see the average pay for your position. As there are many types of work, in different work sectors like agriculture, IT, etc. The salary you will get also differs.
Slovakia is ranked as an advanced economy, however, the monthly payment you can receive for working here highly depends on your occupation and the place you live in.
If you plan to live in the Bratislava region, your monthly salary will be one of the highest in the country for nearly any job you might do. It is also well known that the highest paying jobs are usually in the IT sector.
How Can I Get a Job in Slovakia
Although Slovakia has a smaller job market than some European countries, it still has the same work permit rules as many other nations. This means that as an EEA citizen you will not need a work permit or a visa to work in Slovakia, as it is a full member of the European Union.
However, your employer will still need to register you with the relevant government ministries and agencies either before or within the first seven days of employment, including the Labor, Social Affairs, and Family Office, as well as with the Social and Health Insurance systems. You will also need a confirmed address for tax purposes.
The easiest way to look for a job in Slovakia is through job sites. Profesia.sk is by far the most used and offers the most work advertisements for work everywhere in Slovakia. You can search for any type of work, and find one that suits your needs and wants.
When you start a job, the employer is obliged to acquaint you with the conditions of employment, the collective agreement (if any), the laws relating to the work you are to perform, and legislation on safety and health at work.
Upon taking up employment, the employer is required to register you as an employee with the Social Insurance Agency, a health insurance company, and the tax office.
The health insurance company will assign you a number and insurance card. You present this to the healthcare provider when you receive treatment in Slovakia.
In certain occupations, it is required to undergo a medical examination before starting the job. It concerns e.g. work requiring the ability to work at night, work at heights, work with heavy loads, work as a driver, or work in a noisy environment.
The majority of employment contracts in Slovakia are permanent. Employment is of indefinite duration, unless the employment contract expressly specifies the duration or if the employment contract or an amendment to it does not fulfill the statutory requirements for fixed-term employment. Employment is also of indefinite duration unless an agreement concerning a fixed-term basis is drawn up in writing.
Fixed-term employment may be agreed upon for a maximum of 2 years. Fixed-term employment may be extended or renewed for a two-year period no more than twice.
TIP: Like other countries, Slovakia is associated with certain products that belong to its hallmark. Check out the most famous products from Slovakia in the article below:
What is Slovakia Known for Producing? Best Slovak Products
What Jobs Are in Demand in Slovakia
Sought-after jobs in Slovakia periodically change, however most of the professions that are needed stay. Below you can see a simple table with professions with the highest number of work offers on profesia.sk site.
| Working Area | Work Offers |
|---|---|
| Trade | 3571 |
| Production | 3036 |
| IT | 2934 |
| Logistics | 2175 |
| Administration | 2054 |
| Management | 1874 |
| Accounting & Economics | 1801 |
| Mechanical Engineer | 1310 |
| Electro & Energetics | 1253 |
What is the Maximum Number of Days Employees Are Allowed to Work in Slovakia
The maximum number of days you can work in Slovakia varies depending on your profession or how long you work per day. Overall, there are 250 working days in Slovakia a year. This accounts for 2000 working hours in a year.
According to the Slovak Labour Code, an employee’s working time may not be more than 40 hours per week. (The working time of an employee, whose working time is scheduled in such a manner that he/she regularly alternates working in both shifts under a two-shift work pattern, must not be more than 38 and 3/4 hours per week, and the working time for a three-shift or continuous work pattern must not be more than 37 and 1/2 hours per week.)
The Slovak Labour Code does not prohibit employers from ordering their employees overtime work or employees from working voluntarily over time, however, there are certain statutory conditions that need to be met in order for employers/employees to do so.
First of all, overtime work may only be ordered by an employer or agreed upon with an employee in cases of a temporary and urgent increased demand for labor, or in case the public interest is involved.
Such overtime work may, however, not exceed on average eight hours per week within a period of not more than four consecutive months (unless employers agree with the employee representatives on a longer period, which must not exceed 12 consecutive months). It means that the employee’s average weekly working time, including any overtime work, must not exceed 48 hours.
In this regard, it should also be noted that the Slovak law enables an employer to order an employee to work a maximum of 150 hours of overtime per year. An employee may carry out overtime work over 150 hours per year only on the basis of an agreement with an employer whereby overtime work overall may never exceed 400 hours per year.
