Author
The Chapter: Content of International Protection in Slovakia contains sections on:
A. Status and residence
- Residence permit
- Civil registration
- Long-term residence
- Naturalisation
- Cessation and review of protection status
- Withdrawal of protection status
B. Family reunification
C. Movement and mobility
D. Housing
E. Employment and education
F. Social welfare
G. Health care
The principal strategic document of the Slovak Republic in the field of migration is the Migration Policy of the Slovak Republic with a View to 2025 (Migration Policy).[1] In the area of international protection, the Migration Policy identifies as one of its objectives the continued provision of effective protection to those in need, while preventing abuse of the asylum system, including through the reform of the CEAS.
In the chapter on Integration, the Slovak Republic endorses “an integration model based not only on compliance with Slovak legislation but also on respect by foreign nationals for the cultural context, language, and traditions of the Slovak Republic. Integration measures are expected to result in coordinated and interconnected tools and measures enabling foreign nationals to integrate into the labour market, acquire proficiency in the state language, and access education, healthcare, social services, and housing, while also facilitating their participation in civic and political life and, where appropriate, potentially leading to the acquisition of Slovak citizenship.”
One of the stated objectives is to “ensure a systemic framework for the integration of vulnerable groups of foreign nationals, in particular persons granted international protection.”
Building upon the Migration Policy, the National Strategy of the Slovak Republic for the Management of Asylum and Migration (National Strategy)[2] reflects the requirements arising from the Pact on Migration and Asylum. The National Strategy represents the current migration policy of the Slovak Republic and constitutes a comprehensive framework for the management of asylum and migration for the following five years.
In the area of integration, the National Strategy proposes 18 measures aimed at ensuring that the integration of foreigners is timely and successful.
In addition, the Integration Policy of the Slovak Republic (Integration Policy)[3] adopted in 2014 represented the only document comprehensively addressing integration issues. It defined eight policy areas, accompanied by corresponding measures and responsible institutions. However, in light of rapidly changing developments both globally and domestically, the document no longer corresponds to Slovakia’s current needs in this area.
The implementation of the Integration Policy was reviewed by the Supreme Audit Office of the Slovak Republic (SAO). In its 2025 report[4], the SAO concluded that the practical implementation of the Integration Policy was fragmented and insufficiently coordinated. While the MoLSAF transformed the policy into two action plans, it discontinued their preparation after 2018 despite the absence of any formal repeal of this obligation. By contrast, the MoI continued adopting action plans after 2018. The SAO further criticised the implementation framework for lacking clearly defined objectives, measurable indicators, concrete deadlines, and effective monitoring mechanisms. Many measures were formulated only in general terms, without specifying expected outcomes or means for evaluating implementation, which significantly limited the ability to assess effectiveness and achieve targeted qualitative change in the field of integration.
Despite the existence of these strategic documents, which partially address the integration of persons granted international protection, Slovakia has not adopted a comprehensive national refugee integration strategy that would define integration priorities, allocate roles and responsibilities among relevant actors, and establish integration measures together with their budgetary framework.
[1] Available (in Slovak) here.
[2] Available (in Slovak) here.