Slovakia has been under nationwide quarantine due to COVID-19 since 16 March 2020. Besides the general measures applied nationwide, the government has also implemented measures for foreigners and migrant communities.

On 7 April 2020, the Slovak Parliament adopted an amendment to the Act on Residence of Aliens to alleviate negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the quarantine on foreigners.

Among the newly approved measures is an extension of legal residence, so that third-country nationals with a temporary, permanent or tolerated residence permit which would normally have expired during the pandemic are automatically entitled to stay in the country for two months after the end of emergency measures.

Similarly, foreign nationals without a residence permit in Slovakia (those who entered the country legally with a visa or within a visa-free regime) are authorised to stay in the country until one month after the end of the pandemic measures.

A third-country national residing outside the territory of the Slovak Republic may renew temporary residence or apply for permanent residence for an unlimited period of time at the embassy.

Administrative procedures and deadlines have also changed. For instance, the Foreign Police will accept required documents for residence or renewal of the residence older than 90 days if it can be shown that the documents were not older than 90 days during the pandemic control measures.

Migrant entrepreneurs will not be obliged in 2021 to meet minimum income/profit criteria, which is usually necessary to prolong residence permits for business purposes. 

IOM Slovakia, the Human Rights League or other NGOs active in migrant and refugee integration play a substantial role in informing and supporting migrant communities during in Slovakia during the COVID-19 pandemic.