Strengthening residency administration and advancing migrant integration in Slovakia

Strengthening of foreign police and residency administration

Slovakia is expanding the capacity of its Foreign Police , part of the Ministry of the Interior, in order to improve residency administration and better support migrant integration. The migrant population has grown rapidly over the past decade, from approximately 84 800 in 2014 to over 337 000 by the end of 2024, with the inflow of people displaced from Ukraine since 2022 representing a significant proportion. By mid-2025, approximately 83.9% of legally resident foreigners in Slovakia were third-country nationals (TCNs) and 16.1% were EU citizens.

On 12 November 2025, the Interior Minister submitted a proposal to increase staffing levels, approved by the government. Alongside adjustments to the reservation system, these measures aim to ensure efficient handling of residence permits, including the upcoming renewals for temporary asylum holders and other legally exempt foreigners.

Local migrant integration policies: Comparative study highlights Slovakia

The research publication Local Migrant Integration Policies and Their Structural Mechanisms examines how migrant integration is managed locally in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, and Belgium, focusing on legal frameworks, institutional measures, and funding.

The report finds that in Slovakia, integration remains centralised and less developed than in some other EU countries. Integration is largely delivered by NGOs through short-term projects rather than stable public services. The study makes recommendations for clearer responsibility divisions, stronger support for local authorities, and more sustainable funding to improve outcomes.

The research was produced under the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnerships project SMIR, led by the Czech Association for Migration and Integration, with partners in Slovakia, Belgium, and Germany.

New research highlights opportunities and barriers for migrants from African countries

A recent study by the Institute for Forecasting, Slovak Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with the Mareena civic association, explores the experiences of migrants from African countries in Slovakia.

The research - conducted within the Horizon Europe PACES project - finds that Slovakia is perceived as safe, economically stable, and offering opportunities for study and work: most participants said they hold a university education and plan to settle long-term. They also reported significant integration barriers, including limited access to language courses, integration services, healthcare, affordable housing, and complex administrative procedures for residence, study, and work permits.

The study notes that this migrant group represents an educated cohort that could contribute to Slovakia's social and economic development, if provided with improved access to social rights and integration support. It calls for further advancement of integration policies to enhance social cohesion and the country's migration potential.

Analysis of social services for migrants

A recent study by CVEK examines social services for migrants and refugees in Slovakia, focusing on legislation, financing, and local government roles. Based on a survey of 86 municipalities, mainly in Bratislava and Košice, it assessed service availability, barriers, municipal capacities, and staff training.

The research identifies gaps between provisions in the law and service access in practice: while the Social Services Act allows migrants with asylum, subsidiary protection, or temporary refuge to access a wide range of services, availability is often determined by local government regulations. The study recommends more consistent implementation to support integration and uphold migrants' rights in Slovakia.