30 June 2021: Important Date for UK Nationals in Slovakia

Who needs to exchange an existing EU residence card or apply for a new non-EU card?

Nationals of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) and their family members who have lived in Slovakia before 31 December 2020 have to exchange their existing EU residence card for a new non-EU card before 30 June 2021. This change resulted from the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union (EU).

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Those living in Slovakia before this date without a residence document should also apply for the new card. The non-EU card will contain a reference to the Withdrawal Agreement and will be valid for a period of five or ten years, based on the applicant’s type of stay in Slovakia. Getting the new residence card does not lead to loss of rights and UK nationals will benefit from a status similar to that enjoyed by other EU citizens living in Slovakia.

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Conditions for those who arrived after 1 January 2021

Apart from certain close relatives who may join their UK national family members already living in Slovakia before the end of 2020 at any point in the future, all other UK nationals arriving to the country for the first time after January 2021 will be subject to the same immigration rules as incomers from countries outside of the EU and they need to apply for residence in Slovakia.

Where can I find support and more information

UK nationals who are struggling can benefit from further free of charge support and information provided by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Slovakia.

International Organization for Migration (IOM)International Organization for Migration (IOM)

For more information on how UK nationals and their family members can secure their residence rights in Slovakia after the UK’s departure from the EU, you can also visit www.uknationals.iom.sk. The website provides detailed information on residence as well as business, study and other key areas of life affected by the UK’s departure from the EU.

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UK nationals and their family members who have further questions or who need additional support are encouraged to contact IOM by email at UKnationalsSK@iom.int or by phone at 00421 908 342 340.

How IOM assisted UK nationals so far

“Our services specifically focus on those facing specific challenges in securing their residence rights in Slovakia after the UK has left the EU, such as people with limited mobility, people living with disabilities or chronic illness, those who face language and literacy barriers, or barriers in accessing technology”, explains the Head of IOM Office in Slovakia Zuzana Vatráľová.

Between June and December 2020, 168 UK nationals and their family members contacted IOM and we provided them with more than 520 individual consultations. We had clients whom we supported by accompanying them to certain offices to complete the requested procedures. For the most complex cases we also provide individuals with assistance to register their residence, prepare the documentation and with apply for the documents they need.

Brought to you by: INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION (IOM)

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