The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
www.euraxess.sk http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia EURAXESS SLOVAKIA This publication was produced within the project EURAXESS Service Centres funded by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic and by the European Commission.
This publication reflects the views of the authors only, and the funding organisations cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
EURAXESS SLOVAKIA The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia
Published by: SAIA, n. o. Sasinkova 10 812 20 Bratislava 1, Slovak Republic
Prepared by: Michal Fedák, Katarína Košťálová, Lukáš Marcin, Miroslava Szórádová, Karla Zimanová and other SAIA, n. o. staff
Graphic design and press: MIKO‑GRAF, s. r. o., Bratislava
© SAIA, n. o., 2013
ISBN 978–80–89521–28–9 The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 3
1. About EURAXESS...... 4 4. Formalities – how to be ready 1.1 National Portal EURAXESS SLOVAKIA...... 5 for the national authorities...... 68 4.1 Entry & stay ...... 68 2. About Slovakia...... 8 4.1.1 Navigation...... 68 2.1 Profile...... 8 4.1.2 Duties of EU/EEA/SWISS nationals 2.2 Geography...... 9 coming to Slovakia...... 73 2.3 History...... 10 4.1.3 Duties of third country nationals 2.4 Political system and state bodies ...... 12 coming to Slovakia...... 75 4.1.4 Bringing family members with you...... 96 2.5 Economy...... 13 4.1.5 Other practical information...... 101 2.6 Significant scientists born in Slovakia ...... 15 4.2 How to get your documents sufficiently Content 3. Research in Slovakia ...... 20 authenticated ...... 103 3.1 Legislative framework of research 4.3 Employment...... 104 4.3.1 Employment of foreigners...... 104 and development in Slovakia ...... 20 4.3.2 Employment conditions...... 109 3.2 Research institutions ...... 21 4.4 Social security & health insurance ...... 112 3.2.1 Higher education sector...... 21 4.4.1 Health insurance in Slovakia...... 113 3.2.2 State research and development sector. . . . .23 4.4.2 System of social security in Slovakia 3.2.3 Private research and development sector. . . .27 (excluding health insurance)...... 114 3.2.4 Non‑profit sector of research & development. . 32 4.4.3 Other regulations regarding health insurance 3.3 R&D funding at national level...... 33 and social security ...... 120 3.3.1 State research funding agencies...... 34 4.4.4 Information on social security and health 3.3.2 State programmes for research insurance for students/PHD students . . . . .124 & development support...... 35 4.4.5 Information on social security and health 3.3.3 EU structural funds...... 36 coverage for EMPLOYEES with regular 3.3.4 National Scholarship Programme or irregular employment contract ...... 125 of the Slovak Republic...... 36 4.4.6 Information on social security and health 3.3.5 Scholarships of the Government of the Slovak coverage for researchers/university teachers Republic awarded for the entire doctoral study without work contract...... 127 within Official Development Assistance...... 38 4.5 Taxation ...... 128 3.3.6 Scholarships of the Ministry of Education, Science, 4.5.1 Direct taxes...... 129 Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic. . . 38 4.5.2 Indirect taxes...... 132 3.3.7 Modernisation Programme Slovakia 21 – Scholarships of the Ministry 4.6 Recognition of education...... 132 of Education, Science, Research and Sport 4.7 Import of goods...... 136 of the Slovak Republic...... 39 5. Daily life in Slovakia...... 138 3.4 Funding for bilateral co‑operation...... 40 3.4.1 Bilateral scientific and technological co‑operation 5.1 Accommodation and housing ...... 138 based on intergovernmental agreements. . . .40 5.2 Banks and currency...... 139 3.4.2 Bilateral intergovernmental agreements 5.3 Communications and post offices...... 140 on educational, research and cultural 5.4 Cuisine...... 142 co‑operation...... 42 5.5 Culture and media...... 143 3.4.3 Action Austria – Slovakia, Co‑operation 5.6 Day care for children...... 146 in Science and Education...... 49 3.4.4 Fulbright Program – J. W. Fulbright Commission 5.7 Education system...... 148 for Educational Exchange in the Slovak Republic. . 49 5.7.1 School education...... 148 5.7.2 Higher education ...... 153 3.5 Funding by the European Union...... 50 3.5.1 Horizon 2020 – the EU Framework 5.8 Electrical appliances and computers...... 156 Programme for Research and Innovation . . . .50 5.9 Hiking and tourism...... 156 3.5.2 European Research Council...... 56 5.10 Language...... 161 3.5.3 Erasmus+ – the EU programme for education, 5.11 Libraries...... 162 training, youth and sport...... 56 5.12 Living costs...... 163 3.5.4 COST – European Cooperation in Science 5.13 Healthcare...... 163 and Technology...... 58 3.5.5 EUREKA...... 59 5.14 Other services...... 166 3.6 Funding by multilateral/international 5.15 Public holidays...... 166 programmes or international organisations . . . . 61 5.16 Regional and local administration...... 166 3.6.1 CEEPUS – Central European Exchange 5.17 Religion...... 167 Programme for University Studies...... 61 5.18 Shopping ...... 168 3.6.2 International Visegrad Fund ...... 62 5.19 Sport...... 168 3.6.3 NATO – Science for Peace and Security 5.20 Transport ...... 169 Programme...... 66 5.21 Veterinary care...... 174 4 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
1. About EURAXESS
EURAXESS EURAXESS Services is a network of over – Researchers 200 centres located in 40 European in Motion countries. These centres assist researchers (http://ec.europa. and their families when moving to, or living eu/euraxess) is an initiative launched by in another country. Free and personalised the European Commission, to promote assistance is offered on the challenges EURAXESS research careers and facilitate the faced by researchers and their families mobility of researchers across Europe. when relocating, such as: EURAXESS comprises a variety of services visas,
About to help researchers find and secure their work permits, research position, no matter where he/she accommodation, is from. It recognises the challenges legal issues, researchers may face in getting the social security, medical care and taxes, right position – visas, social services, family support, language courses, etc. family requirements, language barriers, CV visibility to the right target group, The EURAXESS Service Centres network working terms and conditions, and many comprises a staff of more than 500, ready more. EURAXESS assists with formalities to assist researchers, their employers and helps researchers move between and funders free of charge. These positions and countries more easily. Service Centres are typically located in universities in 28 EU Member States EURAXESS is composed of four specific and other participating countries ranging initiatives for researchers: from Iceland to Israel. The EURAXESS Service Centres assist researchers and EURAXESS Jobs is a free‑of‑charge their families with every step of their database of job vacancies, funding move. They are also an invaluable resource opportunities and fellowships, and for employers of researchers, as they can a stress‑free recruitment tool for assist in the process of hiring researchers researchers and research organisations from abroad. in Europe. EURAXESS Jobs is currently providing more than 10 000 offers available EURAXESS Rights provides comprehensive constantly. Researchers can post and edit information on the European Charter their CVs on‑line and look for positions for Researchers and the Code of Conduct and funding opportunities advertised. for the Recruitment of Researchers. Employers, be it a research institute, The Charter & Code set out the rights a major company, an SME or a university and obligations of researchers, research can post job vacancies and search the institutions and funding providers. database for potential candidates to Their aim is to ensure better employment recruit. The website is complemented and working conditions and equitable by the national EURAXESS portals of all treatment of all researchers in Europe and partner countries which contain plenty to increase transparency in their selection of additional information on research and recruitment. The two documents also jobs and funding opportunities in their address the right to social security coverage own country. The Slovak national portal and access to pensions. (www.euraxess.sk) is one of them. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 5
To date, more than 540 organisations have 1.1 National Portal individually endorsed the principles of the Charter & Code from 38 countries in Europe EURAXESS SLOVAKIA and beyond. A full list of signatories and EURAXESS About the complete text of the Charter & Code can European Portal EURAXESS – Researchers be viewed on the EURAXESS Rights web in Motion, is interlinked with the national site http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess. EURAXESS portals of all partner countries that contain a wealth of additional By endorsing the Charter information about their own country. & Code the institutions join a truly pan‑European Slovak Portal www.euraxess.sk network of researchers, has two separate language versions. research institutions and funders, and Slovak version is dedicated to Slovak benefit from international visibility on the researchers, who intend to go abroad, but EURAXESS Rights website. In addition, the also to Slovak research organisations that special ‘HR Excellence in Research’ logo would like to welcome a foreign researcher is awarded by the European Commission in their team. The English version of the to research institutions or funders actively Portal provides information about Slovakia implementing the Charter & Code. relevant for the foreign researchers To date, more than 158 institutions interested in carrying out their research from 24 countries, and 1 international in Slovakia. The information here is organisation acquired the right to use the structured in the following way: Grants and logo, mostly from the UK (79). Fellowships, Jobs in Research, Services – Practical Information, EURAXESS EURAXESS Links is a networking tool Rights, and EURAXESS Service Centres for European researchers, scientists and in Slovakia. scholars working outside Europe. It is also an important contact point for researchers intending to move to Europe for a research News position. EURAXESS Links was launched The News section provides regularly in the USA in 2005; currently it exists new information about upcoming events also in the ASEAN, Brazil, India, China – conferences or seminars, scholarships and Japan. and grants or news from the research field. The latest news published are visible directly EURAXESS Links keeps researchers in these in the main page of the national portal. regions fully informed on the EU research policies, career opportunities in Europe and opportunities for collaboration with SAIA Discussion Forum colleagues in Europe. EURAXESS Links The Slovak portal gives you the opportunity provides interactive web services to to access also a new on‑line platform European researchers working abroad in the form of a discussion forum. in order to keep them linked among The forum offers the possibility to solve themselves and with Europe. The web practical issues, exchange of experiences forum, researchers’ database, e‑mail and information about the research stays alerts, and e‑newsletter help in this regard, in foreign countries on an informal level. while networking events for members are It is possible to register and access the organised regularly. forum on the web site http://forum.saia.sk. 6
EURAXESS Jobs in Research another. It aims to facilitate the mobility in the smoothest way possible and ease The section Jobs in Research of the national the burden of red‑tape that is connected Portal leads you to a link to an up‑to‑date to mobility. Therefore, in the section research job database in the whole Europe. Services – Practical Information, we gather The database provides you the possibility information related to concrete real to post your CV and so enable the research life situations that occur when moving institutes to approach you in case you fit between countries. These include issues the profile of their opening. of taxation, social security, entry conditions EURAXESS and residence permit, day‑care for children If you represent a research organisation, or cultural events in a foreign country, etc. either public or private, you have the Information is clearly organised in thematic
About possibility to publish your vacancy sections and also includes contact to a targeted audience free of charge information for responsible institutions. and choose among the qualified candidates Of course, it is always possible to contact from the whole Europe. the closest EURAXESS Service Centre that will help you to find the answer you are looking for. Grants and Scholarships Information on funding of research Practical information and tips can be also mobility and research projects is available found in this publication; information in the section Grants and Scholarships. related to formalities with national You will find here links to selected financing institutions in Chapter 4 and information opportunities for your project or mobility. on daily life in Slovakia in Chapter 5. This section will also redirect you to a database of scholarships and grants for foreign students and researchers, EURAXESS Rights which is administrated by SAIA. Here you Good working conditions are crucial can search the offers by research field to the researchers’ career development. or category, and the database is directly Definition of the rights and obligations available also at http://grants.saia.sk. on the side of researchers as well as research organisations is offered As the funding opportunities are one of by the European Charter for the most requested topics, overview of the Researchers and the Code of Conduct possibilities available to foreign researchers for the Recruitment of Researchers. who wish to come to Slovakia is provided also in this publication. You can find In Slovakia, the Charter & Code were more information in Chapter 3 Research endorsed in 2005 by two signatories: in Slovakia. Slovak Rectors’ Conference on behalf of Slovak universities and the Presidency of Slovak Academy of Sciences on behalf Services – Practical Information of its institutes. The objective of the EURAXESS initiative is not confined to research funding issues In this section of the EURAXESS Portal only, but goes even further and serves you can find more information on this the needs of researchers in all the aspects important topic. related to mobility from one country to The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 7
EURAXESS Service Centres Gradually, a network of Local Contact in Slovakia Points is being created in close co‑operation with the international departments In Slovakia, the national network has been and science departments of the rectorates EURAXESS About coordinated by SAIA, n. o. since 2004 based of Slovak universities and research on the mandate from the then Ministry institutes. This will ensure a constant of Education of the Slovak Republic. flow of updated information directly to The Slovak Service Centres network the researcher. consists of 6 regional SAIA offices, in the towns of Bratislava, Nitra, Žilina, Banská In the Service Centres you will find Bystrica, Košice and Prešov. The Bratislava informed staff who work with mobility office is the national coordinator towards issues on everyday basis and who the regional offices and also towards the will gladly share their knowledge Service Centres in other partner countries, and experience with you. Not only will European institutions, as well as national they provide you with the information, authorities. but, if possible, they will help you with the formalities and paperwork and will provide you with information about their contacts. You are welcome to find the contact details in this section of the Portal and turn to the closest Service Centre.
Map of Slovakia 8 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
2. About Slovakia
2.1 Profile Religions (as of December 31, 2011): Roman Catholics (62%), Evangelical Lutherans Official name: Slovak Republic of Augsburg Confession (5.9%), Greek Catholics (3.8%), Reformed Christians Geography (1.8%), Orthodox (0.9%), Jews (0.1%), Area: 49 036 sq. km others (1.5%), without denomination Slovakia Perimeter (as of December 31, 2011): 1,653 km (13.4%) and unknown (10.6%) Length of the border on: Austria 107.1 km.; Languages: Slovak (official), Hungarian,
About Czech Republic 251.8 km; Hungary 654.8 km; Romany, Ruthenian, Czech and Ukrainian Poland 541.1 km; Ukraine 97.8 km Cities (area sq. km): Capital – Bratislava Health: Life expectancy at birth (367); Other cities – Košice (242.77), Prešov (2012) : 79.9 yrs. women; 72.5 yrs. men (70.43), Žilina (80.03), Banská Bystrica (103.38), Nitra (100.48), Trnava (71.54), Government Martin (67.74), Trenčín (82), Poprad (63.11), Type: Parliamentary Prievidza (43.06), Zvolen (98.73) democracy Terrain: Landlocked with high mountains Independence: in the north, low mountains in the centre, The Slovak Republic was hills to the west, Danube (“Dunaj”) River established on January 1, basin in the south 1993 (former Czechoslovak Elevation: Lowest point – Bodrog River Republic established in 1918) 94 metres above sea level; highest point Constitution: Approved on September 1, 1992 – Gerlachovský štít (Peak) 2,655 metres above sea level Branches: Executive – President (head of state), Prime Minister (head of government), Cabinet. Legislative – National Council People of the Slovak Republic (150 seats). Judicial Nationality: Slovak(s) – noun and adjective – Supreme Court, Constitutional Court Population: 5 415 459 (as of September, Political parties: Distribution of the 30 2013), out of it 51.3% women 150 parliamentary seats (according to the results of elections in 2012): Direction Cities (population as of December 2013): – Social Democracy (Smer‑SD) 83 seats; Capital – Bratislava (417 389); Other cities Christian‑Democratic Movement (KDH) – Košice (239 797), Prešov (90 923), 16 seats; Ordinary People and Independent Žilina (81 273), Banská Bystrica (79 368), Personalities (OĽaNO) 16 seats; Bridge Nitra (78 351), Trnava (65 978), Martin (Most‑Hid) 13 seats; Freedom and Solidarity (56 526), Trenčín (55 886), Poprad (52 654), (SaS) 11 seats; Slovak Democratic and Prievidza (48 134), Zvolen (43 100) Christian Union (SDKU) 11 seats; Other Nationalities (as of 2012): Slovak (80.6%), parties outside the Parliament include Hungarian (8.5%), Romary (2.0%), Czech, Hungarian Coalition Party (SMK); People’s Moravian, Silesian (0.6%), Ruthenian Party – Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (0.6%), Ukrainian (0.1%), German (0.1%), (LS‑HZDS); Party of the Democratic Left Polish (0.1%), other and not declared (7.4%) (SDL); Slovak National Party (SNS) The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 9
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years 2.2 Geography Administrative divisions: Eight self‑governing regions, 79 districts The Slovak Republic is situated in the Central Europe, sharing borders Membership in international with Austria, the Czech Republic, groupings/organisations: EU (May 2004), Hungary, Poland and Ukraine. Mountains, About NATO (March 2004), Schengen area lowlands, valleys, lakes, cave formations, (December 2007), UN (January 1993), forests and meadows provide many OECD, Council of Europe, INTERPOL, examples of Slovakia’s year‑round natural Slovakia OSCE, WHO, etc. beauty. The Carpathian Arc, a range of mountains stretching across the North, Economy (source Eurostat takes up almost a half of the country. – http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu) The South and East of the country lie Currency: euro (since January 1, 2009) in the lowlands, an important agricultural area in Slovakia. GDP (2012): 71.1 million € Real GDP growth rate (2012): 1.8% GDP The highest point: Gerlachovský štít per capita (2012): 76% of EU 28 (Peak) in High Tatras (“Vysoké Tatry”) Unemployment (2013): 14.2% 2,655 m above sea level Consumer price inflation (2013): 1.5% The lowest point: River Bodrog 94 m above sea level Public deficit (2012): 4.5% of GDP Maximum length: 428 km Natural resources: Antimony, mercury, iron, (Záhorská Ves [W] – Nová Sedlica [E]) copper, lead, zinc, magnesite, limestone, lignite Maximum breadth: 195 km Agriculture crops: grains, potatoes, poultry, (Štúrovo [S] – Skalité [N]) cattle, hogs, sugar, beets, hops, fruit, forest products The longest river: River Váh (378 km) Breeding: cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, goats Time Industry: iron and steel, chemicals, electro‑chemical, automobiles, light GMT+1; GMT+2 from last Sunday in March industry, food processing, back‑office to last Saturday in October support, engineering, building materials Major trading partners (2012): Weather Imports: Germany – 16.8%, Czech Republic The Slovak Republic has a continental – 9.8%, Russia – 10.1%, South Korea – 9.6%, climate with 4 seasons (spring, summer, China – 6.3%, autumn, winter). Summers are hot; winters Exports: Germany – 21.4%, Czech Republic are cold, cloudy and humid. The average – 14.0%, Poland 8.1%, Hungary – 7.0%, winter daily temperature is –2 °C, but Austria – 6.6% can plummet to –15 °C. The average daily temperature in summer is 21 °C, but can General information about Slovakia: be as warm as over 30 °C. The coldest Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of month is January; the hottest month the Slovak Republic: www.mzv.sk, is July. The period from May to July is often considered the best season. National tourism portal of Slovakia: www.slovakia.travel. 10 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
Data concerns Bratislava, the capital The Celts were forced out by the of Slovakia (Source BBC Weather). Weather Germanic tribes of Marcomans which in northern and mountainous regions could fought with the Roman Emperors Marcus be much colder. Aurelius and Commodus (166 – 80 A. D.). Remains of the Limes Romanus During the winters the sun rises – the fortifications on the Roman Empire’s approximately at 7:30 and sets around northern border – are preserved in Slovakia 16:00. During the summer, sunrise is before (for example at Rusovce, Trenčín and Iža). 5:00 and sunset is around 21:00. The German tribes were driven out by Huns Slovakia led by Attila. Average Average Wet Days Month Temperature Precipitation Tribes of Western Slavs arrived on this
About (+ 0.25 mm) th (°C) (mm) territory at the end of the 5 and beginning of the 6th centuries. Soon they had to defend min. max. themselves against nomadic Avars and this Jan –3 2 43 12 activity led to the creation of a tribal union Feb –2 3 47 12 under the rule of the Frankish merchant March 1 9 42 10 Samo, known as “Samo’s Empire” April 6 16 42 11 (623 – 658 A. D.). May 11 21 61 11 June 14 24 64 11 Middle Ages July 16 26 73 11 After the break‑up of Aug 15 26 69 10 “Samo’s Empire” Slavonic Sept 12 22 40 8 tribes experienced a loss of political unity. Only Oct 7 15 54 11 Duke Pribina succeeded in establishing Nov 3 8 55 13 a larger state‑like entity and founded Dec 0 4 59 14 the first church in this area between 824 and 828. He fought and was defeated by Mojmír, the Duke of Moravia and had to 2.3 History flee. Duke Mojmír I established a united state called Great Moravia (830 – 908). His successor, Rastislav, invited the Stone Age missionaries Sts. Cyril and Methodius The first recorded to Great Moravia. They established an tribes to settle independent church province, developed on the territory the first Slavic alphabet (Glagol) using of modern Slovakia Greek symbols, and used it to translate were Celtic (from the Bible into vernacular. The most around 450 B. C.), important ruler of Great Moravia was whose culture Svätopluk who fought with the East Francia represented the pinnacle of barbarian (Kingdom of the East Franks). Great civilisation. The remains of Celtic oppida Moravia disintegrated after its invasion (elevated, fortified settlements) can be by Magyar tribes and the successes found, for example, in Bratislava, Devín of the East Francia. Sites dating back to and on Havránok Hill near the Liptovská the time of Great Moravia may be found, Mara reservoir. for example, at Devín, Nitra and Ducové. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 11
The Magyar tribes established a Hungarian The numerous Empire in the Danube area and anti‑Habsburg uprisings the territory of present‑day Slovakia was by Hungarian nobility absorbed around 1000 A. D. The history were curtailed by the of Slovakia was thus interwoven with that 1711 Peace of Azatmar. of the Hungarian state until 1918. However, it did not About stop unrest amongst The development of the Hungarian Empire its subjects, a fact that was interrupted by the Tatar invasion was reflected in the high Slovakia (1240 – 1242). After the Tatars left, Belo IV levels of emigration and invited Saxons to come and live in Hungary, banditry. At this time, which significantly strengthened urban the legend was born civilisation. After the male line of the of the most famous Árpád dynasty died out in 1301, Charles of Slovak outlaws, who was stealing from Robert of Anjou became king in 1308 and the rich to give to the poor – the legend established the Anjou dynasty, which was of Juraj Jánošík. followed by the Jagello dynasty in 1440. The 18th century saw the development The period of humanism and renaissance of manufacturing and the modernisation in the Hungarian Empire is forever linked of mining technology. In 1770, to the name of its ruler, Matthias Corvinus the enlightened, absolutist ruler, (1458 – 1490). The first university on the Maria Theresa, established the first territory of present‑day Slovakia, Academia school of mining in the world – Mining Istropolitana (1465 – 1491), was established Academy in Banská Štiavnica. In 1774, in Bratislava during his rule. she also introduced compulsory school attendance. Her son, the Emperor Joseph II abolished serfdom in the Hungarian Empire Modern Times in 1785. An important historic moment for the development of the country was The Slovak national consciousness was the defeat and the killing of King Louis II rekindled in the 18th and 19th centuries of the Jagello dynasty by the Turks and a Slovak civil society began to emerge. at the battle near Mohács in 1526. The first written form of the Slovak The battle of Mohács started the period language was codified in 1847, and the of Turkish occupation of the region first political programme was proclaimed including significant part of the territory in 1848. In 1861 the Memorandum of the of the Hungarian Empire. The territory Slovak Nation was published and in 1863 of present‑day Slovakia became the Matica slovenská (Slovak Foundation) administrative and economic centre of the was established to promote the Slovak rest of the Hungarian Empire and Bratislava nation. In 1893, the Slovak Museum was the coronation site of many Hungarian Society was established. The late 19th kings from 1563 to 1830 (including Maria and early 20th centuries were marked by Theresa from the Habsburg family in 1741). the struggle against Hungarian nationalist tendencies, culminating in the creation In 1 635, Péter Pázmány established Trnava of the Czechoslovak Republic. University in Trnava (which was relocated to Budapest in 1777). The Jesuits founded Košice University in Košice in 1657. 12 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
Present times plunged Czechoslovakia into an economic, political and moral decline. It was Czechoslovakia succeeded by the democratic socialism Czechoslovakia was established with in 1980’s. Nevertheless, opposition towards the end of World War I and the dissolution the regime grew and during the late 80’s of the Austro‑Hungarian Monarchy it became more intense and organised. in 1918. The period of prosperity of the It led to the overthrow of the communist newly established republic followed until government in November 1989 referred the world’s economic crisis and the later to as the “Velvet Revolution”. Slovakia advent of the Nazism. In 1939, Slovakia was de iure proclaimed autonomous. Slovak Republic today Its independence, however, was greatly On January 1, 1993, the former Czech and
About limited by its strong economic, military Slovak Federal (Federative) Republic was and political dependence on Germany. peacefully divided into two independent The Slovak National Uprising during World Slovak and Czech states and the Slovak War II, in 1944, was a clear indication of the Republic joined the United Nations country’s opposition to Nazism. In 1945, as a fully‑fledged member. the Czech and Slovak states joined again. In October 1993, the European Parliament Communism ratified the association agreement between In 1948, a communistic putsch took place the Slovak Republic and the European – the so‑called February Revolution. Union. In spring 2004, the Slovak Republic The 1950’s in Czechoslovakia were a period joined NATO and on May 1, 2004 the Slovak of political oppression, characterised by Republic joined the European Union as a full the victimisation of prominent political, member. On 21st December 2007 the Slovak cultural and religious individuals, and even Republic was included to the Schengen Area of ordinary people. In 1968, Alexander and in 2009 the Slovak Republic officially Dubček (the then leader of the Communist joined the eurozone and adopted euro. Party of Czechoslovakia) introduced the policy known as “socialism with a human 2.4 Political system face” that ended with the Prague Spring and the consequent crushing of the and state bodies reformist movement by the Soviet army. The Slovak Republic was established on January 1, 1993 as one of the successors A period of “normalisation” lasted until the to the Czech and Slovak Federal end of the 70’s. The normalisation regime (Federative) Republic. It is a parliamentary democracy, and its Constitution guarantees equal rights for all citizens regardless of gender, religion, race, national origin, social status or political conviction.
State bodies The National Council of the Slovak Republic is a unicameral parliament and the country’s main legislative body. The National Council has 150 members elected for 4‑year terms in direct elections. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 13
The state administration is mostly executed at a central level. The central bodies devolve to regional levels. If needed, local state administration authorities establish other authorities and offices in the regions. About 2.5 Economy
The current economy of the Slovak Republic Slovakia is a result of a long‑term development. The electoral system is proportional In the past, agriculture presented the most representation. Parties are allocated important part of Slovak economy. seats in the Parliament according to the percentage share of the votes they get The first manufactures on the territory in parliamentary elections. Only a party of present‑day Slovakia were established with at least 5% of votes can obtain seats in the 18th century, while modern industry in the Parliament. such as wood processing industry, paper‑making industry and chiefly The President of the Slovak Republic flour‑milling industry started to develop is the Head of State elected for a five‑year in the 19th century. term in a direct two‑round election. The same person can be elected President After the establishment of Czechoslovakia for a maximum of two consecutive 5‑year in 1918, Slovakia suffered from being terms. Next Slovak presidential elections a less‑developed part of the newly are to be held.n March 2014. established republic. In Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia, 39% of the population was The Government of the Slovak Republic employed in industry, and 31% in agriculture is the highest tier of executive power and forestry. In Slovakia, only 17.1% of the and consists of the Prime Minister, population was employed in industry, and Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers. 60.4% worked in agriculture and forestry. The Government is formed on the basis After the world economic crisis armaments of parliamentary elections (last one companies, chemical works and footwear held in March 2012). The Prime Minister works were built. During the interwar is appointed and can be dismissed period, Czech capital predominated by the President. Upon the advice in Slovak industry, taking advantage of of the Prime Minister, the President cheap raw materials and low wages, which appoints and dismisses other members resulted in the growth of Slovak capital of the Government. The Government investment. is collectively responsible for the exercise of governmental powers to the Parliament, After the WWII and the communist which may hold a vote of no confidence at takeover in 1948, industry, transport and any time. The Parliament can hold a vote banks were nationalised and agriculture of no confidence in a single member of the collectivised. In that period, the armament Government, too. industry, metal and heavy industry developed at the expense of traditional Other state bodies are the Constitutional strengths in light and craft‑based Court of the Slovak Republic and the Supreme industries, such as textiles, clothing, Audit Office of the Slovak Republic. glass and ceramics. The proportion of 14 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
employment in industry and agriculture corporations. Also from 2004, the unified had gradually changed. While in 1948 19% VAT rate was applied for all goods and agriculture in Slovakia employed 60% services, although since January 1, 2011, of workers, at the beginning of 1980 it the VAT was raised to 20%. amounted to app. 18% of the economically active population. The tax system faced a fundamental redesign with having a progress tax system In 1991, privatisation became a part introduced as of 2013. The tax rate for of the extensive changes in the economic the private individual’s income is 19% Slovakia environment. It was connected with the of the tax base not exceeding 176.8 times liberalisation of prices; the achievement the current amount of subsistence of the internal convertibility of the currency; minimum including, and 25% of the tax
About the liberalisation of foreign trade; and base exceeding 176.8 times the current the opening up of the country to foreign amount of subsistence minimum investors. The bulk of the industrial (equal to 34 401.74 € in 2013 economy has been transferred to the with the subsistence minimum equal private sector, including the key areas to 194.58 €/month since January 1, 2013). of machinery, chemical works, textiles, For the legal entities, the rate is 22% of the leather, shoes, glass, electronics and car tax base net of tax loss. The volume of the manufacturing. In 1999, Slovak state banks Slovak gross domestic product amounted were privatised. At present, an estimated in 2012 to 71096 million €. Compared 85% of the economy is in private hands. with 2011, GDP increased by 1.8% at current prices. The annual average inflation in 2013, The agricultural sector, almost all of which measured by the consumer price index, is now privately owned, produces wheat equaled to 1.5% in comparison with 2012 and barley, corn, sugar beet, potatoes, (source Eurostat fruit, vegetables, sunflower and livestock – http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu). (cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep and goats). However, its relative economic contribution Export revenues of Slovakia are (lower than 5% of GDP) is not substantial. increasing, mainly because of export to other EU countries. There is a sustained Since 1998, the national government has tendency toward growth in foreign direct focused on macroeconomic stabilisation investments and Slovakia offers many and structural reforms to build a base investment opportunities for domestic and for long‑term prosperity. In addition, foreign investors. The strongest position it has integrated the Slovak Republic with is currently held by the automobile industry European and international organisations, and its subcontractors (Volkswagen, such as the Organisation for Economic Peugeot‑Citroën, Kia Motors). Co‑operation and Development (OECD), which the country joined in 2000. Slovakia’s largest exports include motor vehicles (cars), electronic equipment The fundamental tax reform was or petroleum oils. one of the most important initiatives of the Slovak government in the period Slovakia is still trying to eliminate 2002 – 2006. The tax reform has brought the insufficient employment opportunities. a flat rate in direct income taxation since The unemployment rate was 14.2% in 2013 2004. There was one linear percentage (source Eurostat rate of 19% for both individuals and – http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu). The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 15
2.6 Significant scientists the Great Ornament of Hungary. He made an important contribution to pietism, was born in Slovakia a pioneer in the field of collective research into the Hungarian nation, and carried Alexander, Vojtech out comprehensive scientific, historical
(1857 – 1916) About – radiologist and geographical research. He was the One of the world’s greatest co‑author of a unique account of agriculture radiologists and the in the Hungarian Empire – the works founder of radiology in the Hungaria antiquae et novae prodromus Slovakia Hungarian Kingdom. He (1723), Aparatus ad historiam Hungariae described the development (1735 – 1736) and Notitia Hungariae novae of tuberculosis and owned historico‑geographica. The University the first X‑ray apparatus in Slovakia. of Banská Bystrica bears his name.
Bahýľ, Ján – engineer Blaškovič, Dionýz – virologist (1865 – 1916) (1913 – 1998) Inventor of the motor‑powered helicopter Received international (four years before Bréguet and Cornu). recognition for his research into Ján Bahýľ was granted 7 patents for the pathogenesis, the properties of invention of the tank pump, air balloons biological and biochemical combined with an air turbine, the first car bacteria, laboratory virus to run on petrol in Slovakia and a lift to mutation, and the ecology of Bratislava Castle. the influenza virus and limpet encephalitis.
Banič, Štefan – inventor Gerster, Béla – engineer (1870 – 1941) (1850 – 1923) Lived in the USA from 1907 to 1921. Widely respected expert on water He constructed a prototype parachute constructions, designing the Panama in 1913 which was registered at the and Corinth canal projects. He participated United States Patent Office. He was also in the 1876 international expedition involved in improving mining productivity to identify the most suitable route for and bridge construction. The parachute an inter‑oceanic canal, and proposed has, of course, become a vital part the area between Panama and Colon. of modern aviation. In 1881, he was asked to project the Corinth canal, the construction of which started a year later and ended in 1893. He also Bel, Matej – polyhistor marked out a railway from Athens to (1684 – 1749) Larissa. Polymath, educationist, scientist and evangelical priest. He was one Hell, Jozef Karol – mining engineer (1713 – 1789) of the greatest scientific figures of the Inventor of the water‑pillar pump 18th century, referred machine, which pumps water from a depth to as the Magnum of 212 meters and is still used for oil decus Hungariae – extraction. 16 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
Hell, Maximilián – astronomer Kempelen, Ján Wolfgan – polytechnician (1720 – 1792) and inventor (1734 – 1804) One of the greatest astronomers of the Invented first fountain 18th century and and pressure water a director of the piping, and designed Imperial Observatory a chess machine, in Vienna, Austria. a talking machine Slovakia He correctly measured the distance and a typewriter between the Earth and the Sun in 1769 for use by blind people. and calculated the Sun’s parallax. About Lenard, Filip Anton Eduard – physicist Ilkovič, Dionýz – chemist and physicist (1862 – 1947) (1907 – 1980) Born in Bratislava but later moved A founder of Slovak physics. He played to Germany. Awarded the Nobel Prize a distinguished part in elaborating in 1905 for his work on cathode rays. the theory of polarography for which his teacher and collaborator Jaroslav Heyrovský was awarded a Nobel Prize Mikovíny, Samuel – geodesist in 1959. and cartographer (1700 – 1750) Invented an original cartographic method Jedlík, Štefan Anián while working in Bratislava, where (1800 – 1895) – physicist he surveyed and marked out the basic Constructed triangulation polygon from Bratislava the electromagnetic Castle Tower via Zobor to Sitno and rotor, a predecessor Banská Bystrica. The Emperor Charles VI of the modern commissioned him to produce a collection electromotor, three of maps of Hungary. He also designed years before Farraday, and the unipolar fortified buildings and artificial water dynamo six years before W. Siemens. reservoirs near the mines in the region of Banská Štiavnica. He also surveyed caves. In 1735, he became head of the first mining Jesenský Jessenius, Ján – physician high school in the Hungarian Kingdom. (1566 – 1621) Famous physician, Murgaš, Jozef anatomist – electrical engineer (1864 – 1929) and Rector of the Charles Lived in the USA, University where he worked as in Prague. He carried out the first public a priest. He was also dissection in Prague in 1600. He was also involved in electrical a Protestant activist and was executed after engineering and the Battle of Bíla Hora at the beginning registered 12 patents of the Thirty Years War. in the field of wireless telegraphy. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 17
He established different frequencies 1840’s (the Petzval curvature is named after for the dots and dashes in the Morse him) which made possible the construction code, thus accelerating the transmission of modern cameras. Petzval produced of messages. His other patents include an achromatic portrait lens that was vastly the spinning reel (for fishing), the wave superior to the simple meniscus lens used meter, the electric transformer, the in that time. Petzval won many distinctions About magnetic detector and an engine producing for his work. A crater on the far side of the electromagnetic waves. He is often referred Moon bears his name. (J. M. Petzval to as the “Slovak Edison”. Museum, Petzvalova ul. 3, Spišská Belá) Slovakia
Pajdušáková, Ľudmila – astronomer Segner, Ján Andrej – physicist (1916 – 1979) and mathematician (1704 – 1777) The first Slovak woman astronomer, Designed a reactive a specialist in solar water engine known astronomy. She as the Segner made her name as wheel, and invented the discoverer of the water turbine 5 comets with her principle which Starlit Sky Atlases formed the basis for and Discoveries of the Comets. Other the functioning of examples of her scientific research included modern space rockets. the systematic observation of meteors (among them the Umid meteor shower in 1945) and observations of the Sun. Selye, Ján – physician (1907 – 1982) Her facsimile collection published in 1946, which included more than 11,000 meteorites Discovered the on 10,000 facsimiles, was at that time the stress reaction and second largest after the Harvard collection. the adaptation A small planet (3636) Pajdušáková = 1982 UJ2, syndrome; did research discovered in 1982, was named in memory into the killer illness of Ľudmila Pajdušáková by the International of the 20th century, Astronomic Union. coronary thrombosis. Moved to Canada where he established the Petzval, Jozef Maximilián “Institut de Medicine et – mathematician, optician, inventor de Chirurgie Experimentale”. (1807 – 1891) One of the foremost Stodola, Aurel – engineer, professor European and inventor (1859 – 1942) researchers in the 19th Graduated in mechanical engineering century. He is and worked as a professor at the Federal best remembered Polytechnic in Zurich, Switzerland. He for his work on achieved his greatest successes in the area optical lenses and lens aberration in early of steam and gas turbines, his calculations 18 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
and constructions forming the basis of this particular field of mechanical engineering. Štúr, Ľudovít – politician, He constructed a movable artificial arm, national activist and linguist (1815 – 1856) known as Stodola’s arm, in 1915. He was granted the most prestigious engineering The leading figure awards – the Grashof Medal and the James in the Slovak Watt Gold Medal (1940). He was also revelation period a corresponding member of the French in the 19th century. Academy of Sciences. Together with Jozef Slovakia Miloslav Hurban and Michal Hodža, Štefánik, Milan Rastislav – politician, he codified modern soldier and astronomer About Slovak in 1844. Ľudovít (1880 – 1919) Štúr’s “Standard The most important Slovak” was published Slovak politician in 1846 in his “Náuka participating in the reči slovenskej” or negotiations leading “Theory of the Slovak language”. to the establishment of the Czechoslovak Republic in 1918. Thurzo, Viliam – physician (1912 – 1984) Originally a scientist, he studied astronomy Founder of oncological research in Prague and Paris. and oncology in Slovakia. He discovered Štefánik specialised the tumorous virus B77, which is still used in astrophysics and especially in solar as a model for research into the genesis physics. of tumours.
Štúr, Dionýz – geologist and botanist (1827 – 1893) Very active in the field of geology and the founder of outstanding collections. A director of the Imperial Geological Institute. CHANGINGMADE JOBS EASY
solutions for researchers Changing jobs is easier when you have a pan-European network to back you up. Our website offers numerous opportunities for work, international collaboration and funding opportunities for researchers in Europe. Discover a world of opportunities at http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess 20 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
3. Research in Slovakia
The Slovak research environment can be (state department research institutions) characterised by describing its research that are mostly financed from the state related legislation, by identifying Slovak budget, and in private research institutions research institutions, where you could financed by business sector. find a job or a collaboration, and finally by identifying funding opportunities The Ministry of Education, Science, (on national, bilateral, multilateral level) Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic for your research in Slovakia. (MESRS SR) is the central body that is responsible for creating conditions for S&T development, for cost‑effective utilisation
Research in Slovakia 3.1 Legislative framework of state budget funds and coordination of of research activities of other central bodies, the Slovak Academy of Sciences and of universities and development which are involved in the preparation in Slovakia and implementation of state S&T policy.