TIP: It is good to know how expensive Slovakia is when you are considering working in Slovakia. Check out the prices for common expenses in the article below:
Is Slovakia Expensive to Visit? A Locals Break It Down
How to Get a Work Permit in Slovakia
If you are relocating to Slovakia from outside the EEA, you will need a work permit and a residence permit. These can be obtained from the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Family and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs respectively.
As a foreigner, you must typically apply for a work permit first, and then for a residency permit. You can also apply for a temporary residency permit first, to allow you to stay in the country for 90 days whilst waiting for your permanent residence permit.
This will be issued on the basis of an existing offer of employment, so you will need to secure a post before applying for the permit. Employers must notify the Labour Office at least 10 days before a vacancy opens, as a priority for posts is given to Slovak nationals and other EU citizens.
If approved, your employer must then issue you with a Letter of Employment, which will form part of your work permit application. You will then need to submit the following to the Labour Office:
• official application form for a Work Permit (completed in Slovak and signed)
• copy of your passport
• copy of the document of residence (if it was granted to you)
• copy of a document proving your status as a third-country national with acknowledged long-term residence in another EU Member State (if applicable)
• employment contract or a letter of employment
• proof of your qualifications
• authenticated copy of a business contract, or copy of the in-house transfer (in the case of deployed workers or in-house transfer)
• written power of attorney (if the application is submitted on your behalf by your future employer or by the company you were deployed to). Your signature must be authenticated by a notary
How Long Does It Take to Get a Work Permit in Slovakia
The time it takes for you to get your work permit varies. It can take up to a month but overall, you can have it in as short as two weeks.
Shortening the time that takes to obtain a work permit is mainly the preparation of all necessary documents and confirmations in time without errors and deficiencies.
Slovak Work Permit Fees
Before applying for a work permit, your future employer must report the vacancy to the competent Labour Office at least 10 working days prior to applying for a work permit.
The Labour Office will assess if the position can be filled by a candidate registered in the local (district) Register of Unemployed Job Seekers. If the vacant position is not filled within 10 working days of reporting the vacancy by a candidate listed in the Register of Job Seekers, your employer may issue you a written promise of employment or conclude a contract of employment.
You or your employer may apply for a work permit at the competent Labour Office, depending on your future place of work, on an official application form, only after 10 working days from reporting the vacancy.
The application can be submitted in person, by post or your future employer may do so on your behalf on basis of a power of attorney. The Labour Office will issue a work permit within 20 working days from the delivery of the application.
Applying for a work permit is free of charge. Applying for a residence permit and a visa, however, is around 150€ together.
TIP: Check out my list of recommended Slovak products. They are perfect as gifts, or you will use them during your visit to Slovakia (Amazon links)
- Slovakia Flag
- The book about Slovak History
- Slovak Travel Guide
- Slovakia Adventure Map (by National Geographic)
- T-shirt with Slovakia Flag
- Slovakia Shot Glass
- Legendary Horalky Biscuit (Original)
Conclusion
Working in Slovakia is definitely good. There are tons of jobs, with decent salaries. Depending on where you are from, you might need a work permit and a residence permit. Both of which you can obtain after applying for a National Visa.
You can receive your permits and all documents within about a month or two at most. You do need to file all of the applications personally in Slovakia.
These can be obtained from the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Family and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs respectively. As a foreigner, you must typically apply for a work permit first, and then for a residency permit.
You can also apply for a temporary residency permit first, to allow you to stay in the country for 90 days whilst waiting for your permanent residence permit.
The Labour Office will issue a work permit within 20 working days from the delivery of the application. Applying for a work permit is free of charge. Applying for a residence permit and a visa, however, is around 150€ together.
You or your employer may apply for a work permit at the competent Labour Office, depending on your future place of work, on an official application form, only after 10 working days from reporting the vacancy.
The application can be submitted in person, by post or your future employer may do so on your behalf on basis of a power of attorney.
The maximum number of days you can work in Slovakia varies depending on your profession or how long you work per day. Overall, there are 250 working days in Slovakia a year. This accounts for 2000 working hours in a year.
TIP: How well do people in Slovakia speak the English language? Find out the answer before your arrival in the article below:
Do Slovaks speak English? Read This Before Your Arrival