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www.eures.sk

www.eures.europa.eu

LIVING and Working in SLOVAKIA

Slovakia

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Slovakia Basic data

Official name: Slovak Republic

Date of inception of the Republic: 1. 1. 1993

Form of statehood: Republic

Political system: Parliamentary democracy

Regional cities:

Bratislava, Trnava, Nitra, Trenčín, Žilina, Banská Bystrica, Prešov,

Košice

Official language: Slovak

Capital: Bratislava

Neighbouring countries:

Czech Republic, Republic of Poland, Ukraine, Republic of Hungary,

Austria

Area: 49 035 km2

Population: 5 415 459

Density: 109/km2

Nationalities:

Slovak (85.8 %), Hungarian (9.7 %), Romany (1.7 %), Czech (0.8 %),

Ruthenian, Ukrainian, Russian, German, Polish and others (2 %)

Currency: Euro

Membership of international organizations:

EU, NATO , OSN, UNESCO , OECD, OBSE, CERN, WHO,

INTERPOL, etc.

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Working in Slovakia

Who can work in Slovakia?In the Member Countries of the European Economic Area (EEA) the free

movement of workers is a fundamental right which permits nationals of one

EEA country to work in another EEA country under the same conditions as that

member state’s own citizens.

Citizens from an EU/EEA country are not required to have any permit and

no restrictions are applied to them when they enter the labour market of the

Slovak Republic.

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Registration proceduresAs an EU national, you have the right to stay in another EU country. If you stay in

Slovakia for less than 3 months, all you need is a valid identity card or passport.

If an EU national intends to stay in Slovakia for longer than 3 months, s/he

is required to declare the start and place of residence to the local immigration

police department within 10 working days from the date of entry to the Slovak

Republic (no longer then within 30 days after the expiry of the three months since

entering the country). The application is free-of-charge and should be made in

person, using the official form. Applicants should have a valid identity card or

travel document, 2 photographs (3x3,5 cm) and evidence of accommodation. An

EU citizen will obtain a residence permit valid for 5 years (a plastic card containig

also person’s identification number for administrative purposes). EU citizens have

the right to permanent residence once they have resided legally in the Slovak

Republic for a period of five years. Similarly, the relatives of citizens of EU/EEC

member states are also entitled to have their permanent residence in Slovakia.

If an EU citizen starts/ends employment in Slovakia, her/his new employer is

required to pass this information to the local Office of Labour, Social Affairs and

Family within 7 days from a starting date/termination of the contract.

Transitional measuresSince the accession to the EU in 2004, Slovakia does not apply any transitional

rules (no work permit is needed) towards other member states concerning free

movement of workers. This means that a citizen of an EU/EEC member state and

her/his family member have the same rights and obligations as Slovak citizens.

Finding a job in Slovakia

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How to find a jobWhen choosing an occupation, it is recommended that you consider what jobs

are realistically available on the labour market, taking all your qualifications and

practical skills into account. In many cases, your success will depend on a variety

of formal and informal recommendations that can be provided by your former

employers and, possibly, by your relatives and friends. After considering all of

these factors, you should choose your job search strategy. You can choose from

the following options:

> search for job opportunities online – you can visit websites of government

agencies or private portals posting jobs both in Slovakia and abroad. On some

of these websites you may register your CV or create an individual profile

showing your potential for the labour market,

> search through job advertisements in print media – daily and weekly

newspapers, various regional newspapers and also magazines advertising a

range of jobs in various branches,

> contact PES – Public Employment Services (Office of Labour, Social Affairs and

Family in Slovakia) and search for job opportunities in its database. You may

also contact EURES centres organized within the PES where they will assist

you with finding a job,

> contact Private Employment Services – personal agencies/job mediation

agencies,

> send out general job applications to any company of interest – you should

also make a folow-up call to the company,

> turn up in person at companies to ask for a job.

>> Useful websites:www.eures.sk, www.upsvar.sk, www.employment.gov.sk,

www.profesia.sk, www.kariera.sk, www.trhprace.sk, www.istp.sk,

www.mojapraca.sk, www.grafton.sk, www.globium.sk

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Services of the EURES network in SlovakiaEURES network in Slovakia can provide you with information about the labour

market, how to apply for jobs and about working and living conditions. In Slovakia

EURES is part of the Public Employment Services. You can find the contact details

on www.eures.sk or on www.eures.europa.eu.