Research and development The support of R&D is realised by granting funds from the state budget in the form – its legal status of non‑repayable subsidies. It can be The basic act in the area of research a purpose‑oriented form of support on the and development (R&D) is the basis of public tender or an institutional form Act No. 172/2005 Coll. on Organisation of support. Funds within purpose‑oriented of State Support for Research form of support are granted for solving R&D & Development and on Amendment of the projects and infrastructure development Act No. 575/2001 Coll. on the Organisation projects through the Slovak Research of the Activities of the Government and and Development Agency and projects on the Organisation of the Central State within state programmes. Funds within Administration as amended by later purpose‑oriented form of support are regulations of Act No. 233/2008 and granted to private enterprises and are Act No. 40/2011. The Act defines among considered as state support. Funds others the role of the Government of the within institutional form of support are Slovak Republic, Ministry of Education, granted for support of R&D at public and Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak state universities, in the Slovak Academy Republic and other central bodies of state of Sciences and in state department administration, position and roles of the research institutes. Slovak Research and Development Agency, conditions and forms of granting state Public and state universities are support, system of state programmes of educational, science and artist R&D and the information support for R&D. institutions established by separate act (the Act No. 131/2002 Coll. on Universities). R&D in the Slovak Republic is carried out The Slovak Academy of Science in particular at universities, institutes of is a self‑governing science institution the Slovak Academy of Sciences and legal of the Slovak Republic established by entities which have been established separate act (the Act No. 133/2002 Coll. by state administration central bodies on Slovak Academy of Sciences). The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 21
3.2 Research institutions Legal and physical entities with offices in the Slovak Republic active in R&D Research in Slovakia are integrated in the following sectors: the higher education sector, the state sector, the private sector and the non‑profit sector. According to Act No. 172/2005 Coll., on the basis of competence evaluation, legal or natural person acquires certificate of competence to carry out research and development, and thus is entitled to seek funding from the state budget. The certificate is issued and withdrawn by the Minister of Education, Science, Comenius University in Bratislava Research and Sport of the Slovak (Univerzita Komenského v Bratislave) Republic upon a proposal of an evaluation – www.uniba.sk committee. Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra (Univerzita Konštantína Filozofa v Nitre) – www.ukf.sk 3.2.1 Higher education sector J. Selye University in Komárno The Higher education sector consists (Univerzita J. Selyeho v Komárne) of 20 public higher education institutions, – www.selyeuni.sk, in Slovak 3 state higher education institutions and and Hungarian 13 private higher education institutions. Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica According to the Act on higher education (Univerzita Mateja Bela v Banskej institutions, these are third‑level Bystrici) – www.umb.sk educational, scientific and art institutions. Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice More detailed information is available (Univerzita Pavla Jozefa Šafárika at the websites of the respective higher v Košiciach) – www.upjs.sk education institutions. Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra (Slovenská poľnohospodárska univerzita Public higher education institutions v Nitre) – www.uniag.sk Academy of Arts in Banská Bystrica Slovak University of Technology (Akadémia umení v Banskej Bystrici) in Bratislava (Slovenská technická – www.aku.sk, in Slovak only univerzita v Bratislave) – www.stuba.sk Academy of Fine Arts and Design Technical University in Zvolen in Bratislava (Vysoká škola výtvarných (Technická univerzita vo Zvolene) umení v Bratislave) – www.vsvu.sk – www.tuzvo.sk Academy of Performing Arts Technical University of Košice in Bratislava (Vysoká škola múzických (Technická univerzita v Košiciach) umení v Bratislave) – www.vsmu.sk – www.tuke.sk Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín Trnava University in Trnava (Trenčianska univerzita Alexandra (Trnavská univerzita v Trnave) Dubčeka v Trenčíne) – www.tnuni.sk – www.truni.sk Catholic University in Ružomberok University of Economics in Bratislava (Katolícka univerzita v Ružomberku) (Ekonomická univerzita v Bratislave) – www.ku.sk – www.euba.sk 22 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
University of Prešov in Prešov International School of Management (Prešovská univerzita v Prešove) ISM Slovakia in Prešov (Vysoká škola – www.unipo.sk medzinárodného podnikania ISM University of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Slovakia v Prešove) – www.ismpo.sk, in Trnava (Univerzita sv. Cyrila a Metoda in Slovak only v Trnave) – www.ucm.sk Ján Albrecht Music and Art University of Veterinary Academy in Banská Štiavnica Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice (Hudobná a umelecká akadémia (Univerzita veterinárskeho lekárstva Jána Albrechta v Banskej Štiavnici) a farmácie v Košiciach) – www.uvlf.sk – www.huaja.org University of Žilina in Žilina (Žilinská Media Academy in Bratislava univerzita v Žiline) – www.uniza.sk (Akadémia médií v Bratislave) – www.akademiamedii.sk,
Research in Slovakia State higher education institutions in Slovak only Academy of the Police Force in Bratislava Pan European University in Bratislava (Akadémia Policajného zboru (Paneurópska vysoká škola v Bratislave) v Bratislave) – www.akademiapz.sk – www.paneurouni.com Armed Forces Academy of General School of Economics and Management Milan Rastislav Štefánik in Liptovský in Public Administration in Bratislava Mikuláš (Akadémia ozbrojených síl gen. (Vysoká škola ekonómie a manažmentu M. R. Štefánika v Liptovskom Mikuláši) verejnej správy v Bratislave) – www.aos.sk – www.vsemvs.sk Slovak Medical University in Bratislava St. Elizabeth University of Health (Slovenská zdravotnícka univerzita and Social Work in Bratislava v Bratislave) – www.szu.sk (Vysoká škola zdravotníctva a sociálnej práce sv. Alžbety v Bratislave) Private higher education institutions – www.vssvalzbety.sk, in Slovak only Bratislava International School University of Central Europe in Skalica of Liberal Arts in Bratislava (Stredoeurópska vysoká škola v Skalici) (Bratislavská medzinárodná škola – www.sevs.sk liberálnych štúdií v Bratislave) University in Sládkovičovo – www.bisla.sk (Vysoká škola v Sládkovičove) College of Management/City University – www.vssladkovicovo.sk, in Slovak only in Trenčín/Bratislava (Vysoká škola manažmentu v Trenčíne/Bratislave) Foreign higher education institutions – www.vsm.sk Foreign higher education institutions College of Security Management provide higher education on the territory in Košice (Vysoká škola bezpečnostného of the Slovak Republic in accordance manažérstva v Košiciach) – www.vsbm.sk with legislation of the state of their Dubnica Institute of Technology headquarters on the basis of the permission in Dubnica nad Váhom issued by the MESRS SR. (Dubnický technologický inštitút v Dubnici nad Váhom) – www.dti.sk, Banking Institute/College of Banking in Slovak only in Banská Bystrica – headquarters Goethe College in Bratislava in the Czech Republic (Bankovní institut (Vysoká škola Goethe Uni Bratislava) vysoká škola v Banskej Bystrici – sídlo – www.goethehb.eu, in Slovak v Českej republike) – www.bivs.cz and German The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 23
Institute of Hospitality Management in Prague – headquarters in the Czech Republic (Vysoká škola hotelová v Praze. – sídlo v Českej republike) – www.vsh.cz Research in Slovakia Palacký University in Olomouc – headquarters in the Czech Republic (Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci – sídlo v Českej republike) – www.upol.cz University College of International and Public Relations Prague in Bratislava – headquarters in the Czech Republic (Vysoká škola medzinárodních a veřejných vztahů Praha v Bratislave – sídlo v Českej republike) Geophysical Institute, Bratislava – www.vip-vs.sk (http://gpi.savba.sk) Institute of Geography, Bratislava 3.2.2 State research (www.geography.sav.sk) Institute of Hydrology, Bratislava and development sector (www.ih.savba.sk) The state R&D sector consists of research institutes of the Slovak Academy Mathematical and Physical Sciences of Sciences (SAS) and state sector R&D and Information Sciences organisations established by central Data Center of the Slovak Academy of state administration bodies. The SAS Sciences (www.vs.sav.sk, in Slovak only) is a self‑governing scientific organisation Institute of Experimental Physics, Košice of the Slovak Republic established by (http://uef.saske.sk) special Act, the activity of which is aimed Institute of Informatics, Bratislava at the development of science, education, (www.ui.sav.sk) culture and the economy. The SAS Institute of Physics, Bratislava conducts its research activity by means (www.fu.sav.sk) of research institutes established on the Mathematical Institute, Bratislava basis of either full or partial public funding. (www.mat.savba.sk) State sector R&D organisations funded in full or in part by the state are established Engineering Sciences by the appropriate central administrative Institute of Construction bodies. More details can be found on and Architecture, Bratislava the websites of the respective SAS research (www.ustarch.sav.sk) institutes and state sector research Institute of Electrical Engineering, organisations. Bratislava (www.elu.sav.sk) Institute of Geotechnics, Košice The Slovak Academy of Sciences (www.saske.sk/UGT) (www.sav.sk) Institute of Materials and Machine Mechanics, Bratislava Earth and Space Sciences (www.umms.sav.sk) Astronomical Institute, Tatranská Institute of Materials Research, Košice Lomnica (www.astro.sk) (www.imr.saske.sk) Geological Institute, Bratislava Institute of Measurement Science, (www.geol.sav.sk) Bratislava (www.um.sav.sk) 24 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
Medical Sciences Institute of Parasitology, Košice Cancer Research Institute, Bratislava (www.saske.sk/pau) (www.exon.sav.sk) Institute of Zoology, Bratislava Institute for Heart Research, Bratislava (www.zoo.sav.sk) (www.usrd.sav.sk) Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Historical Sciences Bratislava (www.endo.sav.sk) Institute of Archaeology, Nitra Institute of Experimental Pharmacology (www.archeol.sav.sk, in Slovak only) and Toxicology, Bratislava Institute of Ethnology, Bratislava (www.uef.sav.sk) (www.uet.sav.sk) Institute of Molecular Physiology Institute of History, Bratislava and Genetics, Bratislava (www.history.sav.sk) (www.umfg.sav.sk) Institute of Social Sciences, Košice
Research in Slovakia Institute of Neurobiology, Košice (www.saske.sk/SVU, in Slovak only) (www.neurobiology.sk) Institute of Neuroimmunology, Humanities and Social Sciences Bratislava (www.niu.sav.sk) Institute for Forecasting, Bratislava Institute of Normal and Pathological (www.prog.sav.sk) Physiology, Bratislava Institute for Research in Social (www.unpf.sav.sk) Communication, Bratislava Institute of Virology, Bratislava (www.kvsbk.sav.sk) (www.virology.sav.sk, in Slovak only) Institute for Sociology, Bratislava (www.sociologia.sav.sk) Biological and Chemical Sciences Institute of Economic Research, Institute of Chemistry, Bratislava Bratislava (www.ekonom.sav.sk) (www.chem.sk) Institute of Experimental Psychology, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Bratislava (www.psychologia.sav.sk) Bratislava (www.uach.sav.sk) Institute of Philosophy, Bratislava Institute of Molecular Biology, (www.klemens.sav.sk/fiusav) Bratislava (www.imb.savba.sk) Institute of Political Sciences, Bratislava Institute of Plant Genetics (www.upv.sav.sk) and Biotechnology, Nitra Institute of State and Law, Bratislava (http://pribina.savba.sk/ugbr) (www.usap.sav.sk, in Slovak only) Polymer Institute, Bratislava (www.polymer.sav.sk) Arts and Culture Institute of Art History, Bratislava Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences (www.dejum.sav.sk) Institute of Animal Biochemistry Institute of Musicology, Bratislava and Genetics, Ivanka pri Dunaji (www.uhv.sav.sk) (www.ubgz.sav.sk) Institute of Oriental Studies, Bratislava Institute of Animal Physiology, Košice (http://orient.sav.sk) (www2.saske.sk/iap) Institute of Slovak Literature, Bratislava Institute of Botany, Bratislava (www.uslit.sav.sk, in Slovak only) (http://ibot.sav.sk) Institute of Theatre and Film Research, Institute of Forest Ecology, Zvolen Bratislava (www.udfv.sav.sk) (www.savzv.sk) Institute of World Literature, Bratislava Institute of Landscape Ecology, (www.usvl.sav.sk) Bratislava (www.uke.sav.sk) The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 25
Ján Stanislav Institute of Slavistics, Museum of the Slovak National Bratislava (www.slavu.sav.sk, Uprising, Banská Bystrica in Slovak and Russian only) (www.muzeumsnp.sk) Ľudovít Štúr Institute of Linguistics, Slovak Central Observatory, Hurbanovo Research in Slovakia Bratislava (www.juls.sav.sk, (www.suh.sk, primary activity other in Slovak only) than R&D) Slovak National Gallery, Bratislava Specialised organisations (www.sng.sk, primary activity other Arboretum Mlyňany of SAS, Vieska than R&D) nad Žitavou (www.arboretum.sav.sk) Slovak National Library, Martin (www.snk.sk, primary activity other than R&D) Other state research institutes Slovak National Museum, Bratislava Ministry of Agriculture and Rural (www.snm.sk) Development of the Slovak Republic Slovak Technical Museum, Košice (www.mpsr.sk) (www.stm-ke.sk, primary activity other Agricultural Technical and Testing than R&D) Institute, Rovinka State Scientific Library in Banská (www.tsup.sk, in Slovak only, Bystrica (www.svkbb.eu, in Slovak only, primary activity other than R&D) primary activity other than R&D) Agroecology Research Institute, State Scientific Library in Košice Michalovce (www.cvrv.sk) (www.svkk.sk, primary activity other Animal Production Research Centre, than R&D) Nitra (www.cvzv.sk) Theatre Institute, Bratislava Food Research Institute, Bratislava (www.theatre.sk) (www.vup.sk) Grassland and Mountain Agriculture Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic Research Institute, Banská Bystrica (www.mosr.sk, in Slovak only): (www.vutphp.sk) Central Military Hospital, Ružomberok National Forest Centre, Zvolen (www.uvn.sk, primary activity other (www.nlcsk.org) than R&D) Plant Production Research Center, Military History Institute, Bratislava Piešťany (www.cvrv.sk) (www.vhu.sk) Research Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics, Bratislava Ministry of Education, Science, Research (www.vuepp.sk) and Sport of the Slovak Republic Research Institute of Viticulture (www.minedu.sk) and Enology, Bratislava (www.cvrv.sk) International Laser Centre, Bratislava Soil Science and Conservation Research (www.ilc.sk) Institute, Bratislava (www.vupop.sk) IUVENTA – Slovak Youth Institute, State Veterinary and Food Institute, Bratislava (www.iuventa.sk) Dolný Kubín (www.svpudk.sk, in Slovak National Institute for Education, only, primary activity other than R&D) Bratislava (www.statpedu.sk) Research Institute for Children Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic Psychology and Pathopsychology, (www.culture.gov.sk) Bratislava (www.vudpap.sk) Monuments Board of the Slovak Slovak Centre of Scientific and Technical Republic, Bratislava (www.pamiatky.sk) Information, Bratislava (www.cvtisr.sk, primary activity other than R&D) 26 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
Ministry of Environment of the Slovak University Hospital, Martin Republic (www.minzp.sk) (www.unm.sk, in Slovak only, National nature protection of primary activity other than R&D) the Slovak Republic, Banská Bystrica University Hospital of Louis Pasteur, (www.sopsr.sk, in Slovak only, Košice (www.unlp.sk, in Slovak only, primary activity other than R&D) primary activity other than R&D) State Geological Institute of Dionýz Štúr, Bratislava (www.geology.sk) Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute, (www.minv.sk) Bratislava (www.shmu.sk, Institute of Criminalistics and primary activity other than R&D) Forensic Expertise of the Police Force Slovak Museum of Nature Protection (www.minv.sk/?keupz, in Slovak only) and Speleology, Liptovský Mikuláš Slovak National Archive, Bratislava
Research in Slovakia (www.smopaj.sk, in Slovak only, (www.minv.sk/?slovensky -narodny- primary activity other than R&D) archiv-1, in Slovak only) Water Research Institute, Bratislava Institute of FireTechnology (www.vuvh.sk) and Expertise, Bratislava Water Management Construction, (www.minv.sk/?home_PTEU, Bratislava (www.wb.sk, in Slovak only, in Slovak only) primary activity other than R&D) Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic (www.justice.gov.sk) (www.health.gov.sk) Judicial Academy of the Slovak Republic, Children’s University Hospital in Košice Pezinok (www.ja-sr.sk) (www.dfnkosice.sk, in Slovak only, primary activity other than R&D) Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs Children’s University Hospital with and Family of the Slovak Republic Health Centre in Banská Bystrica (www.employment.gov.sk) (www.dfnbb.sk, in Slovak only, Institute for Labour and Family primary activity other than R&D) Research, Bratislava (www.ivpr.gov.sk) Children’s University Hospital with Health Centre in Bratislava Other state non‑departmental research (www.dfnsp.sk, in Slovak only, organisations primary activity other than R&D) National Cancer Institute, Matica slovenská, Martin Bratislava, natural sciences (Slovak Foundation), basic (www.nou.sk, in Slovak only) research, ethnography, literature, National Institute of Cardiovascular linguistics, Slovak history Diseases, Bratislava (www.nusch.sk, (www.matica.sk, in Slovak only) primary activity other than R&D) Nation’s Memory Institute, Bratislava, National Institute of Rheumatic collects and process all kinds Diseases, Piešťany of information related to the period (www.nurch.sk, in Slovak only, of oppression in the years 1939 – 1989 primary activity other than R&D) (www.upn.sk) Regional Authority of Public Health, Public Health Authority of the Slovak Banská Bystrica (www.vzbb.sk, Republic, Bratislava (www.uvzsr.sk) primary activity other than R&D) State Forests of TANAP, Tatranská Lomnica (www.lesytanap.sk) The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 27
Slovak Office of Geodesy, Cartography Anima Technika, s. r. o., Bratislava, and Land Register natural sciences (www.skgeodesy.sk, in Slovak only) (www.animatechnika.com) Research Institute of Geodesy AQUASYSTEM, s. r. o., Bratislava, Research in Slovakia and Cartography, Bratislava engineering and technology (www.vugk.sk, primary activity (www.aquasystem.sk) other than R&D) AQUATEST, a. s. Slovakia, Košice, natural sciences (www.aquatest.sk) Slovak Office of Standards, Metrology Ardaco, a. s., Bratislava, natural sciences and Testing (www.unms.sk) (www.ardaco.com) Slovak Institute of Metrology, Bratislava AVANTEK, s. r. o., Nové Mesto (www.smu.sk) nad Váhom, engineering and technology (www.avantek.sk, primary activity Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic other than R&D) (www.statistics.sk) Axxence Slovakia, s. r. o., Bratislava, INFOSTAT – Institute of Informatics engineering and technical sciences and Statistics, Bratislava (www.axxence.de, primary activity (www.infostat.sk) other than R&D) BARANI DESIGN, s. r. o., Liptovský 3.2.3 Private research Mikuláš, engineering and technology (www.baranidesign.com) and development sector Biomedox, s. r. o., Bratislava, The R&D sector comprises also private natural sciences (www.biomedox.sk) companies active in research. In order to BIONT, a. s., Bratislava, natural be officially recognised as an organisation sciences (www.biont.sk, primary activity eligible to perform research, these are other than R&D) approved by the MESRS SR and listed at Biorealis s. r. o., Bratislava, agriculture www.vedatechnika.sk (Central information (www.biorealis.sk) portal for research, development and Biotomal, s. r. o., Rúbaň, natural sciences innovation) and in the Information system (www.biotomal.sk, in Slovak only) on Science and Research – SK CRIS BPM Consulting, s. r. o., Košice, engineering (Current Research Information System) at and technology (www.bpmc.sk, www.skcris.sk. In the system you will find primary activity other than R&D) also more details about the companies. Bryndziaren a syráreň, s. r. o. – bryndza Herebelow we provide a list of approved and cheeses factory, Zvolenská Slatina, companies that are eligible to perform natural sciences (www.bryndziaren.sk) R&D as their activity (in case the R&D Business and Drive, s. r. o., Malacky, is a prevailing activity, it represents more engineering and technology than 50% of all activities): (www.businessanddrive.sk, ABE Projekt, s. r. o., Jaslovské Bohunice, primary activity other than R&D) natural sciences Cancer Institute of St. Elizabeth, ABmerit, Ing. Peter Čarný, Trnava, Bratislava, natural sciences natural sciences (www.abmerit.sk) (www.ousa.sk, in Slovak only) ACP AuComp, s. r. o., Bratislava, CEIT, a. s., Žilina, natural sciences engineering and technology (www.acp.sk) (www.ceit-europe.com) AllProjects, s. r. o., Prešov, CEIT Technical Innovation, s. r. o., engineering and technology Žilina, engineering and technology (www.allprojects.sk, in Slovak only) (www.ceittechinnovation.eu) 28 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
Cenekon, s. r. o., Bratislava, Environmental Institute, s. r. o., Košice, engineering and technology engineering and technology (www.ei.sk) (www.cenekon.sk, in Slovak only, ESPRIT, s. r. o., Banská Štiavnica, primary activity other than R&D) natural sciences (www.esprit-bs.sk, Centre for development of energetic, primary activity other than R&D) Trnava, engineering and technology EUROFINS BEL/NOVAMANN, s. r. o., Continental Matador Rubber, s. r. o., Nové Zámky, natural sciences Púchov, natural sciences (www.matador.sk, (www.eurofins.sk, primary activity other primary activity other than R&D) than R&D) CSBC, s. r. o., Bratislava, engineering EVPÚ a. s. – Electrotechnical Research and technology (www.csbc.sk) and Projecting Company, Nová Dubnica, Danubia NanoTech s. r. o., engineering and technology Bratislava, natural sciences (www.evpu.sk, primary activity
Research in Slovakia (www.danubiananotech.com, the page other than R&D) is temporary under construction) First Welding Company, a. s., Bratislava, Darwell, s. r. o., Bratislava, agriculture engineering and technology (primary activity other than R&D) (www.pzvar.sk, primary activity DAVOS trade – logistics, s. r. o., other than R&D) Krupina, engineering and technology FUSION, Advanced Research (www.davos-tl.sk, in Slovak only, Group, s. r. o., Bratislava, natural primary activity other than R&D) sciences (www.mental.sk) DB Biotech, s. r. o., Košice, natural G‑BASE, s. r. o., Bratislava, natural sciences (www.dbbiotech.com, sciences (www.gbase.sk, in Slovak primary activity other than R&D) and Russian only) DECOM, a. s., Trnava, engineering G‑trend, s. r. o., Bratislava, and technology (www.decom.sk, natural sciences (www.gtrend.sk, primary activity other than R&D) primary activity other than R&D) DEKONTA Slovensko, s. r. o., Bratislava, GA Drilling, a. s., Trnava, natural sciences (www.dekontaslovensko.sk, engineering and technology in Slovak only) (www.geothermalanywhere.com) Driving Academy, s. r. o., Geneton, s. r. o., Bratislava, Orechová Potôň, natural sciences natural sciences (www.geneton.sk, (www.drivingacademy.sk, in Slovak only) primary activity other than R&D) GEOCOMPLEX, a. s., Bratislava, Ecoland, s. r. o., Trnava, natural natural sciences (www.geocomplex.sk, sciences (http://ecolandonline.com, primary activity other than R&D) in Slovak only) GEODETICCA TECHNOLOGICAL EKOSPOL, a. s., Žilina, INSTITUTE, s. r. o., Košice, natural engineering and technology sciences (www.geodeticca.sk) (www.ekospol.sk, in Slovak only) Geodeticca Vision, s. r. o., Košice, EkoWatt, s. r. o., Bratislava, natural sciences (www.geodeticca.sk) engineering and technology GeoModel Solar, s. r. o., Bratislava, (www.ekowatt.sk, in Slovak only) natural sciences (www.geomodel.eu, EL, s. r. o., Spišská Nová Ves, primary activity other than R&D) natural sciences (www.elsro.sk) GetWell, a. s., Kolíňany, natural sciences ELTECO, a. s., Žilina, engineering (www.getwell.sk, in Slovak only) and technology (www.elteco.sk, GISTA, s. r. o., Prešov, natural sciences primary activity other than R&D) (www.gista.sk, in Slovak only) The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 29
GoldenSUN Slovakia, s. r. o., ITALL, s. r. o., Žilina, natural sciences Liptovský Mikuláš, natural sciences (www.itall.sk, in Slovak only, (www.goldensun.sk, in Slovak only) primary activity other than R&D) GRADIENT Slovakia, s. r. o., IVMA STU, s. r. o., Bratislava, Research in Slovakia Bratislava, natural sciences engineering and technology (www.gradientecm.com, primary activity (www.ivmastu.sk) other than R&D) K W D, s. r. o., Zvolen, engineering GT Systems 2, s. r. o., Detva, natural and technology (www.kwd.sk) sciences (www.gtsystems2.sk, KM‑SYSTÉM, s. r. o., Prešov, natural primary activity other than R&D) sciences (www.km-system.sk, in Slovak H&H studio, s. r. o., Nové Zámky, only, primary activity other than R&D) engineering and technology Kompozitum, s. r. o., Topoľčany, (primary activity other than R&D) engineering and technology HAKO, a. s., Liptovský Mikuláš, natural (www.kompozitum.sk, primary activity sciences (www.hako.sk, in Slovak only) other than R&D) Hameln rds a. s., Modra, natural KONŠTRUKTA – Defence, a. s., Dubnica sciences (www.hameln-rds.com) nad Váhom, engineering and technology Highchem, s. r. o., Bratislava, (www.kotadef.sk) natural sciences (www.highchem.som) KONŠTRUKTA – Industry, a. s., HORDEUM, s. r. o., Sládkovičovo, Trenčín, engineering and technology agriculture (www.hordeum.sk) (www.kotaind.sk, primary activity Hydroforensic – Mgr. Milan other than R&D) Onderka, PhD., Bratislava KPM CONSULT, a. s., Bratislava, Chemosvit Fibrochem, a. s., Svit, engineering and technology engineering and technology (www.kpmconsult.cz) (www.fibrochem.sk, primary activity KRD molecular technologies, s. r. o., other than R&D) Bratislava, natural sciences Chezar, s. r. o., Bratislava, (www.krd.sk, in Slovak only, engineering and technology primary activity other than R&D) (www.chezar.sk, in Slovak only, KŘIŽÍK GBI, a. s., Prešov, engineering primary activity other than R&D) and technology (www.gbi.krizik.sk, InnoDriveSTU, s. r. o., primary activity other than R&D) Bratislava, natural sciences KVANT, s. r. o., Bratislava, natural (www.innodrivestu.com, in Slovak only) sciences (www.kvant.sk) Institute of Economics and Civil LABMED, a. s., Košice, natural sciences Engineering, s. r. o., natural sciences (www.labmed.sk, in Slovak only) (http://use-sk.sk) Letecké opravovne Trenčín, a. s. Institute of Nuclear and Molecular (Air repair service), Trenčín, Medicine, Košice, medical sciences natural sciences (www.lotn.sk, (www.inmm.sk, in Slovak only, primary activity other than R&D) primary activity other than R&D) LiAxx Biotech, s. r. o., Bratislava, Intech Slovakia, s. r. o., Bratislava, engineering and technology engineering and technology (primary activity other than R&D) (www.intechenergo.sk, in Slovak only, LIGNOPROJEKT Slovakia, s. IG o., primary activity other than R&D) Bratislava, engineering and technology IPM Engineering, s. r. o., Zvolen, LIKO Bratislava, a. s., Bratislava, engineering and technology engineering and technologies (www.ipmeng.sk) (primary activity other than R&D) 30 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
LOXTechnologies – Ing. Eduard Burian, Qintec, s. r. o., Trnava, natural sciences engineering and technologies (www.qintec.sk, primary activity (www.loxtechnologies.com, other than R&D) primary activity other than R&D) R‑DAS, s. r. o., Žilina, engineering MEDICPRODUCT, a. s., Lipany, and technology (www.r-das.sk) natural sciences (www.medicproduct.sk, RELKO, s. r. o., Bratislava, engineering primary activity other than R&D) and technology (www.relko.sk) Medirex, a. s., Bratislava, Holubyho 35 Research Institute of Construction (www.medirex.sk, primary activity other Informatics, s. r. o., Košice, social than R&D) sciences (www.vusi.sk, in Slovak only) METRODAT s. r. o., Bratislava, RMC, s. r. o., Nová Dubnica, engineering and technology natural sciences (www.rmc.sk, (www.metrodat.eu) primary activity other than R&D)
Research in Slovakia MicroStep, s. r. o., Bratislava, RMR studio, s. r. o., Zvolen, natural engineering and technology sciences (www.rmrstudio.sk, in Slovak (www.microstep.sk, primary activity only, primary activity other than R&D) other than R&D) RT systems, s. r. o., Bratislava, NanoDesign, s. r. o., Bratislava, natural sciences engineering and technology Scientica, s. r. o., Bratislava, (www.nanodesign.sk, in Slovak only) natural sciences NATURES, s. r. o., Trnava, engineering (www.scientica.sk, in Slovak only) and technology (www.natures.sk, Sebex Slovakia, Košice in Slovak only, primary activity SELEKT, research and breeding other than R&D) institute, a. s., Bučany, agriculture NES Nová Dubnica, s. r. o., (www.selekt.sk, in Slovak only, Nová Dubnica, engineering primary activity other than R&D) and technology (www.nes.sk, SEZ Krompachy, a. s., Krompachy, primary activity other than R&D) engineering and technology Normex, s. r. o., Nitra, natural sciences (www.sez-krompachy.sk, (www.digitalsocuments.org, primary activity other than R&D) primary activity other than R&D) Sféra, a. s., Bratislava, engineering Novativ, s. r. o., Čadca, natural sciences and technology (www.sfera.sk) OLTIS Slovakia, s. r. o., Bratislava, SK‑ALIMENTI, s. r. o., Pezinok, engineering and technology natural sciences (www.oltis.sk) Slovak Productivity Center, Žilina, PARKBOX, s. r. o., Bratislava, engineering and technology engineering and technology (www.slcp.sk) (primary activity other than R&D) SLOVNAFT VÚRUP, a. s. PHOSTEC, s. r. o., Žarnovica, (Research Institute of Petroleum and engineering and technology Hydrocarbon Gas), Bratislava, natural (www.phostec.eu) sciences (www.vurup.sk, in Slovak only, Polychem, s. r. o., Prievidza, primary activity other than R&D) natural sciences SNME – STU, s. r. o., Bratislava, (www.polychem.sk, in Slovak only) engineering and technology POWERTEC, s. r. o., Bratislava, (www.stuscientific.sk/content/smme- engineering and technology stu-s-r-o, in Slovak only) (www.powertec.sk, in Slovak only) Software – Industry, s. r. o., Bratislava, ProFood, s. r. o., Pezinok, natural sciences natural sciences (www.swindustry.eu) The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 31
STATOS, s. r. o., Bratislava, natural VETSERVIS, s. r. o., Nitra, natural sciences (www.statos.sk, in Slovak only) sciences (www.vetservis.sk, in Slovak STUVITAL, s. r. o., Bratislava, only, primary activity other than R&D) natural sciences VIA MAGNA, s. r. o., Vrútky, humanities Research in Slovakia (www.stuvital.sk, in Slovak only) (www.viamagna.eu.sk) Sylex, s. r. o., Bratislava, VIPO, a. s., Partizánske, engineering natural sciences (www.sylex.sk) and technologies (www.vipo.sk, SYNKOLA, s. r. o., Bratislava, primary activity other than R&D) natural sciences (www.synkola.sk) VIS GRAVIS, s. r. o., Bratislava, SYNPRIN – Industrial informatics natural sciences (www.visgravis.sk) systems, s. r. o., Bratislava, natural VŠÚZ, a. s. (Potato Research sciences (www.synprin.sk, in Slovak and Breeding Institute), Veľká Lomnica, only, primary activity other than R&D) agriculture (www.vsuz.sk, in Slovak only, TAU‑CHEM, s. r. o., Bratislava, primary activity other than R&D) natural sciences (www.tau-chem.sk) VÚEZ, a. s., Levice, engineering T‑Industry, s. r. o., Myjava, engineering and technology (www.vuez.sk, and technology (www.tind.sk) primary activity other than R&D) TECHNISERV, s. r. o., Bratislava, VUCHT, a. s. (Research Institute engineering and technology of Chemical Technology), Bratislava, (www.techniserv.sk, primary activity engineering and technology other than R&D) (www.vucht.sk, primary activity TEKMAR SLOVENSKO, s. r. o., Lužianky, other than R&D) natural sciences (www.tekmar.sk, VÚIS – CESTY, s. r. o. (Research primary activity other than R&D) Institute if Engineering Constructions Transmisie Engineering, a. s., Martin, – Roads), Bratislava, engineering engineering and technology and technology (www.vuis-cesty.sk) (www.transmisie.sk, VÚIS Mosty, s. r. o. (Research Institute primary activity other than R&D) if Engineering Constructions – Bridges), Transport Research Institute, a. s., Bratislava, engineering and technology Žilina, engineering and technology (primary activity other than R&D) (www.vud.sk) VÚIS Stavebná chémia, s. r. o., Tuvatech, s. r. o., Trenčín, engineering Bratislava, engineering and technology and technology (www.tuvatech.sk) VÚJE Trnava, a. s. (Research Institute U. S. Steel Košice, s. r. o., Košice, for Nuclear Power Engineering), engineering and technology Trnava, engineering and technology (www.usske.sk, primary activity (www.vuje.sk) other than R&D) VUKI, a. s. (Research Institute ÚEOS – Komercia, a. s., Bratislava, for Cables and Insulants), Bratislava, humanities (www.ueos.sk, in Slovak engineering and technology (www.vuki.sk, only, primary activity other than R&D) primary activity other than R&D) UNICOL, s. r. o., Poprad, VÚM, a. s. (Dairy Research Institute), natural sciences (www.unicol.sk, Žilina, engineering and technology primary activity other than R&D) (www.vumza.sk, in Slovak only, VÁHOSTAV – SK, a. s., Žilina, primary activity other than R&D) engineering and technology VUP, a. s. (Petrochemical Research (www.vahostav-sk.sk, in Slovak Institute), Prievidza, engineering and Russian only, primary activity and technology (www.vupas.sk, other than R&D) primary activity other than R&D) 32 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
VUPC, a. s. (Pulp and Paper Research AMAVET, n. o. (Association for Youth, Institute), Bratislava, engineering Science and Technology), Bratislava, and technology (www.vupc.sk) natural sciences (www.amavet.sk) VÚSAPL, a. s., Nitra, engineering Aqua Vita – Živá voda, Society for and technology (www.vusapl.sk, research and conservation of wetlands, primary activity other than R&D) o. z., Liptovský Mikuláš, engineering and VÚSCH, a. s. (Eastern‑Slovak Institute of technology (www.aquavita.szm.com, Cardiovascular Diseases), Košice, medical primary activity other than R&D) sciences (www.vusch.sk, in Slovak only, Association of Research and primary activity other than R&D) Development Industrial Organisations, VÚCHV, a. s. (Research Institute for Bratislava, natural sciences Man‑Made Fibres), Svit, natural sciences (www.zpvvo.sk, in Slovak only) (www.vuchv.sk, primary activity BAKOMI, Banská Štiavnica, social
Research in Slovakia other than R&D) sciences (www.bakomi.sk, in Slovak VÚTCH‑CHEMITEX, s. r. o., only, primary activity other than R&D) Žilina, engineering and technology BIOMASA, Association of legal entities, (www.vutch.sk) Kysucký Lieskovec (www.biomasa.sk, VÝVOJ Martin, a. s., Martin, engineering primary activity other than R&D) and technology (www.vyvoj.sk, Building Testing and Research primary activity other than R&D) Institute, n. o., Bratislava, engineering WAY INDUSTRIES, a. s., Krupina, and technology (www.tsus.sk, engineering and technology (www.way.sk, primary activity other than R&D) primary activity other than R&D) CELIM Slovakia, Trnava, natural ZELSEED, s. r. o., Horná Potôň, sciences (www.celim.sk, in Slovak only) agriculture (www.zelseed.sk, Centre for Development of Chemical primary activity other than R&D) and Pharmaceutical Industry, Nitra, ZTS VVÚ Košice, a. s. (ZTS Research natural sciences and Development Institute), Košice, EPPP – European Public Policy engineering and technology Partnership, Bratislava, social sciences (www.ztsvvuke.sk) (www.eppp.sk) ŽP Research and Development Centre, EsFem – Center for Gender Equality, s. r. o., Podbrezová, engineering Bratislava, natural sciences and technology (www.zpvvc.sk) (www.esfem.sk, in Slovak only) EUROIURIS – European Legal 3.2.4 Non‑profit sector of research Centre, o. z., Bratislava, social sciences & development (www.euroiuris.sk) ICARST, n. o. (International Centre Non‑profit sector of R&D comprises for Applied research and Sustainable of civic associations and non‑profit Technology), Bratislava, natural sciences organisations engaging in the area of R&D. (www.icarst.org) These non‑profit organisations are eligible MEDIREX GROUP ACADEMY, n. o., to perform R&D as their activity: Trnava, medical sciences Academia Istropolitana Nova, (www.medirexgroupacademy.sk, Svätý Jur, humanities (www.ainova.sk, in Slovak only) primary activity other than R&D) National Agency for Development Academic Ranking and Rating Agency, of Small and Medium Enterprises, o. z., Bratislava, social sciences association of legal entities, Bratislava, (www.arra.sk) natural sciences (www.nadsme.sk) The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 33
PrevenciaAD, Pezinok, social sciences The complete database of R&D (http://prevenciaad.vacau.com, organisations can be found on the website in Slovak only) www.skcris.sk. Raptor Protection of Slovakia, Research in Slovakia Bratislava, Natural sciences 3.3 R&D funding (www.dravce.sk, in Slovak only) Research Institute of Posts and at national level Telecommunications, engineering In 2012, spending on R&D stood at 0.82% and technology, Banská Bystrica of GDP. In total about 585.2 million € was (www.vus.sk) spent on R&D in 2012, 56% came from School of Communication and public funds and 44% from private sources. Media, n. o., Bratislava, social sciences Basic research was in 2012 supported by (www.skamba.sk, in Slovak only) 47.3% of the R&D budget, applied research Slovak Association of Business Process was financed by 23.5% of R&D budget Management, Košice, engineering and and 29.2% went to development funding. technology (www.sapria.sk, in Slovak So far, institutional support of S&T of HEI only, primary activity other than R&D) sector and the Slovak Academy of Sciences Slovak Governance Institute, Bratislava, from the state budget predominates over natural sciences (www.governance.sk) programme‑based purpose‑oriented form Slovak Legal Metrology, of support. Research spending per capita Banská Bystrica, engineering was 108.2 € and per 1 employee of R&D was and technology (www.slm.sk, 20.3 thousand € in 2012 (source: Yearbook primary activity other than R&D) of Science and Technology in the Slovak Slovak Public Health Association, Republic 2013, Statistical Office of the Košice, natural sciences (www.savez.sk, Slovak Republic). primary activity other than R&D) Society for the Protection of Bats The system of R&D funding at national level in Slovakia, Bardejov, natural sciences is governed by the Act No. 172/2005 Coll. on (www.netopiere.sk, in Slovak only, Organisation of State Support for Research primary activity other than R&D) and Development as amended by later Transport Research Company, Bratislava regulations. Subsidies for solving research (www.dvs-eu.sk, in Slovak only) tasks are granted to entitled applicants VEDUTA, Hronsek, engineering and through grant agencies (in particular the technology (www.veduta.eu, in Slovak Slovak Research and Development Agency) only, primary activity other than R&D) and state programmes for R&D support. Welding Research Institute – Industrial Institute of the Slovak Republic, The Slovak Government is in the Bratislava, engineering and technology process (December 2013) of adopting (www.vuz.sk) the Research and innovation strategy The Young Physicists’ Tournament, for smart specialization of the Slovak Bratislava, natural sciences Republic. Its overall goal is to contribute to (www.tmfsr.sk, in Slovak only) strengthening of the key industry anchoring and to diversification of the economy by Support service in innovative processes a strong increase of the own research, development in SMEs and technology innovation and creativity usage. Other transfer is provided by the Business aims and principles include strengthening and Innovation Centre (BIC) Bratislava, of excellence and of internationalisation www.bic.sk. of science and technology, research and 34 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
development capacity building, innovation under international agreements on capacity in economic practice building, scientific and technological co‑operation and promoting a business environment and projects within international favourable for innovation and its programmes and initiatives in the field internationalisation. of research and development including costs of their preparations. Research and development projections are included within the national goals Projects can be submitted to the Agency of the Slovak Republic outgoing from within Agency’s Calls for Proposals. the Europe 2020 strategy. It is presumed The agency usually supports projects to increase the overall level of public with the period of solving not exceeding and private investments in research three years. and development to 1.2% of the GDP.
Research in Slovakia The Agency provides funding on the basis 3.3.1 State research funding of a grant scheme. The Grant scheme represents a system for the support of agencies research and development activities which specifies the fields of promotion of joint Slovak Research & Development research and development programmes; Agency the criteria for evaluating project proposals; Slovak Research the forms of providing funds. and Development Agency – SRDA (Agentúra na podporu Grant scheme comprises of: výskumu a vývoja – APVV) – is the major General Calls R&D grant agency in the Slovak Republic. Bilateral Co‑operation It was established by the Act No.172/2005 Multilateral Co‑operation in July 2005 and it is a successor of the previous agency running since 2001. In the General Calls – Research and period of years 2014 – 2020 expenditure development support in all scientific areas on operations and programmes of APVV The general call has no pre‑defined are planned in the amount of 316 million €, thematic priorities, bottom‑up approach which means tripled resources and is applied. Specialisation, objectives and a transformation of the agency is projected. subject content of R&D project are defined by the applicant Projects in the following The agency acts in compliance with groups of disciplines are supported: natural the long‑term objective of state S&T policy sciences, technological sciences, medical and its programmes are approved by sciences, agricultural sciences, social the Government of the Slovak Republic. sciences and humanities.
The Agency supports research and Bilateral scientific and technological development (basic and applied research co‑operation and experimental development) by On the basis of international agreements providing funds for the implementation concluded by the Ministry of Education, of the following types of the projects: Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak research and development projects in all Republic, calls for submitting projects fields of science and technology; on bilateral research co‑operation are within the Agency’s programmes; regularly published. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 35
The projects of bilateral co‑operation an integral mono‑topical scientific problem are intended to have these objectives: within a specific time frame. There are no preparation of joint international pre‑defined thematic priorities, bottom‑up projects; approach is applied. Research in Slovakia preparation of joint publications and other outputs; More information: common active participation website of the MESRS SR: www.minedu.sk in conferences as an output from joint (www.minedu.sk/vedecka-grantova-agentura- R&D activities; msvvas-sr-a-sav-vega/, in Slovak only) mutual use of special laboratory equipment; KEGA – Cultural and Education research materials collection. Grant Agency Maximum duration of projects is The Cultural and Education Grant Agency 24 months. The financial support is strictly (KEGA) is an internal grant agency limited to short‑term participants’ mobility. of the MESRS SR focused on financial More about bilateral S&T co‑operation can support of projects of applied research be found in chapter 3.3.2. in the field of education and creative art in defined thematic areas. Applicants Multilateral Co‑operation – support from public universities may apply for the of activities engaged in international financial support from KEGA. Thematic co‑operation: areas for 2001 – 2014 are as follows: Call for additional funding of R&D The programme of primary and secondary projects within EU Framework schools development (perspectives); Programmes. New technologies, methods and forms in education; Content integration More about multilateral co‑operation and diversification of higher education; can be found in chapter 3.6. Culture and arts development. Thematic priorities and calls for submitting proposals More information: for the forthcoming calendar year are www.apvv.sk published yearly by the MESRS SR at the latest until May 31, of the calendar year VEGA – Science Grant Agency prior to the year of implementation. Science Grant Agency (VEGA) is a grant More information: agency of the Ministry of Education, website of the MESRS SR: www.minedu.sk Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak (www.minedu.sk/kulturna-a-edukacna- Republic (MESRS SR) and the Board of the grantova-agentura-msvvas-sr-kega/, Slovak Academy of Sciences. Researchers in Slovak only) from universities in the Slovak Republic, from the Slovak Academy of Sciences and 3.3.2 State programmes from organisations directly controlled by the MESRS SR may apply for financial for research & development support within the agency. VEGA accepts support applications for grants for scientific The Act No. 172/2005 Coll. lays down projects that solve problems of basic two types of state programmes: state research. A project submitted to VEGA programme of R&D and state programme must represent a proposal for a solution to of R&D infrastructure development. 36 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
The state programme of R&D is In the new period, the MESRS SR will be implemented by means of R&D projects responsible for 2 operational programmes in the given thematic area aimed at solving – OP Human Resources and OP Research key problems of social and economic and Innovation. There should be development within society. The state annnouced first calls for proposals under programme of R&D infrastructure OPs in the second half or late 2014. In 2013 development is implemented in the form preparations of the OPs were being done. of development projects and is aimed at creating and improving conditions More information: for R&D projects solving in particular website of the European Commission, by means of technology infrastructure DG for Regional Policy: modernisation, increasing qualification, http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy support of mobility, establishing website of the Agency of the MESRS SR
Research in Slovakia excellence centres and transfer of R&D for the Structural Funds of EU: outcomes into practice. Proposals of state www.asfeu.sk/en/agency programmes are elaborated by the MESRS SR in co‑operation with involved partners Other sources of R&D funding in Slovakia in compliance with the long‑term objective Apart from public/state funding resources of state S&T policy and are approved by the (including EU Structural Funds) R&D Government of the Slovak Republic. is also financed by the private sector and non‑governmental non‑profit More information: organisations. In addition to national website of the MESRS SR: www.minedu.sk. funding, R&D is also funded from international resources, e.g. from EU 3.3.3 EU structural funds research and technological development framework programmes. The support of R&D is implemented also by means of EU structural 3.3.4 National Scholarship funds. For the period 2007 – 2013 Programme of the Slovak the Operational Programme (OP) Research and Development was implemented, Republic financed from the European Fund The National Scholarship NŠP for Regional Development for the period Programme (NSP) is the flagship Národný 2007 – 2013. of Slovak mobility funding. In 2005, štipendijný the NSP was established by the program The competent authority responsible approval of the Government of the Slovak for education and research operational Republic. The NSP is funded by the Ministry programmes is the Ministry of Education, of Education, Science, Research and Sport Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak of the Slovak Republic. Republic. The MESRS SR has established the Agency of the Ministry of Education, The NSP supports incoming and outgoing Science, Research and Sport of the mobility – the incoming scheme supports Slovak Republic for the Structural Funds foreign university students, PhD students, of EU with the objective to provide university teachers, researchers and assistance for the implementation process artists to come and stay at higher proposal acceptance, assessment, education institutions and research financial management and monitoring organisations in Slovakia; the outgoing of projects of EU Structural Funds. scheme supports students, PhD students, The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 37 university teachers, researchers and artists Amount of a monthly scholarship with a permanent residence in Slovakia to a) university student (Master level) 350 € spend part of their studies or conduct their b) PhD student 580 € research at a higher education institution c) university teacher/researcher or artist: Research in Slovakia or research organisation abroad. – early‑stage university teacher/researcher/ artist (without PhD and less than 4 years The scholarship for the incoming of work experience) applicants is provided for 1 – 12‑month stays – experienced university teacher/researcher/ 580 € artist: (or 1 – 2 semester stays in case of university – with PhD and less than 4 years 850 € students) at higher education institutions of work experience and research organisations in Slovakia. – with PhD and more than 10 years 1 000 € The scholarship does not support pursuing of work experience the entire Master/PhD programme in Slovakia, nor Slovak nationals studying Scholarship applications are submitted abroad. The applicant cannot already be on‑line at www.scholarships.sk. The on‑line employed for teaching/research activity application system is opened 6 weeks in Slovakia or have a parallel funding from before the application deadline. Some a different source. documents must be sent as original hard copies by post to the following address: Citizens from the following countries are eligible to apply for the NSP scholarship: SAIA, n. o. a) Member States of the European Union; Sasinkova 10 b) other signatories to the Bologna process 812 20 Bratislava 1, Slovak Republic (listed are only countries outside the EU) – Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Application deadlines: Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 30 April by 16:00 CET – scholarship stays Georgia, Iceland, Kazakhstan, during the following academic year, Liechtenstein, Republic of Macedonia, 31 October by 16:00 CET – scholarship Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Russian stays during the summer semester of the Federation, Serbia (including Kosovo), running academic year. Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, Vatican City; Selection Committee decides who will be c) Belarus, Uzbekistan; awarded a scholarship in the framework d) Canada, Mexico, USA, countries of Latin of the NSP. The Committee is appointed and Central America; by the Minister of Education, Science, e) Australia, China (including Taiwan), Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic. Egypt, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Decisions of the Committee are based on Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the documents attached to applicants’ Republic of South Africa, Thailand, on‑line application. List of scholarship Vietnam. holders is published at the website of the NSP within 8 weeks after the application The scholarship covers living costs during deadline. the study/research/teaching/artistic stay of foreign applicants. It does not cover More information: the travel costs to and from Slovakia. www.scholarships.sk, www.saia.sk 38 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
3.3.5 Scholarships of the the conditions of doctoral degree studies at Government of the Slovak public higher education institutions in the Republic awarded for the entire Slovak Republic together with the number doctoral study within Official of scholarship slots. Every applicant must Development Assistance submit his/her scholarship application on‑line at www.vladnestipendia.sk The Government of the Slovak Republic before the application deadline (31 May). annually awards scholarships for doctoral The respective sending party presents its (PhD) degree programmes to students nomination of scholarship applicants via from the countries eligible for the the Embassy/Consulate General of the Official Development Assistance (ODA). Slovak Republic in the respective country Scholarships offered in the framework until 31 May. Scholarships are awarded by of the terms and conditions set out by the Selection Committee of the Ministry
Research in Slovakia the OECD for implementing the ODA also of Education, Science, Research and Sport include scholarships of the Government of the Slovak Republic. of the Slovak Republic for Slovak nationals living abroad. Granting of these More information: scholarships has become a component www.minedu.sk, www.vladnestipendia.sk of the state support for Slovak nationals living abroad. 3.3.6 Scholarships of the Ministry Studies can be carried out only at public of Education, Science, higher education institutions in Slovakia Research and Sport and are held in Slovak language. of the Slovak Republic The Scholarships of the Government of the Slovak Republic include The Ministry of Education, Science, a scholarship for a 10‑month language Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic preparation in case that the applicant has (MESRS SR) offers scholarships for study not completed the previous education stay within accredited study/doctoral in the Slovak Republic. programmes or academic stays at public universities or institutes of the Slovak Citizens of the following countries can Academy of Sciences for applicants from apply for a scholarship in the framework any country in the world in the following of the Scholarships of the Government categories: of the Slovak Republic within the ODA foreign university students for 5‑month (citizens from the highlighted countries can stays (age between 18 – 26 years); apply for PhD study, others for Bachelor foreign PhD students for 5‑month stays and Master study): Afghanistan, Albania, (age between 23 – 35 years); Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, foreign academics for 3‑month stays Kenya, Kosovo, Moldova, Mongolia, (age between 30 – 50 years). Palestinian National Authority, Ukraine and Vietnam. This list of eligible countries Scholarships for 5‑month study/research may vary every year. stays for foreign PhD students The MESRS SR offers scholarships to The Ministry of Foreign and European foreign PhD students for a study/research Affairs of the Slovak Republic informs the stay at public universities in the Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the respective Republic or research institutes of the countries via diplomatic channels about Slovak Academy of Sciences. Successful The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 39 applicants within this scheme will receive of the Slovak Republic (MESRS SR) a scholarship of 330 €/month. The MESRS offers a possibility to study in the Slovak SR does not cover travel costs related to Republic to secondary school graduates arrival and departure from Slovakia. from Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Research in Slovakia Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Scholarships for 3‑month lecture/research Montenegro, Serbia and Ukraine. stays for foreign academics The MESRS SR grants scholarships The MESRS SR offers a free of charge to foreign academics for a teaching/research 10‑month language and academic stay at public universities in the Slovak preparation at the Institute of Language Republic or research institutes of the and Academic Preparation of the Centre Slovak Academy of Sciences. Successful of Continuing Education of the Comenius applicants within this scheme will receive University in Bratislava. Successful a scholarship of 550 €/month. The MESRS applicants will receive a scholarship SR does not cover travel costs related to of 280 €/month. The scholarship should arrival and departure from Slovakia. cover scholarship holder’s living costs related to his/her study stay in Slovakia. Filled‑in application (to download After the completion of their language at www.studyin.sk) with the required and academic preparation, students attachments must be sent to: should continue in their full university studies (Master/PhD level) at public higher Ministry of Education, Science, education institutions in Slovakia within Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic the study programmes with technical International Cooperation, European orientation. Students from the respective Affairs and Lifelong Learning Division countries will study in Slovakia in Slovak Stromová 1, 813 30 Bratislava language under the same conditions as Slovak Republic Slovak students, i.e. without paying any tuition fees (if not exceeding the standard Application deadline: 31 May length of study). Students must cover their living costs during their studies in Slovakia The delivery date to the Slovak Republic themselves. is decisive. Incomplete materials and applications submitted after this deadline The Selection Commission of the MESRS will not be considered. SR awards the scholarships for 10‑month language and academic preparation, based More information: on the submitted documents. www.studyin.sk, www.minedu.sk Application deadline: 31 May
3.3.7 Modernisation Programme More information: Slovakia 21 – Scholarships www.mop21edu.sk, www.minedu.sk of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic In the framework of the Modernisation Programme Slovakia 21, the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport 40 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
3.4 Funding for bilateral co‑operation with the following countries. The latest intergovernmental agreements co‑operation have been signed with Argentina and the Republic of Korea. 3.4.1 Bilateral scientific and technological Argentina co‑operation based Ministry of Education for the Argentine on intergovernmental Republic, Secretariat of Science, agreements Technology and Productive Innovation http://portal.educacion.gov.ar The Government of the Slovak Republic has concluded bilateral agreements on Austria scientific and technological co‑operation Federal Ministry of Science and Research
Research in Slovakia to support the participation of scientists www.bmwf.gv.at and experts in joint projects with several Austrian Agency for International countries that are listed below. Institutions Mobility and Cooperation in Education usually responsible for execution at the and Research (OeAD‑GmbH) national level are also listed. www.oead.at
Calls for proposals (usually once in two Bulgaria years) are published on websites of the Ministry of Education, Youth and responsible institutions. It is therefore Science, Scientific Research Department advisable to visit their websites on a regular www.minedu.government.bg basis. For 2014 the calls planned have not (in Bulgarian only) yet been published in time of preparation of this publication. Proposals for the Czech Republic S&T projects based on the concluded Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports agreements can be submitted usually www.msmt.cz by both physical and legal entities from Association of Innovative Entrepreneurship public and private sectors active in R&D. (submission of applications) www.aipcr.cz Only jointly submitted proposals will be eligible for consideration. Both project China partners must submit their common Ministry of Science and Technology, proposal separately before the deadline International Cooperation Department to the addresses of respective coordinating www.most.gov.cn/eng institutions in their country, which also provide the relevant application forms. Egypt The final selection of proposals is made Ministry of Higher Education by the Joint Committee, which takes into www.egy-mhe.gov.eg consideration the evaluation of both parties. France Financial support for bilateral projects can Ministry of Higher Education and Research be used exclusively to finance the mobility www.enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr of scientists and experts. (in French only) Campus France – The French national agency for the promotion As of the end of 2013, the Slovak Republic of higher education, international student has concluded 24 bilateral intergovernmental services, and international mobility agreements on scientific and technological www.campusfrance.org/en The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 41
Greece Portugal Ministry of Education, Lifelong Ministry of Science, Learning and Religious Affairs, General Technology and Higher Education Secretariat for Research & Technology, www.mctes.pt Research in Slovakia Bilateral Relations Division www.gsrt.gr (in Greek only) Republic of Korea Ministry of Education, Science and Germany Technology of the Republic of Korea Federal Ministry of Education http://english.mest.go.kr/enMain.do and Research www.bmbf.de There is also a possibility of co‑operation Republic of South Africa on joint R&D projects based on the Ministry of Science and Technology agreement between the Ministry www.dst.gov.za of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic, National Research Foundation, Science the Slovak Academy of Sciences and Technology Agreements Fund and DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer www.nrf.ac.za Austausch Dienst – German Academic Exchange Service) referred to as PPP Romania – Projektbezogener Personenaustausch Ministry of Education, Research, Youth (Exchange programme for researchers and Sport www.edu.ro (in Romanian only) working on joint projects) www.daad.de Russian Federation Hungary Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of National Resources Department of International www.nefmi.gov.hu/english Cooperation http://eng.mon.gov.ru
India Serbia Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Science Department of Science & Technology, and Technological Development International Cooperation Division www.mpn.gov.rs www.stic-dst.org Slovenia Italy Ministry of Higher Education, Science Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy, and Technology www.arhiv.mvzt.gov.si Directorate General for Cultural Promotion and Cooperation Spain www.esteri.it Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation www.maec.es Lithuania Ministry of Education and Science Ukraine www.smm.lt Ministry of Education and Science, Youth and Sports, Department of International Poland Cooperation and European Integration Ministry of Science and Higher www.mon.gov.ua Education www.nauka.gov.pl 42 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
USA Applicants must be nominated by The Slovak Republic has concluded respective counterpart institutions several separate bilateral agreements, (see the table). PhD students and relating to specific areas of research. researchers who would like to study or conduct research in Slovakia should Database of grant programmes arrange in advance a contact with a Slovak from different areas can be found host research institution. List of all Slovak at www.grants.gov/web/grants/search- higher education institutions and research grants.html. These programmes are institutes can be found in chapter 3.6. funded by the federal government and managed by 26 federal grant For further information agencies. As examples of national (specific instructions, exact application agencies supporting research can be deadlines, application forms or web sites)
Research in Slovakia mentioned National Science Foundation about funding for academic and research (www.nsf.gov) and National Institute pursuits, please, consult websites of the of Health (www.nih.gov). appropriate counterpart institutions, and the database of scholarships and grants of SAIA, available at http://grants.saia.sk. 3.4.2 Bilateral intergovernmental Scholarship disbursement agreements on educational, research and cultural Sending party usually covers travel costs (based upon the distance between co‑operation the location of the host university or research The Government of the Slovak Republic institute and the PhD student’s/researcher’s has concluded bilateral agreements home country). Receiving party usually on educational, research and cultural covers a living allowance. co‑operation with several countries (see the table) in order to support Currently, the long‑term scholarship exchange programmes providing (at least 1 month) pays 330 €/month scholarships for students and for PhD students and 550 €/month for researchers coming to Slovakia to study researchers/university teachers. For short or conduct research at Slovak universities stays the receiving party shall provide the and research institutes of the Slovak visiting PhD student/teacher/researcher Academy of Sciences. with per diems and free accommodation.
