Temporary Residence Permit for Family Reunification

The application for a temporary residence permit for family reunification is a two-stage process: gathering strictly regulated documents and submitting them either at a Slovak embassy abroad or directly at a Foreign Police department in Slovakia. Since July 2024, you can also apply for a National Visa (Type D) specifically for family reunification, which allows you to enter Slovakia and live there legally while your residence permit is being processed.

Step 1: Document Preparation

All documents (except your passport) must be no older than 90 days at the moment you submit your application.

• Proof of Relationship: You must provide an original marriage certificate (for spouses) or birth certificate (for children).
• Criminal Record Clearance: You need a clean criminal record check from your home country and any country where you lived for more than 90 days in the last 3 years.
• Legalization: Documents issued outside Slovakia must be Apostilled or super-legalized (authenticated by the issuing country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Slovak Embassy).
• Translation: All foreign documents must be translated into Slovak by an official sworn translator.

Step 2: Booking an Appointment

You must book an appointment through the Ministry of Interior's online booking system. Slots in major cities like Bratislava fill up quickly; new appointments are typically released at midnight.

Step 3: Submission

Option A: At a Slovak Diplomatic Mission (Consular) If you are outside Slovakia, submit your application at the Slovak Embassy or Consulate-General in your country of residence. You may be interviewed about the genuineness of your family relationship.

Option B: At the Foreign Police (In-Country) If you are already in Slovakia legally (on a visa or via visa-free travel), you can submit your application at the Cudzinecká polícia (Foreign Police) department corresponding to your place of residence.

Step 4: The Decision

The Foreign Police will review your application and issue a decision within 90 days. You will be notified via SMS or mail. If approved, you must return to the Foreign Police to provide biometric data (fingerprints and photo) for your residence card.

Step 5: Post-Approval Requirements

Once you receive your residence card, you must complete two critical tasks:

1. Medical Report: Within 30 days of collecting your card, you must submit a medical report from a specialized Slovak clinic confirming you do not have a disease that threatens public health.
2. Health Insurance: Within 30 days of collecting your card, you must submit proof of health insurance valid in Slovakia.

Total Estimated Initial Cost: Approximately €360 – €500. Note: This total does not include costs for Apostilles, official Slovak translations (approx. €20–€50 per page), or commercial health insurance premiums.

• Document Validity: Most supporting documents (criminal records, certificates) are only valid for 90 days from the date of issuance until the date of application submission.
• National Visa (Type D): If applied for separately to enter the country, processing usually takes 30 days.
• Residence Permit Decision: The Foreign Police have a statutory limit of 90 days to decide on your application.
• Residence Card Production: Once approved, the physical card is issued within 30 days (standard) or 2 business days (expedited).
• Total Process: Expect the entire journey—from gathering documents to holding your residence card—to take between 4 and 6 months.
• Permit Duration: The permit is usually granted for the same duration as your family member's (the sponsor's) stay, up to a maximum of 5 years.