Language skillsUsually, knowledge of Slovak language is a prerequisite for obtaining a job in

Slovakia, although in some professions a good command of English/German

may suffice e.g. high management positions, language teachers, etc. English and

German are mostly used, Hungarian and Polish are spoken in close-border areas

and Czech language is very close to Slovak so we can easy understand each other.

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Job applicationA job application is usually submitted in the form of a letter, to which a Curriculum

Vitae (CV) must be attached, along with copies of any documents specifically

required by the employer, e.g. of education, training, special courses and/or skills

and knowledge. Some advertised offers require the submission of a motivation

letter and a photograph. Job application must comprise following particulars:

> Address of the sender

> Address of the recipient (employer, agency, etc.)

> Date and place of writing the application

> Purpose of the application

> Addressing the recipient

> Text, including the source of your information about the vacancy, data of

professional career, qualification and skills of importance regarding the job

concerned, reason for which you submit the application, acceptable date of

commencing work and a request for invitation to an interview

> Greeting

> Signature

> List of enclosures

Motivation letterIn motivation letter the applicant responds to a specific job offer or advertisement.

The letter must clearly show that the applicant understood the offer, the nature

of the position and the employer´s requirements. The applicant should respond

to all aspects of the advertisement, thereby providing a kind of a feedback to the

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employer. The motivation letter should make clear why the applicant is interested

in the job and why s/he considers himself/herself to be an interesting candidate

for the employer, specifying those qualifications and experience that predestined

him/her for the job. Pay attention to the formal style, quality of expression and

correct spelling. Avoid phrases and statements which do not have any informative

value. The application should be persuasive and is meant to arouse interest in a

personal meeting. It should be no longer than one sheet of A4 paper.

The Curriculum VitaeA Curriculum Vitae (CV) is used in all cases, comprising personal data, information

about education, professional experience, language and other skills, as well as

about personal interests of the applicant. The CV must show the location and

date, along with the applicant’s signature. The curriculum vitae should be clear

and cogent, providing complete information about experience and skills (in

contents, form and style). Untrue information should always be avoided.

>> Useful webpages, including examples of a CV:www.eures.sk, www.cvonline.sk, www.europass.cedefop.europa.eu

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The employment contractEmployment is established in the form of a written employment contract

concluded between an employer and employee based on the Labour Code.

A valid employment contract must be concluded no later than the start of

employment (first day of work). The employer is required to provide a written

copy of the contract to the employee. The employment contract serves as a proof

that both parties agreed upon the following main characteristics of the job:

> Job description

> Place of work (the location and the organisational unit or otherwise specified

premises)

> Date of commencement of employment

> Wage conditions, unless agreed in a collective agreement

In the employment contract the employer must also state other terms and

conditions, including pay days, working time, length of holidays and the period

for giving notice. The contract may also specify other terms and conditions

that the parties wish to include, particularly on bonuses or incentives. Once

concluded, the contents of the contract of employment may be changed only

by mutual agreement of both parties. Any change of the contract must be made

out in writing.

TaxesThe tax year is the calendar year.

Income tax rate in Slovakia is progressive, i.e. depends on the amount of income

of a taxpayer:

Commencement taxation and insurance contributions

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> Individuals

The tax base not exceeding 176.8 times the current minimum subsistence

amount will be subject to 19% tax rate. Excess of the tax base will taxed at 25%

tax rate.

> Legal entities:

Tax rate of the tax base reduced by the tax loss – 23%.

Value added tax (VAT) is governed by Act No 222/2004 on value added tax, as

amended.

Consumption is taxed by means of VAT.

Basic VAT rate – 20%

Reduced VAT rate – 10% – medicinal and medical products, books

Deadline for filing tax returns and paying the tax is up to 31 March of a calendar

year following the year in which the income was achieved. This period may be

extended for 3 months upon written notification to the tax office, if the part of the

taxpayer’s income is an income from the sources abroad.

>> Useful webpages:www.finance.gov.sk, www.drsr.sk

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Social securityThe obligation to contribute to social insurance is a legal obligation. The social

insurance system consists of five separate insurance systems that are carried out

by the Social Insurance Agency:

> sickness insurance,

> pension insurance – old age and disability insurance,

> accident insurance (Insurance for Industrial and Work-related Injuries),

> wage-guarantee insurance,

> unemployment insurance.