Scholarships are awarded for the purpose There are no grants for family members. of study, research or training. There is no Scholarship holders must be insured general limitation regarding field of study. against illness and accident during Applicants must be fluent in English the period of the scholarship stay. or other language agreed/arranged with a Slovak host institution or proficient For further information on terms in Slovak. and conditions of the insurance contact the respective counterpart institutions. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 43
Programme offered by the Ministry Counterpart Target group of Education, Science, Research Country institution (Incoming Special eligibility conditions and Sport of the Slovak Republic & URL researchers) on the basis of reciprocity
Action Austria – Slovakia, Co‑operation in Science and Education Research in Slovakia At the date of application finished at least Research stay (3 – 6 months) PhD student one semester. Age limit is 35 years. PhD holder (excellent researcher) with no more than 10 years of research experience Research stay for postdocs PhD holder after having graduated from a PhD (3 – 6 months) programme, not to be in the position of an Austria Associate Professor (no “habilitation” yet) PhD student Short‑term study/research visits Postdoc Age limit is 60 years. (1 – 3 days) Researcher Teacher www.oead.at at HEI* Basic knowledge of the Slovak language Summer School of Slovak Language PhD student recommended; preferably students and Culture (SAS)
Austrian agency for international mobility agency Austrian international for and co‑operation and research in education (OeAD‑GmbH) and researchers in Slavic languages
University graduate Specialisation and research stay PhD student
(1 to 10 months) Teacher at HEI
Researcher Belgium‑French , Community PhD student Basic knowledge of the Slovak language Summer School of Slovak Language www.cfwb.be Researcher recommended; preferably students and Culture (SAS) Teacher at HEI and researchers in Slavic languages lMinistry of French Community, General General lMinistry Community, of French Department and Scientific of Education Research www.enseignement.be/infosup only) (in French
PhD Student Application form of the Ministry
Research stay of Education, Science, Research and Sport Researcher (1 to 10 months) of the Slovak Republic with all required Teacher at HEI Belarus attachments PhD Student Basic knowledge of the Slovak language Summer School of Slovak Language Researcher recommended; preferably students and Culture (SAS)
Ministry of Education http://edu.gov.by Teacher at HEI and researchers in Slavic languages
PhD student Aapplication form of the Ministry Post gradual/research stay of Education, Science, Research and Sport
Researcher (1 to 10 months) of the Slovak Republic with all required Teacher at HEI attachments Bulgaria
PhD student Basic knowledge of the Slovak language Summer School of Slovak Language recommended; preferably students and Culture (SAS) Researcher Teacher at HEI and researchers in Slavic languages Ministry of Education, Youth and Science Youth Ministry of Education, www.minedu.government.bg (in Bulgarian only) Ministry of Education http://edu.gov.by 44 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
Programme offered by the Ministry Counterpart Target group of Education, Science, Research Country institution (Incoming Special eligibility conditions and Sport of the Slovak Republic & URL researchers) on the basis of reciprocity
Application form of the Ministry Study fellowship of Education, Science, Research and Sport PhD student (min. 1 month) of the Slovak Republic with all required attachments Application form of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport Croatia Lecture stay (max 30 days) Teacher at HEI of the Slovak Republic with all required attachments PhD student Basic knowledge of the Slovak language Summer School of Slovak Language Researcher recommended; preferably students and Culture (SAS)
Ministry and Sports Education of Science, http://public.mzos.hr Teacher at HEI and researchers in Slavic languages Application form of the Ministry Research in Slovakia of Education, Science, Research and Sport Study/research stay (5 or 10 months) PhD student
of the Slovak Republic with all required attachments Application form of the Ministry Researcher of Education, Science, Research and Sport Cyprus Research stay (7 days) Teacher at HEI of the Slovak Republic with all required attachments PhD student Basic knowledge of the Slovak language Summer School of Slovak Language Researcher recommended; preferably students and Culture (SAS)
Ministry of Education and Culture Ministry and Culture of Education www.moec.gov.cy Teacher at HEI and researchers in Slavic languages Application form of the Ministry Study/research stay (3 – 10 months) of Education, Science, Research and Sport PhD student (only at Slovak universities) of the Slovak Republic with all required attachments
For PhD degree holders, Application Short-term research/lecture stay Researcher form of the Ministry of Education, Science, Czech Republic (max. 14 days) Teacher at HEI Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic with all required attachments PhD student Basic knowledge of the Slovak language Summer School of Slovak Language Researcher recommended; preferably students and Culture (SAS) Teacher of higher and researchers in Slavic languages
Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Youth Ministry of Education, Services House for International www.dzs.cz education institution Application form of the Ministry Study/research stay PhD student of Education, Science, Research and Sport (min. 3 months) Researcher of the Slovak Republic with all required Denmark attachments PhD student Basic knowledge of the Slovak language Summer School of Slovak Language Researcher recommended; preferably students and Culture (SAS)
Ministry of Education www.eng.uvm.dk Teacher at HEI and researchers in Slavic languages The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 45
Programme offered by the Ministry Counterpart Target group of Education, Science, Research Country institution (Incoming Special eligibility conditions and Sport of the Slovak Republic & URL researchers) on the basis of reciprocity
Application form of the Ministry Research in Slovakia of Education, Science, Research and Sport Full PhD studies (3 years) PhD student of the Slovak Republic with all required attachments Application form of the Ministry Short‑term research stay Teacher at HEI of Education, Science, Research and Sport (max. 10 days) Researcher of the Slovak Republic with all required attachments
Egypt Application form of the Ministry (in Egyptian only) (in Egyptian Long‑term research stay Teacher at HEI of Education, Science, Research and Sport (2 to 6 months) Researcher of the Slovak Republic with all required attachments
- mhe.gov.eg PhD student Basic knowledge of the Slovak language Summer School of Slovak Language Researcher recommended; preferably students and Culture (SAS)
Ministry of Higher Education www.egy Teacher at HEI and researchers of Slavonic studies PhD student Up to 35 years, Application form of the Study/research stay Ministry of Education, Science, Research Researcher (3 to 9 months) and Sport of the Slovak Republic with all Teacher at HEI Finland required attachments
PhD student Basic knowledge of the Slovak language Summer School of Slovak Language Researcher recommended; preferably students and Culture (SAS)
Centre for International International for Centre Mobility www.studyinfinland.fi Teacher at HEI and researchers in Slavic languages Application form of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport Study/research stay (5 months) PhD student of the Slovak Republic with all required Germany attachments PhD student Basic knowledge of the Slovak language Summer School of Slovak Language Researcher recommended; preferably students and Culture (SAS)
Federal MinistryFederal and Research of Education www.bmbf.de Teacher at HEI and researchers in Slavic languages Application form of the Ministry Study/research stay of Education, Science, Research and Sport PhD student (5 to 10 months) of the Slovak Republic with all required attachments Application form of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport Greece Lecture/research stay (10 days) Teacher at HEI of the Slovak Republic with all required attachments PhD student Basic knowledge of the Slovak language Summer School of Slovak Language recommended; preferably students and Culture (SAS) Researcher Teacher
Ministry of Education, and Religious Affairs Learning Lifelong www.minedu.gov.gr at HEI and researchers in Slavic languages Application form of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport Research stay (1 to 10 months) PhD student of the Slovak Republic with all required
- attachments
Application form of the Ministry Hungary Short‑term study stay (1 to 3 months)/ Teacher at of Education, Science, Research and Sport expert visit (5 to 20 days) HEIResearcher of the Slovak Republic with all required attachments PhD student Basic knowledge of the Slovak language Summer School of Slovak Language Researcher recommended; preferably students
- human resources and Culture (SAS)
Ministry of Human Resources www.kormany.hu/en/ministry of Teacher at HEI and researchers in Slavic languages 46 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
Programme offered by the Ministry Counterpart Target group of Education, Science, Research Country institution (Incoming Special eligibility conditions and Sport of the Slovak Republic & URL researchers) on the basis of reciprocity Application form of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport Study stay (1 year) PhD student of the Slovak Republic with all required attachments Application form of the Ministry Research stay Researcher of Education, Science, Research and Sport China (1 to 10 months) Teacher at HEI of the Slovak Republic with all required attachments
PhD student Basic knowledge of the Slovak language Summer School of Slovak Language Researcher recommended; preferably students and Culture (SAS) Teacher at HEI and researchers in Slavic languages Ministry of Education www.moe.edu.cn
Research in Slovakia Application form of the Ministry of University graduate Education, Science, Research and Sport Post gradual stay (max. 10 months) PhD student of the Slovak Republic with all required Israel attachments Basic knowledge of the Slovak language Summer School of Slovak Language University graduate recommended; preferably students and Culture (SAS) PhD student Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Foreign www.mfa.gov.il and researchers in Slavic languages University graduate Up to 40 years, Application form of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research Study/research stay (max. 10 months) PhD student and Sport of the Slovak Republic with all Researcher required attachments Italy PhD student Basic knowledge of the Slovak language Summer School of Slovak Language Researcher recommended; preferably students and Culture (SAS) Teacher of the Slovak and researchers in Slavic languages
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Foreign www.esteri.it language
Slovak or English language, Application form of the Ministry of Education, Science, Kazakhstan Study/research stay (3 to 10 months) PhD student Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic with all required attachments Ministry of Education and Science www.edu.gov.kz
PhD student Application form of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport Study/research stay (3 to 10 months) Researcher of the Slovak Republic with all required Teacher at HEI attachments
Lithuania PhD student Basic knowledge of the Slovak language Summer School of Slovak Language Researcher recommended; preferably students and Culture (SAS)
Ministry of Education and Science www.smm.lt Teacher at HEI and researchers in Slavic languages
Application form of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport Macedonia Study/research stay (3 to 10 months) PhD student of the Slovak Republic with all required www.mon.gov.mk attachments Ministry and of Education Science only) (in Macedonian The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 47
Programme offered by the Ministry Counterpart Target group of Education, Science, Research Country institution (Incoming Special eligibility conditions and Sport of the Slovak Republic & URL researchers) on the basis of reciprocity
PhD student Application form of the Ministry Research in Slovakia of Education, Science, Research and Sport Study/research stay (3 – 10 months) Teacher at HEI of the Slovak Republic with all required Researcher Moldova attachments Student or teacher Basic knowledge of the Slovak language Summer School of Slovak Language of Slovak and/or recommended; preferably students and Culture (SAS)
Ministry of Education www.edu.gov.md Slavonic studies and researchers in Slavic languages Up to 35 years, Application form of the PhD student Ministry of Education, Science, Research Study/research stay (3 to 9 months) Researcher and Sport of the Slovak Republic with all required attachments Short-term research stay for researchers, linguists and specialists in the field Researcher of education, Application form of the Norway Research stay (1 – 3 weeks) Teacher at HEI Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic with all required attachments PhD student PhD student Summer School of Slovak Language Researcher Researcher and Culture (SAS)
Ministry and Research of Education www.regjeringen.no Teacher at HEI Teacher at HEI Application form of the Ministry Researcher of Education, Science, Research and Sport Research stay (1 to 10 months) Teacher at HEI of the Slovak Republic with all required
attachments Application form of the Ministry Post gradual research stay of Education, Science, Research and Sport Poland (1 to 3 months) PhD student of the Slovak Republic with all required (only at Slovak universities) attachments PhD student Basic knowledge of the Slovak language Summer School of Slovak Language Researcher recommended; preferably students and Culture (SAS)
Ministry of Science and Higher Education www.nauka.gov.pl Ministry Education of National www.men.gov.pl Teacher at HEI and researchers in Slavic languages PhD student Application form of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport Research stay (3 to 10 months) Researcher of the Slovak Republic with all required Teacher at HEI
attachments Romania PhD student Basic knowledge of the Slovak language Summer School of Slovak Language Researcher recommended; preferably students and Culture (SAS)
Ministry of Education, and Sport Youth Research, www.edu.ro (in Romanian only) Teacher at HEI and researchers in Slavic languages PhD student Slovak or English language, Application form of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research stay (1 to 10 months) Researcher Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic Russian Teacher at HEI with all required attachments Federation PhD student Basic knowledge of the Slovak language Summer School of Slovak Language Researcher recommended; preferably students and Culture (SAS)
Ministry of Education and Science http://eng.mon.gov.ru Teacher at HEI and researchers in Slavic languages Application form of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport Study stay (1 to 9 months) PhD student of the Slovak Republic with all required
Serbia attachments PhD student Basic knowledge of the Slovak language Summer School of Slovak Language Researcher recommended; preferably students and Culture (SAS)
Ministry of Education Serbia, and Science, Science and Technological Development www.mpn.gov.rs Teacher at HEI and researchers in Slavic languages 48 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
Programme offered by the Ministry Counterpart Target group of Education, Science, Research Country institution (Incoming Special eligibility conditions and Sport of the Slovak Republic & URL researchers) on the basis of reciprocity Application form of the Ministry Study/research stay of Education, Science, Research and Sport PhD student (3 to 10 months) of the Slovak Republic with all required
Slovenia attachments PhD student Basic knowledge of the Slovak language Summer School of Slovak Language Researcher recommended; preferably students and Culture (SAS)
Ministry of Higher Science Education, and Technology www.arhiv.mvzt.gov.si Teacher at HEI and researchers in Slavic languages Application form of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport Research stay (4 or 8 months) PhD student of the Slovak Republic with all required Turkey attachments Basic knowledge of the Slovak language
Research in Slovakia Summer School of Slovak Language PhD student recommended; preferably students and Culture (SAS) Teacher at HEI Ministry of National Education www.meb.gov.tr only) (in Turkish and researchers of Slavonic studies
PhD student Slovak or English language, Application form of the Ministry of Education, Science, Study/research stay (1 to 10 months) Researcher Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic Teacher at HEI Ukraine with all required attachments PhD student Summer School of Slovak Language Students and researchers of Slovak Researcher and Culture (SAS) language studies
Ministry and of Education and Sports Youth Science, www.mon.gov.ua Teacher at HEI
Lecturing/research stay (9 months) Teacher at HEI For more information consult: www.cies.org Researcher All fields of study; knowledge Study/research stay (9 months); University graduate of the Slovak language at the level for more information consult: Researcher needed in fields: political science, history, www.iie.org Teacher at HEI anthropology (by the begin. of the grant) USA Degree in English, History, American English Teaching Assistantship literature, TEFL/Applied Lingustics and/or (9 months), for more information Graduating seniors experience in teaching and/or coursework consult: www.iie.org in American studies Specialist Programme (2 to 6 weeks); Min. 5 years of postdoctoral teaching Researchers Teacher for more information consult: or professional experience in respective at HEI
Fulbright Commission Commission Fulbright www.fulbright.sk www.cies.org field of study
* HEI – Higher Education Institution The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 49
3.4.3 Action Austria – Slovakia, Co‑operation projects concerned with Co‑operation in Science the following areas can be supported: and Education co‑operation of young researchers (PhD students and post‑docs), Research in Slovakia A bilateral programme organisation of Slovak‑Austrian the objective of which is PhD training on enhancement to intensify co‑operation of communication skills and on project between Austria and Slovakia in the field preparation, of education and research. The Programme organisation of joint Slovak‑Austrian has been funded by the Ministry of language summer schools. Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic and the Federal Electronic submission of project proposals: Ministry of Science and Research of the http://projekt.aktion.saia.sk Republic of Austria on the basis of the agreement signed in 1992. Since 2008, the More information: Action Austria – Slovakia has been running www.oead.at, www.aktion.saia.sk on the basis of the new agreement on its (the second one in Slovak and German only) continuation during the period 2008 – 2013.
The Programme is administered by 3.4.4 Fulbright Program SAIA, n. o. (www.saia.sk). – J. W. Fulbright Commission for Educational Exchange Via the Programme, the financial support in the Slovak Republic is provided to Austrian PhD students and researchers in the form of individual The J. W. Fulbright scholarships and co‑operation projects. Commission for Educational Exchange in the Slovak Following types of individual scholarships Republic has been established by executive are offered for PhD students and agreements between the United States researchers: and the Slovak Republic to promote scholarships for research stays of PhD educational, research and cultural students (3 – 6 months): scholarship exchanges between the United States and of 940 €/month; application deadline: the Slovak Republic through the Fulbright 15 March and 15 October Program. The Commission services include scholarships for research stays grant programmes and information of post‑docs (3 – 6 months): scholarship services. The Fulbright Program enables of 1500 €/month; application deadline: U. S. students, scholars, professionals and 15 March and 15 October teachers to participate in study, research scholarships for short visits and teaching exchanges in the Slovak (max. 3 days): scholarship of 90 €/day; Republic. application deadline: application possible throughout the year General requirements for grants and awards scholarships for summer school of are the U. S. citizenship at the time of Slovak language (for PhD students only); application and high level of academic and application deadline: 15 March professional achievements. In the Slovak Republic, the Program is administered by Electronic submission of applications the J. W. Fulbright Commission in Bratislava for scholarships: www.scholarships.at (www.fulbright.sk). 50 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
Fulbright Program Mechanisms: 3.5 Funding by Programmes administered by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars the European Union (www.cies.org) Since 2004, the Slovak Republic is Fulbright Scholar Program for a member of the EU. Therefore there is no U. S. Faculty and Professionals limitation for institutions from Slovakia (Lecturing and/or Research) – to lecture to participate in any EU programme and conduct research in a wide variety designed to strengthen co‑operation not of academic and professional fields, only among EU Member States but also although preference is given to subjects with third (non‑EU) countries. For an easier related to the United States and orientation you can take a look at a review economic and social issues important of documents and information materials for the Slovak Republic. about EU policies and programmes
Research in Slovakia Fulbright Specialists Program in education and research – “Visitors pack”: – designed to provide short‑term http://web.saaic.sk/llp/sk/doc/aktuality/ academic opportunities (2 – 6 weeks) VISITORS%20PACK%202013.pdf. for U. S. faculty and professionals to collaborate with professional 3.5.1 Horizon 2020 – the EU counterparts on curriculum and faculty Framework Programme development, institutional planning and a variety of other activities. for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020 (H2020) Programmes administered by the Institute is the financial instrument of International Education (www.iie.org) of the European Union Fulbright U. S. Student Program to implement the flagship initiative – for U. S. graduate students, young ’Innovation Union’ of the Europe 2020 professionals and artists to study, strategy, aimed at securing Europe’s global conduct research or be an English competitiveness. Horizon 2020 will be teaching assistant in the Slovak Republic implemented in the years 2014 – 2020 with for 1 academic year. Advanced graduate a budget of over 77 billion €. students interested in studying or independent research are preferred. The programme aims to contribute to Fulbright English Teaching solving the economic crisis by investing Assistantship – preference is given to in future growth and jobs creating, candidates with degrees in English, to respond to people’s concerns about History, American literature, their standard of living, safety and the TEFL/Applied Linguistics and/or environment, and to strengthen Europe’s experience in teaching. Grantees will place in global research, innovation and be placed in secondary schools that technology. correspond with their background; they are required to teach at least 15 hours An important priority of the new per week. programme will be a new strategic approach to strengthening and focusing More information: EU’s international cooperation on the www.fulbright.sk research and innovation. The Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions and the possibilities of the European Research Council are open also to researchers from The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 51 third countries. Horizon 2020 is open to the It consists of four specific objectives: involvement of participants from around “The European Research Council the world. Strategic and coherent approach (ERC)“ – providing attractive and to international cooperation is secured flexible funding to enable talented and Research in Slovakia by a document adopted by the EC on 14 creative individual researchers and their September 2012: “Enhancing and focusing teams to pursue the most promising EU international cooperation in research avenues at the frontier of science; and innovation: A strategic approach”. “Future and emerging technologies (FET)“ – supporting collaborative Current open calls of the programme are research in order to extend published on the website: http://ec.europa. Europe‘s capacity for advanced eu/research/participants/portal. You will and paradigm‑changing innovation; find here also the principal documents fostering scientific collaboration across important for submission of the project disciplines on radically new, high‑risk – the so‑called H 2020 Work Programme ideas and accelerate development for the current year, which describe the of the most promising emerging areas details of the individual schemes, Guide of science and technology; for Applicants, Rules for Participation, etc. “Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions“ This website allows you also to join the – providing excellent and innovative database of independent experts. After research training as well as attractive approval you may be directly involved career and knowledge‑exchange in the assessment and monitoring of opportunities through cross‑border and submitted/approved projects. Experts have cross‑sector mobility of researchers to the opportunity to gain experience that best prepare them to face current and may in the future increase the chances future societal challenges; for submitting their own project without “Research infrastructures“ – developing unnecessary errors. and supporting excellent European research infrastructures and assist them H2020 puts a great emphasis on to contribute to the ERA by fostering their multidisciplinary and cross‑cutting innovation potential, attracting world‑level activities between scientific fields. researchers and training human capital, The programme differs from the previous and complement this with the related 7th Framework Programme for Research and Union policy and international cooperation. Technological Development not only with its name but also with the new segmentation II. Pillar: Competitive Industries and focus on the following pillars: The second pillar Competitive Industries 1. Excellent Science; will be implemented with a budget of 2. Industrial Leadership; 17.02 billion €. Its objective is to make 3. Societal Challenges. Europe more attractive as a place to invest in research and innovation and to promote I. Pillar: Excellent Science activities in which the industry has a leading Excellent Science Pillar aims to reinforce role. This Pillar will enable significant and extend the excellence of the Union‘s investment in key industrial technologies, science base and to consolidate the ERA maximise the growth potential of in order to make the Union‘s research European companies by providing them and innovation system more competitive with adequate level of funding, and help on a global scale. Its overall budget innovative SMEs to grow to the level of the represents 24.44 billion EUR. world’s leading companies. 52 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
It consists of three specific objectives: ‚Science with and for society‘ – building “Leadership in enabling and industrial effective cooperation between science technologies“ (information and and society, recruiting new talent for communications technology – ICT, science and pairing scientific excellence nanotechnology, advanced materials, with social awareness and responsibility biotechnology, advanced manufacturing (including European initiative and processing and space), EURAXESS), “Access to risk finance“ ‚The Joint Research Centre‘ (JRC) (overcoming deficits in the availability – non‑nuclear direct actions of JRC, of debt and equity finance for R&D ‚The European Institute of Innovation and innovation‑driven companies and and Technology‘ (EIT) – bringing projects at all stages of development), together excellent research, innovation “Innovation in SMEs“ (SME‑tailored and higher education primarily through
Research in Slovakia support stimulating all forms the KICs (Knowledge and Innovation of innovation in SMEs). Communities).
III. Pillar: Societal Challenges Information on all financial instruments The Pillar focused on societal challenges of H2020 as well as calls for proposals will be implemented with the budget is available at of 29.68 billion €. This Part responds http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/ directly to the policy priorities portal and societal challenges that are identified http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/ in the Europe 2020 strategy and that aim horizon2020/ to stimulate the critical mass of research and innovation efforts needed to achieve the Union‘s policy goals. Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions The Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions Funding shall be focused on the following (MSCA) ensure excellent and innovative specific objectives: research training as well as attractive Health, demographic change career and knowledge‑exchange and well‑being; opportunities through cross‑border Food security, sustainable agriculture and cross‑sector mobility of researchers, and forestry, marine, maritime and inland to better prepare them for current and water research, and the bioeconomy; future societal challenges. MSCA are Secure, clean and efficient energy; open to all domains of research and Smart, green and integrated transport; innovation addressed under the Treaty Climate action, environment, resource on the Functioning of the European Union, efficiency and raw materials; from basic research up to market take‑up Europe in a changing world – Inclusive, and innovation services. Research and innovative and reflective societies; innovation fields as well as sectors are Secure societies – Protecting freedom chosen freely by the applicants in a fully and security of Europe and its citizens. bottom‑up manner. They are open to researchers and innovation staff at Other specific objectives of H2020 all stages of their career, as well as to ‚Spreading excellence and widening universities, research institutions, research participation‘ – full exploitation of infrastructures, businesses, and other the potential of Europe‘s talent pool socio‑economic actors from all countries. (including access to COST), Attention is paid to encouraging the strong The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 53 participation of industry, in particular Action 1: SMEs, for the successful implementation ITN – Innovative Training Networks and impact of the MSCA. The ITN aim to train a new generation of creative, entrepreneurial and innovative Research in Slovakia The MSCA support researchers to establish early‑stage researchers, able to face current themselves on a more stable career path and future challenges and to convert and to ensure that they can achieve an knowledge and ideas into products and appropriate work/life balance, taking into services for economic and social benefit. account their family situation. The principles ITN will raise excellence and structure of the European Charter for Researchers research and doctoral training, extending and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of the traditional academic research training Researchers promoting open recruitment setting, and equipping researchers with the and attractive working and employment right combination of research‑related and conditions are recommended to be endorsed transferable competences. It will provide and applied by all the funded participants. enhanced career perspectives in both the academic and non‑academic sectors Mobility is a key requirement in the through international, interdisciplinary Actions. Researchers receive funding and intersectoral mobility combined with on the condition that they move from one an innovation‑oriented mind‑set. country to another to broaden or deepen their competences. MSCA pay particular ITN supports competitively selected attention to gender balance. joint research training and/or doctoral programmes, implemented by partnerships The MSCA structure has been simplified of universities, research institutions, research in comparison with the FP7 People infrastructures, businesses, SMEs, and Programme. In the new programming other socio‑economic actors from different period only 4 actionsvities exist instead countries across Europe and beyond. of 8: ITN, IF, RISE and COFUND. Within these 4 activities Tthe projects Partnerships take the form of: will beare submitted on the basis of calls European Training Networks (ETN), for proposals (published on the web site: European Industrial Doctorates (EID), or http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/ European Joint Doctorates (EJD). portal). Administrative and logistical support services to the whole of H2020 Action 2: as well as certain other programmes IF – Individual Fellowships (for example Erasmus+) will be provided The goal of IF is to enhance the creative by the Research Executive Agency (REA), and innovative potential of experienced a funding body created by the European researchers wishing to diversify their Commission. REA runs the support for individual competence in terms of skill independent experts evaluating project acquisition through advanced training, proposals, including the management international and intersectoral mobility. of on‑site evaluation facilities for most of IF provide opportunities to acquire H2020, and provides services for the legal and transfer new knowledge and to and financial validation of participants. The work on research in a European context REA also conducts the Research Enquiry (EU Member States and Associated Service, which answers questions from Countries) or outside Europe. The scheme applicants, participants and the broader particularly supports the return and public on EU research and innovation funding. reintegration of researchers from outside 54 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
Europe who have previously worked here. It Europe; to restart careers of individual also develops or helps to restart the careers researchers, taking into account their of individual researchers that show great previous experience, and to support the potential, considering their experience. reintegration of researchers from outside Europe, who once worked in Europe. Support is foreseen for individual, trans‑national fellowships awarded to The activity will be implemented in the form the best or most promising researchers of individual, international fellowships for for employment in EU Member States the best and most promising researchers or Associated Countries, based on an who could be employed in the EU Member application made jointly by the researcher States and associated countries, on the and host organisation in the academic basis of an application made jointly by the or non‑academic sectors. researcher and the hosting organisation
Research in Slovakia in academic or non‑academic sector. There may be awarded two types of fellowships: Action 3: European Fellowships (EF) – held in EU RISE – Research and Innovation Member States or Associated Countries; Staff Exchange open to researchers either coming The RISE scheme will promote to Europe or moving within Europe; international and inter‑sector collaboration the researcher must comply with the through research and innovation staff rules of mobility in the country where exchanges, and sharing of knowledge the EF is held; and ideas from research to market Global Fellowships (GF) – based (and vice‑versa) for the advancement on a secondment to a third country of science and the development of and a mandatory 12‑month return period innovation. RISE involves organisations to a European host. The researcher must from the academic and non‑academic comply with the rules of mobility in the sectors (in particular SMEs), based country where the GF secondment takes in Europe (EU Member States and place, not for the country of the return Associated Countries) and outside Europe phase. (third countries). Support is provided for the development of partnerships in the form The Action promotes individual fellowships of joint research and innovation activities for the most promising experienced between the participants. This is aimed researchers to develop their skills through at knowledge sharing via international as transnational and intersectoral mobility. well as intersectoral mobility, based on secondments of research and innovation The aim is a creative and innovative staff (exchanges) with an in‑built return potential of experienced researchers who mechanism. The organisations constituting are willing to diversify their individual the partnership contribute directly to the competence, particularly with regard to implementation of the joint research and the acquisition of skills for multi- and innovation activities by seconding and/or interdisciplinary level, through special hosting eligible staff members. training, international and intersectoral mobility. The intention is also to offer Activities can focus either on one dimension opportunities to gain new knowledge of mobility (intersectoral/international), and to work on research projects or include a combination of both. in the European context or outside Exchanges can be for both early‑stage and The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 55 experienced researchers‘ levels and can Training. Collaboration with a wider also include administrative, managerial set of partners, including from the and technical staff supporting the research non‑academic sector, which may provide and innovation activities of the proposal. hosting or secondment opportunities Research in Slovakia Support for the exchanges between or training in research or transferable institutions in the EU Member States skills, as well as innovative elements and Associated Countries covers only of the proposed programme, will be intersectoral secondments. Exchanges positively taken into account during with institutions from third countries can the evaluations. Each researcher be intersectoral secondments as well as must be enrolled in a doctoral secondments within the same sector. programme. Attention is paid to the No secondments between institutions quality of supervision and mentoring located in third countries or within the arrangements as well as career guidance. same EU Member State or Associated Fellowship programmes fund Country can be supported. individual research training and career development fellowships for experienced Action 4: researchers. The programmes supported COFUND – Co‑funding of Regional, should have regular selection rounds National and International Programmes following fixed deadlines or regular The COFUND scheme aims at stimulating cut‑off dates, allowing fair competition regional, national or international between the researchers applying. programmes to foster excellence The selections should be based on in researchers‘ training, mobility and open, widely advertised competition, career development, spreading the best with transparent international peer practices of MSCA. This will be achieved review and the selection of candidates by co‑funding new or existing regional, on merit. Mobility types supported national, and international programmes to by fellowship programmes may be open up to, and provide for, international, similar to the ones supported under intersectoral and interdisciplinary research Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Individual training, as well as transnational and Fellowships. On top of transnational cross‑sectoral mobility of researchers at all mobility, applicants are encouraged stages of their career. Each proposal funded to include elements of cross‑sectoral under the COFUND scheme shall have mobility into their programmes. a sole participant that will be responsible for the availability of the necessary More information on MSCA: matching funds to execute the proposal. Web site of the European Commission, Participants submit multi‑annual proposals DG for research and Innovation: for new or existing doctoral programmes or http://ec.europa.eu/research fellowship programmes that may be run at Web site of the MSCA: http://ec.europa.eu/ regional, national or international level. research/mariecurieactions/ Information on open calls for proposals: The evaluation is organised in two different http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/ panels: portal Doctoral programmes address the development and broadening of the research competencies of early‑stage researchers. The training follows the EU Principles on Innovative Doctoral 56 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
3.5.2 European Research their own independent research team Council or programme; size of the grant up to 2.75 mil. € for the period of 5 years; The European Research ERC Advanced Grants – grants for Council (ERC) is a part of researchers who have a track‑record the first Pillar ’Excellent of significant research achievements Science’ in H2020. As an important in the last 10 years and have already instrument for the support of excellence established themselves as independent in research, the ERC will work in the research leaders in their own right; sole new programme with a budget of over evaluation criterion is the scientific 13 billion €. The ERC is an autonomous excellence of researcher and research body, its overall strategy is set up by the proposal; size of the grant up to independent Scientific Council – ERC 3.75 mil. € for the period of 5 years;
Research in Slovakia governing body – defining the scientific ERC Proof of Concept – only ERC grant funding strategy and methodologies. holders can apply for this additional The ERC aims to support the best and most funding to establish the innovation creative scientists to identify and explore potential of ideas arising from their new opportunities and directions in any ERC‑funded frontier research projects; field of research. It awards long‑term size of the grant up to 150 000 € for the grants to individual researchers of any period of 18 months; nationality and age from anywhere in the ERC Synergy Grants – grants introduced world who wish to carry out their research in 201,2 intended to enable a small projects in a host organisation based group (2 – 4 scientists) of Principal in Europe. Excellence is the sole evaluation Investigators and their teams to criterion. bring together complementary skills, knowledge, and resources in new ways, The ERC has three main and two additional in order to jointly address research financial schemes that are open to top problems; size of the grant up to 15 mil. € researchers of any nationality, age or for the period of 6 years; no Synergy Call research, who are interested to carry is foreseen for 2014; depending on the out frontier research in one of the 28 EU Scientific Council‘s analysis of the pilot Member States or associated countries. phase of the ERC Synergy Grant there may be a Synergy Grant call for 2015. ERC Starting Grants – grants for up‑and‑coming research leaders of any More information on the schemes and nationality with 2 – 7 years of experience possibilities of financial support can be since completion of PhD who are about found on the website http://erc.europa.eu. to establish a proper research team and to start conducting independent 3.5.3 Erasmus+ – the EU research in Europe; size of the grant up programme for education, to 2 mil. € for the period of 5 years; training, youth and sport ERC Consolidator Grants – grants designed to support researchers of any The European Union will nationality with over 7 and up to 12 introduce in 2014 a new years of experience since completion programme, Erasmus+, of PhD and scientific track record which combines and replaces the existing showing great promise who are at the programmes for education, training, stage at which they are consolidating youth and sport. Erasmus+ is scheduled The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 57 for 2014 – 2020. The total budget for this of higher education institutions that period is 14.8 billion €, representing a 40% award full degree scholarships to the increase in EU funding in comparison with best master students worldwide; the previous programme period. – Master Student Loan Guarantee: Research in Slovakia higher education students can get The main objective of the new programme a loan backed up by the Programme is to introduce a new EU approach to to go abroad for a full Master Degree. education and training with regard to the Students should address themselves difficult economic period, changing world to national banks or student loan of labour market and imbalances in the agencies. available skills and market demand. The aim is to increase the quality and relevance 2. Cooperation for Innovation of qualifications and skills of students, and the Exchange of Good Practices teachers, apprentices, volunteers, youth – Transnational Strategic Partnerships leaders and people working in grassroots’ aimed to develop initiatives addressing sport. The single integrated programme one or more fields of education will be ambitious, easier to implement training and youth and promote and will strategically seek for cooperation innovation, exchange of experience of education sector and work environment. and know‑how between different The programme will bring new features types of organisations involved such as loan guarantee scheme for in education, training and youth Master’s students, Knowledge Alliances or in other relevant fields. Certain between higher education institutions mobility activities are supported and enterprises and Sector Skills Alliances in so far as they contribute to the – partnerships between education and objectives of the project; training establishments and business. – Knowledge Alliances between Erasmus+ enables the higher education higher education institutions mobility to the third countries and and enterprises which aim to foster creating of projects with higher education innovation, entrepreneurship, institutions in these countries. creativity, employability, knowledge exchange and/or multidisciplinary In the field of education and training, teaching and learning; the Programme shall pursue its objectives – Sector Skills Alliances supporting the through the following types of actions: design and delivery of joint vocational training curricula, programmes and 1. Mobility of Individuals teaching and training methodologies, – Mobility of learners and staff: drawing on evidence of trends opportunities for students, trainees, in a specific economic sector and young people and volunteers, as well skills needed in order to perform as for professors, teachers, trainers, in one or more professional fields; youth workers, staff of education – Capacity Building projects institutions and civil society supporting cooperation with Partner organisations to undertake a learning Countries in the fields of higher and/or professional experience education and youth. Capacity in another country; Building projects aim to support – Joint Master Degrees: high‑level organisations/institutions and integrated international study systems in their modernisation and programmes delivered by consortia internationalisation process. Certain 58 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
mobility activities are supported European Free Trade Area (EFTA) in so far as they contribute to the countries that are party to the European objectives of the project; Economic Area (EEA) Agreement; – IT support platforms, such as The Swiss Confederation, provided eTwinning, the European Platform it has signed a specific international for Adult Learning (EPALE) agreement; and the European Youth Portal, Countries covered by the European offering virtual collaboration Neighbourhood Policy, where a bilateral spaces, databases of opportunities, agreement has been concluded. communities of practices and other online services for teachers, trainers More information: and practitioners in the field of school Web site of Erasmus+ programme, and adult education as well as for European Commission: http://ec.europa.
