Iryna L.
Residence permit through business
★★★★★
Could not decide between živnosť and s.r.o. for ages. They laid it out with numbers in half an hour — went with živnosť, no regrets. Filed once, got my card in July.
Business residence permit in Slovakia (živnosť / s.r.o.): the rules after 1 July 2025
The rules changed on 1 July 2025: a first application for temporary residence for the purpose of business (živnosť or s.r.o.) can only be filed at a Slovak embassy, within an annual quota and with a business plan assessed by the Ministry of Economy. Renewals of an existing permit are still filed in Slovakia. We help you work out which scenario applies to you, prepare the business plan and put the document pack together.
Timeline
2–4 months
The final price depends on your situation — we will confirm it during the free consultation.
What the service includes
- Working out your scenario: first application, change of purpose or renewal
- Choosing between a živnosť and an s.r.o. — we compare taxes and contributions
- Business plan (podnikateľský zámer) on the Ministry of Economy template, plus evidence that the business is viable
- Calculating and evidencing financial security for your stay and for the business
- Document pack with certified translations for the embassy or the police
- Renewal: checking your income, tax and contribution arrears, filing online
The rules after 1 July 2025: three scenarios
First application: Slovak embassy only
Since 1 July 2025 the foreign police no longer accept applications for temporary residence for business. You apply at the Slovak embassy accredited for your country of citizenship or residence, within an annual quota set by government regulation (700 applications across all embassies for 2025). The Ministry of Economy assesses the business plan. After approval you receive a national visa (up to 120 days) to enter Slovakia and collect the card.
Change of purpose: not before 24 months
If you already live in Slovakia on another permit, you can switch to business no earlier than 24 months after your residence was granted; from a study permit, only after you have completed your studies. These applications are filed with the foreign police and are not subject to the quota.
Renewal: filed in Slovakia
Renewals are filed at the foreign police department or online, no later than the last day of your permit’s validity. You need taxable income from the business of at least half of the tax-free allowance (at least €2,876.90 for 2025) and no tax or social contribution arrears on the day you apply. The fee is €200, or €150 online.
Sources
- IOM Migration Information Centre: “Prechodný pobyt na účel podnikania”, updated 23 Sep 2026 (mic.iom.sk)
- IOM Migration Information Centre: “Changes to the Act on Residence of Foreigners from 1 July 2025” (mic.iom.sk)
- Havel & Partners: amendment to the Act on Residence of Foreigners, 9 Jul 2025 (havelpartners.sk)
Documents we need from you
- Valid passport
- Business plan with evidence that the business is feasible and sustainable
- Criminal record certificates from your country of citizenship and every country where you lived for more than 90 days in the last 3 years
- Proof of accommodation for at least 6 months
- Financial security for your stay (the subsistence minimum per month — €295.22 from 1 July 2026) and for the business (20 times the subsistence minimum — €5,904.40)
How the process works
Diagnosis
We establish your scenario: you are abroad (first application via an embassy), you already live in Slovakia on another permit (change of purpose no earlier than 24 months), or you are renewing a business permit.
Business plan and documents
We prepare the business plan on the Ministry of Economy template, evidence that the business is viable, financial security and translations.
Filing
First application: at a Slovak embassy, within the quota. Renewal: at the foreign police or online, no later than the last day of your permit’s validity.
Decision
The police decide within 90 days. After approval: a national visa (for first applications), the residence card and registrations.
Questions about this service
Can I apply for a business residence permit at the foreign police in Slovakia?
Not for a first application: since 1 July 2025 only Slovak embassies (for your country of citizenship or residence) accept them, within an annual quota. The police handle renewals of business permits and changes of purpose — the latter no earlier than 24 months after your permit was granted.
I work in Slovakia on an employment permit. Can I switch to a živnosť?
You can apply to change the purpose of your stay to business no earlier than 24 months after your residence was granted; from a study permit, only after you have completed your studies. A change of purpose is not subject to the quota and is filed with the police.
What do I need to renew a residence permit under a živnosť or s.r.o.?
File at the foreign police or online no later than the last day of your permit’s validity. You need taxable income from the business of at least half of the tax-free allowance (at least €2,876.90 for 2025) and no tax or social contribution arrears on the day you apply. The fee is €200, or €150 online.
Which is better — živnosť or s.r.o.?
For starting out and for solo services a živnosť is usually cheaper and simpler to run. An s.r.o. makes sense with partners, employees, or turnover above roughly €50–60k. We will calculate both during the consultation.
How much money do I need in my account?
For a first application: the subsistence minimum per month for your stay (€295.22 from 1 July 2026) and 20 times the subsistence minimum for the business (€5,904.40). The amounts change every year on 1 July — we check them at the consultation.
Reviews for this service
Useful reading
Not sure where to start?
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