However, a system of voluntary insurance also exists in addition to the mandatory

insurance in sickness insurance, pension insurance and unemployment insurance.

The philosophy of the legislation concerning the social insurance system is based

on a combination of the merit principle, the personal responsibility principle and

the personal participation principle of the insured in the creation of resources and

an adequate degree of solidarity.

The following deductions are made from an employee’s gross monthly wage:

Health insurance 4 %

Sickness insurance 1.4 %

Old age benefit insurance 4 %

Disability insurance 3 %

Unemployment insurance 1 %

Total: 13.4 %

>> Useful webpages:www.employment.gov.sk, www.socpoist.sk

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Transferring your social security entitlementsIf your social security situation involves more than one EU country, Iceland,

Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, the following practical tips may help you

deal with your claims.

Most data is exchanged directly between social security institutions. However, in

certain cases you will need a “portable document” (what was previously called

an E-form) to certify your situation when moving. A portable document is usually

issued by your social security institution upon your request. It is recommended

to request it before leaving. However, if you haven’t, the institution in the country

where you are moving will obtain the necessary data directly from the institution

where you are insured.

Sickness benefitsAn employee is entitled to a sickness benefit when temporarily unable to work

or placed in quarantine following an illness or accident (both cases are treated as

temporary incapacity).

Income replacement

These payments (“income replacement”) are financed by the employer during

the first 10 calendar days of the employee’s illness. The amount of income

replacement (only for employees) is calculated on the basis of a reference period

and daily assessment basis, which are defined in the same way as for sickness

benefit. The income replacement is:

> 25% of the daily assessment basis for the first three days of temporary

incapacity;

> 55% of the daily assessment basis thereafter.

A higher income replacement can be paid when required by a collective

agreement concluded in accordance with current legislation, but cannot exceed

80% of the daily assessment basis.

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Sickness benefit

This entitlement begins on the eleventh day of temporary incapacity and

ends on the day after the temporary incapacity ceases. In no case, however, can

this benefit be paid for more than 52 weeks from the onset of the temporary

incapacity.

Self-employed persons mandatorily affiliated to the health insurance scheme

and voluntary contributors are also entitled to sickness benefit if they are assessed

as temporarily unable to work and have at least 270 days of insurance in the two

years before the onset of the incapacity.

Employees receive a sickness benefit equal to 55% of their basic daily pay

for seven days a week. Self-employed individuals who are mandatory members,

together with voluntarily insured persons, receive a sickness benefit for seven days

a week (25% of their daily assessment basis for the first 3 days, 55% thereafter).

UnemploymentUnemployed persons can receive unemployment benefit if they have paid

unemployment insurance contributions for at least two of the three years

preceding their registration as jobseekers.

Unemployment benefit is paid for a maximum of six months.

Persons who had been employed on a fixed-term contract which has run out can

receive unemployment benefit if in the four years before registering as jobseekers

they:

> had paid unemployment insurance contributions in the context of their

fixed-term contract (or had contributed voluntarily to the unemployment

insurances scheme) for at least two years;

> have not been required to subscribe to unemployment insurance for any

other reason.

In this case, the benefit can be paid for up to four months.

Provided that all the eligibility criteria are met, the beneficiary will receive an

allowance equal to 50% of the daily assessment basis. The benefit is disbursed by

the Social Insurance Agency.

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Child benefitChild benefit is a flat-rate allowance, unrelated to the family income or the age

or number of the children. It is paid monthly for each dependent child, without

restriction or limit. The amount of the benefit is adjusted on 1 January each year.

Child benefit is paid until the completion of compulsory education, currently 16

years of age. This can be extended to age 25 if a child is in full-time education

or vocational training and has no income of his/her own. When a child has

a long-term health problem that makes him/her unable to engage in full-time

study or training, the benefit is paid until age 18.

PensionsPension insurance in Slovakia is based on three pillars. First and (in general)

second pillar is mandatory, while the third is optional. An insured person is

entitled to an old-age pension under the mandatory social insurance system if

s/he has at least 15 years of insurance and reached retirement age. At present,

the statutory retirement age is 62 for both men and women, but from 2017

onwards it will gradually increase depending on the growth of life expectancy.