Research in Slovakia young people, volunteers and youth eu/programmes/erasmus-plus workers across Europe and beyond. Web site of DG for Education and Culture of the European Commission: 3. Support for Policy Reforms http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/education_culture – Knowledge in the fields of education, SAAIC – Slovak Academic Association for training and youth; International Cooperation – www.saaic.sk – Prospective initiatives to stimulate innovative policy development; 3.5.4 COST – European – Support to European policy tools; Cooperation in Science – Cooperation with international organisations with highly recognised and Technology expertise and analytical capacity; COST was established – Stakeholder dialogue, policy as an intergovernmental and Programme promotion. framework in 1971 for promoting cooperation among researchers 4. Jean Monnet Activities across Europe. Within COST, research – Academic Modules, Chairs, Centres of carried out at national level is funded Excellence in order to deepen teaching by the COST Member States, while the in European integration studies; EU funds central administration and – Policy debate with academic world, coordination. COST has a very specific supported through Networks mission and goal. It contributes to reducing and Projects; the fragmentation in European research – Support to institutions investments and opening the European and associations, to organise Research Area to co‑operation worldwide. and carry out statutory activities of associations dealing with EU COST activities will be funded under studies and EU issues; the H2020 specific objective ‚Spreading – Studies and conferences. excellence and widening participation‘. They will be implemented through newly Erasmus+ is open for applicants established implementation structure from the below countries: (COST Association) under the direct The EU Member States; governance of the Committee of Senior Acceding countries, candidate countries Officials in order to handle directly EU and potential candidates benefiting from support to COST activities. During H2020, a pre‑accession strategy; COST will receive EU funding from two The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 59 different lines managed in an integrated fund research itself but provides a platform manner: a) Scientific and Technological for European scientists to co‑operate on Cooperation – COST will reinforce its a particular project and exchange expertise. networking activities carried out by These projects are called “Actions”. Each Research in Slovakia COST; b) Widening Activities – COST will COST Action is a network centred around contribute to fostering inclusive research nationally‑funded research projects in fields and innovation policy by bringing together that are of interest to at least five COST “pockets of excellence“, outstanding countries. COST provides the COST Actions researchers who are not yet well integrated with financial support for joint activities in European and global research, also such as conferences, short‑term scientific enhancing capacity building. Moreover, exchanges and publications. Each COST COST will include a set of measures Action has an objective, defined goals and aimed at providing structural support to clear deliverables. COST Actions have ERA, widening the European research located their topic into one of COST’s base and promote S&T cooperation with scientific Domains. In order to support other countries, beyond COST current science and technology networking across membership. borders, COST is also working on enhancing international cooperation by involving COST anticipates and complements researchers from Near Neighbour Countries the activities of the EU Framework and International Partner Countries Programmes and also increases the in COST Actions on the basis of ascertained mobility of researchers across Europe, mutual benefit. In addition, COST signed it fosters the establishment of scientific Reciprocal Agreements to increase excellence in the 9 key domains: cooperation with New Zealand, South Biomedicine and Molecular Biosciences; Africa and Argentina. Food and Agriculture; Forests, their Products and Services; More information: Materials, Physics and Nanosciences; www.cost.eu Chemistry and Molecular Sciences and Technology; National coordinator for Slovakia: Earth System Science prof. Milan Dado, PhD. and Environmental Management; University of Žilina Information and Communication Faculty of Electric Engineering Technologies; Univerzitná 8215/1, 01 026 Žilina Transport and Urban Development; The Slovak Republic Individuals, Societies, Cultures e‑mail: [email protected] and Health. 3.5.5 EUREKA In addition, Trans‑Domain Proposals allow for broad, multidisciplinary proposals EUREKA, founded in 1985, is an to strike across the 9 scientific domains. intergovernmental organisation for market‑driven industrial COST is composed of 36 countries R&D. It is a decentralised (35 member countries and one cooperating network facilitating the coordination country) : 27 EU Member States, Bosnia of national funding on innovation aiming and Herzegovina, Croatia, FYROM, Iceland, to boost the productivity & competitiveness Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey and of European industries. The network Israel (cooperating country). COST does not integrates over 40 pan‑European 60 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
economies, but also includes Israel, South (legal entities) from two different Korea, and Canada. EUREKA Member Eurostars participating countries. States in cooperation with the European In addition, the main participant must Commission promote international, be a research‑performing SME from market‑oriented research and innovation blankone of these countries. The role through the support they offer to small and of the SME participants in the project medium‑sized enterprises, large industry, should be significant. At least 50% universities and research institutes. of the project’s core activity should be Through EUREKA, these organisations are carried out by SMEs. The consortium introducing new products, processes and should be well balanced, which means services to market, helping make Europe that no participant or country will be economically strong and socially sound. required to invest more than 75% of the The Slovak Republic became a EUREKA total project costs. A Eurostars project
Research in Slovakia member on June 28, 2001. EUREKA should be market‑driven: it must have programmes: a maximum duration of three years, and EUREKA Individual projects within two years of project completion, – market‑oriented international the product of the research should R&D projects in any kind of technology be ready for launch onto the market. can receive support on the basis The exception to this rule applies to of the quality of a business plan. These biomedical or medical projects, where projects are generally led by small and clinical trials must be started within two medium‑sized businesses and involve years of project completion. a partnership of at least two EUREKA The Eurostars programme is also member countries. Partners can be integrated into H2020 and its total of any type: SMEs, large companies, budget represents 1.14 billion €. research institutions and universities. Eurostars is a programme also Building partnerships, accessing new integrated in Horizon 2020 and the total markets and agreeing upon intellectual budget represents 1.14 billion €, a tripled property rights are all important elements amount in comparison to the previous of a partnership within EUREKA individual period of the 7th Framework Programme. projects. Together, the partners develop EUREKA Clusters – long‑term, new technologies and/or services with strategically significant industrial the ultimate goal of reaching the market initiatives that usually have a large with their innovation. number of participants, and aim EUREKA/Eurostars Programme to develop generic technologies – a joint programme between EUREKA of key importance for European and the European Commission competitiveness mainly in ICT, energy and the first European funding and and more recently in the biotechnology support programme to be specifically sector. Through regular calls for dedicated to research‑performing SMEs. projects, Clusters bring together large Eurostars stimulates them to lead companies, often competitors, along international collaborative research and with SMEs, research institutes and innovation projects by easing access universities, sharing both the risk and to support and funding. It is co‑funded benefits of innovation. They focus on by the European Communities and developing and commercially exploiting 33 EUREKA member countries. Eurostars new technologies. Their goal is to ensure projects are collaborative, they must that Europe retains its leading position involve at least two participants in the world market. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 61
EUREKA Umbrellas – thematic Europe and to promote Central, Eastern networks which focus on a specific and South‑Eastern European university technology area or business sector. The co‑operation, as well as the development main goal of an umbrella is to facilitate of joint programmes, ideally leading up Research in Slovakia the generation of EUREKA projects in its to double or joint degrees and joint thesis own target area. Umbrella activities supervision. CEEPUS covers mobility are coordinated and implemented by grants for students and teachers in this a working group consisting of EUREKA framework. representatives and industrial experts. Programme members are Albania, Austria, Countries participate in EUREKA projects Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, through a network of National Information Czech Republic, Republic of Macedonia, Points (NIPs). The affiliation known Hungary, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, as Associated Country Status was initiated Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, as part of EUREKA’s strategy to enhance and the University of Prishtina in Kosovo. co‑operation with countries outside of Europe judged to have scientific and The main objectives of CEEPUS are: research potential. The National Project to contribute to merging the European Coordinators (NPC) are at operational Higher Education Area and European level, running the National EUREKA Offices. Research Area; They are the direct contact with project to use regional academic mobility in each member country. NPCs facilitate the as a strategic tool to implement Bologna setting‑up and running of a project and are objectives; responsible for project generation, national to enable co‑operation with Central, and international support and follow‑up. Eastern and South‑Eastern Europe.
More information: University co‑operation is focused on the www.eurekanetwork.org preparation of joint programmes and joint www.eurostars-eureka.eu diplomas, mobility of university students, PhD students and university teachers, 3.6 Funding by student excursions and summer schools. multilateral/international Programme supports semester‑stays for programmes students and PhD students (3 – 10 months), or international short‑term mobilities (1 – 2 months, min. 21 days) for students and PhD students organisations elaborating their final these, as well as stays for guest university lecturers 3.6.1 CEEPUS – Central European (1 month, min. 5 days and 6 lectures). All Exchange Programme fields of study are welcome and there are no for University Studies priority areas. Applications are submitted The main activity electronically on www.ceepus.info twice of CEEPUS are a year (15 June for stays during the winter university networks semester; 31 October for stays during the designed to stimulate summer semester). academic mobility, in particular regional student mobility Universities collaborate within within Central, Eastern and South‑Eastern the framework of approved networks. 62 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
Each network must consist of at least 3.6.2 International Visegrad Fund 3 universities from 2 different Member States involved in the Programme. The International Applications for university networking are Visegrad Fund submitted on‑line at www.ceepus.info, is an international annual deadline is 15th January. In the organisation based in Bratislava founded first round, the decision on network by the governments of the Visegrad Group membership is made by the National (V4) countries – Czech Republic, Hungary, Selection Committee based on the Poland and Slovak Republic. The mission assessment of submitted applications. of the Fund is to facilitate and promote In the second round, the decision is the development of closer co‑operation taken by the International Conference among citizens and institutions of the V4 for the Selection of Cooperating Networks region, as well as between V4 region and
Research in Slovakia which comprises representatives of other countries, especially the Central the CEEPUS Programme member countries. and Eastern Europe, Western Balkans and The list of approved networks is available South Caucasus. The Fund does so through at www.ceepus.saia.sk. grant support of common cultural, scientific and educational projects, youth exchanges, Should a home university, host university cross‑border projects and tourism or both not participate in the network, promotion, and through individual mobility its students, PhD students and teachers programmes (scholarships, residencies). may still apply for scholarship under Non‑governmental organisations, civil the category “freemover“. Deadline society organisations, municipalities and for freemover applications is annually local or regional governments, schools and 30th November at www.ceepus.info. universities, but also private companies or individual citizens are eligible for grant Scholarship rates for Slovakia: support provided that their projects a) university students 280 €/month; deal with the region and further develop b) PhD students and university teachers co‑operation among project partners based 470 €/month. in the region. The Fund’s annual budget of 7 mil. € consists of equal contributions The scholarships are paid off by the from the V4 governments. National CEEPUS Office in Slovakia. Travel costs can be reimbursed by the respective The Fund operates following programmes: National CEEPUS Office of the scholarship IVF grant programmes: holder’s home country. – Small Grants – short‑term projects (up to 6 months); max. budget More information: per project is 6 000 €; annual www.ceepus.info application deadlines: 1 March, 1 June, 1 September, 1 December. National CEEPUS Office in Slovakia: With the exception of cross‑border SAIA, n. o. projects, entities from at least three Sasinkova 10, 812 20 Bratislava 1 Visegrad Group (V4) countries must Slovak Republic be involved. It is advised, however, to www.ceepus.saia.sk include partners from all V4 countries. Any organisation or natural person in the world (with the exception of institutions directly funded from state The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 63
budgets) is eligible for the funding degree programmes that deal with provided that the proposed project specific phenomena explicitly related has “Visegrad” features. to the Visegrad Group countries. More information: The course/programme can be taught Research in Slovakia http://visegradfund.org/grants/ in any language. The supported sums small_grants depend on the scope and quality – Standard Grants – mid‑term projects of each project, but are intended (up to 12 months); min. budget per to be ca. 10 000 €/course and project is 6001 € (on average 40 000 €/degree programme. Annual 10 000 € – 15 000 €); annual application application deadline: November. deadlines: 15 March, 15 September. More information: With the exception of cross‑border http://visegradfund.org/grants/vusg projects, entities from at least three – Visegrad+ – the programme was Visegrad Group (V4) countries must created to administer and finance be involved. It is advised, however, to projects which contribute to the include partners from all V4 countries. democratisation and transformation Any organisation or natural person processes in selected countries in the world (with the exception of and regions, especially non‑EU institutions directly funded from Member States in Eastern Europe state budgets) is eligible for the and the South Caucasus (Armenia, funding provided that the proposed Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, project has “Visegrad” features. Moldova, Ukraine) and the Western More information: Balkans (Bosnia and Herzegovina, http://visegradfund.org/grants/ Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia standard_grants – including Kosovo). – Strategic Grants – long‑term projects More information: (up to 36 months); max. budget is http://visegradfund.org/grants/ unlimited (on average 40 000 €); visegrad_plus annual application deadline: April. – Flagship Projects – providing access The programme supports projects to experience and know‑how of the of strategic character that link V4 countries with the processes institutions of all four Visegrad of democratic transformation and Group countries. The projects integration and regional co‑operation. must adhere to at least one of the Projects support reform processes, priorities defined by the Conference political association and economic of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of V4 integration with the EU, strengthen countries. List of priorities set by the institutional capacity, contribute the Conference of Ministries for to the development of civil society the respective year can be found and the overall transformation at the website of the programme. of the Eastern Partnership countries More information: (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, http://visegradfund.org/grants/ Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine). strategic_grants More information: – University Grants – the programme http://visegradfund.org/v4eap/flagship is designed for universities with – Standard Grants – Eastern the aim to promote and support Partnership – mid‑term projects (up the development and launching to 12 months); min. budget per project of outstanding university courses or is 6 001 € (on average 10 000 €). 64 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
The programme is similar to the academies of sciences in the Visegrad existing Standard Grants programme. Group (V4) countries. Citizens of the Projects must involve grantees or following countries are eligible to projects partners from at least two apply: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, V4 countries and at least a single Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, country of the Eastern Partnership Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Montenegro, Russian Federation, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine). Serbia (including Kosovo), Ukraine. More information: Successful applicants within this http://visegradfund.org/v4eap/standard scheme will receive a scholarship of – University Grants – Eastern 2 300 €/semester and the respective Partnership – programme targeting host university/institute will receive the countries of the Eastern 1 500 €/semester/scholar. Scholars
Research in Slovakia Partnership (Armenia, Azerbaijan, who will have to travel to the host Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine). institution more than 1 500 km are Any public or private university also eligible for one‑time Travel in the Eastern Partnership is eligible Grant. Annual application deadline: for the grant. The course/programme 31 January. can be taught in any language. The More information: http://visegradfund. supported sums depend on the scope org/scholarships/incoming and quality of each project, but are – Out‑Going Scholarships – programme intended to be ca. 10 000 €/course suitable for current scholars and 40 000 €/degree programme. or Master’s degree holders from More information: V4 countries to study at accredited http://visegradfund.org/v4eap/vusg-eap public or private universities IVF scholarship programmes: or institutes of the respective – Intra‑Visegrad Scholarships – national academies of sciences programme suitable for scholars coming in the following countries: Albania, from one of the Visegrad Group (V4) Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, countries who plan to study in any Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, V4 country other than that of their Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, citizenship (at any accredited public Serbia (including Kosovo), Ukraine. or private university or institute Successful applicants within this of the respective national academies scheme will receive a scholarship of of sciences). Successful applicants 2 300 €/semester and the respective within this scheme will receive host university/institute will receive a scholarship of 2 300 €/semester and 1 500 €/semester/scholar. Scholars the respective host university/institute who will have to travel to the host will receive 1 500 €/semester/scholar. institution more than 1 500 km are Annual application deadline: also eligible for one‑time Travel 31 January. Grant. Annual application deadline: More information: http://visegradfund. 31 January. org/scholarships/intra More information: http://visegradfund. – In‑Coming Scholarships – org/scholarships/outgoing programme suitable for scholars – Visegrad Scholarships at Open who wish to study at accredited Society Archives (OSA) – the public or private universities or International Visegrad Fund institutes of the respective national in co‑operation with the Open Society The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 65
Archivum Budapest offers research the applicant’s residence. Supported fellowships at the OSA at the Central period of each residency is 3 months. European University in Budapest. Successful applicants within this The scholarship of 2000 € is designed scheme will receive a residency fee Research in Slovakia to provide access to the archives (scholarship) of 750 €/month and for scholars, artists and journalists, the respective host organisation and to cover travel costs to and from will receive 750 €/month to Budapest, a modest subsistence and cover expenses related to the accommodation for a research period residency (each residency project of 2 months. Scholarships for shorter receives 4 500 € in total). Annual periods are pro‑rated. List of priorities application deadline: September. set by the Fund and the Archivum More information: for the respective year can be found http://visegradfund.org/residencies/ at the website of the programme. performing-arts More information: http://visegradfund. – Performing Arts – opportunities to org/scholarships/osa host performing artists or companies – Visegrad‑Taiwan Scholarship – the from and in all V4 Member States. aim of the programme is to facilitate The aim of the programme is to academic exchanges by providing support innovation, experiment and support to PhD candidates and creativity in the performing arts. The postdoctoral researchers from the programme supports exchanges and V4 countries who intend to study or contributes toward more intensive conduct research at selected higher collaboration among freelance artists education institutions accredited and performing arts institutions in V4 by the Government of the Republic countries. The financial support is of China (Taiwan). Reciprocal part given to both the artists and the host of the programme supports mobility institutions: of Taiwanese researchers to the V4 . 4 000 € for individual residency region. The study/research stay lasts (1 – 2 artists): 1 500 € for the host 10 months; there is a possibility to institution and 2 500 € for the re‑apply once, i.e. the maximum artist(s); duration of the stay is 20 months. . 8 000 € for group residency Successful applicants will receive (3 artists and more): 2 500 € for a scholarship of 750 €/month/PhD the host institution and 5 500 € student + one‑time travel grant of for the artistic group. Annual 800 € or 1000 €/month/postdoc + application deadline: October. one‑time travel grant. More information: More information: http://visegradfund. http://visegradfund.org/residencies/ org/scholarships/taiwan visual-sound IVF artist‑in‑residence programmes – VARP in New York – programme – Visegrad Artist Residency Program facilitates artist residencies for visual (VARP) with 4 subprogrammes: artists from the Visegrad Group (V4) – Visual&Sound Arts – mobility and countries in New York City. One artist exchange of citizens of the Visegrad Group per V4 country will be selected. Each (V4) countries in the fields of visual and residency lasts 3 months. Successful sound arts. The artist‑in‑residence applicants within this scheme will projects must be implemented receive a scholarship of 4 000 €/project. in a V4 country other than that of Annual application deadline: January. 66 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
More information: key priorities of NATO, added value of http://visegradfund.org/residencies/ safety and benefits for the development newyork of relations between NATO and partners. – Visegrad Literary Residency Program Preferably, the projects have considerable – the programme supports residency added value of public diplomacy. stays and literary events addressed to writers of fiction and non‑fiction, Activities funded under the programme poets, essayists, critics, as well as must comply with the following key priorities: literary translators, publicists and 1. Facilitate mutually beneficial journalists from the Visegrad Group co‑operation on issues of common (V4) countries. Each literary project interest, including international efforts lasts 3 months. Successful applicants to meet emerging security challenges within this scheme will receive (counter‑terrorism, energy security,
Research in Slovakia a scholarship of 750 €/month. Annual cyber defence, defence against CBRN application deadline: May. agents, environmental security) More information: 2. Enhance support for NATO‑led http://visegradfund.org/residencies/ operations and missions literary 3. Enhance awareness on security developments including through early More information: warning, with a view to preventing crises www.visegradfund.org (security‑related advanced technology, International Visegrad Fund border and port security, mine Kráľovské údolie 8, 811 02 Bratislava and unexploded ordnance detection Slovak Republic and clearance, human and social aspects of security. 3.6.3 NATO – Science for Peace and Security Programme Full list of SPS Key priorities can be found at www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/85291.htm. The Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme Support mechanisms for cooperation supports practical funding in the key priorities: co‑operation in science and innovation scientific and research projects through projects aimed at safety, (Science for Peace Projects) – with environment sustainability and other added value for safety, funding of prioritites identified by NATO partners. cooperation in multi‑annual projects The programme has an annual budget of in applied research and development around 12 million €. The funds are intended offering financial support to cover for cooperation projects if scientific the costs of the project (e.g. research and research institutions, and training equipment, computers, software and centers of the NATO countires with similar training of people involved in the project); institutions in the partner countries. training, practice and exchange of expertise between experts and Funded activities specialists form member and partner 2013 brought a significant change in the countires (Advanced Study Institutes, focus of the SPS programme on a wider Advanced Training Course) in order range of submitted projects that may to mediate the latest knowledge no longer be purely scientific. Projects and development trends in the areas must have clear connection with the relevant to NATO; The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 67
professional workshops or conferences 2. Enhance awareness on security (Advanced Research Workshops) developments including through early – funding of expert workshops with the warning, with a view to preventing crises aim of sharing experiences, opinions (Security related Advanced Technology, Research in Slovakia and finding solutions to security issues such as in the field of telemedicine, relevant to NATO. Border and Port Security, Mine and Unexploded Ordnance Detection and Submission of applications Clearance, Human and Social Aspects Detailed information on each scheme of Security). and application forms can be found at www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/87260.htm. Submission of applications Projects proposals may be submitted Applications for grants to support the continuously through this web site and co‑operation between Russian scientists are subject to international review. Final and scientists from NATO countries decision on the project’s support is issued within the given topic may be submitted by the leaders of NATO Member States. to NATO through the following web Early consultation of the project intents site, the application forms are also is adviced with the representatives available at http://www.nato.int/cps/en/ and permanent delegations to NATO. natolive/87260.htm. Support mechanisms Information about the programme is also are the already mentioned Science for available in the Scholarships and grants Peace projects, Advanced Training Courses, database of SAIA: http://grants.saia.sk/ Advanced Study Institutes and the Pages/ProgramDetail.aspx?Program=589. Advanced Research Workshops. The last 3 are usually held in Russia.
NATO‑Russia scientific co‑operation Russian scientists may be involved in core In scientific co‑operation has been co‑operation programme described established a special programme in the section “Funded activities” in the (www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/87260.htm) framework of the Euro Atlantic Partnership of support for co‑operation between Council (EAPC). scientists and experts from NATO countries and Russia. The Action Plan for 2013 – 2015 NATO‑Russia co‑operation also supports, provides for co‑operation in the following encourages and coordinates joint priority areas related to security: co‑operative nationally funded projects 1. Facilitate mutually beneficial with the participation of experts from NATO cooperation on issues of common countries and Russia. interest, including international efforts to meet emerging security challenges More information: (Counter‑Terrorism, Energy Security, SPS Programme Defence against CBRN Agents, Emerging Security Challenges Division (ESCD) Environmental Security); NATO HQ, Bd Leopold III B‑1110 Brussels, Belgium [email protected] http://www.nato.int/cps/en/ natolive/78209.htm 68 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
4. Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities
Aim of this chapter is to give you – the university students, PhD students, teachers and researchers coming to Slovakia – an overview of the formalities towards the national authorities related to your stay in Slovakia.
The main parts discuss the following issues: Entry and stay (including work permit) Employment Social security & health insurance Taxation Recognition of diplomas Import of goods
4.1 Entry & stay This guide will help you identify the procedures and documents you will need in your specific situation. Please, follow the “Navigation” and find the tailor‑made guidelines to get through the formalities smoothly.
Please note that this text is for your information only elaborated on the basis of available and valid information for the year 2014; it doesn’t contain exhaustive information on stay of foreigners in Slovakia in general, and it gives no right for claims or legitimate expectations of any kind. Full official information is provided in the Act No. 404/2011 Coll. on the Residence of Foreigners, amended by theAct no. 75/2013, no. 388/2013 and 495/2013 Coll. The legislation is available in Slovak on the web site of legislative information http://jaspi.justice.gov.sk, www.zakonypreludi.sk/zz/2011-404. Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities 4.1.1 Navigation Start with part I. and continue as advised in the instructions following your answer to questions according to your situation:
I. Are you an EU/EEA/Swiss national? A. Yes – proceed directly to chapter “Duties of EU/EEA/Swiss nationals coming to Slovakia“, page 73.
. If a family member plans to accompany you during your stay, do not forget to consult also question IV.
B. No – continue with question II. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 69
II. Is your stay in Slovakia shorter than 90 days? A. Yes. What kind of activity do you plan to perform in Slovakia? a) study at a university (irrespective of the study level, including PhD studies) b) carry out research and development on the basis of a Hosting Agreement Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities (look at the part “What is a Hosting Agreement”, page 86) (the employment does not require work permit or confirmation on the possibility of filling a vacancy and besides a work contract the activity can be performed on the basis of agreements outside work contract, or on the basis of an awarded scholarship) c) perform an activity resulting from a programme approved by the Government of SR a European programme or a programme based on intnernational treaty binding for SR (on the basis of an invitation letter and/or letter of award without work contract, or only with a contract with limited scope of activities, when a work permit or a confirmation of a possibility of filling a vacancy is not required, see page 87) d) participate in an internship within study outside the territory of the Slovak Republic (on the basis of a certificate of internship) e) perform activities of a lecturer or an artist (on the basis of an invitation letter or a confirmation, without work contract, or only with a contract with limited scope of activities, when a work permit or a confirmation of a possibility of filling a vacancy is not required, see page 87)
In case of the points a) – e) it is not necessary to apply for a temporary residence permit.
Do you need visa to enter Slovakia (or Schengen Area in general)? (you can check it here: http://ec.europa.eu/immigration/tab2.do?subSec=12&language=7$en#novisa)
Yes – then apply for visa. For detailed information about visa procedures see chapter “Visa – Application for Schengen visa“, page 76.
. After arrival to Slovakia, there are also some duties you have to fulfil – see chapter “Duties after arrival to Slovakia“, page 96.
No – in this case you do not need to make any administrative steps before your arrival.
. After arrival to Slovakia, there are also some duties you have to fulfil – see chapter “Duties after arrival to Slovakia“, page 96.
f) be employed above the scope of the conditions in the points a) – e) on the basis of a work contract In general even in case of a stay longer than 90 days and employment in Slovakia it is necessary to apply for a temporary residence permit. Even though the Act no. 404/2011 Coll. provides for certain situations where it is possible to stay for employment within the first 90 days without a temporary residence permit, these are very specific cases that are not crucial to this publication. Please continue in the navigation as if your stay was longer than 90 days. 70 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
B. No. Your intended stay is longer than 90 days. You need to apply for a residence permit; the related administrative process may vary according to where you decide to apply for the temporary residence permit.
Do you need visa to enter Slovakia (or Schengen Area in general)? (you can check it here: http://ec.europa.eu/immigration/tab2.do?subSec=12&language=7$en#novisa
a) Yes. You can get the temporary residence permit in two ways: (1) you can apply for temporary residence permit abroad prior to your arrival to Slovakia (to find out details about temporary residence permit, please continue with question III.). After issuing the temporary residence permit a Slovak embassy/consulate on the basis of an application issues the National visa (type “D”) allowing the entry into Slovakia (for further information about the visa procedure consult the part “Application for National Visa”, page 79.
While planning your stay, please note that this procedure may last longer due to diplomatic post between a Foreign Police Office in Slovakia and the respective Slovak embassy/consulate.
. After arrival to Slovakia, there are also some other duties you have to fulfil – see chapter “Duties after arrival to Slovakia“, page 96.
. If a family member plans to accompany you during your stay, do not forget to consult also question IV.
(2) in case that from objective reasons it is not possible to apply for temporary residence permit from abroad due to lack of time, and the applicant is considered to be a“credible immigrant” (e. g. scholarship holders coming
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities to Slovakia on the basis of bilateral intergovernmental agreements or programmes approved by the Government of SR, or in case of a research stay on the basis of a hosting agreement) you can apply for the National visa (type “D”) abroad (for further details about visa procedures see chapter “Visa – Application for National visa“, page 79. Afterwards you come to Slovakia and apply for temporary residence permit in Slovakia (to find out details about temporary residence permit, please continue with question III.).
. Do not forget to bring all documents needed for residence permit with you; otherwise you will have to leave Slovakia (Schengen Area) at the latest on the date when your visa expires.
. The application procedure for temporary residence permits for the purpose of study, research and development and special activity, may take 30 days after the date the application was accepted by the respective Foreign Police Office. In other cases the procedure can take 90 days. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 71
. After arrival to Slovakia, there are also some duties, you have to fulfil – see chapter “Duties after arrival to Slovakia“, page 96.
. If a family member plans to accompany you during your stay, Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities do not forget to consult also question IV.
b) No. You can get the temporary residence permit in two ways: a) you apply for temporary residence permit in Slovakia, if you are legally staying in the territory of the SR (to find out details about temporary residence permit, please continue with question III.).
. Do not forget to bring all documents needed for residence permit with you; otherwise you will have to leave the territory of Slovakia (Schengen Area) at the latest on the date when your visa expires.
. The application procedure for temporary residence permits for the purpose of study, research and development and special activity, may take 30 days after the date the application was accepted by the respective Foreign Police Office. In other cases the procedure can take 90 days. Beware, you will have to apply and also obtain the residence permit within 90 days after entering Slovakia (Schengen Area), otherwise you will have to leave the territory of Slovakia (Schengen Area). Without having visa, you can reside in the Slovak territory (Schengen Area) for 90 days in one half-year after having entered Slovakia (Schengen Area). If the cumulative stay as a result of multiple stays in the territory of Slovakia (Schengen Area) were to exceed 90 days in the 6 consecutive months, conditions of the entry to Slovak territory (Schengen Area) would have to be consulted with the Slovak representative body abroad.
. After arrival to Slovakia, there are also some duties you have to fulfil – see chapter “Duties after arrival to Slovakia“, page 96.
. If a family member plans to accompany you during your stay, do not forget to consult also question IV.
b) you can apply for temporary residence permit abroad at the Diplomatic Mission of the SR prior to your arrival to Slovakia (to find out details about temporary residence permit, please continue with question III.).
While planning your stay, please note that this procedure may last longer due to diplomatic post between a foreign police office in Slovakia and the respective Slovak embassy/consulate.
. After arrival to Slovakia, there are also some duties you have to fulfil – see chapter “Duties after arrival to Slovakia“, page 96.
. If a family member plans to accompany you during your stay, do not forget to consult also question IV. 72 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
III. What kind of activity do you plan to perform during your stay in Slovakia longer than 90 days? A. study at a university – irrespective from the type of study (full programme study or credit academic mobility/exchange stays), you can apply for temporary residence permit for the purpose of study – see chapter “Purpose of study in case of university students/PhD students” page 81.
B. carry out research or development Are you invited by a Slovak university to stay as a PhD student? a) Yes – if you have an invitation letter (letter of acceptance) as a PhD student, proceed as “A. study at a university“ mentioned above, b) No (irrespective of whether you have an invitation from a university or another research organisation) Have you signed a Hosting Agreement with a university or a research institution in Slovakia? (see chapter “What is a Hosting Agreement”, page 86) a. yes, to verify the conditions and their fulfilment continue with page 93, “Purpose of temporary residence in case of employment requiring higher qualification – Blue card of the EU” b. no – continue with the section “Purpose of employment“, page 90.
a) Yes – you can apply for temporary residence permit for the purpose of research and development – see chapter “Purpose of research and development for researchers with a Hosting Agreement“, page 83. b) No – how is your stay arranged? i. research or teaching activities at a university within an exchange/mobility programme of the SR or the EU or cooperation scheme – for further information about residence permit see chapter “Purpose of special activity in case of lectors – university teachers and researchers without a Hosting Agreement“, page 87, ii. regular employment contract without Hosting agreement: Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities Does your activity require higher qualification and will the working conditions and terms be met for the granting of “Purpose of temporary residence in case of employment requiring higher qualification – Blue card of the EU”?
a. yes, to verify the conditions and their fulfilment continue with page 93, “Purpose of temporary residence in case of employment requiring higher qualification – Blue card of the EU” b. no – continue with the section “Purpose of employment“, page 90.
C. teach at a university a) you will accomplish teaching activities of a lecturer – university teacher based on a simple invitation letter from a Slovak university, but with no employment contract, or you will perform teaching activities within an exchange/mobility programme of the SR or the EU or cooperation scheme, but with no employment contract – follow the procedures in the chapter “Purpose of special activity in case of lectors – university teachers and researchers without a Hosting Agreement“, page 87, The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 73
b) you will have a regular employment contract: Does your activity require higher qualification and will the working conditions and terms be met for the granting of “Purpose of temporary residence in case of employment requiring higher qualification – Blue Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities card of the EU”? a. yes, to verify the conditions and their fulfilment continue with page 93, “Purpose of temporary residence in case of employment requiring higher qualification – Blue card of the EU”, b. no – continue with the section “Purpose of employment“, page 90.
IV. If you intend to come to Slovakia with your family members, please answer again the following question: Are you an EU/EEA/Swiss national? A. Yes – Is the accompanying family member an EU/EEA/Swiss national? a) Yes – your family member can proceed in accordance with procedures described in chapter “Duties of EU/EEA/Swiss nationals coming to Slovakia“, page 73, b) No – for the residence permit for the family member consult the chapter “Procedures for family members of EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who come from third countries“, page 96.
B. No – Is the accompanying family member an EU/EEA/Swiss national? a) Yes – your family member can proceed in accordance with procedures described in chapter “Duties of EU/EEA/Swiss nationals coming to Slovakia“, page 73, b) No – for the residence permit for the family member consult the chapter “Residence permit for the purpose of family reunion in case of third country nationals’ families”, page 98.
. If you need personal advice or assistance, you can contact us at [email protected], or come in person to the service centres of EURAXESS Slovakia.
4.1.2 Duties of EU/EEA/SWISS nationals coming to Slovakia
Residence If an EU/EEA/Swiss national intends to stay in Slovakia for less than 119 days, he/she is obliged only to submit the notice of stay to the foreign police office within 10 working days since his/her arrival to Slovakia. This is usually made by the accommodation provider, if the person stays in a hotel, hostel or dormitory. If accommodated in private (e.g. in a private rented flat or at a friends’ place), the EU/EEA/Swiss national is obliged to submit the notice of stay in person directly at the respective foreign police office (list of foreign police offices can be found on page 101).
If an EU/EEA/Swiss national intends to stay in Slovakia longer than 119 days, he/she is obliged to submit the notice of stay to the foreign police office within working 10 days since his/her arrival to Slovakia (for the usual ways of notifying see the paragraph above). After that he/she can stay in Slovakia without any further obligations for 90 days from the entry into the Slovak Republic. After this period of 90 days is over, EU/EEA/Swiss national is obliged to apply for registration of residence in the Slovak Republic within next 30 days. 74 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
What do you need for the report of stay? If staying in private, come in person to the foreign police office during the office hours and present the following: filled in form “Notice of the stay” (available in 7 languages to download here www.minv.sk/?pobyt-cudzinca; must be filled in Slovak language), valid ID/passport.
What do you need for registration of residence for EU/EEA/Swiss nationals? Come in person to the foreign police office during the office hours and present the following: filled in form “Application for registration of right of residence of Union Citizen” (available to download at www.minv.sk/?pobyt-cudzinca; look for document entitled “Žiadosť o obnovenie prechodného pobytu, o trvalý pobyt na neobmedzený čas, o registráciu práva občana Únie, o vydanie dokladu rodinného príslušníka s právom na pobyt, o vydanie dokladu“; must be filled in Slovak language), valid ID/passport. a document proving the purpose of your stay in Slovakia, or sufficient financial resources: – in case of employment in the territory of the Slovak Republic – employment contract or commitment of the employer, – a document proving sufficient resources for you and your family members not to become a burden on the social assistance system of the Slovak Republic, and a certificate of health insurance in Slovakia (European Health Insurance Card is sufficient), or certificate of insurance reimbursement for medical expenses in the territory of the Slovak Republic, – in case of study in Slovakia – confirmation of study or admission to a school in Slovakia, and statutary declaration of sufficient financial resources, – in case you assume to be employed in Slovakia – statutary declaration on a continuing search for jobs in Slovakia and proof of medical insurance, – in case you are a family member of an EU citizen, you will accompany or join
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities – certificate of registration of the EU citizen, and birth or marriage certificate, or a proof of your permanent relationship.
If interested in obtaining a Residence card of an EU citizen, you are required to submit the following documents: two recent photograph 3 × 3,5 cm, a document in Slovak proving provision of accommodation (e.g confirmation from your accommodation provider or a rental agreement and the letter of ownership).
Fee 1): 4.50 EUR for the issue of residence card
1) Law of the National Council of the Slovak Republic no. 145/1995 Coll. on Administrative Fees, www.zakonypreludi.sk/zz/1995-145 (Slovak only) The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 75
Employment EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and their family members can be employed on the territory of the Slovak Republic on the same terms as Slovak nationals. An applicant has to meet an employer’s requirements, e.g., required education, language skills, required work Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities experience etc. In practice this means that EU/EEA/Swiss citizens are not required to apply for a work permit if they want to work legally in Slovakia.
For information related to all mobile workers from EU/EEA/Switzerland you can also consult the website of EURES (information network to facilitate mobility of workers within the countries of European Union and the European Free Trade Association) www.eures.sk and https://ec.europa.eu/eures.
According to the regulation of the Council (EEC) No. 311/76 on compilation of foreign workers statistics, the Slovak Republic as well as other member states, is obliged to monitor the movement of workers within the Community. In the Slovak Republic, the monitoring of labour mobility is carried out on the basis of an information card for the purpose of statistical records.
Information cards The employer fulfils the obligation to notify foreign employees by means of an Information card on commencement/termination of labour relation or secondment/termination of secondment of the EU/EEA/Swiss citizen or his/her family member to the territory of the Slovak Republic. Such Information card must be submitted to the local Labour Office for each EU/EEA/Swiss employee within 7 working days after the EU/EEA/Swiss employee started working (this duty holds only for work carried out in the framework of employement).
An employer is obliged to notify the employment of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen on an Information card, in writing. Non‑observance of this obligation is considered to be a breach of the legal regulations related to employment.
Employment relations in Slovakia are regulated by the Labour Code (Act No 311/2001 Coll.) and the Act on Employment Services (Act No 5/2004 Coll.) which can be searched for in the on‑line legislation database http://jaspi.justice.gov.sk (the website is in Slovak only).
4.1.3 Duties of third country nationals coming to Slovakia
Visa When intending to apply for visa the foreign nationals are urged to contact the territorially competent Slovak embassy/consulate general (see page 102) in order to receive a detailed and up‑to‑date information on visa requirements, since the general information provided below may not fully cover the visa requirements applicable in the third country. Before visiting the embassy/consulate in person, contact them by telephone or e‑mail and arrange an appointment if possible.
Note: To find out whether your country is on the list of Visa countries, check the following website: http://ec.europa.eu/immigration/tab2.do?subSec=12&language=7$en#novisa. 76 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
You can apply for visa at the earliest 3 months prior to your planned trip 2). Under the applicable law, the visa application procedure shall not take longer than 15 days, in exceptional cases the decision may take up to 60 days. Exemptions apply to the nationals of the countries which have signed Community‑level visa facilitation agreements (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, the Russian Federation, Serbia, and Ukraine). When national of these countries apply for visa, the decision should be issued within 10 calendar days of the delivery of a completed visa application. Nationals of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia do not need visa, if they are holders of biometric passports.
The validity of the granted visa or the duration of stay may be extended if the visa holder proves serious personal reasons. The applicant shall pay a fee of 30 € for the renewal. The visa is renewed for free if the holder has proven force majeure, preventing him from leaving the country before expiry of the visa, or the authorised duration of stay. Extension of visas shall take the form of a visa sticker.
A. Application for Schengen visa (Type C – short stay) Schengen visa is a short‑stay visa issued by all countries in the Schengen area. It is a visa with which you can enter the 25 Schengen countries 3) for one or several visits, the duration of which cannot exceed 90 days in any 180‑day period. The maximum duration of a short stay was defined by EU Regulation no. 610/2013 of 26 June 2013, which entered into force on 18 October 2013, and which changed the Schengen Borders Code and the Visa Code 4).
The date of entry will be the first day of stay in the territory of a Schengen Member State and the day of leaving is the last day of such residence. The duration of stay authorised by a residence permit is not included into the duration of a visa stay. The term “any“ is applied using a period of 180 days moving backwards in relation to each day of stay (day of admission or the day of the inspection) to verify whether the condition of 90/180 days
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities is observed. The absence from the Schengen area for a period of 90 consecutive days enables a new stay for the period of 90 days. In examining the compliance with the rule of 90/180 days under this visa, a stay in the countries that are not members of the Schengen area is disregarded (Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and United Kingdom).
2) Chapter II, Art. 9, para. 1 of the Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European parliament and the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas, http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:243:0001:0058:en:PDF 3) List of member and candidate countries of Schengen area is listed on the website of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Home Affairs, http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what- we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/schengen/index_en.htm 4) Regulation (EU) No 610/2013 of the European parliament and of the council of 26 June 2013 amending Regulation (EC) No 562/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a Community Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code), the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement, Council Regulations (EC) No 1683/95 and (EC) No 539/2001 and Regulations (EC) No 767/2008 and (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=O J:L:2013:182:0001:0018:EN:PDF The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 77
On the contrary a stay in the Schengen countries outside the EU – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are taken into the account 5). To calculate the period of stay in the territory of Schengen countries under the condition of approved 90/180 days, it is possible to use a Visa calculator 6). Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities
Territorial validity of the visa is specified on a visa sticker in the “Platné pre/Valid for” line. The visa may be valid for all Schengen Member States. In that case, “Valid for: Schengen countries” is specified on the visa sticker entitling its holder to move freely within the entire Schengen area for the period of the visa validity and duration of stay.
In the case of a visa with limited territorial validity, the following may be specified on the visa sticker: “Valid for: the Slovak Republic” (i.e., the visa is valid only for the Slovak Republic), or “Schengen countries – XY“ (i.e., the visa is valid for all Schengen countries except XY), or “Valid for: SK, XY“ (i.e., the visa is valid only for the Slovak Republic and XY).
In general, when applying for a Schengen visa, foreign nationals have to submit the following: filled‑in form “Application for Schengen Visa” available at (www.mzv.sk/en/consular_info/visa) The application must be signed by the applicant; in case of minors or persons lacking legal capacity, the application must be signed by their legal guardian, who is required to attach a copy of the document identifying him/her as the applicant’s legal guardian, recent full‑face coulour photograph 3 × 3.5 cm, valid travel document; the travel document must be valid for at least three months longer than the expected validity of the visa requested and it must have been issued within previous 10 years. The document shall contain at least 2 blank pages, documents demonstrating the purpose and conditions of the planned stay (a letter of invitation, letter of award, hosting agreement etc.), travel medical insurance – the insurance must cover all costs that may arise in connection with the repatriation of the applicant to his/her home country due to health problems, urgent medical treatment, emergency hospital treatment or death. Travel insurance must be valid for all Schengen Member States and the entire length of the applicant’s stay. A minimum insurance coverage of 30 000 € is required. Family members of EU or EEA nationals are exempt from the obligation of submitting travel health insurance, accommodation‑related documents, e.g.: – letter of award or hosting agreement in case they specify accommodation provided, – a voucher/reservation confirming hotel accommodation and services provided, – a personal letter of invitation confirming that the applicant will stay at the inviting person’s place, – other documents,
5) Calculation of a stay in the Schengen Area, Visas and residence of foreigners in Slovakia, Slovak Embassy in Vienna, www.mzv.sk/vieden 6) Calculator and user manual are available on the website of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Home Affairs, http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/ borders-and-visas/border-crossing/index_en.htm 78 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
documents confirming sufficient means of subsistence, e.g.: – cash in a freely convertible currency, – travel cheques, – a bank account statement confirming that the applicant has had a regular income (salary, pension) in the previous 6 – 12 months, – other documents safeguarding funds in a convertible currency, (No general amount of funds to cover the costs of living is prescribed, but the funds must be sufficient for the length and purpose of stay and costs of living in the final country of destination or Schengen area countries. At this moment, Slovak authorities generally operate with 56 €/person/day, hence a foreign national might be requested to proof the corresponding amount respective to the duration of his/her stay as stated in the visa at the Slovak border 7).) documents enabling an assessment of the applicant‘s intention to leave the territory of the EU after the expiry of the visa applied for, e.g. means of transport – a return (not open) air/bus/train ticket, other documents – for the purposes of the visa application procedure, the embassy or consulate general may ask foreign nationals to submit other documents in order to verify the declared purpose of the visit and applicant’s intention to return to his/her home country or the country of his/her residence.
Visa application fees 8): 60 € in general or 35 € for nationals of third countries which have signed a Visa Facilitation Agreement with the Community: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia (holders of non‑biometric passports), Moldova, Montenegro (holders of non‑biometric passports), Russian Federation, Serbia (holders of non‑biometric passports), Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities Ukraine.
The fees are paid in a freely convertible currency or in a national currency of the third country, in which the application has been filed, converted using the applicable official exchange rate. No administrative fee is charged for visa application filed by a third country national who is a family member of an EU or EEA national and exercises his/her right of free movement.
B. Invitation Foreigners may be asked to enclose to their visa application also an official invitation validated by a police authority. It is necessary to verify this obligation with the embassy/consulate of the Slovak Republic in your home country. The invitation can be replaced by the Hosting agreement in case of a research stay (see page 83).
7) Regulation of the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic No. 499/2011 Coll. determining the amount of funds necessary to cover the costs of a third country citizen´s stay on the territory of the Slovak Republic, www.zakonypreludi.sk/zz/2011-499/znenie-20120101 (Slovak only) 8) Law of the National Council of the Slovak Republic no. 145/1995 Coll. on Administrative Fees, www.zakonypreludi.sk/zz/1995-145 (Slovak only) The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 79
Note: Invitation in the Schengen visa granting procedure ≠ invitation letter (acceptance letter), in which a hosting institution agrees with the realization of a scholarship, research stay, or an invitation to an education/research event. Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities Application to verify an invitation may be presented by an inviting person: Natural person – Slovak citizen with permanent residence in the territory of the Slovak Republic or a foreigner with legitimate permanent or temporary stay in the territory of the Slovak Republic, Legal person – with the seat in the territory of the Slovak Republic.
A request to verify an invitation must be submitted on an official form at a police department correspondent to the inviting person’s place of stay or to the seat of the inviting legal person. In addition to the inviting and invited person’s data, it is necessary to enclose also other documents to the request, not older than 90 days and proving: purpose of the invitation – being a relative of the invited person; business licence of the inviting person; business or other labour relationships; organising of a cultural, sportive or scientific event (invitation from an organisation or an organiser, programme of the event), study or other form of education, provision of health care, other authentic reason, ability of the inviting person to cover all expenses related to the stay and travel of the invited person. The financial capacity can be proved by a balance statement of a bank account in the name of the inviting person, managed by a bank, foreign bank or branch of a foreign bank. The account balance must cumulatively be at 12‑times the subsistence minimum (198,09 € until 30. 06. 2014) and funds for each day of the invited person’s stay in the amount of 56 € 9).
