Slovakia

Am I eligible to apply for an EU Blue Card?

To apply for an EU Blue Card, the applicant must:

• have a valid work contract or binding job offer for highly qualified employment with a duration of at least 1 year;
• meet the minimum salary threshold in the Member State concerned (see below);
• for regulated professions: present documents proving that the national legal requirements are met;
• for unregulated professions: present documents proving that the relevant higher professional qualifications are met (for more information about higher professional qualifications, see the FAQ section);
• present a valid passport, an application for a visa or a visa (if necessary), and a valid residence permit or a national long-term visa (if appropriate);
• provide two ID photos (colour), a criminal record statement and documents proving accommodation.

In addition, the applicant must not pose a threat to national security, public order or public health in the view of the Member State.

How much do I have to earn to qualify for an EU Blue Card?

The gross annual salary resulting from the monthly or annual salary specified in the work contract or binding job offer must be equal to or higher than the relevant salary threshold defined by the Member State (at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in the Member State concerned).

Slovakia requires that the salary is agreed at least in the amount of 1.5 multiple of the average monthly wage in the Slovak national economy in the relevant branch, as published by the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic for the calendar year before the year in which the application for an EU Blue Card was submitted. 
In 2022, the average monthly wage in the branch of e.g. information and communication was EUR 2,254.

Information on branch statistics, including average monthly wage

Are there exceptions to the minimum salary requirement?

N/A.

Will EU citizens' applications be prioritised over mine?

Some Member States apply a Labour Market Test (LMT). This is a mechanism that aims to ensure that migrant workers are only admitted after employers have unsuccessfully searched for national workers, EU citizens (in EU Member States, this also means EEA workers) or legally residing third-country nationals with access to the labour market according to national legislation (for more information see the FAQ section).

Slovakia applies a labour market test.

How long will my EU Blue Card be valid?

The standard period of validity in Slovakia is: four years.

Specific rules: in Slovakia, the EU Blue Card is issued for a period of four years. If the employment contract is of shorter duration, the EU Blue Card shall be issued for the duration of the contract plus 90 days.

How much will it cost?

Initial EU Blue Card fee: EUR 165.50 (when submitting the application at the Foreign Police in Slovakia) or EUR 170 (when submitting the application at a Slovak embassy abroad)

Renewal: EUR 99.50

Fee for issuance of residence document: EUR 4.50

Fee for express issuance residence document: EUR 24.50

How long will it take to get my EU Blue Card?

The authorities will issue a decision within 30 days from the date of delivery of a complete application.

Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic

More information on obtaining an EU Blue Card in Slovakia

Information