There is no statutory minimum or maximum for the state pension. The beneficiary

must submit a written application, with all the supporting documents required,

to the local Social Insurance Agency office.

>> Useful webpages:www.employment.gov.sk, www.socpoist.sk, www.upsvar.sk

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Slovakia

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AccommodationShort-term accommodation can be found in hotels, guest houses, motels, campsites,

holiday cottages or chalets, but also in private houses offering short-term rental

accommodation. For a long-term accommodation the possible options are either to

rent or to buy a house or flat. There are also various fixed or variable costs associated

with housing, i.e. payments for heating, electricity, water, sewage, property

insurance, concession fees, waste removal, rent (if renting) and also membership

fees for housing cooperatives or housing administration companies. Compared

with Bratislava, all forms of accommodation are cheaper in small towns and in the

country. If you decide to buy a property, it is advisable to consult a lawyer or use the

services of a real estate agency. This way you will avoid any unnecessary risks.

Educational systemCompulsory school attendance defined by the Slovak education system lasts 10

years. It normally starts at the beginning of the school year following the date

when a child turns 6.

Basic types of schools:

> nursery schools (3-6 years)

> primary schools (6-15 years)

> secondary schools (15-19 years)

> universities (from 19 years)

These schools may be state, private or church schools, but they all provide

education of equal standard.

>> Useful webpages:www.reality.sk, www.ubytujsa.sk, www.topreality.sk, www.skreality.sk

>> Useful webpages:www.education.gov.sk

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TransportThe public transport system in Slovakia is performed by system of buses, trains,

trolleybuses, tramways or taxis. There is no underground, tramways operate

in Bratislava and Košice. Trolleybuses operate in Bratislava, Prešov, Košice and

Banská Bystrica. City and outskirt train lines and bus lines provide the connection

among all cities and villages. Regular rail and train lines facilitate the transport of

passengers beyond the Slovakian borders to Vienna, London, Budapest, Prague,

etc. Slovakia drives on the right. The maximum speed limit in urban areas is

50 km/h, outside urban areas the speed limit is 90 km/h and on the motorways

it is 130 km/h. Taxi service is available in every town. Car hire and taxi companies

can be found in the Yellow Pages. There are 2 international airports in Slovakia – in

Bratislava (the capital city) and Košice. You can also use nearby airports in Vienna

(60 km from Bratislava), Budapest (220 km from Bratislava, 260 km from Košice)

and Prague (350 km from Bratislava).

Universal postal services, both domestic and international, are provided by

Slovenská pošta (Slovak Post). The largest telecommunications service providers

in Slovakia are Slovak Telecom and the mobile network operators Orange,

Telekom and Telefónica O2.

>> Useful webpages:www.education.gov.sk

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ShoppingShops are open usually from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., though e.g. groceries and

butcher shops, etc. from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. They are usually closed on Sundays

and holidays. Big supermarkets and hypermarkets are open from 6.00 a.m. to 9.00

p.m., or even non-stop.

Cultural and social lifeSlovak cultural and social life is very rich and diverse. It is influenced by various

traditions and customs passed from generation to generation and still surviving

today. Numerous social and cultural events and activities take place in every town

and village. People gather to enjoy themselves, meet one another and talk and,

of course, enjoy cultural events. Information about social and cultural events and

various other activities can be found on the internet, in newspapers, on television

and in tourist information or community centres. The most popular sports are

football, cycling, water sports and more recently also golf. Skiing is a popular

winter sport.

>> Useful webpages:www.culture.gov.sk

Brochure is financed from EURES Grant 2013/2014

>> Useful websites:

www.eures.sk EURES in Slovakia

www.upsvar.sk Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family

www.employment.gov.sk Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family

www.minv.sk Ministry of Interior Affairs

www.foreign.gov.sk Ministry of Foreign Affairs

www.health.gov.sk Ministry of Public Health

www.education.gov.sk Ministry of Education

www.slovensko.com Your guide to Slovakia

www.slovakspectator.sk Slovak news in English

>> The most important phone numbers in Slovakia

158 Police

150 Fire brigade

155 Ambulance

112 SOS emergency call

1181 Information on phone numbers in Slovakia