An interview will be carried out with the inviting person concerning the relation with the invited person or the reason of the stay.
Fee 10): 33 EUR for the request for a verification of an invitation
A foreign police department issues a verification of an invitation within 15 days from the receipt of the application, the verification is valid for 90 days.
C. Application for National visa (Type D – long stay) National (long‑stay) visa may be issued in relation to the granted residence permit or in connection with Slovakia’s commitments under international treaties or for the benefit of the Slovak Republic. It is issued for a stay longer than 90 days, at longest for a period of a year; in connection with the granting of a residence permit in the Slovak Republic is the visa issued for a period of 90 days. If the foreigner is allowed to stay longer than for a year, the national visa will be replaced before the day of expiry by a residence
9) Regulation of the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic No. 499/2011 Coll. determining the amount of funds necessary to cover the costs of a third country citizen’s stay on the territory of the Slovak Republic, www.zakonypreludi.sk/zz/2011-499/znenie-20120101 (Slovak only) 10) Law of the National Council of the Slovak Republic no. 145/1995 Coll. on Administrative Fees, www.zakonypreludi.sk/zz/1995-145 (Slovak only) 80 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
permit. It is allowed for long‑term visa holders to travel to other Schengen member states (outside the frontier of the state who issued the visa) however the total of stays in these states cannot exceed 90 days in any 180‑day period 11).
The possibility to apply for National visa depends upon the decision of the respective Slovak embassy/consulate abroad (see part “Slovak embassies and consulates abroad”, page 102). Therefore, it is necessary to contact the respective embassy/consulate and get information about your specific situation.
National visa is issued under similar conditions as the Schengen visa and, in general, it is necessary to provide the same documents for an application.
Visa application fee 12): 33 €
In case National visa is issued in connection with collection of granted residence permit in the Slovak Republic, the fee is 9.50 €.
The fee is paid in a freely convertible currency or in a national currency of the third country, in which the application has been filed, converted using the applicable official exchange rate. No administrative fee is charged for visa application filed by a third country national who is a family member of an EU or EEA national and exercises his/her right of free movement.
Note: National visa is granted only for a period of time necessary for obtaining the temporary residence permit. Therefore if you are going to apply for temporary residence permit from Slovakia it is crucial to have all your documents needed for the residence permit application with you (see part “3.2 Temporary residence permit” below), so you can obtain your permit in time. Otherwise, you will have to leave the Slovak (Schengen) territory at the day of expiry of your National visa the latest (there is no possibility of extension).
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities Temporary residence permit There are several relevant types of temporary residence permit to apply for depending on the activity you are going to pursue in Slovakia: temporary residence permit for the purpose of study, temporary residence permit for the purpose of research and development, temporary residence permit for the purpose of special activity,
11) Art. 12, paragraph 3 of the Regulation (EU) No 610/2013 of the European parliament and of the council of 26 June 2013 amending Regulation (EC) No 562/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a Community Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code), the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement, Council Regulations (EC) No 1683/95 and (EC) No 539/2001 and Regulations (EC) No 767/2008 and (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, http://eur-lex.europa.eu/ LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2013:182:0001:0018:EN:PDF 12) Law of the National Council of the Slovak Republic no. 145/1995 Z. z. on Administrative Fees, www.zakonypreludi.sk/zz/1995-145 (Slovak only) The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 81
temporary residence permit for the purpose of employment, temporary residence permit for the purpose of an employment requiring higher qualification (Blue card of the EU). Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities To find out which type suits your situation best, please consult the “Navigation”, page 68. A foreigner from a third country carries out the activity defining the purpose of the temporary residence on the territory of the Slovak Republic.
A. Purpose of study in case of university students/PhD students Students from third countries staying in Slovakia longer than 90 days apply for temporary residence permit for the purpose of study. You have to apply in person abroad at the Slovak embassy/consulate competent for your country or at a respective foreign police office in Slovakia. You have to submit a complete application; otherwise it will not be accepted. If the embassy or the police department does not accept the application, they will notify the applicant in writing of the documents he/she needs to further enclose in order to accept the request. If the temporary residence permit is granted, the police department will send the applicant a written notice, stating the effective and expiry date. The time validity of a travel document is not regarded when deciding on the period granted to the temporary residence permit.
Complete application consists of the following documents: filled‑in application form “Application for the temporary residence” (available here www.minv.sk/swift_data/source/policia/hranicna_a_cudzinecka_policia/ocp/ziadosti/ pobyt/ziadost_prva.pdf or www.minv.sk/?dokumenty-na-stiahnutie-1; it has to be filled in Slovak language), 2 recent full‑face photographs 3 × 3.5 cm, valid passport (you just have to show it, they will not keep it), a document in Slovak language as a proof of purpose of your stay – confirmation of studies of a state authority (respective ministry) or the host university, or confirmation of an administrative organisation managing a programme under contract with the competent state authority, or international agreement (letter of award of a scholarship), a document in Slovak language valid as a proof of sufficient financial resources for the stay (e.g. balance statement of a bank account in the name of the applicant, letter of award stating the amount of your scholarship, confirmation of the statutary body of a legal entity of the finanacial and material support of the applicant during his/her stay, etc.), extract from your criminal record with apostille or superlegalisation from your country of origin and every country where you have stayed for more than 90 days within the last 3 years during 6 consecutive months (if any). Then it has to be translated by an official sworn translator (the list of accepted sworn translators can be found at http://jaspi.justice.gov.sk – Prekladatelia, but the list is available in Slovak only), or by the embassy/consulate of the Slovak Republic competent to accept your application for the temporary residence (such a translation must indicate the approval clause of the embassy of the Slovak Republic proving the conformity with the original). If the extract is issued in Czech language there is no need for it to be translated into Slovak, foreigners studying at a university in Slovakia do not have to enclose a confirmation of accommodation. 82 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
None of the documents proving the purpose of stay, financial resources and blamelessness can be older than 90 days on the day of filing the application for temporary residence.
Embassy of the Slovak Republic, which receives the request, will make an interview with the applicant for the temporary residence for the purpose of the preliminary assessment of the application. The interview will be conducted in the state language or another language, understandable to both parties. The embassy will prepare a written record of the interview and attach it to the application for temporary residence. The record shall be made in the language in which the interview was held, and it must be signed by the applicant. (If the applicant does not speak the state language, he/she may turn to an interpreter at his/her own expenses, who must sign the record.) The embassy will send its position on the granting of temporary residence to the police department along with the record and its translation.
Fees 13): 4.50 € for the residence card
The foreign police office shall issue a decision on the received application for a temporary residence permit within 30 days from the delivery of the application and all requirements. The confirmation that they have received the application has to be kept. If applying for temporary residence directly at a foreign police office in Slovakia officers will also ask you to provide a mobile phone number where they can send you a text message that your residence permit is ready, typically by 30 days, in Slovak language (you can write the number on your application form). The residence permit is issued in a form of a residence card. You have to collect the residence permit at the foreign police office in person or you can entitle somebody else with an official letter of attorney to collect it for you. When applying for residence permit from abroad via a representative body, it is advised to consult with them the way of notification on granting the permit as well as the collection of the residence card.
According to recent legislation changes the beginning of the granted residence permit 14)
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities shall be 30 days prior to the starting date of activity of the purpose of stay .
When you get your residence permit, the foreign police office will ask you to submit within 30 days from collecting the residence card a medical certificate that you do not suffer from any exotic disease threatening the public health. The certificate cannot be older than 30 days. It can be obtained in some medical centres only and the cost shall be taken into account (see page 102).
13) Law of the National Council of the Slovak Republic no. 145/1995 Coll. on Administrative Fees, www.zakonypreludi.sk/zz/1995-145 (Slovak only) 14) Procedural consequences of this legal provision on various types of residence permit need to be clarified. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 83
The police department will issue the temporary residence for the purpose of study for the expected time of study, but at the longest for 6 years. With the view of allowing job seeking on the territory of the Slovak Republic, the temporary residence permit for the purpose of study remains valid for 30 days following the duly completion of study at Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities a university or following the successful final examination. The proof of the completed studies is the university diploma and state examination certificate. Proceeding of the cancellation of the temporary residence permit will begin after expiration of the 30 days.
An application for the renewal of temporary residence permit has to be filed by the student from a third country in person on an official form to the foreign police department no later than the last day of the temporary stay validity. The temporary residence is deemed eligible on the territory of the Slovak Republic after its expiration until the decision on the application for renewal of the temporary residence.
Conditions, under which students and PhD students can work alongside with studying are briefly explained in chapter “Employment of foreigners” on page 104.
B. Purpose of research and development for researchers with a Hosting Agreement Researchers with a Hosting Agreement signed with a research institution or a university can apply for the temporary residence permit for the purpose of research and development. We recommend to researchers and receiving organisations to apply this procedure in view of less administrative duties and the possibility of researchers’ employment without a work permit or a confirmation of a possibility of filling a vacancy, since January 1st, 2014. Except for a work contract, they can perform their activities on the basis of agreements outside work contract (e.g. agreement on work performance) or on the basis of a granted scholarship.
You have to apply in person abroad at the Slovak embassy/consulate competent for your country or at a respective foreign police office in Slovakia. You have to submit a complete application; otherwise it will not be accepted. If the embassy or the police department does not accept the application, they will notify the applicant in writing of the documents he/she needs to further enclose in order to accept the request. If the temporary residence permit is granted, the police department will send the applicant a written notice, stating the effective and expiry date. The time validity of a travel document is not regarded when deciding on the period granted to the temporary residence permit.
Complete application consists of the following documents: filled‑in application form “Application for the temporary residence” (available here http://www.minv.sk/swift_data/source/policia/hranicna_a_cudzinecka_policia/ocp/ ziadosti/pobyt/ziadost_prva.pdf or www.minv.sk/?dokumenty-na-stiahnutie-1; it has to be filled in Slovak language), 2 recent full‑face photographs 3 × 3.5 cm, valid passport (you just have to show it, they will not keep it), Hosting Agreement in Slovak language (as a proof of purpose of stay), a document in Slovak language valid as a proof of sufficient financial resources for the stay (e.g. Hosting Agreement, balance statement of a bank account in the name of the applicant), 84 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
an extract from your criminal record with apostille or superlegalisation from your country of origin and every country where you have stayed for more than 90 days within the last 3 years during 6 consecutive months (if any). Then it has to be translated by an official sworn translator (the list of accepted sworn translators can be found at http://jaspi.justice.gov.sk – Prekladatelia, but the list is available in Slovak only), or by the embassy/consulate of the Slovak Republic competent to accept your application for the temporary residence (such a translation must indicate the approval clause of the embassy of the Slovak Republic proving the conformity with the original). If the extract is issued in Czech language there is no need for it to be translated into Slovak. foreigners applying for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of research and development do not have to file a confirmation of accommodation. The Hosting Agreement should contain a provision regarding the accommodation.
None of the documents proving the purpose of stay, financial resources and blamelessness can be older than 90 days on the day of filing the application for temporary residence permit.
Embassy of the Slovak Republic, which receives the request, will make an interview with the applicant for the temporary residence for the purpose of the preliminary assessment of the application. The interview will be conducted in the state language or another language, understandable to both parties. The embassy will prepare a written record of the interview and attach it to the application for temporary residence. The record shall be made in the language in which the interview was held, and it must be signed by the applicant. (If the applicant does not speak the state language, he/she may turn to an interpreter at his/her own expenses, who must sign the record.) The embassy will send its position on the granting of temporary residence to the police department along with the record and its translation.
In case of an application for renewal of the temporary residence permit, it is not necessary to file the document proving blamelessness. It is however necessary to file a proof
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities of health insurance on the territory of the Slovak Republic or of the insured reimbursement of the medical expenses in the territory of the Slovak Republic.
Fees 15): 4.50 € for the residence card
The foreign police office shall issue a decision on the received application for a temporary residence permit within 30 days from the delivery of the application and all requirements. The confirmation that they have received the application has to be kept. If applying for temporary residence directly at a foreign police office in Slovakia officers will also ask you to provide a mobile phone number where they can send you a text message that your residence permit is ready, typically by 30 days, in Slovak language (you can write the number on your application form). The residence permit is issued in a form of a residence card. You have to collect the residence permit at the foreign police office in person or you
15) Law of the National Council of the Slovak Republic no. 145/1995 Coll. on Administrative Fees, www.zakonypreludi.sk/zz/1995-145 (Slovak only) The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 85 can entitle somebody else with an official letter of attorney to collect it for you. When applying for residence permit from abroad via a representative body, it is advised to consult with them the way of notification on granting the permit as well as the collection of the residence card. Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities
According to recent legislation changes the beginning of the granted residence permit shall be 30 days prior to the starting date of activity of the purpose of stay 16).
When you get your residence permit, the foreign police office will ask you to provide within 30 days from collecting the residence card a proof of health insurance coverage in Slovakia for the whole length of stay. If you have it from other country than Slovakia, you have to get the contract officially translated to Slovak, with the exception of Czech contracts, where the translation is not required. In case you do not have health insurance, you have to obtain it within 3 working days after you are granted the residence permit. Moreover, within 30 days from collecting the residence permit you have to submit a medical certificate that you do not suffer from any exotic disease threatening the public health. The certificate cannot be older than 30 days. It can be obtained in some medical centres only and the cost shall be taken into account (see page 102).
The police department shall grant the temporary residence for the purpose research and developmentfor the time necessary to achieve its purpose, but not more than for two years. An application for a renewal of temporary residence files a foreigner from a third country in person on an official form to the foreign police office no later than the last day of the previous temporary stay validity. The temporary residence permit is considered to be eligible in the territory of the Slovak Republic after its expiration until a decision on the application for the renewal of temporary residence.
16) Procedural consequences of this legal provision on various types of residence permit need to be clarified. 86 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
What is a Hosting agreement? Hosting agreement is a tool facilitating faster and easier entry procedures related to the legal stay of third country researchers who want to carry out research and development activities in the EU. Hosting agreement is the main supporting document representing a foundation for the temporary residence for the purpose of research and development, and its concept is built on the European legislation. The Hosting agreement is signed by the host research organisation in Slovakia (public or private) and by the third country researcher. Only research organisations approved by The Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic to admit third country researchers are eligible to issue a Hosting agreement. List of approved research organisations is published at www.vedatechnika.sk (link to the list: https://www.vedatechnika.sk/SK/VedaATechnikaVSR/Stranky/Povolenie- pravnickym-osobam-vykonavajucim-vyskum-a-vyvoj-prijimat-cudzincov.aspx, then click at “Zoznam právnických osôb vykonávajúcich výskum, vývoj, ktorým bolo povolené prijímať cudzincov”; Slovak language only), or in the register of organisations in the new Information system for science and research SK CRIS www.skcris.sk (CRIS = Current Research Information System; in English and Slovak language), the list is available in English. It is recommended to check both resources because of distinct data updating. If a research organisation is not listed among the approved institutions it can apply for the licence at The Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport. For the application procedure see www.euraxess.sk/sk/main/euraxess-pre-vyskumne-organizacie-a- priemysel/prijimanie-cudzincov/dohoda-o-hostovani (in Slovak language).
Hosting agreement has to contain the following: name and contact details of the third country researcher, name and contact details of the host research organisation, specification of the research worker’s classification and working conditions, the purpose, duration and professional focus of the research project, Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities and the availability of the necessary financial resources for it to be carried out, certified copy of the researcher‘s qualification, declaration by the host research organisation that in case where a researcher remains illegally in the territory of the Slovak Republic, the said organisation is responsible for reimbursing the costs related to his/her stay and return incurred by public funds, declaration by the host research organisation that during his/her stay the researcher has sufficient monthly resources to meet his/her expenses and return travel costs in the minimum amount of the minimum salary. Typically, the financial resources can come from a granted scholarship, or from a concluded employment contract. For duties arising from the employment see the page 104, declaration by the host research organisation or by the researcher that during his/her stay the researcher has the health insurance. More information and model Hosting agreements can be found at: www.euraxess.sk/en/main/services-practical-information/entry-conditions-and-legal- stay/third-countries-nationals/hosting-agreement. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 87
C. Purpose of special activity (e.g. in case of university teachers, lecturers without work contract, participants in a scholarship/fellowship programme approved by the Government of SR,
European programme or a programme based on an international agreement) Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities
Teachers, lecturers and researchers from third countries coming to Slovakia within an official exchange or mobility programme approved by the Government of the Slovak Republic, a European programme or a commitment based on an international agreement binding for SR or upon invitation of a respective university/education institution to give lectures/teach, can apply for the residence permit for the purpose of special activity. However, these nationals cannot be employed in Slovakia under a work contract. Conditions of employment are described in the chapter “Employment of foreigners” on page 104.
You have to apply in person abroad at the Slovak embassy/consulate competent for your country or at a respective foreign police office in Slovakia. You have to submit a complete application; otherwise it will not be accepted. If the embassy or the police department does not accept the application, they will notify the applicant in writing of the documents he/she needs to further enclose in order to accept the request. If the temporary residence permit is granted, the police department will send the applicant a written notice, stating the effective and expiry date. The time validity of a travel document is not regarded when deciding on the period granted to the temporary residence permit.
Complete application consists of the following documents: filled‑in application form “Application for the temporary residence” (available here http://www.minv.sk/swift_data/source/policia/hranicna_a_cudzinecka_policia/ocp/ ziadosti/pobyt/ziadost_prva.pdf or www.minv.sk/?dokumenty-na-stiahnutie-1; it has to be filled in Slovak language), 2 recent full‑face photographs 3 × 3.5 cm, valid passport (you just have to show it, they will not keep it), a document in Slovak language as a proof of purpose of your stay, e. g.: – confirmation from your host university/education institution that you will carry out activities of a university teacher/lecturer (invitation letter for a lecture stay), or another document proving the purpose of stay: . letter of award of a scholarship/confirmation of participation in a programme approved by the Government of SR a European programme or a programme based on international treaty binding for SR – i. e. confirmation of a state authority (the respective ministry) in charge of programmes approved by the Government of the Slovak Republic or European programmes or confirmation of administrative organisation managing such a programme under contract with the competent state authority, . or international agreement, confirmation of a state authority (the respective ministry) in charge of programmes approved by the Government of the Slovak Republic or European programmes or confirmation of administrative organisation managing such a programme under contract with the competent state authority (letter of award of a scholarship, confirmation of activities of a lecturer or a researcher within the hosting university or research institution), 88 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
a document in Slovak language valid as a proof of sufficient financial resources for the stay, e. g.: – balance statement of a bank account in the name of the applicant, or – letter of award stating the amount of your scholarship – i. e. confirmation of a state authority (the respective ministry) in charge of programmes approved by the Government of the Slovak Republic or European programmes or confirmation of administrative organisation managing such a programme under contract with the competent state authority, if the confirmation contains an information of provided financial resources, an extract from your criminal record with apostille or superlegalisation from your country of origin and every country where you have stayed for more than 90 days within the last 3 years during 6 consecutive months (if any). Then it has to be translated by an official sworn translator (the list of accepted sworn translators can be found at http://jaspi.justice.gov.sk – Prekladatelia, but the list is available in Slovak only), or by the embassy/consulate of the Slovak Republic competent to accept your application for the temporary residence (such a translation must indicate the approval clause of the embassy of the Slovak Republic proving the conformity with the original). If the extract is issued in Czech language there is no need for it to be translated into Slovak, official document in Slovak language as a proof of accommodation at least for 6 months of the temporary residence; in case of a shorter stay it is necessary to prove the accommodation during the whole stay; e. g. – confirmation from your accommodation provider, or – rental agreement and the letter of ownership, or – declaration by a natural or legal person that he/she will provide acommodation to the applicant and the letter of ownership. Proof of acommodation is not required in case of an application for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of special activity resulting from the programmes of the Slovak government or the EU, or the fulfilment of a commitment of the Slovak Republic under an international agreement, if the applicant will be engaged in teaching or research activities at the same time. Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities None of the documents proving the purpose of stay, financial resources, accommodation and blamelessness can be older than 90 days on the day of filing the application for temporary residence permit
Embassy of the Slovak Republic, which receives the request, will make an interview with the applicant for the temporary residence for the purpose of the preliminary assessment of the application. The interview will be conducted in the state language or another language, understandable to both parties. The embassy will prepare a written record of the interview and attach it to the application for temporary residence. The record shall be made in the language in which the interview was held, and it must be signed by the applicant. (If the applicant does not speak the state language, he/she may turn to an interpreter at his/her own expenses, who must sign the record.) The embassy will send its position on the granting of temporary residence to the police department along with the record and its translation.
In case of an application for renewal of the temporary residence permit, it is not necessary to file the document proving blamelessness. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 89
Fees 17): 4.50 € for the residence card 99.50 € for residence permit application for the purpose of special activity (100 € in case of an application filed by an embassy/consulate of the Slovak Republic) 33 € for an application for a renewal of the temporary residence permit: Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities the fee is not paid in case of an application for a residence permit for the purpose of special activity resulting from the programmes of the Slovak government or the EU, or the fulfilment of a commitment of the Slovak Republic under an international agreement, the fee is neither paid in case of trainees, who receive a scholarship of the Ministry of education, science, research and sport of the Slovak Republic or a scholarship resulting from international agreements, as well as foreign language lecturers coming to the Slovak universities/schools on the basis of commitments under international agreements.
The foreign police office shall issue a decision on the received application for a temporary residence permit within 30 days from the delivery of the application and all requirements. The confirmation that they have received the application has to be kept. If applying for temporary residence directly at a foreign police office in Slovakia officers will also ask you to provide a mobile phone number where they can send you a text message that your residence permit is ready, typically by 30 days, in Slovak language (you can write the number on your application form). The residence permit is issued in a form of a residence card. You have to collect the residence permit at the foreign police office in person or you can entitle somebody else with an official letter of attorney to collect it for you. When applying for residence permit from abroad via a representative body, it is advised to consult with them the way of notification on granting the permit as well as the collection of the residence card.
According to recent legislation changes the beginning of the granted residence permit shall be 30 days prior to the starting date of activity of the purpose of stay 18).
When you get your residence permit, the foreign police office will ask you to provide within 30 days from collecting the residence card a proof of health insurance coverage in Slovakia for the whole length of stay. If you have it from other country than Slovakia, you have to get the contract officially translated to Slovak, with the exception of Czech contracts, where the translation is not required. In case you do not have health insurance, you have to obtain it within 3 working days after you are granted the residence permit. Moreover, within 30 days from collecting the residence permit you have to submit a medical certificate that you do not suffer from any exotic disease threatening the public health. The certificate cannot be older than 30 days. It can be obtained in some medical centres only and the cost shall be taken into account (see page 102).
17) Law of the National Council of the Slovak Republic no. 145/1995 Coll. on Administrative Fees, www.zakonypreludi.sk/zz/1995-145 (Slovak only) 18) Procedural consequences of this legal provision on various types of residence permit need to be clarified. 90 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
The police department shall grant the temporary residence for the purpose of special activities for the time necessary to achieve its purpose, but not more than for two years. An application for a renewal of temporary residence files a foreigner from a third country in person on an official form to the foreign police office no later than the last day of the previous temporary stay validity. The temporary residence permit is considered to be eligible in the territory of the Slovak Republic after its expiration until a decision on the application for the renewal of temporary residence.
D. Purpose of employment (e.g. in case of univerity teachers and researchers under employment contract if procedure using Hosting Agreement cannot be applied) If not regulated otherwise (as discussed above) and the activity in Slovakia cannot be performed on the basis of a Hosting agreement enabling a work contract or as a special activity, teachers and researchers who will have an employment contract shall apply for the temporary residence permit for the purpose of employment. You have to apply in person abroad at the Slovak embassy/consulate competent for your country or at a respective foreign police office in Slovakia. You have to submit a complete application; otherwise it will not be accepted.
The temporary residence permit for the purpose of employment can be granted: a) on the basis of confirmation of the possibility of filling a vacancy, in the framework of the so called single residence and work permit procedure (relevant for majority of cases – see part 4.3.1 B), b) on the basis of work permit (relevant for a few specialised cases – see part 4.3.1 D), or c) if none of these two documents is required for the employment of a third country citizen (see part 4.3.1 A for specification).
Complete application consists of the following documents: filled‑in application form “Application for the temporary residence”
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities (available here http://www.minv.sk/swift_data/source/policia/hranicna_a_cudzinecka_ policia/ocp/ziadosti/pobyt/ziadost_prva.pdf or www.minv.sk/?dokumenty-na-stiahnutie-1; it has to be filled in Slovak language), 2 recent full‑face photographs 3 × 3.5 cm, valid passport (you just have to show it, they will not keep it), a document proving purpose of stay: 1. in case of an application based on a confirmation of the possibility of filling a vacancy – a written promise of the employer to employ the third country citizen or an employment contract and a decision on recognition of qualification or of the document of the highest level of education of the third country citizen, or 2. work permit (issued by the competent office of labour, social affairs and family according to the place of work), or 3. confirmation of the employer that the third country citizen shall perform an activity for which a work permit or the confirmation of the possibility of filling a vacancy is not required, or an international agreement binding for the Slovak Republic and providing that the work permit or the confirmation of the possibility of filling a vacancy is not required, The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 91
a document in Slovak language valid as a proof of sufficient financial resources for the stay (e.g. employment contract, employer’s confirmation of the agreed wage amount, or balance statement of a bank account in the name of the applicant), an extract from your criminal record with apostille or superlegalisation from your Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities country of origin and every country where you have stayed for more than 90 days within the last 3 years during 6 consecutive months (if any). Then it has to be translated by an official sworn translator (the list of accepted sworn translators can be found at http://jaspi.justice.gov.sk – Prekladatelia, but the list is available in Slovak only), or by the embassy/consulate of the Slovak Republic competent to accept your application for the temporary residence (such a translation must indicate the approval clause of the embassy of the Slovak Republic proving the conformity with the original). If the extract is issued in Czech language there is no need for it to be translated into Slovak, official document in Slovak language as a proof of accommodation at least for 6 months of the temporary residence; in case of a shorter stay it is necessary to prove the accommodation during the whole stay; e. g. – confirmation from your accommodation provider, or – rental agreement and the letter of ownership, or – declaration by a natural or legal person that he/she will provide acommodation to the applicant and the letter of ownership.
None of the documents proving the purpose of stay (except for the work permit or the confirmation of the employer that the third country citizen shall perform an activity for which a work permit is not required, or an international agreement; decision on recognition of qualification or of the document of the highest level of education of the third country citizen), financial resources, accommodation and blamelessness can be older than 90 days on the day of filing the application for temporary residence permit. In case of an application for renewal of the temporary residence permit, it is not necessary to file the document proving blamelessness.
Fees 19): 4.50 € for the residence card 165.50 € for the residence permit application (170 € in case of an application filed by an embassy/consulate of the Slovak Republic) 99.50 € € for an application for a renewal of the temporary residence permit
Please note, the vacancy applied for has to be reported by the future employer at the respective labour office competent according to the future place of work at least 30 working days beforehand if it is based on the confirmation of the possibility of filling a vacancy or at least 15 working days before the application of the third country national for a residence permit if work permit procedure applies (see also parts 4.3.1 B or 4.3.1 D respectively). A foreigner can apply for a residence permit for employment purposes only after this period has elapsed.
19) Law of the National Council of the Slovak Republic no. 145/1995 Coll. on Administrative Fees, www.zakonypreludi.sk/zz/1995-145 (Slovak only) 92 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
Attention: In case of educational or scientific activities of a pedagogic employee, university teacher, researcher or artist at a higher education institution, or research or development staff in research activities who will be employed without taking into account the situation on the labour market, the employer does not have the duty to report a vacancy and the foreigner can apply for the residence permit without delay.
Following the receipt of an “Application for the temporary residence” within the single residence and work permit procedure, the police department shall complete a form “Application for issuing the confirmation of the possibility of filling a vacancy for the purpose of granting a single residence and work permit” and send it together with documents proving the purpose of the stay and the position of the diplomatic mission of the Slovak Republic to the correspondent office of labour, social affairs and family. The office will consequently issue the “Confirmation of the possibility of filling a vacancy”. The third country citizen will be given a document “Additional data on employment” by the police department after the arrival to Slovakia.
If the embassy or the police department does not accept the application, they will notify the applicant in writing of the documents he/she needs to further enclose in order to accept the request. An application for the residence permit based on a confirmation of the possibility of filling a vacancy will not be accepted only if the applicant has not submitted a valild travel document. If the temporary residence permit is granted, the police department will send the applicant a written notice, stating the effective and expiry date. The time validity of a travel document is not regarded when deciding on the period granted to the temporary residence permit.
The foreign police office shall issue a decision on the received application for a temporary residence permit within 90 days from the delivery of the application and all requirements. The confirmation that they have received the application has to be kept. If applying for temporary residence directly at a foreign police office in Slovakia officers will also ask you to provide a mobile phone number where they can send you a text message that your
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities residence permit is ready, typically by 90 days, in Slovak language (you can write the number on your application form). The residence permit is issued in a form of a residence card. You have to collect the residence permit at the foreign police office in person or you can entitle somebody else with an official letter of attorney to collect it for you. When applying for residence permit from abroad via a representative body, it is advised to consult with them the way of notification on granting the permit as well as the collection of the residence card.
According to recent legislation changes the beginning of the granted residence permit shall be 30 days prior to the starting date of activity of the purpose of stay 20).
When you get your residence permit, the foreign police office will ask you to submit within 30 days from collecting the residence card a medical certificate that you do not suffer from any exotic disease threatening the public health. The certificate cannot be older than 30 days. It can be obtained in some medical centres only and the cost shall be taken into account (see page 102).
20) Procedural consequences of this legal provision on various types of residence permit need to be clarified. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 93
The police department shall grant the temporary residence for the purpose of employment for the expected time of employment, but not more than for two years. With the view of allowing job seeking in the territory of the Slovak Republic, remains the temporary residence permit for the purpose of employment valid for 30 days following Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities the termination of an employment. The procedure of cancellation of the temporary residence permit begins only after 30 days of termination of the employment (in any way). An application for a renewal of temporary residence files a foreigner from a third country in person on an official form to the Foreign Police Office no later than the last day of the previous temporary stay validity. The temporary residence permit is considered to be eligible in the territory of the Slovak Republic after its expiration until a decision on the application for the renewal of temporary residence.
Specific regulations and procedures connected to employment are briefly explained in chapter “Employment of foreigners” on page 104.
E. Purpose of employment requiring higher qualification – Blue Card of the EU A third country citizen may be granted also a temporary residence permit in the territory of the Slovak Republic on the basis of the EU Blue Card 21). Nationals of third countries with higher professional qualification can thus more easily enter the labour market in the Slovak Republic and perform employment requiring higher qualification. Higher professional qualification means a qualification attested by a certificate of higher education (method of proof of which is given below). A person interested in the Blue Card must conclude an employment contract with a future employer in Slovakia, or to obtain from him a written promise of future employment.
Such an employment contract shall be concluded for a period of at least one year from the date of the Blue Card issuance, while the agreed wage must be at least 1.5 times the average monthly salary in the economy of the Slovak Republic in the relevant sector published by the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic for the calendar year, preceding the calendar year in which the application for a Blue card was filed 22).
Employer willing to employ a third country citizen for an employment requiring higher qualification, is obliged to report a vacancy at a labour office competent according to the place of work, at least 30 working days before the application of the third country citizen for a residence permit.
More information on the procedure related to employment requiring higher qualification can be found in the part 4.3.1 C.
21) Blue Card of the European Union, Employment of foreigers, central Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family, www.upsvar.sk/sluzby-zamestnanosti/zamestnavanie-cudzincov/2.-zamestnanie- statneho-prislusnika-tretej-krajiny-s-potvrdenim-o-moznosti-obsadenia-vpm-zodpovedajuceho- vysokokvalifikovanemu-zamestnaniu-k-ziadosti-o-modru-kartu.html?page_id=363520 (Slovak only) 22) Statistical data on the amount of the average monthly salary is listed at the web site of the Statistical Office of the SR http://portal.statistics.sk/showdoc.do?docid=5703, average monthly earnings by sector for 2013 are shown at http://portal.statistics.sk/showdoc.do?docid=67084 94 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
An application for a Blue Card (i.e. application for a residence permit) must be submitted in person abroad at the Slovak embassy/consulate respective for your country abroad, or at a respective foreign police office in Slovakia, at the earliest 30 working days after reporting a vacancy by an employer. A holder of a Blue Card issued by another EU Member State may apply for a Blue Card within 30 days of entry into the territory of the Slovak Republic. You have to submit a complete application; otherwise it will not be accepted.
Complete application for a Blue Card in the Slovak Republic consists of the following documents: filled‑in application form “Application for the temporary residence” (available here http://www.minv.sk/swift_data/source/policia/hranicna_a_cudzinecka_policia/ocp/ ziadosti/pobyt/ziadost_prva.pdf; or www.minv.sk/?dokumenty-na-stiahnutie-1; it has to be filled in Slovak language; in the field no. 22 “Employment after arrival to the Slovak Republic, position, address of the company, organisation, school” it is necessary to fill in also the place of work and organisations’s identification number) 2 recent full‑face photographs 3 × 3.5 cm, valid passport (you just have to show it, they will not keep it), documents in Slovak language valid as a proof of purpose of stay: – the employment contract for the performance of highly qualified employment, if the employment will last for at least one year and monthly wage is agreed in the amount of at least 1.5 times the average monthly salary in the national economy of the relevant sector published by the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic for the preceding calendar year, or employer’s written promise to employ the third country citizen to such employment (standard form at www.upsvar.sk/buxus/docs//SSZ/OISS/CUDZINCI/Prislub_na_zamestnanie.rtf), – evidence of higher professional qualification to perform employment requiring higher qualification stipulated in the employment contract or in the employer’s promise, translated into Slovak and officialy authentificated. A decision on the document’s recognition will be issued by the the Centre for Recognition of Diplomas of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic; for unregulated professions a decision is accepted when issued by a Slovak
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities university which carries out programme in the same or related field of study, specified in the evidence of qualification submitted by the applicant for a Blue Card, an extract from your criminal record with apostille or superlegalisation from your country of origin and every country where you have stayed for more than 90 days within last 3 years during 6 consecutive months (if any). Then it has to be translated by an official sworn translator (the list of accepted sworn translators can be found at http://jaspi.justice.gov.sk – Prekladatelia, but the list is available in Slovak only), or by the embassy/consulate of the Slovak Republic competent to accept your application for the temporary residence (such a translation must indicate the approval clause of the embassy of the Slovak Republic proving the conformity with the original). If the extract is issued in Czech language there is no need for it to be translated into Slovak, official document in Slovak language as a proof of accommodation at least for 6 months of the temporary residence; in case of a shorter stay it is necessary to prove the accommodation during the whole stay; e. g. – confirmation from your accommodation provider, or – rental agreement and the letter of ownership, or – declaration by a natural or legal person that he/she will provide acommodation to the applicant and the letter of ownership. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 95
None of the documents proving accommodation and blamelessness can be older than 90 days on the day of filing the application for the Blue Card. In case of an application for renewal of the Blue Card, it is not necessary to file the document proving blamelessness. Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities Fees 23): 4.50 € for the residence card 165.50 € for the residence permit application (170 € in case of an application filed by an embassy/consulate of the Slovak Republic) 99.50 € € for an application for a renewal of the temporary residence permit
The police department shall complete a form “Application for issuing the confirmation of the possibility of filling a vacancy requiring higher qualification” and send it to the Central office of labour, social affairs and family. The Central office will consequently issue and send back the “Confirmation of the possibility of filling a vacancy requiring higher qualification”.
If the embassy or the police department does not accept the application, they will notify the applicant in writing of the documents he/she needs to further enclose in order to accept the request. If the temporary residence permit is granted, the police department will send the applicant a written notice, stating the effective and expiry date. The time validity of a travel document is not regarded when deciding on the period granted to the temporary residence permit.
A decision on the application for a Blue Card is issued within 30 days from the delivery of the application and all requirements and is sent to the foreigner or an authorised representative. The residence permit is issued in a form of a residence card. You have to collect the residence permit at the foreign police office in person or you can entitle somebody else with an official letter of attorney to collect it for you. When applying for residence permit from abroad via a representative body, it is advised to consult with them the way of notification on granting the permit as well as the collection of the residence card.
When you get your residence permit, the foreign police office will ask you to submit within 30 days from collecting the residence card a medical certificate that you do not suffer from any exotic disease threatening the public health. The certificate cannot be older than 30 days. It can be obtained in some medical centres only and the cost has to be taken into account (see page 102).
If the foreigner filed only written employer’s promise to the application for the Blue Card, he is obliged to submit the employment contract in 30 days after obtaining the residence card.
The Blue Card is valid according to the duration of the employment. It is issued for 3 years at the longest or, if the employment contract period shall be shorter than 3 years, the police department will issue the Blue Card for the period of duration of the employment extended for 90 days. The foreigner from a third country files an application for a renewal of the Blue Card in person on an official form to the foreign police office no later than the last day of the Blue Card validity.
23) Law of the National Council of the Slovak Republic no. 145/1995 Coll. on Administrative Fees, www.zakonypreludi.sk/zz/1995-145 (Slovak only) 96 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
Duties after arrival to Slovakia
Besides duties connected with visa and residence permit (for details consult the “Navigation”, page 68), each third country national is obliged to report the stay to the foreign police office within 3 working days since arrival to Slovakia. This is usually made by the accommodation provider, if you are staying in a hotel, hostel or dormitory. If accommodated in private (e.g. in a private rented flat or at a friends’ place), you have to submit the Notice of stay in person directly at the respective foreign police office (the list of foreign police offices can be found on page 101).
What do you need for the report of stay? If accommodated in private, come in person to the foreign police office during the office hours and present the following: filled‑in form “Notice of the stay” (available in 7 languages to download here www.minv.sk/?pobyt-cudzinca; must be filled in Slovak language), passport.
4.1.4 Bringing family members with you Procedures for family members of EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who come from third countries Special rules apply to family members of EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who come from third countries. Entry and stay rights differ according to whether they are travelling with/joining the EU/EEA/Swiss national or they are travelling alone. According to the current regulations, a family member of the EU/EEA/Swiss national is understood as the third country national that is: a) his/her spouse, b) his/her child younger than 21 years of age, his/her dependent child and dependent children of his/her spouse, c) his/her dependent direct relative in descending or ascending line and such a person
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities of his/her spouse, d) any other family member to whom paragraphs (a) to (c) do not apply and she/he is a dependent person in the country of his/her origin, e) any other family member to whom paragraphs (a) to (c) do not apply and she/he is the member of his/her household, f) any other family member to whom paragraphs (a) to (c) do not apply and she/he depends on his/her care due to serious health reasons, g) his/her partner with whom the EU/EEA/Swiss national is in a permanent, duly certified relationship, h) third country national with the right of residence of the family member of the EU/EEA/ Swiss national in the member state, while the EU/EEA/Swiss national is the Slovak Republic national with whom the third country national returns or joins him/her to reside back in the Slovak Republic territory and fulfils any of the conditions specified in par. (a) to (g) in relation to the Slovak Republic national.
If entering the Schengen Area from a third country, a family member may have the obligation to obtain visa to enter the Schengen Area. In this case, a family member can apply for visa at a respective embassy or consulate (visa shall be issued within 15 days) The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 97 or directly at the border, where the family member enters the Schengen Area. For details about visa procedures see chapter “Visa – Application for Schengen Visa”, page 76.
If coming from a member state of the Schengen Area, a family member Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities accompanying/joining an EU/EEA/Swiss national is not required to have a visa when entering the Slovak Republic. If he/she comes alone the visa may be required.
A family member of the EU/EEA/Swiss national who is a holder of a valid travel document can stay (without any further obligations) in the Slovak Republic territory during 90 days from the date of entry into territory of the Slovak Republic, if she/he accompanies or joins the EU/EEA/Swiss national whose family member she/he is. The beginning of stay in the Slovak Republic territory shall be reported by the family member of the EU/EEA/Swiss national at the respective foreign police office within 10 working days from the date of entry into the territory of the Slovak Republic.
When a family member is staying in Slovakia longer than 90 days, he/she has to apply for the issuance of a document called “Residence Card of EU Citizen Family Member” at a foreign police office within 30 days after the 90‑day period from the date of entry into the territory of the Slovak Republic.
Complete application consists of the following documents: filled‑in form “Application for issue of document residence of the family member with right for residence” (the same as “Application for registration of right of residence of Union Citizen”; available to download at www.minv.sk/?pobyt-cudzinca; look for document entitled “Žiadosť o obnovenie prechodného pobytu, o trvalý pobyt na neobmedzený čas, o registráciu práva občana Únie, o vydanie dokladu rodinného príslušníka s právom na pobyt, o vydanie dokladu“ which must be filled in Slovak language), valid travel document, 2 recent full‑face photographs 3 × 3.5 cm, a document proving your relation to the EU national (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.). This document has to be apostilled or superlegalised and officially translated into Slovak by a sworn translator (the list of accepted sworn translators can be found at http://jaspi.justice.gov.sk – Prekladatelia, but the list is available in Slovak only), or by the embassy/consulate of the Slovak Republic competent to accept your application for the temporary residence (such a translation must indicate the approval clause of the embassy of the Slovak Republic proving the conformity with the original). confirmation about the registration of the residence of the warrantor.
Fees 24): 4.50 € for the residence card
Note: For family members of nationals of the Slovak Republic, who are third countries nationals, different procedures apply.
24) Law of the National Council of the Slovak Republic no. 145/1995 Coll. on Administrative Fees, www.zakonypreludi.sk/zz/1995-145 (Slovak only) 98 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
Residence permit for the purpose of family reunion in case of third country nationals’ families
Family members of a third country national wishing to join him/her in Slovakia for the period longer than 90 days have to apply for temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunion (family unification). In accordance with the current regulations, mainly following persons are seen as family members of a third country national: a) a spouse, if the married couple is at least 18 years; b) a common single child younger than 18 years of age of the third country national and his/her spouse; c) his/her single child younger than 18 years of age; d) a single child of his/her spouse younger than 18 years of age; e) his/her dependent single child older than 18 years of age or dependent single child older than 18 years of age of his/her spouse who cannot take care of him/herself due to long term unfavourable health condition; f) his/her parent or a parent of his/her spouse who is dependent on his/her care and lacks appropriate family support in the country of origin.
Applicants have to apply in person at the Slovak embassy/consulate competent for their country or at a respective foreign police office in Slovakia. They have to submit a complete application; otherwise it will not be accepted. If the embassy or the police department does not accept the application, they will notify the applicant in writing of the documents he needs to further enclose in order to accept the request. If the temporary residence permit is granted, the police department will send the applicant a written notice, stating the effective and expiry date.
Complete application consists of the following documents: filled‑in application form “Application for the temporary residence” (available here www.minv.sk/swift_data/source/policia/hranicna_a_cudzinecka_policia/ocp/ziadosti/ pobyt/ziadost_prva.pdf; it has to be filled in Slovak language), Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities 2 recent full‑face photographs 3 × 3.5 cm, valid passport (you just have to show it, they will not keep it), a document proving the relation to the third country national (certified copy of marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.) as a proof of purpose of stay. This document has to be apostilled or superlegalised and officially translated into Slovak by a sworn translator (the list of accepted sworn translators can be found at http://jaspi.justice.gov.sk – Prekladatelia, but the list is available in Slovak only), or by the embassy/consulate of the Slovak Republic competent to accept your application for the temporary residence), statutory declaration of the third country national to be joined that he/she will support the applicant and a document in Slovak language valid as a proof of his/her financial resources to do so (e.g. employment contract, or balance statement of a bank account in the name of the warrantor), an extract from applicant’s criminal record with apostille from the country of origin and every country where the applicant has stayed for more than 90 days within last 3 years (if any). Then it has to be translated by an official sworn translator (the list of accepted sworn translators can be found at http://jaspi.justice.gov.sk – Prekladatelia, but the list is available in Slovak only), or by the embassy/consulate of the The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 99
Slovak Republic competent to accept your application for the temporary residence (such a translation must indicate the approval clause of the embassy of the Slovak Republic proving the conformity with the original), an official document in Slovak language on the provision of accommodation Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities in common with the third country national to be joined at least for 6 months of the temporary residence; in case of a shorter stay it is necessary to prove the accommodation during the whole stay; e. g. – confirmation from your accommodation provider, or – rental agreement and the letter of ownership, or – declaration by a natural or legal person that he/she will provide acommodation to the applicant and the letter of ownership.
None of the documents proving the purpose of stay, financial resources, accommodation and blamelessness can be older than 90 days on the day of filing the application for temporary residence permit; except for the certified copy of marriagecertificate or a birth certificate. In case of an application for renewal of the temporary residence permit, it is not necessary to file the document proving blamelessness. However it is necessary to file a proof of health insurance on the territory of the Slovak Republic or of the insured reimbursement of the medical expenses in the territory of the Slovak Republic.
Fees 25): 4.50 € for the residence card 132.50 € for the residence permit application (135 € in case of an application filed by an embassy/consulate of the Slovak Republic) 66 € for an application for a renewal of the residence permit
The foreign police office shall issue a decision on the received application for a temporary residence permit within 30 days from the delivery of the application and all requirements. The confirmation that they have received the application has to be kept. If applying for temporary residence directly at a foreign police office in Slovakia officers will also ask you to provide a mobile phone number where they can send you a text message that your residence permit is ready, typically by 30 days, in Slovak language (you can write the number on your application form). The residence permit is issued in a form of a residence card. You have to collect the residence permit at the foreign police office in person or you can entitle somebody else with an official letter of attorney to collect it for you. When applying for residence permit from abroad via a representative body, it is advised to consult with them the way of notification on granting the permit as well as the collection of the residence card.
When you get your residence permit, the foreign police office will ask you to provide within 30 days from collecting the residence card a proof of health insurance coverage in Slovakia for the whole length of stay. If you have it from other country than Slovakia, you have to get the contract officially translated to Slovak, with the exception of Czech contracts, where the translation is not required. In case you do not have health insurance, you have to obtain it within 3 working days after you are granted the residence permit.
25) Law of the National Council of the Slovak Republic no. 145/1995 Coll. on Administrative Fees, www.zakonypreludi.sk/zz/1995-145 (Slovak only) 100 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
Moreover, within 30 days from collecting the residence permit you have to submit a medical certificate that you do not suffer from any exotic disease threatening the public health. The certificate cannot be older than 30 days. It can be obtained in some medical centres only and the cost shall be taken into account (see page 102).
The police department shall grant the temporary residence for the purpose of family reunion until the end of valid residence permit of the national whom the family member is to join, but not more than for five years. In general, the family member can undertake business activites in the Slovak territory.
Employment conditions shall be consulted directly with the labour office, see also page 104.
A work permit or the confirmation of the possibility of filling a vacancy is not required in case of a family member of a researcher with a Hosting Agreement, who has been granted residence permit for the prupose of family reunification, right after granting of the residence permit, a family member of an EU Blue Card holder, who has been granted residence permit for the purpose of family reunification, right after granting of the residence permit, other family members, after 12 months from the start of continual stay in Slovakia after granting of the residence permit.
In case a work permit or a confirmation of the possibility of filling a vacancy are not required, the employees can be employed, except for within an employment relation, also on the basis of agreements outside work contract is possible (e.g. agreement on work performance, contract for services, contract for part‑time work of students). More details can be found in part 4.3. 1.
In case the family member does not fall under the categories with easier employment conditions and a work permit is required, this third country national can be employed
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities only under a work contract. The labour office can grant a work permit to a person with a temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunification, until the expiration of a 12 months period after granting of the residence permit. The process of applying for a work permit is described in part 4.3.1 D. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 101
4.1.5 Other practical information Foreign Police Office contact Territory covered (districts): Rimavská Sobota Foreign Police Offices in Slovakia and their Hviezdoslavova 35, territorial responsibility Rimavská Sobota, Lučenec, Rimavská Sobota 979 01 Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities Poltár, Revúca, Veľký Krtíš +421–96168–3205 Office hours of all foreign police offices +421–96168–3209 Monday 7.30 – 12.00 12.30 – 15.00 Žilina 7.30 – 12.00 (only valid for Bratislava Hviezdoslavova 436/6, Tuesday office – to collect documents and taking Kysucké Nové Mesto 024 01 biometric data only) (personal contact office Žilina, Bytča, Čadca, Dolný for foreigners is in Žilina, Wednesday 7.30 – 12.00 12.30 – 17.30 Kubín, Kysucké Nové Mesto, Bánovská cesta 8111/1 – Liptovský Mikuláš, Martin, Friday 7.30 – 12.00 in the building of Žilina Fire Námestovo, Ružomberok, Department) Turčianske Teplice, Tvrdošín +421–96144–3205, Foreign Police Office contact Territory covered (districts): +421–96140–3217 Bratislava +421–96144–3209 Hrobákova 44, Košice Bratislava 851 02 Bratislava I. – V. Trieda SNP 35, Košice 040 01 Košice I., II., III., IV., Košice +421–9610–36855 – okolie, Gelnica, Rožňava, +421–9619–31208 +421–9610–36859 Spišská Nová Ves, +421–9619–31209 Dunajská Streda Michalovce Adorská 34, Michalovce, Humenné, Dunajská Streda 929 01 Dunajská Streda, Galanta, Štúrova 1, Michalovce 071 01 Senec Medzilaborce, Snina, +421–96111–3200 +421–96172–3220 Sobrance, Trebišov +421–96111–3209 +421–96172–3209 Trnava Prešov Prešov, Bardejov, Levoča, Športová 10, Trnava 917 01 Trnava, Malacky, Pezinok, Ľubochnianska 2, Prešov 080 01 Ľubovňa, Poprad, Sabinov, +421–96110–6152(6) Piešťany, Senica, Skalica Stará Kežmarok, Stropkov, +421–96180–3205 +421–96110–6159 Svidník, Vranov nad Topľou +421–96180–3209 Nitra Kalvárska 2, Nitra 949 01 Nitra, Hlohovec, Partizánske, Note: The foreign police staff communicates +421–96130–3230 Topoľčany, Zlaté Moravce in Slovak only, so if you think that you will not +421–96130–3209 be able to communicate with them somehow, Nové Zámky have somebody to go with you. Also, the Bitúnková 8, queuing time at the foreign police office can Nové Zámky 949 36 Nové Zámky, Komárno, Levice, be very lengthy. People usually come early Šaľa +421–96133–3208 in the morning to take an appointment number +421–96133–3209 card, and it might happen later during the day that there will not be any more appointment Trenčín Trenčín, Bánovce, Ilava, number cards available, so those without Jilemnického 2, Trenčín 911 01 Myjava, Nové Mesto nad one will have to come back another day. +421–96120–3233 Váhom, Považská Bystrica, Prievidza, Púchov In Bratislava, it is strongly advised and agreed +421–96120–3209 with the foriegn police department to take Banská Bystrica advantage of Wednesday afternoon office Štefánikovo nábrežie 7, Banská Bystrica, hours. Banská Bystrica 974 01 Banská Štiavnica, Brezno, Detva, Krupina, Zvolen, +421–96160–3203 Žarnovica, Žiar nad Hronom You can check for updates at +421–96160–3209 www.minv.sk/?ocp-1 102 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
Slovak embassies Žilina region and consulates abroad Klinika infektológie a cestovnej medicíny Univerzitnej nemocnice Martin, The list of Slovak embassies and consulates Kollárova 2, Martin, general abroad can be found at the website tel.: +421/43/420 36 37, +421/43/420 33 86, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the [email protected], Slovak Republic: www.jfmed.uniba.sk; www.mzv.sk/en/ministry/slovak_ Inštitút očkovania a cestovnej diplomatic_missions-diplomatic_missions medicíny s. r. o., ŽILPO, s. r. o., Vysokoškolákov 31, Žilina, mobile: +421/917 131 479, Medical Centres relevant [email protected], for residence permit www.inocem.sk; In connection with temporary residence permit a third country foreigner shall Banská Bystrica region submit a medical certificate that he/she Ambulancia cestovnej medicíny does not suffer from any exotic disease pri Infekčnom oddelení Fakultnej threatening the public health. The following nemocnice s poliklinikou F. D. Roosevelta medical centres can issue such certificate v Banskej Bystrici, accepted by Slovak foreign police offices: Cesta k nemocnici 1, Banská Bystrica, tel.: +421/48/433 53 15, Bratislava region www.fnspbb.sk; Poliklinika cudzokrajných chorôb, ZAMA s. r. o., Americké námestie 3, Košice region Bratislava, tel.: +421/2/52 92 56 88, Klinika infektológie a cestovnej medicíny fax: +421/2/52 96 27 32 , Univerzitnej nemocnice L. Pasteura, [email protected], Rastislavova 43, Košice, www.cudzokrajne.sk; tel.: +421/55/615 22 00, Inštitút očkovania a cestovnej [email protected]. medicíny s. r. o., Teslova 33, Bratislava,
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities tel.: +421/2/44 63 54 73 , You can check for updates at mobile: +421/915 889 054, www.minv.sk/?pobyt-cudzinca and [email protected], www.inocem.sk; www.minv.sk/?vizova-info-typy-viz-1.
Nitra region Note: The medical check and certificate Infekčná klinika, Ambulancia for the purpose of residence permit is pre cudzokrajné choroby Fakultnej a paid service. Prices for the medical nemocnice Nitra, Špitálska 6, Nitra, certificate vary depending upon the tel.: +421/37/654 59 55, medical centre. Contact the particular www.fnnitra.sk; centre for precise information (count with 112 – 269 €). Also, many times the staff at Trenčín region the ambulance communicates in Slovak Ambulancia infektológie only, so if you think that you will not be able a tropickej medicíny Spoločnosti to communicate with them somehow, have INF TROP‑MED s. r. o., somebody to go with you. Nábrežná 5, Prievidza, tel: +421/46/511 33 11, [email protected]; The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 103
4.2 How to get your Find your national authority with competence to issue an apostille with documents sufficiently contact details and price information at authenticated www.hcch.net/index_en.php? Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities act=conventions.authorities&cid=41. Documents issued by foreign courts and other foreign authorities, which have Legalisation the validity of public documents in the country of their issue, are deemed to have In case that the apostille is not applicable, evidentiary status of public documents foreign documents intended for use in the in the Slovak Republic provided that the Slovak Republic are subject to legalisation prescribed certificates have been attached. by a Slovak foreign mission in the given Exemptions are laid down in multilateral state. Legalisation of public documents and bilateral agreements binding upon means certification of the authenticity of the Slovak Republic. signatures and official seals or stamps which they bear against their specimens that are available to the foreign mission. The Slovak Apostille foreign missions verify the authenticity of The Hague Convention Abolishing a previous certificate issued by the Foreign the Requirement for Legalisation for Affairs Ministry of the country of origin of Foreign Public Documents, the Apostille the respective document. convention or the Apostille treaty is an international treaty drafted by the Hague In addition to legalisation of documents, Conference on Private International Slovak foreign missions also certify the Law. It specifies the modalities through authenticity of signatures appearing on the which a document issued in one of the documents, photocopies of documents and signatory states can be certified for legal their translations into Slovak; if a translator purposes in all the other signatory states. is available at the foreign mission, the mission Such a certification is called an apostille may also provide translations of certain (French: certification). It is an international documents. Honorary consulates have no certification comparable to a notarisation authority to legalise documents – i.e., verify in domestic law. the authenticity of the stamp and signature of a Foreign Affairs Ministry consular If a State signatory to the Hague department official. Slovak honorary Convention certifies the document with consulates verify the authenticity of signatures an apostille, no further certification duplicates and photocopies, which are then of that document is necessary (find deemed valid in the Slovak Republic with more info on apostille at www.hcch.net); no further authentication needed. the document is submitted to a sworn translator (in Slovakia) in order to be If no Slovak foreign mission exists in the translated into Slovak and is ready to be country which has issued the document, presented to Slovak authorities. further procedures may be as follows – the document must be certified in the country Updated list of countries that are of its origin, with the last stamp affixed to signatories to the Hague Convention it being that of the Foreign Affairs Ministry is at www.hcch.net/index_ of the respective country. The authenticity en.php?act=conventions.status&cid=41. of the stamp is then certified by a competent foreign mission of that country, accredited 104 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
for the Slovak Republic, and, subsequently, A list of sworn translators in Slovakia by the Ministry of Foreign and European is available at websites of the Ministry Affairs of the Slovak Republic. Documents of Justice of the Slovak Republic, executed in the Arabic, Indian, Chinese Slovak regional courts and at or Russian languages are translated into http://jaspi.justice.gov.sk – “Prekladatelia“, English before they are submitted to the but the list is available in Slovak only. Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic. Once authenticated properly (legalisation or Apostille certification), The administrative fee for legalisation public documents translated into the by the Ministry of Foreign and European Slovak language by a sworn translator may Affairs of the Slovak Republic is paid in the be presented to institutions in the Slovak form of a 20 € duty stamp. Clients are Republic. Documents translated by a sworn required to obtain duty stamps in advance translator in the Slovak Republic do not (e.g. at the post office). require any further verification.
Contact details: 4.3 Employment Document authentication department Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs In this section you will find basic information of the Slovak Republic, Pražská 1, Bratislava about employment rules and conditions in order to know the local situation, your Post address: basic rights, and to enable you to find your Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs way in the process of considering a job of the Slovak Republic in Slovakia or even during the negotiation of Consular Section – legalisation the contract. This is not comprehensive and Hlboká cesta 2, 833 36 Bratislava exhausting information on employment law Slovak Republic in Slovakia, it is just a first step to help you to start asking informed questions on your Telephone: particular situation. Foreign and European Affairs Ministry
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities switchboard operator: +421/2/59 78 59 78, +421/2/59 78 11 11 4.3.1 Employment of foreigners Fax: +421/2/59 78 39 29 Employment relations in Slovakia are regulated by the Labour Code Office hours: (Act No 311/2001 Coll.) and the Act on Monday 8:00. – 12:00 13:00 – 15:00 Employment Services (Act No. 5/2004 Coll.) Tuesday closed which can be searched for in the on‑line Wednesday 8:00 – 12:00 13:00 – 15:00 legislation database http://jaspi.justice. 26) Thursday 8:00 – 12:00 gov.sk (the website is in Slovak only). Friday closed The Act on Employment Services brought significant changes in 2014. Where to find an official translator
Slovak embassies may provide 26) for translations, or translate a document In connection with the planned amendment of Act no. 5/2004 Coll. on Employment Services intended for use in the Slovak Republic. and Act No. 404/2011 Coll. on the Residence No further verification is required in the of Foreigners, changes are expected in the case of documents translated by a Slovak employment of students and researchers embassy consular department. in the year 2014. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 105
The Act regulates conditions of employment neither work permit nor the confirmation of foreign nationals in the territory of the of the possibility of filling a vacancy is Slovak Republic. As a result, duties of an required under f), also work based on employer and employee described here agreements outside work contract Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities (e.g. confirmation of the possibility of filling is possible (e.g. agreement on work a vacancy or work permit) are only relevant performance, contract for services, contract with regards to performance of work for part‑time work of students). in Slovakia, not abroad. A foreigner may be employed to some Since January 2014 new forms of third extent, in specific cases and under defined country citizens’ employment in the conditions not only if he/she has been territory of the SR have been introduced: granted the temporary residence for a) with a confirmation of the possibility employment purposes but also e. g. if of filling a vacancy, he/she is granted temporary residence b) with a confirmation of the possibility for the purpose of study, research and of filling a vacancy corresponding development, family reunification, and to an employment requiring higher in case of Slovaks living abroad. Check qualification (associated with the details and more information in the application for an EU Blue Card), part 4. 3. 1 A to see examples when no c) with a work permit, confirmation of the possibility of filling d) employment for which a work permit or a vacancy or a work permit is required. confirmation of the possibility of filling a vacancy is not required. A foreigner who will be performing in Slovakia continuous educational An employer may only employ a third or scientific activities as a pedagogic country national who: employee, university teacher, researcher a) is a holder of an EU Blue Card, or artist at a higher education institution, b) has been granted temporary residence or research or development staff for employment purposes upon confirmation in research activities shall in general apply of the possibility of filling a vacancy, for temporary residence for employment c) has been granted work permit and purposes based on confirmation of the temporary residence for employment possibility of filling a vacancy (if other purposes, relevant purposes of residence cannot be d) has been granted work permit and used – e. g. research and development temporary residence for family based on a Hosting Agreement, special reunification, activities, family reunification). However, e) has been granted work permit and he/she can be employed without taking temporary residence as a third country into account the situation on the labour citizen having status of a person with market. long‑term residence in an EU Member State, Before starting a job, the employer is f) for the employment of whom obliged to request the residence permit a confirmation of the possibility of filling certificate from the third country citizen a vacancy or a work permit are not required. and keep a copy of the certificate at least during the employment. The employer has Third country nationals under the point also a duty to report the starting of the a) to e) can only be employed in an job of a foreigner to the local labour office employment relation. Hence in case within 7 days. 106 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
List of local labour offices can be found at scientific event or an artist participating www.upsvar.sk/urady-psvr.html?page_id=215. in an artistic event, you have been granted a temporary More information on employment residence permit with a status of of the above categories can be found at a person having long‑term residence www.upsvar.sk/sluzby-zamestnanosti/ in an EU Member State, after 12 months zamestnavanie-cudzincov.html?page_ from the start of the stay in Slovakia, id=272197 (in Slovak only). you are a family member of a researcher with a Hosting Agreement, and you A. When is a work permit been granted residence permit for the or a confirmation of the possibility prupose of family reunification, right of filling a vacancy not required? after granting of the residence permit, you are a family member of an EU Blue A work permit or the confirmation of the Card holder, and you have been granted possibility of filling a vacancy is not residence permit for the purpose of required in case family reunification, right after granting you have successfuly graduated at high of the residence permit, school or university (higher education other family members, after 12 months institution) in the territory of the SR, from the start of continual stay in Slovakia you will be employed for a certain after granting of the residence permit, period in order to increase skills in an you have permanent residence permit employment for a maximum of one year, on the territory of the SR, you are younger than 26 years and you you are a Slovak living abroad, will be employed in occasional and time you are to be employed on the basis of limited jobs within exchanges between the commitment of the Slovak Republic schools or within youth and education to an international treaty (published programmes, in which the SR participates, in the Law Code of SR) defining that you have been granted the temporary for the employment under this treaty residence permit for the purpose the work permit is not required. of study and your employment as
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities a university student will not exceed In case a work permit or a confirmation of 20 hours per week, the possibility of filling a vacancy are not you have been granted a temporary required, the employees can be employed, residence permit for the purpose except for within an employment relation, of research and development, and also on the basis of agreements outside concluded a Hosting agreement, work contract is possible (e.g. agreement you have been granted a temporary on work performance, contract for services, residence permit for the purpose of contract for part‑time work of students. research and development and your employment related to lecturing will not B. Confirmation of the possibility exceed 50 days in a calendar year, of filling a vacancy your employment in the territory of the SR will not exceed 30 days in a calendar In case a third country national does year, and you are a pedagogic not fall under the categories with easier employee, academic employee employment conditions, the residence at a higher education institution, permit for employment purposes together scientific, research or development with a confirmation of the possibility worker, participating in a professional of filling a vacancy is required. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 107
A foreigner who will be performing from the date of the Blue Card issuance, in Slovakia continuous educational while the agreed wage must be at least or scientific activities as a pedagogic 1.5 times the average monthly salary in the employee, university teacher, researcher economy of the Slovak Republic in the Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities or artist at a higher education institution, relevant sector published by the Statistical or research or development staff in research Office of the Slovak Republic for the activities can be employed without taking calendar year, preceding the calendar year into account the situation on the labour in which the application for a Blue card market. was filed 27).
An employer has to report a vacancy and Employer willing to employ a third country cosequently, 30 days after the report national for an employment requiring at the earliest, a foreigner can apply for higher qualification, is obliged to report a residence permit for employment purposes a vacancy at a correspding labour office – abroad at the Slovak embassy/consulate competent according to the place of work, corresponding for your country or at at least 30 working days before the a respective foreign police office in Slovakia. application of the third country national for a residence permit. Attention: In case of educational or scientific activities of a pedagogic An application for a Blue Card employee, university teacher, researcher (i.e. application for a residence permit) or artist at a higher education institution, must be submitted in person abroad at or research or development staff in research the Slovak embassy/consulate respective activities who will be employed without for your country abroad, or at a respective taking into account the situation on the foreign police office in Slovakia, at the labour market, the employer does not earliest 30 working days after reporting have the duty to report a vacancy and the a vacancy by an employer. A holder of foreigner can apply for residence permit a Blue Card issued by another EU Member without delay. State may apply for a Blue Card within 30 days of entry into the territory of the More information regarding the procedure Slovak Republic. You have to submit related to the residence permit for the a complete application; otherwise it will not employment purposes can be found be accepted. on page 90. More information on the procedure C. Confirmation of the possibility of filling regarding the procedure related to the Blue a vacancy in case of an employment Card residence permit can be found requiring higher qualification on page 93. (EU Blue Card)
In case of a third country citizen employment for which a higher 27) qualification is required, the qualification Statistical data on the amount of the average monthly salary is listed at the web site of needs to be attested by an evidence of the Statistical Office of the SR http://portal. higher education. statistics.sk/showdoc.do?docid=5703, average monthly earnings by sector for 2013 are Such an employment contract shall be shown at http://portal.statistics.sk/showdoc. concluded for a period of at least one year do?docid=67084 108 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
D. Work permit An application for a work permit can be submitted at a corresponding labour A work permit is required for the employment office competent according to the place of a third country citizen in case of work, at the earliest 15 working days a) the employment is for the purpose after reporting a vacancy by an employer. of seasonal employment for a maximum You may apply for the work permit yourself of 180 days in 12 consecutive months, (in person or via mail) or you can authorize b) the foreigner has been granted your future employer by the letter of a residence permit for the purpose attorney to apply on your behalf (the letter of family reunification, in the period up of attorney has to be officially verified by to 12 months since the granting of the a Slovak notary). residence permit (except for cases when no work permit is needed and family A job for your spouse members can start working right after obtaining their residence permit – see If your spouse accompanies you during part 3.3.1 A), your study or research stay in Slovakia c) the foreigner has been granted and he/she wants to work in Slovakia, a temporary residence permit with the process of employment is different a status of a person having long‑term for EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and nationals residence in an EU Member State, from third countries. in the period up to 12 months since the granting of the residence permit, Nationals of EU/EEA Member States d) the foreigner being employed with an and Switzerland are employed under employer having a seat outside the the same conditions as Slovak nationals. SR has been sent to perform a work They must fulfil the employer’s in the territory of the SR on the basis requirements, e.g. required education, of an agreement concluded with a legal language skills or required working or natural person, experience in an appropriate professional e) it is stipulated by an international treaty area, etc. binding the SR.
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities Third country nationals who have been In connection with the employment granted a residence permit for the purpose of a third country national, an employer of family reunification can be employed is obliged to report a vacancy in Slovakia without obtaining a work permit. at a corresponding labour office competent according to the place of work, at least A work permit or the confirmation 15 working days before the application of the possibility of filling a vacancy of the third country national for a residence is not required in case of permit. a) a family member of a researcher with a Hosting Agreement, who has been Reporting of a vacancy is not required when granted residence permit for the prupose the district labour office does not take into of family reunification, right after consideration the current situation on the granting of the residence permit; Slovak labour market when granting a work b) a family member of an EU Blue Card permit. It is the case holder, who has been granted residence if stipulated in an international treaty, permit for the purpose of family which is binding for the Slovak Republic reunification, right after granting of the and published in the Law Code of SR. residence permit; The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 109 c) other family members, after 12 months Information Centre – http://mic.iom.sk/ from the start of continual stay in en/our-services/job-counselling.html. They Slovakia after granting of the residence offer also allowances for and education permit. and requalification courses. For details and Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities updates see the web site above. In case a work permit or a confirmation of the possibility of filling a vacancy is not Useful links: required, the employees can be employed, When looking for a job as a researcher or apart from within an employment relation, a university teacher, it is advisable to have also on the basis of agreements outside a look at: http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess/ work contract (e.g. agreement on work index.cfm/jobs – EURAXESS Jobs portal performance, contract for services, contract where also job opportunities in Slovakia are for part‑time work of students). More displayed; details can be found in the chapter 4.3.1 A. www.minedu.sk/volne-pracovne-miesta- In case the family member does not fall na-vysokych-skolach/ – job offers at Slovak under the categories with easier employment higher education institutions conditions and a work permit is required, (in Slovak only); this third country national can be employed only under a work contract. The labour office www.sav.sk/?lang=sk&doc=ann-offers-job can grant a work permit to a person with – offers at the Slovak Academy of Sciences a temporary residence permit for the purpose (in Slovak only) and available registration of family reunification, until the expiration of job seekers; of a 12 months period after granting of the residence permit. The process of applying www.profesia.sk – search database of job for a work permit is described in the chapter vacancies (also in English and German), 4.3.1 D. After the initial 12 months the work contact phone numbers and addresses permit is not required. of personnel agencies/recruitment agencies;
http://greenpages.spectator.sme.sk/en.html Job seeking – Slovak business directory – Green pages; Information on job vacancies is available see the section “Education, Careers & on the internet, in daily newspapers, Human Capital“, subsection “Job portals advertisement newspapers, regional in Slovakia”; and local newspapers. www.eures.sk – Slovak network of European When seeking a job you can also use the Employm ent Service – EURES; information services of other legal or physical entities on the labour market, living and working (e.g. agencies) which would arrange a job conditions and freedom of movement is for a certain fee on the basis of the permit available at http://ec.europa.eu/eures in all issued by the Central Office of Labour, official languages of the EU. Social Affairs and Family. A list of job intermediaries is available at the website of the Office: www.upsvar.sk. 4.3.2 Employment conditions The law stipulating all the rights and Job counselling is provided for third duties regarding employment in Slovakia country nationals with legal residence is the Labour Code – Act 311/2001 Coll. in the Slovak Republic by the Migration as amended by later Acts. 110 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
The Labour Code in English and other specify a probationary period which should up‑to‑date information are available at not be more than 3 months (some senior the website of the Ministry of Labour, managerial positions can have 6 months Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak probationary period); the probationary Republic: http://www.employment. period may not be extended. The notice gov.sk/en/labour-employment/labour- period is 2 months. relations/. You can also consult the national EURAXESS website and its part dedicated Work carried out occassionaly to employment: www.euraxess.sk/en/ main/services-practical-information/ If the work is carried out occasionally or for employment/. a limited scope and extent, an agreement on work performance outside work contract The information provided in this publication can be applied. follows the current legislation in force (as of January 2013). An employer may exceptionally conclude agreements on work performance outside The basic forms of employment in Slovakia work contract: include: in case the work will be defined by an employment for an indefinite period, outcome – Agreement on the work employment for a temporary – defined performance, or period, if the work is carried out occasionally part‑time employment, – Contract for services or Contract for working from home and teleworking, part‑time work of students. and employment of a student of a vocational In the framework of and Agreement on school or institute. the work performance a person can work maximum 350 hours per year for one Employment is for an indefinite period if the employer (within a single agrement or employment contract does not expressly several agreements). The work is ususally specify the duration of the employment or remunerated only after the outcome has
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities where the legal requirements for signing been delivered, however, parties can agree an employment contract for a temporary that part of wage is already paid after period cannot be complied with. a partial outcome has been achieved.
An employment contract for a temporary The maximum workload within the period may only be signed for a maximum Contract for services is 10 hours per week. period of three years. This contract is concluded for a defined period or for an indefinite period. Part‑time employment contract – an employer may specify a shorter working In case of a Contract for part‑time work of time than the statutory maximum students (up to 26 years old), the workload working week (working time may not be must not exceed half of the working time allocated for each working day), and the per week (statutory maximum working employee is paid a wage corresponding to week), on average 20 hours a week. this shorter working time arrangement. Employment starts on the day specified This restriction is considered with respect in the employment contract. Probationary to the whole duration of the contract, period: an employment contract may at maximum during 12 months. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 111
Special status of PhD students individuals (provided the tax base does not Fulltime PhD students are considered exceed 176.8 times the current amount of to be students, not employees; hence subsistence miminum including. Note that a university is not in the position of their the tax legislation was amended by new Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities employer in connection with the social and regulations valid as of beginning of 2013 health insurance. Full‑time PhD students (see chapter Taxation). The monthly net at Slovak universities or external education wage then amounts to 622.39 €. institution (institutes of the Slovak Academy of Sciences) receive a scholarship Working time provided from the state budget. PhD scholarships provided by the state are The standard maximum weekly working exempt from income tax. Only students week for employees in the Slovak Republic with permanent residence permit in an EU is 40 hours. Member State are entitled to receive a PhD scholarship from the state budget unless Annual paid holiday they have already been awarded a PhD degree (Act No. 131/2002 Coll. on Higher The basic entitlement of paid holiday is education institutions). at least four weeks (20 days) in a calendar year; it can be longer (usually one more For information on social security and health week) provided it is set in the collective insurance for PhD students read the chapter agreement, or on the basis of age – after 4.4 Social security and health insurance. reaching the age of 33.
Average income Board An employee receives a wage in return for After 4 hours of work per day an employee his/her work. The amount of an employee’s is entitled to contribution to his/her board wage and its constituents (basic wage (in the form of meal tickets redeemable plus bonuses, etc.) must be stipulated for a restaurant or canteen meal). in advance within an employment contract with the employee. Business trips – travel costs and per diem Net wage is the wage without contributions In case of business trips an employee into compulsory insurance funds and income is entitled to reimbursement of travel tax. (See also chapters: Social Security, expenses and travel per diems according Taxation, Health and Medical Care.) to the valid regulations (the amount differs according to the length and the country The so‑called “labour cost” includes also of a business trip). the contributions to social and health insurance fund an employer pays on behalf In case a worker executes some tasks of an employee. for a natural or legal entity, to which there exists no employment/labour relation Example: in 2012 the average nominal he/she can obtain travel allowances monthly wage in Slovakia was 805 €. and travel per diem on condition it has been After being reduced by contributions agreed upon (e. g. there can be concluded an to compulsory insurance funds (social agreement between the incoming foreigner insurance, health insurance), the rest and the hosting organisation) or if the of the income is taxed at 19% for private mobility of a foreign national is based on an 112 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
agreement on mutual exchange of staff leave until the day the child turns three years concluded between a Slovak and a foreign old (it can be requested at any time up to the employer. Such foreigner coming to Slovakia age of 3, even if the mother/father has been can receive a travel per diem to an amount working after the maternity/paternity leave). triple the per diem rate set for journeys on the territory of Slovakia longer than 18 hours In case of children with long‑term poor from the hosting employer in Slovakia, under health requiring special care, employers the condition that this duty is not fulfilled are obliged to grant women and men, who by the sending foreign employer. It can so request, parental leave until the day be applied, for example, to a short‑term the child turns six years old. Such leave is mobility within a research project. granted for the duration requested by the parent, but generally for at least one month. Example: in 2013 the daily travel per diem rate for journeys within Slovakia is 9.30 €, Maternity leave granted in connection with i. e. daily travel per diems for the foreigner the birth must not be shorter than 14 weeks could be 27.90 €. and may not be terminated or interrupted before the lapse of 6 weeks from the date These regulations arise from the Act of the birth. No. 283/2002 on Travel compensation (available at www.employment.gov.sk/sk/ An employer must excuse the employee’s praca-zamestnanost/vztah-zamestnanca- absence from work on the grounds of zamestnavatela/cestovne-nahrady, temporary incapacity to work due to illness in Slovak only). or injury, periods of maternity and parental leave, quarantine, attending to a sick family member or caring for a child younger than Maternity leave, family care 10 years of age who for important reasons, In connection with the childbirth and cannot be left in the care of a childcare care for a new born child, women are establishment or school that the child entitled to maternity leave lasting 34 normally attends, or in case of medical weeks. If a woman is a single parent, she is examination or quarantine of the person
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities entitled to the maternity leave of 37 weeks. who otherwise takes care of the child. If a woman gives birth to two or more children at the same time, she is entitled to the maternity leave of 43 weeks. The date 4.4 Social security & health of commencing the maternity leave is set insurance by the attended physician, usually 6 weeks before the expected date of childbirth In Slovakia, the social security coverage (at earliest 8 weeks prior to the childbirth). is based on occupational activity, not This period is calculated to the total residence. The social security system falls duration of 34 weeks. In connection with under the competence of the Ministry of the care for a new‑born child, men are also Employment, Social Affairs and Family of the entitled to the paternity leave of the same Slovak Republic (www.employment.gov.sk, scope from the date of birth of the child of most of the information in Slovak only). The whom they take care. Social Insurance Agency (www.socpoist.sk, most of the information in Slovak only) For the purposes of extended care and Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs of children, employers are obliged to grant and Family of the Slovak Republic women and men who so request, parental (www.upsvar.sk) are the executive bodies. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 113
Health insurance in Slovakia is not in compliance with the Act on Health included in the scope of social insurance. Insurance. Public health insurance covers The healthcare system in Slovakia falls benefits in full or to a partial extent, under the competence of the Ministry depending on specific conditions. Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities of Health of the Slovak Republic (www.health.gov.sk, most of the According to the Act on Health Insurance information in Slovak only). No. 580/2004 Coll., compulsory public health insurance applies to every person having permanent residence in the 4.4.1 Health insurance in Slovakia territory of the Slovak Republic. Having health insurance is obligatory and a proof of health insurance is required Mandatory public health insurance does also as a part of residence permit granting not apply to an individual with permanent procedure. Before leaving their countries residence in Slovakia, if he/she: of origin, foreigners must make sure to be Is employed abroad and is covered covered by their current health insurance by health insurance in the country also on the territory of Slovakia, or take of employment; out new insurance before or after arrival Performs a self‑employment activity in Slovakia. Particular procedures apply abroad and is covered by health depending on their personal situation, insurance abroad; the length of stay and the terms of their Is staying abroad long‑term current health insurance. They will either (more than 6 months) and is covered by continue to be covered by the health health insurance in this country. insurance of the home country, or fall under the regime of the Slovak Republic. In both IMandatory public health insuranct cases, it will be necessary to make specific also applies to a person who does not arrangements for the continued health have permanent residence in the territory coverage. of the Slovak Republic, unless medically insured in another EU Member State or It is not possible to choose which country in a State Party to the European Economic a person will be covered by. The country Area Agreement and in the Swiss responsible for the healthcare depends Confederation, and on the employment situation or the place he/she is employed by an employer of residence, not nationality. established or with a fixed establishment within the territory of the Major applicable legislation: Slovak Republic; Act No 580/2004 Coll. on Health insurance, – this does not apply if he/she is Act No 577/2004 Coll. on the Scope employed in the Slovak Republic by of health care provided on the basis an employer who enjoys privileges of public health insurance. and immunities under international law, or employed on the basis of There are two types of health insurance an agreement on work performed in Slovakia: outside employment, or he/she is a student from another A. Mandatory public health insurance Member State or a foreign student Holders of mandatory public health studying at school in the Slovak Republic insurance are entitled to health care on the basis of an international treaty by provision and all related services which the Slovak Republic is bound. 114 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
The compulsory public health insurance Information about commercial insurance begins on the date of the facts set out companies in Slovakia is available on the above, or the date of obtaining permanent following websites (on these websites you residence in the Slovak Republic. Within can find a list of insurance companies with eight days of this date, the insured person their contact data): is required to submit an application Slovak Insurance Association: for public health insurance in a health www.slaspo.sk/en, insurance company. Slovak Insurers’ Bureau: www.skp.sk, Insurance agencies portal: Currently there are 3 health insurance www.poistovne.sk (in Slovak only). companies providing public health insurance in Slovakia: state health insurance company: 4.4.2 System of social security “Všeobecná zdravotná poisťovňa”, in Slovakia www.vszp.sk, (excluding health insurance) private health insurance company: “Dôvera”, www.dovera.sk, in Slovak The social security system in Slovakia only, is made of three main components: private health insurance company: “Union”, www.union.sk. A. Social insurance The basic role of the social insurance B. Individual (commercial) health system in Slovakia is the protection of the insurance economically active population in the event Individual health insurance holders are of life contingencies. Mandatorily insured entitled to health care services stipulated are employed and self‑employed persons in the agreement with the Health Insurance meeting conditions regarding the income Authority. Commercial health insurance out of business. Social insurance is financed is provided in compliance with special by contributions; it is administered by the legislation (Civil Code). The scope of the Social Insurance Agency (SIA). health services is stipulated individually
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities either as basic health care available to a. sickness insurance foreigners who cannot have the public sickness benefit, health insurance; or supplementary maternity benefit, insurance (above standard health care) benefit for nursing a sick relative, or combination of both previously equalisation benefit, mentioned. b. pension insurance the old‑age insurance (old‑age pension, Commercial health insurance is compulsory early old‑age pension, survivors’ for everyone, who does not fall into the pensions – i.e. widow’s pension, scope of the public health insurance. widower’s pension, orphan’s pension), Commercial health insurance can be the disability insurance (disability obtained from any provider, not necessarily pension, survivors’ pensions – i.e. a Slovak one. In case it is obtained from widow’s pension, widower’s pension, a foreign insurance provider, the contract orphan’s pension), must stipulate its coverage on the territory c. accident insurance, of the Slovak Republic and it must be d. unemployment insurance, translated into Slovak language by an e. guarantee insurance (insurance in the official sworn translator. case of employer’s insolvency). The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 115
There are two forms of pension insurance Social services are governed by the Act scheme: 1st pillar (contributions to the 448/2008 Coll. on Social Services. state Social Insurance Agency, concurrent regime), which is mandatory and 2nd pillar Social services can be used by Slovak Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities (old‑age pension saving in pension citizens, foreign nationals – EU/EEA/Swiss management companies, capitalising nationals, and foreign nationals with regime). An employee pays old‑age permanent or temporary residence permit. insurance in the amount of 4% of the basis of assessment (usually equal to the More information: gross wage). The employer on behalf of www.euraxess.sk the employee pays the old‑age insurance www.socpoist.sk of 14% of the basis of the assessment of www.employment.gov.sk the employer. The total of 18% of old‑age insurance is distributed to the both pillars C. State social support (since 01. 01. 2013 : 14% 1st pillar: 4% The system of state social support 2nd pillar, as of 2017 the gradual annual is devised to address particular life increase of contributions into the 2nd pillar contingencies, including the birth of a child, is foreseen up to 6% in 2024). Participation child care, death of a family member and in the 2nd pillar is subject to one’s own others. These benefits are financed directly choice for persons up to 35 years old. from the state budget. Usually benefits Leaving the 2nd pillar under the current from state social support are based on legislation is not possible. There exists the condition of permanent or temporary also a 3rd pillar pension regime, which is residence in Slovakia, and not the income completely voluntary and is meant as of the family or economic activity of an additional old‑age pension saving. a person and his/her family members. Minimal length of saving in the 3rd pillar is For each particular benefit of state social 10 years and the minimum age of the saver support there exist special conditions for to pay out the benefits is 55 years. Some entitlement, which have to be fulfilled. employers might opt to partly contribute to these savings on behalf of an employee. These include: child allowance (recurrent); More information child allowance supplement (recurrent); www.euraxess.sk parental allowance (recurrent); www.socpoist.sk child birth grant (one‑off); www.employment.gov.sk allowance to parents to whom multiple children were born (recurrent – once a year); B. Social assistance child care benefit (recurrent); The system of social assistance allows alimony substitution (recurrent); citizens below the statutory subsistence allowances supporting alternative child minimum to receive substitute resources care (various one‑off and recurrent from the state in the form of benefits. allowances); The aim of provision of social services funeral grant (one‑off). is prevention, solution, or mitigation of unwanted social situations of individuals; More information: prevent social exclusion, and to secure www.euraxess.sk the conditions for the satisfaction of an www.socpoist.sk individuals’ basic life needs. www.employment.gov.sk 116 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
Selected types of benefits in more detail entitlement to sickness benefits ceases on the day following the last day of Sickness benefit – income during sick leave temporary incapacity to work, not later During the sick leave an employee/insured than with the lapse of the 52nd week from person does not receive any salary, but the beginning of temporary incapacity he/she, after being certified as temporarily to work (support period); unfit to work due to illness or injury, or due employees are entitled to sickness to quarantine by an authorised doctor, is benefits if they do not receive entitled to a sick pay. It is at the rate of 25% income that may be considered of the employee’s basis of assessment for as an assessment base. the first 3 days, then at the rate of 55% of the employee’s basis of assessment. During Filing the claim: the period of first 10 days of the sick leave using a form of the Social Insurance the benefits are paid by his/her employer; Agency – Certificate of Temporary from the 11th day the sick pay is paid by the Work Incapacity issued by the medical Social Insurance Agency (at the rate of 55% practitioner of a health establishment, of the employee’s basis of assessment). submitted by means of the employer.
(The daily assessment base for the Obligations of the recipients of benefits: determination of sickness benefits is the to present proof of the facts that are quotient of the sum of the assessment relevant for granting or terminating the bases‑approximately the gross salary, entitlement to sickness benefits, their based on which the insured person paid payments, or their amount; sickness insurance in the relevant period, to comply with the treatment regime and the number of days in the relevant prescribed by the attending physician period.) at the time of the temporary incapacity to work; Conditions of entitlement: to stay at the address reported in the valid sickness insurance; certificate at the time of temporary after termination of sickness insurance incapacity to work; Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities – being in the period of entitlement to to state the birth identification number sickness benefits or within the duration in the application (or the social security of the protective period. The duration identification number); of the protective period is 7 days. to notify the Social Insurance Agency of If the period of sickness insurance was the termination of temporary incapacity shorter than 7 days, the duration of the to work within 3 days of its termination, if protective period is equal to the duration temporary incapacity for work lasted more of sickness insurance. The duration of the than 10 days (by means of the employer). protective period for a female insured person, whose sickness insurance Commercial insurance companies offer terminated at the time of her pregnancy, the possibility of additional health insurance is 8 months; during sickness leave as the income of an persons with voluntary sickness employee is being reduced. insurance are entitled to sickness benefits if, during the last 2 years Maternity benefit preceding temporary incapacity to work, Women having sickness insurance for at they were covered by sickness insurance least 270 days in the last 2 years before for not less than 270 days; expected childbirth are entitled to maternity The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 117 benefit from the beginning of the 6th week Obligations of a recipient of benefits: preceding the expected date of delivery to present, the proof of the facts relevant (childbirth) as determined by an attending for the awarding or withdrawing of the practitioner, but not before the beginning of entitlement to maternity benefit, Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities the 8th week preceding the expected delivery entitlement to its payments, and its date, or from the date of birth if it comes amount; earlier than the aforesaid dates. to state his/her birth identification number in the application, to notify the Generally the benefit is provided during Social Insurance Agency of the birth 34 weeks from the commencement of identification number of the child. entitlement. The period of entitlement to maternity benefit for an insured person who Nursing benefit has given birth to a child may not be shorter Sickness insurance entitles an insured than 14 weeks from the commencement of person for a nursing benefit – an income to entitlement to maternity benefits and may be paid during the nursing of a sick child, not be terminated earlier than 6 weeks from sick husband/wife, sick parent or sick the date of birth. husband’s/wife’s parent or taking care of a child under 10 years of age that is placed The maternity benefit is at the rate of 65% under quarantine. In addition, the nursing of the daily assessment base, or of the benefit can be paid also when the preschool probable daily assessment base, and it is or school establishment, that the child provided from the 1st day of entitlement normally attends, are dissolved or placed only to 1 insured person. under quarantine, or in case of sickness or quarantine of the person who otherwise Conditions of entitlement: takes care of the child or in the case pregnancy or the care for a new‑born of hospitalisation of that person due to child; expected delivery. valid sickness insurance; being covered by sickness insurance Benefits for nursing a sick relative are for not less than 270 days during at the rate of 55% of the daily assessment the last 2 years preceding childbirth base, or of the probable daily assessment (delivery); base, they are provided from the 1st day after termination of sickness insurance of the care to the end of the care, at maximum – being in the period of entitlement to for 10 days. It is provided for the same case sickness benefits or within the duration only once and only to 1 insured person. of the protective period. The duration of the protective period for a female Filing the claim: insured person, whose sickness using the form of the Social Insurance insurance terminated at the time of her Agency – Application for benefit for pregnancy, is 8 months. nursing a sick relative, certified/issued by a medical practitioner of a health Filing the claim: establishment, submitted by means using the form of the Social Insurance of the employer. Agency – Maternity Benefit Application, certified by a medical practitioner Old‑age pension of a health establishment, submitted by An insured person is entitled to an old‑age means of the employer or the applicant pension if he/she has been insured for an if relevant. old‑age pension for at least 15 years and 118 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
has reached the minimum age required resides. List of bilateral treaties can be for entitlement to an old‑age pension found at www.socpoist.sk/index/index. (the so‑called retirement age). The php?ids=1550, in Slovak only). retirement age in the Slovak Republic is at present 62 years both for men and women. The application for drawing the old‑age In case of women, the retirement age is pension is submitted through the authorised also dependent on the number of children social insurance body based on the permanent a woman has brought up. residence. (If having permanent residence in the Slovak Republic, the application shall If a mobile worker has contributed to be submitted to the appropriate office of insurance schemes of various Member Social Insurance Agency to draw benefits States (EU, EEA, Switzerland) during his/her also from other states of the EU/EEA and period of occupation all records of his/her Switzerland and from those with which contributions are held in each separate there exists a bilateral treaty). Hence, Member State. Upon reaching retirement usually, only one application is required. age, the periods of insurance in individual Member States are aggregated and Accident insurance and benefits he/she is entitled to draw the appropriate If an employee has suffered health proportion of old‑age pension from each damage or died during the performance Member State in which he/she has worked of work or in direct connection therewith for a period of more than 12 months. The as a result of an accident (working injury proportion is given by the ratio of years of and occupationalal disease), the liability insurance in the given state to the total for damage thus incurred lies with the insurance period of the worker before employer with whom the employee had reaching the retirement age. An insurance an employment relationship at the time of period of less than 12 months will be taken the occupational accident. The employer over by his/her final country of employment. is obliged to compensate an employee who suffers harm at least to the extent to which Different legal framework applies he/she is liable for the harm. to workers who have contributed to
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities pension schemes of states with which An employee who, as a result of an there exists a bilateral agreement on working inury or occupational disease social security. (Slovak Republic has is acknowledged as being temporarily concluded international agreement with unfit for work, is entitled to an accident the following states outside the EU/EEA/ supplement (as a salary compensation) Switzerland: Australia, Canada, Croatia, from the first day of temporary incapacity Israel, Quebec, South Korea, The Union for work, if he/she receives sickness of Soviet Socialist Republics (as of 1960; benefits under a sickness insurance succession to Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, scheme. The accident supplement is paid Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, in respect of individual days. Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan), Ukraine and former Federal People’s Republic of The employee who sustains an injury Yugoslavia (as of 1957; succession to Bosnia is entitled to injury annuity payments and Herzegovina Macedonia, Montenegro if, as a result of industrial accident or and Serbia). The principle of territoriality occupational disease, his/her capacity is exercised here, i.e. the old‑age pension to perform the work that he/she had is paid off by the state, on the territory performed before the injury has been of which the insured person permanently diminished by more than 40%. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 119
The injured employee is entitled to a lump The unemployment benefit is assessed on sum compensation if, as a result of an a daily basis. The amount of unemployment industrial accident or occupational disease, benefit equals 50% of the daily assessment his/her capacity to work has been reduced multiplied by the number of days in the Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities by not more than 40%, but more than 10%, month. The daily assessment basis to even if the entitlement to injury annuity determine the unemployment benefit has lapsed, provided that the reduction depends on the amount of unemployment of capacity for work is at least 10%. insurance contributions completed by the person in past 2 years. The entitlement to start drawing compensation for occupational accidents Guarantee insurance and diseases shall be applied within 3 years Guarantee insurance is applicable in the of such entitlement or the entitlement case of an employer’s insolvency. Entitled will lapse. to this type of benefit is the employee whose employer has become insolvent Employers must take out and as a result cannot provide employees’ compulsoryyaccident insurance entitlements. The benefit is provided for (as from the date on which they start a 3‑month period under the condition employing at least 1 employee), but that the labour relationship duration insurance benefits go to the employee for the past 18 months preceding the concerned or an authorised person. employer’s insolvency. The benefit is paid as a lump sum. Unemployment insurance The system of social insurance also Parental allowance includes the system of unemployment Parental allowance is a state social benefit insurance. The insured person is entitled to whereby the state makes a contribution unemployment benefit under the condition towards enabling the parent to take proper that he/she had unemployment insurance care of a child of up to 3 years of age, or for at least 2 years (i.e. 730 days) within up to 6 years of age in case of a child with the past 3 years before being included into long‑term poor health. Those eligible to the registry of unemployed job seekers. claim parental allowances are the parents of the child (i.e. his/her father or mother) or The entitlement ceases after a 6‑month persons providing substitute parental care. period has elapsed (in certain cases a 4‑month period) from the commencement Entitlement criteria: of the benefit entitlement, or after Proper care by the parent of at least being excluded out of the registry 1 child; of unemployment job seekers. The Permanent or temporary residence unemployment insurance does not relate to of the eligible person in the Slovak the natural person who had been granted Republic; the old‑age pension, the early old‑age Permanent or temporary residence pension or the invalidity pension due to of the child in the Slovak Republic. a decrease in performing gainful activities by more than 70%. The insured person In 2013, the amount of parental allowance is not entitled to unemployment benefit is 199.60 €/month. disbursement in the period when being granted: sickness benefit, nursing benefit, Eligible persons may claim a parental maternity benefit or parental allowance. allowance by filing a written application 120 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
with the Office of Labour, Social Affairs 4.4.3 Other regulations regarding and Family having the competence for that health insurance and social person’s place of permanent or temporary security residence. Application form can be downloaded at www.employment.gov.sk/ Health insurance sk/formulare-ziadosti (in Slovak only). European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) Child allowance European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) Child allowance is a state social can be used in any of the 28 EU countries, benefit whereby the state contributes Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and to the upbringing and maintenance Switzerland. It gives an access to medically of dependent children by eligible persons necessary, state‑provided healthcare (e.g. parents, foster parents). during a temporary stay (e.g. scholarship stay of students, researchers, business In general, a dependent child is defined trips of employees…), under the same as a child receiving compulsory education, conditions and at the same cost as people at maximum up to the age of 25, on insured in that country (in some countries condition he/she is in continuous education the healthcare may be provided free of for the future profession and until he/she charges). EHIC will be issued at request has graduated from the 2nd level of higher by a national health insurance provider education. to which a person pays health insurance premiums. Only 1 adult person is entitled to the allowance for the same child. When using EHIC, the treatment of a person insured by the state social Entitlement criteria: security system in any Member State of the Care of the child by the eligible person; European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Permanent or temporary residence Norway or Switzerland, will be covered of the eligible person in the Slovak by a Slovak health insurance company to Republic; the same amount as a Slovak national. Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities Permanent or temporary residence The chosen physician must have of the dependent child in the Slovak concluded a contract with at least one Republic. health insurance company. The European Health Insurance Card ensures necessary In 2013, the amount of child allowance medical treatment within the system of is 23.10 €/month. public health care, including treatment related to chronic diseases, if such need Eligible persons may claim child allowance arises, to enable the holder to continue by filing a written application with the his/her stay without having to return home Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family for treatment. It covers all age groups, having competence for the eligible person’s with a maximum unlimited financial place of permanent or temporary residence. amount. On the other hand it does not Application form can be downloaded at cover the individual contribution of the www.employment.gov.sk/sk/formulare- insured person to treatment, transport to ziadosti (in Slovak only). the country of origin or repatriation. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 121
Special cases related to health insurance Dependants of EU/EEA/Swiss nationals for EU/EEA/Swiss national coming to stay in the Slovak Republic EU/EEA/Swiss nationals employed in the should also register in a Slovak health Slovak Republic who reside in another insurance company and have the Slovak Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities Member State are entitled (together health insurance card. However, each case with their dependant family members) to is treated individually because the terms comprehensive health care (full coverage vary from case to case. For details it is on the contrary to EHIC) in the country of highly recommended to contact your home residence as well as in the Slovak Republic. health insurance company before arrival to The entitlement is applied by means of the Slovak Republic. the portable document S1 (former E106 form), which can be obtained from health Social security insurance companies in the Slovak Republic after submission of the home country Social security for third country citizens residence certificate and copies of the Provisions on social security for third labour contract in the Slovak Republic. country citizens in the Slovak Republic are After obtaining the S1 form, EU/EEA/Swiss based on bilateral agreements on social national shall submit it to a health insurer security. Therefore the rules applied depend at the place of residence and register. on the country of origin of the researcher. If his/her family members live together Currently, the Slovak Republic has signed with the employee, their entitlement to and active international agreements with health care will be reviewed according to the following states outside the EU/EEA/ the regulations of the health insurance Switzerland: Australia, Canada, Croatia, company at the place of residence. Israel, Quebec, the Republic of Korea, The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics EU/EEA/Swiss nationals working in the (as of 1960; succession to Belarus, Armenia, Slovak Republic whose dependant family Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, members live in another Member State Moldova, Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, must apply to a selected Slovak health Turkmenistan), Ukraine, and former Federal insurance company in order to draw a S1 People’s Republic of Yugoslavia (as of 1957; form (former E109 form). This document succession to Bosnia and Herzegovina, must be submitted to a health insurance Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia). company at the place of residence of the dependent family members. On the The list of the bilateral treaties can be basis of the S1 form the dependant family found at www.socpoist.sk/index/index. members will be registered for health php?ids=1550 (in Slovak only) for detailed insurance in their home country and they information on the provisions. will be entitled to comprehensive health care in that country while all expenses will Foreign nationals with permanent be covered by the selected Slovak health or temporary residence permit may insurance company. Their home health contribute to the social insurance system insurance company is in charge of issuing on a voluntary basis and they may receive a European Health Insurance Card. The social benefits if needed and upon fulfilling EHIC entitles them to obtain necessary stated conditions. medical treatment also in EU/EEA Member States and Switzerland different from the Citizens from third countries, which state of their residence, i.e. in the Slovak Slovakia does not have a signed and Republic too (see information on EHIC). active international agreement with, have 122 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
rights resulting from the social security The main principles: system of Slovakia in case the person has 1. A person is covered by the legislation signed a work contract with an employer of one country at a time so he/she only permanently residing in Slovakia or in case pays contributions in one country. The they perform self‑employment activities decision on which country’s legislation in Slovakia. Researchers without an applies will be made by the social employment contract are not entitled to security institutions. You cannot choose. any rights resulting from the social security 2. A mobile person has the same rights system in Slovakia unless they are contributing and obligations as the nationals of to the system on a voluntary basis. the country where he/she is covered. This is known as the principle of equal Social security coordination treatment or non discrimination. within EU/EEA/Switzerland 3. When somebody claims a benefit, Although there is no single European social previous periods of insurance, work or security system, the EU has set common residence in other countries are taken provisions in the field of social protection. into account, if necessary. This includes the coordination of national 4. If a person is entitled to a cash benefit social security schemes without seeking to from one country, he/she may generally harmonise national regulations. EU law has receive it even if he/she is living laid down common rules and principles to in a different country. This is known be observed by national local authorities as the principle of exportability. and social security institutions that do not replace, but complement the social security Cross‑border exchange provisions of Member States. of information about social security in EU/EEA/Switzerland All countries are free to decide who is to One of the main innovations introduced be insured under their legislation, which by the regulations is the obligation for benefits are granted and under what countries to only exchange social security conditions. The EU provides common rules information by electronic means (Art. 4 to protect your social security rights when Regulation 987/2009). A system providing
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities moving within Europe (EU 28 + Iceland, a common secure framework is being set Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). up: the EESSI system (Electronic Exchange of Social Security Information). It is These rules apply to: expected to play a major role in facilitating Nationals of the EU, Iceland, co‑operation between institutions and Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland leading to a better enforcement of the who are or have been insured in one rights of the citizens, e.g. benefits being of these countries, and their family granted in a speedier way. The EESSI members. should be operational by 1 May 2014. Stateless persons or refugees residing in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Cross‑border exchange of information Norway or Switzerland, who are or have between responsible institutions is been insured in one of these countries, crucial for executing social security rights and their family members. of a migrant worker. Slovak Republic Nationals of non EU countries, legally participates in the Electronic Exchange of residing in the territory of the EU, who Social Security Information (EESSI) and have moved between these countries, supplied this database with the relevant and their family members. Slovak institutions and branches. Three The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 123 national Access Points for the exchange considers it necessary or appropriate. This of social security information in their might delay the decision on his/her claim, respective fields of competence were but it may help him/her express him/herself appointed: Social Insurance Agency clearly and avoid misunderstandings. Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities in Slovakia (www.socpoist.sk); Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs and When moving, especially for short or Family (www.upsvar.sk); and Healthcare medium term periods, mobile workers Surveillance Authority (www.udzs-sk.sk). often prefer keeping their home country pension regimes. Hence, there exists an The so‑called Structured Electronic exception when an undertaking university, Documents (SED) will make the research organisation or company posts communication of data between institutions a worker to a different Member State, i.e. more efficient and easier within the EESSI. sends him/her to another Member State Most data will be exchanged directly to perform work. In such case, the worker between social security institutions. Paper can/shall continue to be subject to the E forms will no longer be necessary, but legislation of the Member State of origin, in certain cases a migrant worker will need provided that the anticipated duration of a“portable document (PD)” A1 to certify the work does not exceed two years. An his/her situation when moving. A portable example of posting could be a research document is usually issued by his/her social stay longer than 1 month but not exceeding security institution upon his/her/employer’s 2 years at a hosting research organisation request. It is recommended to request it in another Member State, while the before leaving. However, if the migrant researcher remains officially employed by worker has not the institution in the country the organisation in the country of origin. where he/she is moving, the necessary data can be obtained directly from the institution To be officially certified of the applicability where the person is insured. Relevant of home social insurance scheme, a portable documents can be downloaded from document A1 should be issued before the the website of Social Insurance Agency posting by the respective social insurance in Slovakia: www.socpoist.sk, or from the company of home country upon request of website of the European Commission, the employer. In exceptional cases, period DG Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion: of posting can be extended by another year. http://ec.europa.eu/social/main. jsp?catId=868&langId=en. In case of a worker carrying out work in more than one Member State, he/she More information: shall remain subject to single legislation Website of DG Employment, Social Affairs only, i.e. it is necessary to determine the and Inclusion of the European Commission: applicable legislation among several states http://ec.europa.eu/social/main. of occupation by A1 form. The worker shall jsp?catId=869. file an application for issuing of PD A1 at the social insurance company of the state, which Social security for migrant workers, legislation is expected to be applicable. The employee’s posting and several jobs A1 form is issued by the social insurance in EU/EEA/Switzerland company in a state which legislation will be Migrant worker may present his/her determined as applicable. Consequently, claims, letters and certificates in his/her contributions to social insurance from all mother‑tongue, if it is amongst the official states where the occupational activity is languages of the EU, whenever he/she performed will go only to one of the states. 124 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
For more information on common EU/EEA/ study within a programme arising from Switzerland provisions safeguarding social an international treaty that is binding for security when being mobile throughout the Slovak Republic, are subject to public the Member States see: health insurance, the Slovak Republic http://ec.europa.eu/social/main. being the payer of such insurance. The jsp?catId=26&langId=en student shall submit the necessary http://ec.europa.eu/social/main. documents certifying his/her study at jsp?catId=25&langId=en a higher education institution in the Slovak http://ec.europa.eu/social/ Republic, its international status – proved by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic 4.4.4 Information on social security – to the chosen health insurance provider and health insurance for within 8 days from the beginning of the students/PHD students study in Slovakia.
A. Health coverage In case of other third country nationals Foreign students are obliged to have – students who are not EU/EEA/Swiss health insurance (public or individual) nationals, who do not have permanent during their stay in the Slovak Republic residence in the Slovak Republic, and who in compliance with the provisions of do not study on the basis of international the Act on the Act No. 404/2011 Coll. agreement binding for the Slovak on the Residence of Foreigners further Republic, the person does not fall into amendments. the scope of the public health insurance. The commercial health insurance is Public health insurance of students/ however necessary since health insurance PhD students following full‑time studies (public or commercial) is compulsory in Slovakia is paid by the state (if the PhD in the Slovak Republic in compliance study is at maximum of standard duration with the provisions of the Act on the Act in a full‑time PhD degree programme, the No. 404/2011 Coll. on the Residence of PhD student has not previously received Foreigners further amendments. A third
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities PhD degree and is less than 30 years old). country national is also obliged to provide a proof of concluded health insurance to An EU/EEA/Swiss national insured the foreign police in Slovakia in compliance in another Member State shall present the with the duties related to the temporary European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to residence permit granting procedure. the health care provider for entitlement to medical treatment on the basis of health B. Social Security insurance in another EU/EEA Member Fulltime PhD students are considered to be State or Switzerland. See more information students, not employees; hence a university on EHIC in the chapter “Other regulations is not in the position of an employer regarding health insurance and social in connection with the social and health security”. insurance of the PhD students.
Other foreign students/PhD students from Levies into social insurance funds are not the EU/EEA/Switzerland, who are not compulsory for doctoral students, although medically insured in their home country they may opt for voluntary insurance or students/PhD students from third of defined percentage rates from the countries, who are coming to Slovakia to assessment basis of their choice. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 125
In case a labour relationship exists by the employer as a percentage of with a student, the work is carried the assessment basis, which is usually out occasionally and is typically based the gross wage. Students have right for on the concluded Contract for part‑time a waiver of the social insurance premiums Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities work of students. An employer is obliged (pension and disability insurance), to register an employee, i.e. student, however they need to inform the employer at the appropriate office of the Social in writing about exercising this right and Insurance Agency. The social contributions file a statement of exercising this right with are paid both by the employee and the one employer only. employer and are deducted automatically
Contract for part-time work of students: Contract for part-time work of students: Students of secondary schools below 18 years Students of secondary schools below and earning less than 68 €/month and University 18 years and earning more than 68 €/month students below 26 years and earning less than and University students below 26 years 159 €/month * and earning more than 159 €/month ** Employee Employee Employee Employee Public health insurance No (paid by the state) No No (paid by the state) No Sickness insurance No No No No Unemployment insurance No No No No Disability insurance No No 3% 3% Pension insurance No No 4% 14% Other: Guarantee insurance No 0,25% No 0,25% Other: Accident insurance No 0,8% No 0,8% Other: Solidarity reserve No No No 4,75% Total 0% 1,05% 7% 22,8%
* In case the students used their right for a waiver of the social insurance premiums, however they need to inform the employer in writing about exercising this right and file a statement of exercising this right with one employer only. ** In case the students didn’t use their right for a waiver of the social insurance premiums.
Benefits from state social support – one component of the social security system in Slovakia, may be used by foreign nationals with permanent or temporary residence permit on the territory of the Slovak Republic upon meeting specific conditions for entitlement (seestexts State social support, Parental allowance, Child allowance in the chapter 4.4.2)
4.4.5 Information on social security an employer or commences to perform and health coverage for self‑employment activities in the Slovak EMPLOYEES with regular Republic, he/she becomes subject to or irregular employment mandatory public health insurance in the contract Slovak Republic, while the contributions will be paid both by the employee and the A. Health coverage employer (or self‑employed person) and When a foreign national who has deducted automatically by the employer permanent residence in the Slovak (or self‑employed person). In case of Republic takes up employment with regular and irregular employment contract 126 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
(also in case of regular employment to provide the foreign police in Slovakia for Agreement on the performance of work with a proof of concluded health insurance and Contract for services) an employee with regard to the duties related pays the contributions to the public health to the granting of temporary residence insurance fund in the amount of 4% permit in Slovakia (for instance in the of the basis of assessment (usually equal period between entry into Slovakia to the gross wage) and the employer and employment contract). the amount of 10%. B. Social security An individual, who does not have Any foreign person employed on the basis permanent residence in Slovakia and is of a work contract on the territory of the not covered by health insurance in another Slovak Republic for the period appointed EU/EEA Member State or in Switzerland, by the employer or a self‑employed person must also have concluded mandatory performing activities on the territory of the public health insurance, if such person is: SR, is subject to the Slovak social security employed by an employer established system and must pay contributions to the or with a fixed establishment within the compulsory insurance funds as if he/she territory of the Slovak Republic; was a national of the Slovak Republic – this does not apply if the person is (self‑employed is mandatory insured only employed in the Slovak Republic on if fulfil conditions regarding the income out the basis of the agreement on work of business). performed outside employment, or a self‑employed person in Slovakia. The contributions are paid both by the employee and the employer and are If a person is insured in another deducted automatically as per below EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland for table by the employer as a percentage of entitlement to medical treatment on the the assessment basis, which is usually basis of this health insurance in Slovakia the gross wage. The employer has also or Switzerland, an EU/EEA/Swis must the duty to register the foreigner with the pressurance Card (EHIC) to the health care Social Insurance Agency (SIA) at least
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities provider. See more information on EHIC a day before commencing the employment and health insurance provisions in the relationship (regardless of whether the chapter “Other regulations regarding relationship is in the form of a regular or health insurance and social security”. irregular employment contract – full or part‑time, fixed or temporary), and to If the person does not fall into the inform SIA about changes of foreigner’s scope of the public health insurance, situation. Self‑employed persons are commercial health insurance is obliged to contribute to sickness and compulsory. A third country national pension fund depending on their gain (outside EU/EEA/Switzerland) is obliged of income in the particular year. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 127
Contributions in case of regular Contributions Contributions in case of irregular employment contract (also in case in case employment contract of regular employment for Agreement of a voluntarily (for Agreement on the performance on the performance of work insured person
of work and Contract for services) Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities and Contract for services) (or self-employed) Employee Employee Employee Employee Employee Public health insurance 4% 10% 14% 4% 10% Sickness insurance 1,4% 1,4% 4,4% 0% 0% 2% Unemployment insurance 1% 1% (for self-employed 0% 0% voluntary) Disability insurance 3% 3% 6% 3% 3% Pension insurance 4% 14% 18% 4% 14% Other: Guarantee insurance No 0,25% No 0% 0,25% Other: Accident insurance No 0,8% No 0% 0,8% Other: Solidarity reserve No 4,75% 4,75% 0% 4,75% Total 13,4% 35,2% 35,15% 11% 32,8%
When living and working as an employee 4.4.6 Information on social or a self‑employed EU/EEA/Swiss security and health coverage citizen in a different Member States or Switzerland, each person is subject to for researchers/university the legislation of only one state at a time, teachers without work which is usually the country where he/she contract exercises his/her occupational activity. Researchers, teachers without The coordination of the social security employment in Slovakia are usually schemes within the EU/EEA countries and not considered to be unemployed, but Switzerland and the protection of migrant as individuals having an employment workers (including posted employees) contract or self‑employment activities are provided at the European level and in another state and they may move to Slovak Republic implements common Slovakia e. g. on the basis of an invitation rules. In case of a worker carrying out work from a hosting organisation or external in more than one EU/EEA Member State or funding (e. g. granted scholarship) of their Switzerland, he/she shall remain subject activities. to single legislation only, i.e. it is necessary to determine the applicable legislation A. Health coverage among several states of occupation using Health insurance is mandatory when the portable document A1. Consequently, staying in Slovakia. Before leaving the contributions to social insurance from all country of origin, foreigners must make states where the occupational activity sure to be covered by their current health is performed will go only to one of the insurance also on the territory of Slovakia, states. See more information including or take out new insurance before or after coordination of the social security schemes arrival in Slovakia. in the chapter “Other regulations regarding health insurance and social security”. 128 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
If a person is insured in another Researchers without having an employment EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland contract in Slovakia do not have to pay for entitlement to medical treatment on the the compulsory contributions and shall basis of this health insurance in Slovakia, be subject to the legislation of the state, he/she must present a European Health in which they are employed/self‑employed, Insurance Card (EHIC) to the health care or their state of residence. Researchers provider. See more information on EHIC without having an employment contract and health insurance provisions in the in Slovakia but having permanent residence chapter “Other regulations regarding on the territory of the SR, temporary health insurance and social security”. or permanent residence permit may opt for voluntary sickness, pension A third country national (outside and unemployment insurance. EU/EEA/Switzerland) is obliged to provide the foreign police in Slovakia with Researchers employed or self‑employed a proof of concluded health insurance in another EU/EEA member state with regard to the duties related to the or Switzerland are subject to the social temporary residence permit granting security legislation of this Member State procedure. Before leaving the country of and continue paying contributions to social origin, foreigners must make sure to be security system of that state. They might covered by their current health insurance perform their activities on the territory of also on the territory of Slovakia, or take Slovakia on the basis of invitation from out new insurance before or after arrival a hosting organisation or external funding to Slovakia. (e. g. granted scholarship) of their activities; they also can be performing their activities If the person does not have health as posted workers sent temporarily by insurance from his/her home country their employer to work in Slovakia. Before valid also for Slovakia, he/she has to take coming to Slovakia it is advised to check the out new health insurance, usually with social insurance contributions and social commercial provider. security issues with the foreign employer as well as duties with respect to employee’s
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities Commercial health insurance is posting according to coordination rules compulsory for everyone, who does not on social security. For some information fall into the scope of the public health see the chapter 4.4.3 Other regulations insurance. This concerns e. g. researchers regarding health insurance and social who are not employed/self‑employed security. In case a person does not work (they perform activities e.g. on the basis of in any state (employed or self‑employed), awarded scholarship) in the territory of the he/she is subject to the social security Slovak Republic, do not have permanent legislation of the state of residence. residence in the Slovak Republic, and do not study on the basis of international agreement binding for the Slovak Republic. 4.5 Taxation
B. Social security The tax authority in Slovakia is the Finance In Slovakia, the social security coverage Directorate of the Slovak Republic and it has is based on occupational activity, a network of 8 regional and 81 local Tax Offices not residence. (www.financnasprava.sk – in Slovak only). The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 129
Tax system in Slovakia as of 2013: with a work contract or working upon Direct taxes agreements on work performance outside – Income tax work contract in Slovakia are considered as private individuals: 19% of the tax base employees and their income is taxed. Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities not exceeding 176.8 times the current amount of subsistence minimum The tax period is one calendar year. including; 25% of the tax base Income tax is paid monthly in the form exceeding 176.8 times the current of a tax advance – 19% (of the tax base amount of subsistence minimum not exceeding 176.8 times the current legal entities: 22% of the tax base net amount of subsistence minimum including) of tax loss or 25% from the tax base (of the tax – Local tax (paid directly to municipal base exceeding 176.8 times the current authorities) amount of subsistence minimum – equal Indirect taxes to 34 401.74 € in 2013 with the subsistence – Value added tax (VAT): 20% minimum equal to 194.58 €/month since – Excise tax (e.g. on alcohol, tobacco, January 1, 2013), which is the gross wage mineral oil) minus all the contributions to compulsory insurance funds and a non‑taxable sum The tax system faced a fundamental (exempt from taxation). redesign with having a progress tax system introduced as of 2013. For up‑to‑date The non‑taxable sum is applicable also information visit the website of the Finance to foreigners. In general, the non‑taxable administration of the Slovak Republic sum is based on the amount of subsistence www.financnasprava.sk – in Slovak only, minimum applicable for the particular year web site of the Ministry of Finance of the and its amount depends on the total annual Slovak Republic www.finance.gov.sk/en/ income arising both from work carried out Default.aspx?CatID=52 or consult the in Slovakia and abroad. A person (taxpayer) National EURAXESS portal and its section who worked in the territory of the SR only dedicated to taxation www.euraxess.sk/ a part of the year and another part of the en/main/services-practical-information/ year abroad, is eligible for the application taxation-slovakia/. of the nontaxable sum of the tax base appertaining to the taxpayer for the entire year when filing declaration of taxes 4.5.1 Direct taxes in Slovakia. Income tax The tax base can be also reduced by The major Slovak legislation is the Act applying a special non‑taxable amount on No. 595/2003 Coll. on income tax, a spouse (if he/she is without own income as amended by later regulations. or the income is lower than the set limit and lives in the same household). The resulting Usually, the income is taxed in the country tax can be reduced by a child taxation of employment, unless otherwise provided. bonus (dependent child, i.e. attending Hence, if you are employed in the Slovak school or up to 25 years old), if the Republic, the income tax is deducted employee’s taxable income has reached at from the wage according to the Slovak least 6‑times the level of minimum salary. legislation, unless a bilateral agreement These conditions refer to foreigners with for avoiding double taxation states unrestricted tax liability or foreigners with otherwise. Researchers and teachers restricted tax liability (see below) if their 130 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
taxable income from Slovakia represents at Tax residence least 90% of total taxpayer’s income both from Slovakia and from abroad. It is of great importance to determine the tax residence of the person in order Example: Full non‑taxable sum to clarify the tax liability to the state in 2013 – 3 735.94 €. Annual child taxation of occupation and/or residence. bonus for 2013 – 254.64 €. Unrestricted tax liability applies in case See especially Art 11, 15 and 33 of the Act of a person with permanent residence No. 595/2003 Coll for details to the latter in the Slovak Republic or when the person paragraphs. usually stays in the territory of the Slovak Republic for at least 183 days (6 months) Tax exceptions in a calendar year. Such a taxpayer pays tax from the income received in the Slovak The following incomes are exempt from Republic as well as from his/her income taxation or are not subject to taxation e.g.: from abroad. (for exact wording see Art. 5 and 9 of the Act No. 595/2003 Coll. on income tax On the other hand, a taxpayer with scholarships provided from the state restricted tax liability is a person who is not budget (including PhD scholarships), a taxpayer with an unrestricted tax liability, or by higher education institutions or or who often stays in the Slovak Republic similar benefits provided from abroad, only for the purpose of studies or enters financial support of foundations, Slovakia daily (or occasionally) only for non‑profit organisations, etc., except the purpose of employment in the Slovak for remuneration for carrying out Republic. The taxpayer with a restricted tax employment or business activities, liability pays tax only from income received financial resources from grants provided in the Slovak Republic for his/her period of on the basis of international treaties, by employment in Slovakia. As stated before, which is the Slovak Republic bound tax residence may be further specified benefits from health and social in bilateral double taxation agreements.
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities insurance, including old‑age savings, per diems up to the amount set by law, The decisive points for determining tax financial amount spent by the employer residence are: residence, personal home, for training of an employee related to centre of vital interest – closer personal the employment, or economic relations, habitual abode, financial contribution of the employer being a national of one of the states to the board of an employee up to the (usually this is set out in Art. 4 of bilateral amount set by the law, double taxation agreements) income from employment in the territory of the SR of a taxpayer with restricted Double taxation agreements tax liability (for the definition see the next paragraph) from employer with In order to make the taxing of migrant the seat abroad (not in the SR) if the persons easier and to avoid double period related to perfomance of such taxation, the Slovak Republic has concluded work does not exceed 183 days in any bilateral agreements with other countries. 12 month‑period. The Slovak Republic continuously extends the geographical area covered by taxation agreements, in time of preparation The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 131 of this publication there were signed is exempted from taxation in the Slovak taxation agreements with 64 countries. Republic. 28) (An authentic certificate The list of countries with double taxation of taxation of income must be submitted.) agreements with Slovakia is available Naturally, this is relevant only to tax payers Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities on the website of the Ministry of Finance of with unrestricted tax liability in the Slovak the Slovak Republic (www.finance.gov.sk/ Republic. en/Default.aspx?CatID=285). Legislation, official documents and forms Countries, to which the double taxation to download are available in Slovak agreements apply: www.mfsr.sk/Default.aspx?CatID=4414, and some of the documents also Australia Greece Malta Sri Lanka in English http://www.mfsr.sk/en/Default. Austria Georgia Mexico Sweden aspx?CatID=280 at the web site of the Belarus Hungary Moldova Switzerland Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic. Belgium Iceland Mongolia Syria Bosnia‑ India Montenegro Tunisia -Herzegovina Tax return (declaration of taxes) Brazil Indonesia Netherlands Turkey After the taxation period (that is one Bulgaria Ireland Nigeria Turkmenistan calendar year) the annual clearing of taxes Canada Israel Norway Ukraine is made by filing the tax return (declaration United of taxes), and only then the final level China Italy Poland Kingdom of non‑taxable amount is calculated Croatia Japan Portugal United States dependent on the whole‑year wage. Cyprus Kazakhstan Romania Uzbekistan Czech Korea, Russian The deadline for submission of the tax Vietnam Republic Republic of Federation return is 31 March every year (with the Denmark Latvia Serbia possibility of prolonging this period Estonia Libya Singapore for 3 – 6 months upon sending the notification to the respective Tax Office Finland Lithuania Slovenia until 31 March). 29) Only afterwards the France Luxembourg South Africa tax overpayment or tax in arrears can Germany Macedonia Spain be determined. The taxpayer must pay the tax within the deadline for filing the The taxation conditions therefore vary declaration of taxes. An employee who upon the country of “origin” of a person – if worked throughout the year in Slovakia there is a bilateral agreement, and what its and received during the calendar year provisions are. taxable income only from employment, may request from the last employer the Double taxation agreements also state the annual settlement of income tax from all method of elimination of double taxation, employers. It is necessary to write the in case the income was taxed in the country request not later than the 15 February of the of occupation and must be declared in the country of tax residence, where he/she is 28) See Art 45 of the Act a taxpayer with unrestricted tax liability. No. 595/2003 Coll. on income tax In case of states, where no double taxation www.zakonypreludi.sk/zz/2003-595 agreement exists, income from abroad, 29) See Art 49 of the Act that has been taxed in the country of No. 595/2003 Coll. on income tax occupation other than the Slovak Republic, www.zakonypreludi.sk/zz/2003-595 132 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
following year. The annual settlement will 4.5.2 Indirect taxes be done by the employer for the employee. In case he/she will not ask the employer Value added tax (VAT) for the settlement until the given deadline, fails to deliver all required documents to Standard VAT in Slovakia is 20%. Only this date, or received income from abroad a very special category of products like within the tax period, he/she must submit medicaments, pharmaceutical products, the tax return on one’s own. medical and diagnostics aids and also books, brochures and similar printing In case of tax residents with unlimited products (music printing works) are subject liability who have income also from to reduced tax rate of 10% (complete abroad, it is necessary to state all the list is available in the wording of Act No. incomes in the tax return form and provide 2004 Coll. as amended by later legislation documents proving the payment of the tax at www.finance.gov.sk/en/Default. abroad. Authentic certificate(s) of taxation aspx?CatID=436). Other documents of income(s) must be submitted. When the and forms to download are available taxpayer cannot obtain these documents in Slovak only (www.mfsr.sk/Default. within the deadline (31 March), he/she shall aspx?CatID=4783). notify the Tax Office about prolonging the period to file the tax return (up to 6 months Excise tax in case of income from abroad). Special terms apply to excise tax on beer, The tax return form and other tax wine, alcohol, tobacco and tobacco related documents can be downloaded products, and mineral oils. Legislation from the website of the Slovak Finance to download is available on the websites administration (www.financnasprava.sk), of the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak although in Slovak only. Republic (www.finance.gov.sk/en/Default. aspx?CatID=356). The information provided It is recommended to consult the is available in English, other documents appropriate tax authority with any tax and forms to download are available
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities issues arising from a researcher’s state of in Slovak only (www.mfsr.sk/Default. permanent residence prior to commencing aspx?CatID=3837). work in the Slovak Republic.
Local tax 4.6 Recognition of education Local taxes are within the competence of municipal assemblies and are therefore Recognition of primary different in every village and town. and secondary education Local taxes include: real estate tax; dog tax; taxes for using public spaces; According to the legislation in force, accommodation tax; vending machines tax; the foreign qualifications giving access non‑gambling slot machines tax; taxes to to higher education are recognised by drive into and/or park a motor vehicle in the District Education Authorities as a part historical centre of a city; nuclear devices of the general state administration tax; local payments for communal waste in Slovakia. At present, there are eight and small quantities of construction waste; regional authorities. The regional school and motor vehicle tax. authority has competence to make The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 133 the decision on the recognition of education not studied by the applicant in a foreign and is given according to the place school and which have a direct relation of residence. to the graduate’s profile or the field of study pursued. A graduate who is not Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities Equivalence of a document on education a Slovak national does not have to take issued at primary or secondary schools a supplementary examination in Slovak abroad is done only for academic purposes, Language and Literature. to pursue further study in Slovakia. The District Education Authority The application for equivalence determines the secondary school in which of documents is submitted to the Centre the graduate shall take the supplementary for Recognition of Diplomas (download examination, the content and the date application form at www.minedu.sk/ of examination. equivalence-of-study-on-primary-and- secondary-schools-abroad/). The Centre A different procedure could apply when issues a recommendation to the applicant. credentials were issued by a foreign school of a state with which an agreement has The applicant needs to deliver the following been concluded on the mutual recognition documents for equivalence: of documents on education by which a) application on equivalence of study the Slovak Republic is bound. In this abroad, case, the recognition is necessary for b) document(s) on education from academic purposes (continuing in higher a school abroad (notary or registry education in the Slovak Republic) and the office certified copy of the original credentials are considered as equal without document with a translation into nostrification. The regional school authority Slovak language; translation is not shall issue, within 15 days from delivery needed for documents issued in Czech of the application, a statement, in which language; documents issued in English, it indicates the document on education German, French, Russian and Hungarian with which the submitted document can be translated by applicants is equivalent. themselves, a legal translation will be requested in case of doubt concerning Nostrification (recognition of the equality the translation), of documents) is performed by the c) copy of last term’s certificate from the District Education Authority at the region school in Slovakia, where the study was seat in the Slovak Republic according interrupted. to the applicant’s place of residence (contacts and application for nostrification In case that the study in the foreign school to download are available at the web site only partially corresponds to the curriculum of the ministry of Interior of the Slovak of the srincipal schoolsin Slovakia, Republic according to the 8 Slovak regions or the graduate did not attach all the www.minv.sk/?miestna_statna_sprava). required documents mentioned above, the responsible authority could lay down The holder of a foreign certificate should the obligation to take a supplementary attach to the application for nostrification: examination. The supplementary a) a verified copy of the original examination is meant to verify the document (a notary‑certified copy, knowledge and skills of the graduate or a notary‑certified copy with Apostille, in subjects, or in their parts, which were or a notary‑certified and legalized copy), 134 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
b) a notary‑certified copy of the document’ The procedures of recognition differ translation into Slovak language according the purpose of recognition: (by a sworn translator), 1. for the purpose of work c) recommendation of the Centre for (Act No. 293/2007 Coll. on Recognition Recognition of Diplomas of the Ministry of professional qualification), of Education, Science, Research 2. for the purpose of further education and Sport of the Slovak Republic (Act No. 596/2003 Coll. on State (or its notary‑certified copy), administration of education and school d) protocol on additional exams self‑government and Act No. 131/2002 (citizen of the Slovak Republic), Coll. on Higher education institutions). e) other documents (certificates of each school years, curriculum, etc.), Recognition for the purpose of work f) ID card/passport of the applicant (copy), is important if the profession to be g) duty stamp in the amount of 6.50 €. performed is regulated or not.
Contact: An examination of a level of higher The Ministry of Education, Science, education for academic purposes (in order Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic to pursue studies in the SR; only in case Centre for Recognition of Diplomas there is not a higher education institution Stromová 1, 813 30 Bratislava, in Slovakia, which provides identical or Slovak Republic similar study programmes, otherwise the e‑mail: [email protected] decision lies upon the higher education Consultation and telephone hours: institution) or in case of a non‑regulated Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from profession (where the employer asks 9:00 to 11:30 and 12:30 to 14:00 the Ministry for a position on the level of education), the Ministry shall provide Further information is available on the an answer within 30 days since the website of the Centre for Recognition application was filed. Bilateral agreements of Diplomas www.minedu.sk/recognition- are signed with Croatia, Czech Republic, of-foreign-diplomas/. Germany, Hungary, Poland and Romania,
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities providing that the recognition of the level of Recognition of diplomas education by the HEI is done automatically (tertiary education) (without any additional examinations, but the process of recognition is needed). The recognition of education from abroad is within the scope of competence of the It is necessary to present to the Centre Ministry of Education, Science, Research for Recognition of Diplomas the following and Sport of the Slovak Republic. documents: The Centre for Recognition of Diplomas, completed application (download at organisationally a part of the Ministry, www.minedu.sk/position-on-the-level- is also part of the international network of-foreign-education-for-academic- ENIC (European Network of Information purposes-or-for-pursuit-of-non- Centres) and NARIC (National Academic regulated-profession-in-sr/), Recognition Information Centres) in the copy of diploma(s) certified by notary European Union and acts as national or registry office, officially translated contact point for recognition in EU and into Slovak language (translation is not National Centre for Europass. needed for documents issued in Czech language and Latin; documents issued The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 135
in English, German, French, Russian copy of certificate of the state exam, and Hungarian can be translated i.e. dissertation exam, its parts and the by applicants themselves, a legal result, officially translated into Slovak translation will be requested in case of language (see 2nd point for translation Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities doubt concerning the translation), details), copy of the transcript of records copy of certificate of the previous or diploma/certificate supplement 2nd level of higher education, officially translated into Slovak language (legal translated into Slovak language translation of submitted documents is (see 2nd point for translation details). necessary, except for documents in Czech or Latin language; in order to decrease In case of a regulated profession financial costs of the applicants, (profession, professional activity their own translations of documents or group of professional activities, the in English, German, French, Russian performance of which it is necessary and Hungarian language are accepted, to meet the qualifications prescribed however the legal translation may be by the relevant legislation of the Slovak requested by the CRD in case of doubt), Republic) the Ministry shall issue the copy of certificate of the previous the decisionecognition of the foreign highest completed education. education within 2 – 3 months since the application was filed. For the list of A PhD degree from an EU/EEA/Swiss regulated professions see: www.minedu. HEI is also recognised automatically. An sk/recognition-of-completed-foreign- application shall be filed to the Ministry education-on-pursuit-of-regulated- and it shall issue the decision within 30 profession-in-sr/. days from when the application is filed (download form in Slovak at www.minedu. The following documents are necessary sk/automaticke-uznanie-vysokoskolskeho- to be filed: vzdelania-iii-stupna-z-clenskych-statov- completed application eu-ehp-a-svajciarska/). (download at www.minedu.sk/ recognition-of-completed-foreign- The following documents are necessary to education-on-pursuit-of-regulated- be filed: profession-in-sr/), completed application (download at copy of ID or passport, www.minedu.sk/automatic-recognition- copy of diploma(s), certified by notary of-higher-education-of-3rd-degree- or registry office, officially translated from-the-eu-member-states-eea- into Slovak language (translation is not countries-and-switzerland/), needed for documents issued in Czech copy of PhD. Diploma from the language and Latin; documents issued EU/EEA/Switzerland, certified by notary in English, German, French, Russian or registry office, officially translated and Hungarian can be translated into Slovak language (translation is not by applicants themselves, a legal needed for documents issued in Czech translation will be requested in case of language and Latin; documents issued doubt concerning the translation), in English, German, French, Russian transcript of records or diploma/ and Hungarian can be translated certificate supplement, certified by by applicants themselves, a legal notary or registry office, officially translation will be requested in case translated into Slovak language of doubt concerning the translation), (see 3rd point for translation details), 136 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
copy of certificate of the previous it is the purchaser who has the obligation highest completed education, to transport the products purchased duty stamp of 99.50 € or 33 € (if the in another EU Member State. It is not document has already been recognised allowed to have the goods shipped, and by another EU Member State different no other person is allowed to transport from the State of origin of the document), the goods. It is also forbidden to provide certificate of pedagogic work experience, the goods for further sale. To determine if exists – only in case of pedagogic whether tobacco and alcohol are for professions, personal use, each country can set guide other documents, if necessary. levels. In other words, if a person carries a larger quantity of these goods, he/she Contact: may be asked to prove that they are The Ministry of Education, Science, intended for personal use and to justify Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic their purchase. Informative defined levels Centre for Recognition of Diplomas for the import of goods in the EU are Stromová 1, 813 30 Bratislava, following: 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, Slovak Republic 200 cigars, 1 kg of tobacco, 10 litres of e‑mail: [email protected] spirits, 20 litres of intermediate products, Tel.: +421/2/59 37 43 12 90 litres of wine (of which, a maximum of 60 litres of sparkling wine), 110 litres Office hours: Monday, Wednesday of beer. If traveling from one EU Member and Thursday from 9:00 to 11:30 State to another through Switzerland and 12:30 to 14:00 (or another non‑EU country), it is possible to carry goods for personal use without Further information is available on the border formalities as long as the thresholds website of the Centre for Recognition set out for the entry into Switzerland/ of Diplomas www.minedu.sk/recognition- re‑entry into the EU are not exceeded. of-foreign-diplomas/ If entering the EU from a non‑EU country it is possible to import goods free
Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities 4.7 Import of goods of customs duties, VAT and excise duties in the following quantities: Within the EU/EEA/Switzerland import 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos and export of goods is not limited in any or 50 cigars or 250 gram of tobacco way, which also applies to goods for private (each amount represents 100% of the purposes. It is therefore possible to import total allowance for tobacco products and an unlimited amount of goods for private any combination of those products must purposes from other EU Member States not exceed 100%. Example: 100 cigarettes to Slovakia. There is no obligation to pay + 50 cigarillos = total allowance); tax in Slovakia, as the VAT and excise tax 1 litre of spirit/alcohol and alcoholic on goods (where applicable) purchased for beverages of an alcoholic strength over private purposes has already been included 22% vol. or in the purchasing price in the respective 2 litres of alcoholic beverages of an country. alcoholic strength not exceeding 22% vol., 4 litres of still wine and 16 litres of When certain goods, that are subject beer (only for VAT and excise duty); to excise tax, are purchased (alcohol, in any means of motor transport, the alcoholic beverages and tobacco products), fuel contained in the standard tank; and The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 137
a quantity of fuel not exceeding 10 litres Currency restrictions contained in a portable container; other goods (including perfume, coffee, The import and export of local and foreign tea, electronic devices etc.) up to a value currency is permitted. When entering Formalities – how to be ready for the national authorities of € 430 € for air and sea travelers and Slovakia (EU) from third countries or up to value of € 300 € for other travelers. departing Slovakia (EU) to third countries, (the value on an individual item may not exported, imported money or other be split up; the limits may be reduced financial resources (bonds, cheques, trade to € 150 € for travelers under 15 years drafts; precious metals and stones) above in a Member State). the equivalent of 10 000 € must be declared on an official form (Annex 1 of Act 199/2004 Transport of pets is allowed only with Coll. – Customs Act) at the corresponding the respective veterinary certificate. customs office. Amounts in other currencies follow exchange rates given by the National Weapons can be exported only with Bank of Slovakia for the particular day. firearms certificate. Financial resources sent by mail to When leaving the EU (and certain areas or from a third country (outside the EU) within the EU, such as the Canary Islands) in the amount exceeding 1000 € should also it is possible to buy goods free of duty and be declared. tax in so‑called “tax‑free shops“ in airports and ports. There are no limits as to the More information: quantity or value of the goods that can be Customs Administration of the Slovak purchased duty and tax free. Art objects Republic http://new.colnasprava.sk/wps/ and objects of historical value underlie/are portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_28O liable to licence and custom duty.
More information: Taxation and Customs Union, European Commission http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_ customs/common/travellers/enter_eu/ index_en.htm 138 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
5. Daily life in Slovakia
In this chapter you can find useful You can find an accommodation yourself, information regarding your daily life too – properties for rent are advertised in Slovakia. The topics are various in specialised advertising publications, and listed according to the alphabet. daily newspapers, regional press and on Information covers topics that may arise the internet. You can rent a flat directly upon your arrival or during your stay from an owner or through a real estate in Slovakia, and it should help you find agency. your way through these situations – be it finding a flat or finding your way from When renting a flat, enquire whether the airport. Also approximate prices of the price covers just the rent or if it also
Daily life in Slovakia different services are mentioned, so you can includes utility costs (electricity, gas, calculate the costs of your stay in advance. heating, water, phone bills, etc.). Rents are This chapter gives a picture of what life usually paid monthly and deposits for a few in Slovakia may be. For more information months’ rent are common. It is, of course, follow the links that are posted by each necessary to sign a lease. section or do not hesitate to contact local EURAXESS Service Centres. Rental prices depend on several factors: city/town (in the capital city and 5.1 Accommodation university towns rents are usually higher), and housing locality within a city/town Ask your future employer or your host (centre/outskirts), organisation if it is possible to provide you type of flat/house (tower block, brick with accommodation. Some universities house, new building, flat/house that has and research organisations have their or has not been renovated, etc.), own accommodation facilities for their furnishings, employees. If your future employer/host size of flat (number of bedrooms, surface cannot provide you with accommodation, area, etc.). ask them for other possibilities or recommendations. Useful links
Long‑term accommodation www.reality.sk – a nationwide search database (also in English), provides regularly updated rental offers from more than 400 real estate agencies, a list of real estate agencies with contact phone numbers, websites and e‑mails http://reality.server.sk – search database (in Slovak only) http://greenpages.spectator.sme.sk – information and contact phone numbers, websites and e‑mails of several companies and organisations in Slovakia, including sections like: “Real The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 139
Estate, Construction & Architecture” services. List of banks is available at the (subsection “Real Estate Companies”); website of the Slovak Banking Association “Tourism, Travel & Souvenirs” www.sbaonline.sk/en/banking-sector/ (subsections “Hotels in Bratislava”, banks-in-slovakia. “Hotels in Slovakia outside Bratislava”) Daily life in Slovakia www.roommates.sk – search engines Banks are usually open from Monday for finding roommates and listing to Friday from 8:00 to 17:00/18:00. Some available rooms to rent (in Slovak only) branches remain open even longer, and www.spolubyvanie.sk – individual some are open on Saturdays and in some advertising website for accommodation cases on Sundays (only in shopping rentals (craigslist style, in Slovak only) centres). For more details, you should consult the website of the respective bank. Short‑term accommodation www.reality.sk – a nationwide search How to open a bank account database (also in English), regularly updated rental offers by more than 400 To open a bank account in Slovakia, real estate agencies, a list of real estate a non‑Slovak citizen will need to meet agencies with contact phone numbers, several conditions and provide information, websites and e‑mails which vary across banks. You need http://reality.server.sk – search to provide one or two identification database (in Slovak only) documents, while one of them must http://greenpages.spectator.sme.sk include a photo and the residence address. – information and contact phone You may be asked for information about the numbers, websites and e‑mails of correspondence address and in some banks several companies and organisations for your residence permit. An application in Slovakia, including sections form may be requested to be filled in. like: “Real Estate, Construction Deposit of a minimum balance might be & Architecture” (subsection required. Opening of the account is for free. “Real Estate Companies”); “Tourism, The fee per month for the maintenance Travel & Souvenirs” (subsections of the account varies from bank to bank, “Hotels in Bratislava”, “Hotels and depends on whether it is in Euros or in Slovakia outside Bratislava”) in foreign currency. Closing of the bank www.ambiente-apartments.com/en account is for free, but the bank can set – apartment rentals in Bratislava a fixed amount account balance up to 7 €. www.ubytovanievmeste.sk – search database (in Slovak only). Credit & debit cards 5.2 Banks and currency If you have a current account in Euros, a debit card is mostly issued within There are many banks in Slovakia, usually a service package. A credit card is issued members of international corporations independently of an account. Major credit offering ordinary banking services such cards (American Express, Diners’ Club, as current accounts and subaccounts, Visa, Eurocard/MasterCard) and debit domestic and foreign payments, electronic cards (Maestro, Cirrus, Eurocheque cards banking, debit and credit cards, cheques, and Visa Electron, Eurocard/MasterCard) deposit products, securities, private may be used for cash withdrawal from cash banking, unit trusts, mortgage financing, dispensers (ATM) as well as for payments loans, exchange and even insurance in hotels, restaurants, shops and petrol 140 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
stations. Credit cards can also be used to Orange Slovensko (www.orange.sk), obtain currency. For further information UPC (www.upc.sk), on commercial acceptability and other Swan (www.swan.sk/en), services consult your card issuer. Slovanet (www.slovanet.net), Satro (www.satro.sk), Travellers’ cheques and others.
Thomas Cook, American Express, Visa, They offer a range of connections, Swiss Bankers, Citybank travellers’ cheques from ADSL/ADSL2+ to “Fibernet”. are accepted in banks and at exchange ADSL or ADSL2+ is available in almost offices. Exchange rate charges are at least every town in Slovakia. It is advisable one per cent of the nominal cheque value. to check with the accommodation To avoid additional charges, travellers are provider/owner or neigbours what
Daily life in Slovakia recommended to take travellers’ cheques possibilities for internet connection there in Euros, US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. are in the particular place.
You can also use the services of Western Internet Cafes (“internetová kaviareň”) Union, operating in the Slovak Post Office are widespread and not confined to large throughout the Slovak Republic. towns. For more information you can either browse the internet or check the Yellow Currency and exchange rate Pages (www.zlatestranky.sk).
Currency in Slovakia is the euro How to make phone calls (since January 1, 2009). Denominations: International country code of the Slovak 1 euro (1 €) = 100 cents (100 c), banknotes Republic: 00 421 issued in 500 €, 200 €, 100 €, 50 €, 20 €, 10 € and 5 € denominations; coins in 2 € General Phone Numbers and 1 € and 50 c, 20 c, 10 c, 5 c, 2 c and 1 c Emergency calls: denominations. General Emergency 112 The website of the National Bank Ambulance 155 of Slovakia “Národná banka Slovenska” Firemen 150 (www.nbs.sk) offers updated information Police 158 on exchange and interest rates, and other Town police 159 financial data. Note that the exchange rate of a commercial bank may vary slightly. Enquiry services (usually paid): Directory enquiries – information about telephone 5.3 Communications 1181 numbers in Slovakia and post offices International directory enquiries – information 12 149 about telephone numbers abroad Slovakia currently has Internet connection Info Assistant – Practical information for everyday 12 111 a large number of full‑area ISP’s that offer use wired broadband Internet connections, Exact time 12 110 for example: Wakeup calls 12 125 Slovak Telecom (www.telekom.sk) – the major telecommunication National calls mediated by an operator 12 102 company in Slovakia, International calls mediated by an operator 12 131 The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 141
City codes in Slovakia: Prepaid mobile cards (Easy free, O2 Fér, Funfón Štart, Tesco mobile, Prima Orange, Banská Bystrica 048 Swan mobile). Bardejov 054 Bratislava 02 If you intend to call more in Slovakia and Daily life in Slovakia Dunajská Streda 031 want to avoid roaming charges, the easiest Humenné 057 solution is to buy a prepaid SIM card. Košice 055 For its purchase Slovak legislation requires Levice 036 verification of personal data. Therefore Liptovský Mikuláš 044 cards are not sold as freely as in some other Lučenec 047 countries. Martin 043 Sellers will ask buyers for their passport Michalovce 056 or identity card if from European Union, or Nitra 037 permission for stay in Slovakia, on the basis Nové Zámky 035 of which they will verify the buyer‘s identity. Poprad 052 The minimum age limit for buying a SIM Považská Bystrica 042 card is 15. Prešov 051 Prievidza 046 Credit charging Rožňava 058 It is possible to buy scratch prepaid mobile coupons in newspaper stands, in post Senica 034 offices, petrol stations and many other Spišská Nová Ves 053 places. The credit is charged according Topoľčany 038 to given instructions. The places where Trenčín 032 the coupons are sold tend to be marked Trnava 033 by a flag with logo of the operator. It is Zvolen 045 necessary to ask the seller for “kredit“ Žilina 041 (credit) and say the name of the operator from which you want to buy a card. For foreigners it is also available to charge Mobile operators credit at the ATM which supports also Mobile operators on the area of the smaller prices of charging. However, Slovak Republic: Orange, Slovak Telekom, be careful with the charges of your bank Telefónica O2. There are also prepaid for these operations abroad. services provided by three branded operators Swan mobile, Tesco mobile and Credit can be charged also in selling places Funfón whose services are sold under their – in stores of mobile operators. You can pay own brands. Mobile 2G networks operate by cash or a credit card. It is also possible at frequencies of 900 and 1 800 MHz. The to charge the credit also in POS terminals Networks 3G use 1900/2100 MHz. Slovakia in different chain‑stores, for example is well covered by mobile phone networks, at petrol stations, in grocery shop Coop which enable calls also from some peaks Jednota, at the Slovak post and many of Tatras. Only very distant areas are others. Charging of credit is supported also without signal. by branch offices of national lottery Tipos. 142 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
In case of charging the credit online all of vegetables and fruit in season, meat, operators accept only payment tools milk products, pastry, bread, mineral and of Slovak banks or credit cards issued spring water, and sweets. You can also buy in Slovakia. You will probably not be fresh home‑grown fruit and vegetables and successful with foreign credit cards. some other products at open‑air markets.
Post offices Cuisine
Post offices are at your service in all towns There are many restaurants in Slovakia and villages and provide bank services ranging from cheap to expensive. (Poštová banka), too. The post offices are For a drink it is more usual to go to a pub, open from Monday to Friday from 8:00 to where you can also have a meal. Larger 18:00 and on Saturday until 13:00. The main cities usually have restaurants with
Daily life in Slovakia post offices in larger towns or shopping national and international cuisine, the most centres are open daily until 20:00. It is common being Italian, Chinese, Balkan, possible to buy post stamps for post cards Czech and Hungarian. Beer and wine and letters directly in the post offices or (domestic and foreign) are good and usually in some newspaper stands. consumed with both lunch and dinner.
A 50 g letter sent within Slovakia by Lunch is the main meal and Slovaks are 2nd class costs 0.45 €, sent by 1st class and more used to eating out for lunch than for registered mail costs 1.30 €. The postage dinner. Most restaurants in town centres for sending a 50 g letter by 2nd class from have special lunch offers (“denné menu”, Slovakia to the Czech Republic costs 0.80 €, usually consisting of a bowl of soup and while sending a 50 g letter by the same a main course), which are cheaper than class to the rest of the European countries other meals served there. costs 0.90 €. Sending a 50 g letter to the rest of the world costs 1 €. Restaurants are open from Monday to Sunday from morning till night. Stores At the website of the Slovak Post Office and restaurants which open 24 hours a day www.posta.sk/en you can find ZIP codes have a sign reading “non‑stop”. of all the towns in Slovakia and information (including pricelists) on other services Unless the menu states that service is provided at the post office, e.g. you can pay included, tipping is expected. 5 – 10% is your utility bills, receive cash on delivery a standard tip in a restaurant with waiter consignments, buy lottery tickets, get service. Waiters usually give the customer film developed, receive payments, make the total of the bill and the customer, phone calls, buy phone and mobile phone as he/she hands over the money, says how cards, and, of course, send telegrams, faxes much he/she is paying including the tip. and mail. In restaurants and bars it is usual to round up the price, the tip being roughly 10%. 5.4 Cuisine More information and lists of catering Food places can be found at Slovak food is made using a variety www.menu.atlas.sk (in Slovak only), of traditional and European products www.obedovat.sk (in Slovak only), and ingredients. In shops, supermarkets http://restauracie.sme.sk (in Slovak only), or hypermarkets you can buy all kinds http://greenpages.spectator.sme.sk. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 143
Traditional cuisine The most popular wines are those from the Tokaj, The main ingredients that have shaped Small Carpathians, Nitra, traditional Slovak cuisine are potatoes, Topoľčany and Záhorie sauerkraut, pork, poultry, “bryndza” regions. In winter, Daily life in Slovakia (a cheese made from sheep’s milk) and try the mulled wine. pulses. The number one national soup is Young wine (“burčiak”) sauerkraut soup (hearty cabbage soup with is available in the smoked pork sausage that often contains first half of September, mushrooms, and sometimes plums, and is usually the subject especially at Christmastime). Another of harvest festivals. Hubert, the Slovak typical Slovak soup is made of beans sparkling wine and “Karpatské Brandy and root vegetables such as carrot and Špeciál” (the Carpathian Brandy Special) parsley. Sometimes, smoked pork is added. are also highly rated. Typical Slovak The most traditional national dish served liqueurs are Demänovka, Horec and as main course is “bryndzové halušky”, i.e. Tatranský čaj from the region of the High gnocchi/dumplings topped with “bryndza” Tatras. “Slivovica” (plum brandy) and and fried bacon. Another traditional dish “borovička” (the juniper berry brandy, is “strapačky s kapustou”, dumplings with gin) are popular Slovak aperitifs. To the cabbage and sometimes with fried bacon. uninitiated, these drinks will appear quite As the most common dessert one can strong. Let us not forget that Slovakia always have sweet pancakes with jam, also produces excellent beer. The popular farmers’ cheese and raisins, and whipped brands are Zlatý Bažant, Corgoň, Smädný cream or chocolate. mních, Šariš, Martiner, Topvar, Urpiner.
Cheese and cheese products are More information: other typical Slovak specialties. Besides www.panorama.sk/bonappetit already mentioned “bryndza”, the most popular are the “korbáčik” – sheep’s cheese strings interwoven into fine braids, 5.5 Culture and media “parenica” – steamed sheep’s cheese strips Music woven into snail‑like curls, “oštiepok” – smoked sheep’s cheese shaped in wooden Classical music moulds. In the first half of the 19th century, a national musical tradition began to develop around Slovakia’s impressive folk heritage. Romantic as well as modern Slovak music has drawn from both classical and traditional folk styles. Among romantic composers, the most important are the compositions of Ján Levoslav Bella, Viliam Figuš‑Bystrý who laid the foundations of the first Slovak opera, and those of Mikuláš Schneider‑Trnavský and Mikuláš Moyzes who had merit in lyric songs and ballads creation. Well‑known works from the 20th century include the symphonic compositions of Alexander Moyzes, 144 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
and the operas of Eugen Suchoň (1st Slovak national opera “Krútňava” (The Whirlpool)) and Ján Cikker.
Today, music is one of the most significant aspects of the Slovak culture. Some of the most renowned orchestras are the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra (“Slovenská filharmónia”, www.filharm.sk) and the Slovak State Philharmonic, Košice (Štátna filharmónia, Košice) (www.sfk.sk), the Symphonic Orchestra of Slovak Radio (“Symfonický orchester Slovenského (in Slovak only). At www.ticketportal.sk you
Daily life in Slovakia rozhlasu”, www.rtvs.sk), and the Bohdan can find information on concerts and buy Warchal Slovak Chamber Orchestra tickets. If you prefer the club scene with (“Slovenský komorný orchester Bohdana live performances there are many options Warchala”, www.filharm.sk). within different genres.
Musical performances usually begin at Cinema 7 p.m. and whilst tickets can be bought an hour before the beginning, it is advisable Cinemas (“kino”) can be found in every to reserve tickets several days before at town. Film clubs are popular and can the ticket office of the respective orchestra. be found in all university towns. In Tickets can be also reserved on‑line Bratislava, there are also multiplex at www.ticketportal.sk. cinemas in the Aupark, Eurovea and Polus shopping centres (www.cinemacity.sk). Traditional folk music In shopping centres in Banská Bystrica, The most impressive ensembles performing Dunajská Streda, Košice, Nitra, Poprad, traditional dance and music are the Slovak Prešov, Skalica, Trenčín, Trnava and Žilina Folk Ensemble (“Slovenský ľudový you can find multiplex cinema, too umelecký kolektív” – SĽUK, www.sluk.sk, (www.cine-max.sk, in Slovak only). in Slovak only) and Lúčnica – the Slovak Most films bear the original soundtrack National Folklore Ballet (www.lucnica.sk). with subtitles; some films have Slovak Most towns have their own folk festivals dubbing (mostly films for children). with dances, local costumes and food. Cinema programmes are published at These tend to be held throughout the www.port.sk and on towns’ websites summer until the end of September. The (www.kamdomesta.sk), both in Slovak biggest one takes place in Východná in July only, and in newspapers. every year (www. festivalvychodna.sk/en, www.nocka.sk/en, updated information Slovak newspaper in English in Slovak only). The Slovak Spectator Modern Music (http://spectator.sme.sk), an independent The Music Centre Slovakia (“Hudobné English language newspaper, is published centrum”, www.hc.sk) provides information every week. It includes information on classical and modern music. A list of on politics, the economy, business, various events all around Slovakia can be daily life and cultural events, as well as found at the website www.podujatia.sk advertisements. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 145
A news portal THE DAILY.sk Sunday (opera and ballet) and Monday (www.thedaily.sk) offers daily Slovak news (drama). In April 2007, a new building in English for all foreigners living, working on the bank of the Danube River became or just visiting Slovakia. the home of the SND in addition to the historic building. Daily life in Slovakia There are many varieties of local newspapers and journals. You Other state institutions are the State can also buy or subscribe to foreign Theatre (“Štátne divadlo”) in Košice newspapers and journals or buy them (www.sdke.sk, in Slovak only), the State at newsstands. Opera and Ballet (“Štátna opera a balet”) in Banská Bystrica (www.stateopera.sk) Theatre, opera, ballet and Nová scéna (New Stage) in Bratislava specialising in musical repertory The theatre network consists of 4 state (www.nova-scena.sk, in Slovak only). funded professional theatres, 22 theatres under the competence of self‑governing Private theatre offering different types regions and municipalities, more than of performances is the Aréna Theatre 40 independent theatres established by in Bratislava (www.divadloarena.sk). private owners/legal entities and 4 minority language theatres in Bratislava, Banská Theatre performances usually begin Bystrica, Trnava, Nitra, Komárno, Zvolen, at 7 p.m. (at 6 p.m. on Sundays) and whilst Martin, Žilina, Košice, Prešov, Spišská Nová tickets can be bought an hour before the Ves and Rožňava. The list of theatres with beginning, it is advisable to reserve them addresses can be found at www.theatre.sk several days before the performance at (website of the Theatre Institute). the ticket office of the respective theatre or on‑line at www.ticketportal.sk. There is The oldest professional theatre is also the possibility to buy a season ticket. the Slovak National Theatre (“Slovenské For the theatre programmes you can see národné divadlo” – SND) in Bratislava also www.port.sk, in Slovak only. (www.snd.sk). It comprises drama, opera and ballet sections, each with a permanent Traditional folk art professional company, with a central theatrical stockist providing sets for Folk art and crafts, which include all productions. The SND is a repertory woodcarving, fabric weaving, glass company with a season running from the blowing and painting, pottery, ceramics beginning of September to the end of June. production, blacksmithing, have a long Performances are staged every day except tradition. The tradition of folk art and crafts has been handed down through the generations and is nowadays supported mainly by ÚĽUV – Centre for Folk Art Production (www.uluv.sk/en). The Centre sells traditional products but also organises exhibitions, artistic workshops “The ÚĽUV Craft school”, both for youth and adults, some of which are officially accredited by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic. 146 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
church in Hervartovo near Bardejov dating back to the 15th century. Wooden churches and towers in the centre of the country were mostly of Roman‑Catholic and Evangelical denominations.
More information: www.museum.sk, www.remesla.lawit.sk
Foreigners currently located in Bratislava Slovakia became famous for Majolic pottery can take a look at the page called (“majolika”) already in the 14th century International Events Bratislava – (especially in the town of Modra). Modra’s www.inevents.org/bratislava – an initiative
Daily life in Slovakia ceramic tradition was heavily influenced fostering the English‑speaking community by the influx of Haban craftsman in the in this city. You will find here a database 16th century. The Habans, also known as and information about activities and Anabaptists, were a religious sect that cultural events happening in English, which arose during the Reformation. The pottery bring together internationally minded is characterised by gentle curves and bright people, to share ideas, helpful advice, colours, particularly blue and yellow. find new friends and contacts and feel more Contemporary Modra’s Majolic factory is at home altogether in their city. a direct descendant of this tradition. You can also order Majolic through the website www.majolika.sk/indexenglish.html. 5.6 Day care for children In the Slovak Republic, preschool Examples of folk architecture, such as wooden education is provided until the beginning of churches and brightly painted houses, compulsory school attendance. Preschool are to be found throughout the country. education in the Slovak Republic is both Interesting open‑air museums presenting non‑institutional and institutional. folk architecture can be found in Martin Non‑institutional form of preschool (Museum of the Slovak Village – “Múzeum education takes places in the family. slovenskej dediny”), Bardejov Spa, Zuberec, Institutional form of preschool education Vychylovka in Nová Bystrica and Pribylina. is carried out in preschool establishments If you are interested in“living museums” represented by kindergartens and special (folk architecture reservations), you should kindergartens. Preschool establishments visit villages like Čičmany, Vlkolínec, Špania admit children between the age of 3 and dolina, Ždiar, Podbiel or Sebechleby. 6 years. Exceptionally, it is possible to admit children from the age of 2 years. (Preschool Wooden church architecture is unique, education in preschool establishments especially by its construction and interior is also provided to children over 6 years design. All parts had to be made of of age, whose start of compulsory school wood and no nails were allowed. In the attendance was postponed or whose north‑east of the country you may find fulfilment of compulsory schooling mostly churches of Greek Catholic or was additionally postponed.) Babies Orthodox denomination. Most of them from 6 months to 3 years can be placed date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. in a day‑care center or nursery (“jasle” One of the oldest churches at the territory in Slovak) according to the decision of of Slovakia is the Roman‑Catholic wooden parents. A list of the establishments can The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 147 be found e.g. in the web catalogue at (available also in Topoľčany, to be www.azet.sk/katalog/jasle/slovensko. opened in Nitra, Prievidza and Žilina) Kindergartens are set up with varied Galileo School (English) lengths of operation such as half‑day, full (www.galileoschool.sk) day, weekly and continuous operation. Little Angel Playschool (English) Daily life in Slovakia A prevailing number of kindergartens (www.littleangel.sk) are operating full day, usually from 7:00 QSI International School of Bratislava to 17:00, according the parents’ needs. (English) (http://bratislava.qsischool.org) Unity House Montessori Kindergarten State kindergartens are the norm; (English) (http://unity-house.sk) however, church and private kindergartens Wonderschool are becoming quite common, too. (http://skola.wonderland.sk) In most kindergartens education is provided in Slovak, though there are In Trnava: several kindergartens (mostly state BESST (English) ones) with Hungarian and Ukrainian (http://besst.sk/en/kindergarten) as communication languages aimed predominantly at children of those In Trenčín: nationalities. Slimáčik (English) (www.slimacik.eu/en)
There exist private kindergartens providing In Žilina: education in foreign languages. Some of Tiny Green Schoolhouse these establishments also provide primary (http://zelenaskolka.sk) and even secondary education. In Banská Bystrica: In Bratislava there are, for example: Speak Star Babyland (English) (www.speakstar.sk/en) (www.babyland-centrum.sk) Brilliant Stars Intl. Kindergarten In Košice: (English) (www.brilliantstars.sk) QSI International School of Košice (located also in Stupava) (English) (http://kosice.qsischool.org) British International School Bratislava (English) (www.nordanglia.com/ A list of kindergartens in Slovakia is bratislava) available at the website of the Institute Cambridge International School for Educational Information and Prognosis (English) (www.cambridgeschool.eu) (www.uips.sk/prehlady-skol/prehlad- Children’s House (English) materskych-skol, in Slovak only). (www.montessori-bratislava.sk) Deutsche schule Bratislava (German) Contact phone numbers of kindergartens, (www.deutscheschule.sk) primary, secondary schools, and universities Ecole française (French) can be found at www.zlatestranky.sk. (www.ecolefrancaise.sk) Many schools have their own websites. Espania (English – Spanish) Contact details and phone numbers of (www.espania.sk) private schools with instruction in a foreign Fairyland (English) language are also available at (http://fairyland.sk/en) http://greenpages.spectator.sme.sk. Fantasy Kindergarten (English) (www.skolka-fantasy.sk) For au-pair services see page 153. 148 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
German, and English. There are also about 5.7 Education system 30 bilingual schools – certain subjects are 5.7.1 School education taught in Slovak, others in a particular foreign language. In Slovakia, there are There are public, private and church bilingual secondary schools in which selected schools. Public primary and secondary subjects are taught in English, German, schools are established by self‑governing French, Spanish, Italian or Russian language. bodies (municipalities, cities and (See the list of schools at the website of self‑governing regions) and education the Institute for Educational Information is provided free of charge. In private and and Prognosis, http://mapaskol.iedu.sk some church schools a school fee is paid. and www.uips.sk/prehlady-skol, find here Special schools and special educational below the guidelines for search: establishments (attended by children Základná škola = primary schools
Daily life in Slovakia with physical and mental disabilities, Gymnázium, lýceum = secondary talented and very talented children) are grammar schol set up under the authority of the state Obchodná akadémia = secondary school (regional authorities). of economics and administration Spojená škola = merged school with There are some schools which aim to two organisational units e.g. secondary develop specific pupils’ talents, such as grammar school and primary school or sports schools, schools for mathematics, merged different types of schools at the foreign languages, etc. same educational level.
Tuition takes place 5 days a week, from Primary education: Monday to Friday. School year lasts from September 1 to June 30, July and August lasts for 9 years and is compulsory. being summer holiday. The tuition usually It usually starts in the age of 6. It is begins at 8:00 and contains from 4 to 8 divided into two stages of 4 and 5 years lessons per day. A standard lesson takes respectively: 45 minutes and is mostly followed by a 10‑minute break; lunch break being longer. First stage of primary education: age 6 to 10 The number of pupils in primary‑school Primary education is provided by the first classes is around 23 pupils per class; however stage of primary school (Grades 1 to 4). this number rises over 30 in upper grades. Enrolling in primary education enables pupils to continue to the second stage A general grading scale in the schools: of primary school or to the initial four years 1 – excellent of the 8‑year secondary school. 2 – very good 3 – good Second stage of primary education: 4 – satisfactory age 10 to 15 5 – unsatisfactory (fail) Second stage of primary education is provided by the second stage of primary In the majority of schools, Slovak language school (Grades 5 to 9) or by the initial four is the language of instruction. However, years of the 8‑year secondary schools. there are also schools with instruction In most cases, it is necessary to pass in other language than Slovak – Hungarian an entrance test to be accepted to the mostly, but also Ukrainian, Bulgarian, secondary education institution. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 149
Secondary education: age 15 to 19 In the majority of schools, Slovak language Secondary education is provided by is the language of instruction. However, the following types of schools: there are also schools with instruction 1. Gymnasium (secondary grammar in other language than Slovak – Hungarian school): Provides general secondary mostly, but also Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Daily life in Slovakia education and prepares for further German, and English. There are also about study at universities and other higher 30 bilingual schools – certain subjects are education institutions. taught in Slovak, others in a particular 2. Specialised secondary school: Prepares foreign language. In Slovakia, there are students for vocational education and for bilingual secondary schools in which study at higher education institutions. selected subjects are taught in English, 3. Conservatories: Conservatories are German, French, Spanish, Italian or Russian a special type of professional school that language. See the list of schools at the provides courses in such fields as Singing, website of the Institute for Educational Music, Dancing and Dramatic Arts. Information and Prognosis – www.uips.sk 4. Vocational secondary school: Prepares – guidelines for the search are here below: students for occupations requiring Základná škola = primary school higher level vocational education and Gymnázium, lýceum = secondary a School Leaving Certificate. Students grammar school may continue their studies at higher Obchodná akadémia = secondary school education institutions. of economics and administration 5. Apprentice training centres: Spojená škola = merged school with Prepare school‑leavers for professional two organisational units e.g. secondary activities. grammar school and primary school or merged different types of schools Secondary school‑leaving certificate at the same educational level. The general prerequisite for admission to higher education study is a secondary A list of schools and education school‑leaving certificate issued after passing establishments in Slovakia is available at the secondary school‑leaving examination the website of the Institute for Educational taken upon completing 13, exceptionally, Information and Prognosis (www.uips.sk, 12 years of study. The school‑leaving in Slovak only) – “PUBLIKÁCIE, ČASOPISY” certificates are issued by most of the (publications, magazines) > “Siete škôl, mentioned types of secondary schools. adresáre, prehľady” (School networks, Higher education institutions organise as databases, overviews) > “Prehľady škôl” a rule the admission examination. (Schools overviews). It is possible to search for information according to different criteria Foreigners coming to Slovakia (kindergarten, primary school, secondary school, university). with a child Children of foreigners with residence Contact phone numbers of kindergartens, (temporary, permanent or tolerated) primary, secondary schools, and universities in Slovakia can attend kindergartens, can be found at www.zlatestranky.sk. elementary or secondary school in their Many schools have their own websites. place of residence or according to their Contact details and phone numbers parents’ choice. Registration for a particular of private schools with instruction school is carried out after an arrangement in a foreign language are also available at with the headmaster of a selected school. http://greenpages.spectator.sme.sk. 150 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
Bilingual secondary schools – Bratislava region Name Town Address URL Type English Cambridge International School Bratislava – Devín Kremelská 2 www.cambridgeschool.eu Private The British International School Bratislava – Dúbravka J. V. Dolinského 1 www.nordanglia.com/bratislava Private QSI International School of Bratislava – The American Bratislava – Karlova Ves Karloveská 64 http://bratislava.qsischool.org Private International School Súkromné gymnázium Bratislava – Nové Mesto Česká 10 www.gymnaziumceska.sk Private Bilingválne gymnázium C. S. Lewisa Bratislava – Petržalka Beňadická 38 www.bilgym.sk Public Gymnázium Bratislava – Petržalka Panchúchova 6 www.gympaba.sk (in Slovak only) Public Evanjelické lýceum Bratislava – Petržalka Vranovská 2 www.evlyceum.sk (in Slovak only) Public
Daily life in Slovakia Bratislava – Galileo School Dudvažská 6 www.galileoschool.sk Private Podunajské Biskupice Gymnázium Juraja Hronca Bratislava – Ružinov Novohradská 3 www.gjh.sk Public French http://gmet.edupage.org Gymnázium Bratislava – Ružinov Metodova 2 Public (in Slovak only) German http://bs.gymbilba.sk Gymnázium Bilíkova Bratislava – Dúbravka Bilíkova 24 Public (in German only) Obchodná akadémia Imricha Karvaša Bratislava – Petržalka Hrobákova 11 http://new.oaikba.sk (in Slovak only) Public Italian Gymnázium Bratislava – Karlova Ves Ul. Ladislava Sáru 1 www.gymls.edu.sk Public Russian Gymnázium Alberta Einsteina Bratislava – Petržalka Einsteinova 35 http://einsteinova.sk (in Slovak only) Public Spanish Bratislava – Gymnázium Federica Garcíu Lorcu Hronská 3 www.gymhron.sk (in Slovak only) Public Podunajské Biskupice
Bilingual secondary schools – Trnava region Name Town Address URL Type English www.privatgymnasium.sk Súkromné gymnázium Galanta Hodská 10 Public (in Slovak only) http://oakuktt.edupage.org Obchodná akadémia Trnava Kukučínova 2 Public (in Slovak only) Anglicko/slovenská bilingválna Trnava Limbová 3 http://besst.sk (in Slovak only) Public škola German http://oakuktt.edupage.org Obchodná akadémia Trnava Kukučínova 2 Public (in Slovak only) The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 151
Bilingual secondary schools – Trenčín region Name Town Address URL Type English
Súkromné gymnázium FUTURUM Trenčín Na dolinách 27 www.sgfuturum.sk Private Daily life in Slovakia French Gymnázium Ľ. Štúra Trenčín 1. mája 2 www.glstn.sk Public German Gymnázium Vavrinca Benedikta Prievidza Matice slovenskej 16 www.gympd.sk Public Nedožerského Spanish Bilingválne slovensko-španielske www.bilgymnmv.edu.sk Nové Mesto nad Váhom Športová 41 Public gymnázium (in Slovak only)
Bilingual secondary schools – Nitra region Name Town Address URL Type English Súkromné gymnázium T. Smaragd Levice Ul. SNP 26 www.tsmaragd.sk (in Slovak only) Private Spanish Gymnázium Nitra Párovská 1 www.gymparnr.edu.sk Public
Bilingual secondary schools – Žilina region Name Town Address URL Type English Gymnázium Jozefa Miloslava Čadca 17. novembra 1296 www.gymcadca.eu (in Slovak only) Public Hurbana Obchodná akadémia Dušana Čadca 17. novembra 1296 www.oaca.sk Public Metoda Janotu Súkromné gymnázium Dolný Kubín Nemocničná 2 www.hudak.tym.sk Private Evanjelická spojená škola Liptovský Mikuláš Komenského 10 http://esslm.sk Public Bilingválne gymnázium Milana http://gbas.edupage.org Sučany Komenského 215 Public Hodžu (in Slovak only) Súkromné gymnázium Žilina Oravská cesta 11 www.ssag.sk Private French Bilingválne gymnázium Žilina T. Ružičku 3 www.gbza.eu (in Slovak only) Public Spanish www.gmhtrstena.sk Gymnázium Martina Hattalu Trstená Železničiarov 278 Public (in Slovak only) 152 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
Bilingual secondary schools – Banská Bystrica region Name Town Address URL Type English Evanjelické gymnázium Tisovec Jesenského 836 www.egt.sk Public French Gymnázium Jozefa Gregora http://bsgjgt.php5.sk Banská Bystrica J. G. Tajovského 25 Public Tajovského (in Slovak only) Spanish Gymnázium Mikuláša Kováča Banská Bystrica Mládežnícka 51 www.gmkbb.sk (in Slovak only) Public
Bilingual secondary schools – Prešov region Name Town Address URL Type Daily life in Slovakia English Súkromné bilingválne gymnázium Prešov Solivarská 28 www.sukromnaskola.sk/sgpo Private German Spojená škola Dominika Tatarku Poprad D. Tatarku 4666/7 www.ssdtpp.sk (in Slovak only) Public Russian Súkromné bilingválne gymnázium Snina Budovateľská 1992/9 http://sgsnina.edupage.org Private
Bilingual secondary schools – Košice region Name Town Address URL Type English QSI International School of Košice Košice ZS Drabova 3 http://kosice.qsischool.org Private Košice – Dargovských http://gymes.edupage.org Gymnázium sv. Edity Steinovej Charkovská 1 Public hrdinov (in Slovak only) Súkromné gymnázium HUMAN Košice – Sídlisko KVP Starozagorská 8 www.schoolhuman.eu Private Evanjelické gymnázium Jana Amosa Košice – Staré mesto Škultétyho 10 www.gjak.sk Public Komenského Súkromné gymnázium Košice – Západ Katkin park 2 www.sgcr.sk (in Slovak only) Private www.gjavsnv.edu.sk Gymnázium Spišská Nová Ves Javorová 16 Public (in Slovak only) French Gymnázium Milana Rastislava Nám. L. Košice – Staré Mesto www.gmrske.sk (in Slovak only) Public Štefánika Novomeského 4 Spanish http://gpm.edupage.org Gymnázium Košice – Sever Park mládeže 3 Public (in Slovak only) Information on studies in Spanish in Slovakia can be found at www.educacion.gob.es/exterior/sk/es/home/index.shtml (in Spanish only). The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 153
After‑school activity possibility of being prepared for classes or accompanied to children’s clubs, Primary or secondary school classes are after‑school activities, babysitting usually held from 8:00 to 13:30. There are in the evenings and at weekends, etc.) usually educational establishments where Daily life in Slovakia pupils of the first stage of primary schools A babysitting charge depends on a type can spend their free time after classes. of babysitting (regular, occasional, in a school Attendance is voluntary. Their activities facility or in the household), on a length are aimed at developing pupils’ talents, of babysitting (short‑time or long‑time preparing for lessons on the next day and babysitting), as well as on a number organising sports activities in general. of children. The price is 3 – 6 € per hour.
Students can attend afterschool clubs run For further information contact directly by schools themselves, devoted to various particular agencies or consult their websites. fields of interest, e.g. science, ecology, A majority of agencies can also provide drama classes, music, sport, photography, a babysitter who can speak a foreign language etc. Main enrolment/registration days for (usually English, German or French). a particular after school activity/programme are usually held in September. For further For a few examples of these see information contact the respective school. http://greenpages.spectator.sme.sk (section “Domestic Supplies & Personal Apart from that, students can also attend Services”, subsection “Babysitting Services language classes specially designed & Care Providers”). for their age and interests, leisure and hobby centres, or primary schools of art. 5.7.2 Higher education (When looking for primary schools of art search for the term “základná umelecká Oldest Slovak Universities škola” in a standard search engine). The first university on the territory There are so‑called centres of free time of present‑day Slovakia, Academia (“Centrá voľného času” – CVČ) in all the Istropolitana (1465 – 1491), was established regions of Slovakia. The list of them can be in Bratislava during the rule of Matthias found on the webpage of Iuventa – Slovak Corvinus (1458 – 1490). In 1635, Peter Youth Institute (www.iuventa.sk), or use Pazmany established Trnava University again the standard search engine. (which was relocated to Budapest in 1777).
Many children and youth organisations providing after‑school activities are associated with the Youth Council of Slovakia (www.mladez.sk, in Slovak only).
Au‑pair service
If you need to babysit your child, you can use the services of one of the many agencies which arrange babysitting for a fee (for both healthy or sick children, whole‑day or just afternoon babysitting – with the 154 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
The Jesuits founded Košice University 20 public institutions of higher in 1 657. In 1770, the enlightened, absolutist education, comprising 9 more ruler, Maria Theresa, established the first or less traditional universities, school of mining in the world – Mining 5 universities of technology, 3 higher Academy in Banská Štiavnica. education institutions of art and music, 1 university of economics, Higher Education Institutions 1 university of veterinary medicine and 1 agricultural university. Higher education institutions (HEIs) state higher education institutions, are third‑level educational, scientific and – state institutions of higher education art institutions. The major task of HEIs (3 HEIs) are military, police and is the provision of higher education and medical schools. They are established creative scientific research or creative by law and governed by the state
Daily life in Slovakia artistic activity. through the corresponding ministries of the government. The state HEIs Higher education institutions are are fully financed from the state budget. classified by the nature and scope of their private higher education institutions. activities into university type of HEIs – private institutions of higher and non‑university type of HEIs. education (13 HEIs) need a state a) The university type of higher education approval issued by the Government institutions provides education in the of the Slovak Republic. They study programmes of all 3 levels of are established and financed by higher education (Bachelor’s, Master’s, non‑governmental institutions or Doctoral) with a significant portion founders. Most of the private higher of study programmes of the second education institutions provide level and study programmes of the education in the field of economics, third level. The study programmes are business, management, public carried out in connection with activities administration, law, international of higher education institutions in the relations, regional development, field of science, technology or art, medical and social work. and in compliance with the current state and development of such fields. Also foreign higher education The term “university” may only be used institutions established and situated in the name of a university type of higher on the territory of another EU/EEA education institution. Member State or Switzerland may b) The non‑university type of higher provide higher education in accordance education institutions provides with the law of their country of origin on the higher education mostly in the study territory of Slovakia once they have been programmes of the first level. granted official approval by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport Based on founding and funding there are of Slovak Republic. 3 types of HEIs: public higher education institutions You can find a comprehensive list of HEIs – public institutions of higher education in Slovakia with their websites under the are established by law. They are section Research in Slovakia (chapter 3). financed mostly by the Government. They are statutory and self‑governing Higher education institutions provide institutions. At present, there are higher education within the framework The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 155 of accredited study programmes. The study number of credits required for the due programmes are offered at 3 levels. It is completion of the study in its respective possible that an HEI will join the first two stages. levels of higher education into a single whole. Grading is based on the ECTS grading scale: Daily life in Slovakia A – excellent = 1 The first level is the Bachelor study B – very good (above‑average programme. achievements) = 1.5 C – good (average achievements) = 2 The study programmes of the second D – laudable (acceptable achievements) = 2.5 level and those of the first two levels E – satisfactory (achievements fulfil only of higher education joined into a single the minimum criteria) = 3 whole are: FX – unsatisfactory – fail (achievements do Master study programmes, not fulfil even the minimum criteria) = 4 Engineer study programmes, Doctor study programmes. Degrees awarded in the Slovak Republic Higher education institutions award the The study programme of the third following academic degrees: level is the PhD study programme and specialised training in medicine. 1st level – Bachelor (comprising app. 180 credits) All study programmes must be accredited “bakalár“ (abbr. “Bc.”). by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic. 2nd level – Master (comprising app. 120 credits) The academic year begins on September 1 “magister” (abbr. “Mgr.”), of the current year and ends on August 31 in the field of art “magister umenia” of the following year. It is composed of (abbr. “Mgr. art.”), 2 semesters (the winter semester lasts “inžinier” (abbr. “Ing.”) in technical, from September to January and the summer agricultural and economic fields of semester lasts from February to June). Engineer’s programmes, and in the The organisation of academic year is set by field of architecture and town‑planning the statute of the faculty or statute of the the academic degree of “inžinier higher education institution. architekt” (abbr. “Ing. arch.”), “doktor medicíny” (abbr. “MUDr.”) The teaching process includes lectures, in the field of human medicine, seminars, exercises, laboratory work, “doktor stomatológie” (abbr. “MDDr.”) projects, practical training, consultations, – dentists, etc. For the assessment of students’ “doktor veterinárskej medicíny” achievements the credit system following (abbr. “MVDr.”) the rules of the European Credit Transfer in the field of veterinary medicine. System (ECTS) is used; it was introduced in 2002 for all levels and forms of higher 3rd level – PhD (doctoral) education study. The student’s standard “philosophiae doctor” (abbr.“ PhD.”), work load is expressed by the number “artis doctor“ (abbr. “ArtD.”) of credits: 60 credits per academic year in the field of art. and 30 credits per semester. Every higher education institution determines the total 156 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
Examina rigorosa Holders of the academic degree 5.9 Hiking and tourism of “magister” may take examina rigorosa, which includes also the defence of a rigorosa With its varied terrain, the Slovak Republic thesis. After its successful completion is a hiker’s paradise. It is criss‑crossed with the higher education institutions award valleys, basins, lowlands and hills. It is the following academic degrees: a country full of natural beauty. The biggest “doktor prírodných vied” (abbr. “RNDr.”) and best‑known mountains are Tatras in natural science study programmes, (“Tatry”) – a national symbol. “doktor farmácie” (abbr. “PharmDr.”) in pharmacy study programmes, Mountains “doktor filozofie” (abbr. “PhDr.”) in social science and art science study The Tatra Mountains are divided into
Daily life in Slovakia programmes, “Západné” (Western), “Vysoké” (High), “doktor práv” (abbr. “JUDr.”) “Belianske” and “Nízke” (Low). High Tatras in law study programmes, “Vysoké Tatry“ mountains are situated “doktor pedagogiky” (abbr. “PaedDr.”) in the northern part of Slovakia, on the in teacher training and sports study border with Poland. In 1949, it was declared programmes, to be the first Slovak national park (TANAP) “doktor teológie” (abbr. “ThDr.”) and in 1993 it was, together with the Polish in theological study programmes except part of the Tatras mountains, declared for the study programmes in the field by the UNESCO to be the “Biospheric of Catholic Theology. reservation of the Tatras”. High Tatras include 25 peaks reaching the height of over 2,000 m. Some of the highest and most 5.8 Electrical appliances beautiful peaks in the range are “Kriváň” and computers (2,494 m), “Gerlachovský štít” (2,655 m), “Slavkovský štít” (2,452 m) and “Lomnický In Slovakia 230 V/50 Hz electrical system štít” (2,632 m). is used and appliances are designed for a round pin plug and receptacle (socket) The Tatra National Park (TANAP) contains with male grounding pin. For safety and to protected flora and fauna. The beauty avoid damage to electrical appliances, it of the National Park is enhanced by natural is important to bring equipment designed mountain lakes (“pleso”) that formed for the above‑mentioned frequency and during the ice age. The largest of these voltage, and use dual voltage equipment or voltage converters/transformers. Moreover, plug adapter will also be needed if your device is constructed for other standards.
For those bringing US standard equipment, an earthed (grounded) step‑down transformer is necessary for US computers, monitors and printers. Even with the most expensive transformers, one should always monitor the electrical supply. Most printers will need an adapter but not all adapters are recommended for printers. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 157 is “Veľké Hincovo pleso”, while “Štrbské “Malá” and “Veľká Fatra” – mountains, pleso”, “Modré pleso”, “Zamrznuté pleso” “Súľovské skaly” – rocky massif and “Zelené pleso” are amongst the most formed into shapes of towers, cones, picturesque. Many waterfalls can also be needles, gates, a unique phenomenon found here, of which the most celebrated in the territory of Western Carpathian Daily life in Slovakia are “Obrovský” and “Kmeťov” waterfalls. Mountains, 350 km of marked tourist paths are “Muránska planina” – plateau with available for hikers. Different ski resorts a unique flora and fauna, including wild with ski lifts, chair lifts, cableways and horses. cable railway are on offer for downhill skiing. There are also several cross‑country Hiking signs skiing centres and official mountaineering skiing trails available. In Slovakia, there are If you are more interested in shorter strolls, numerous hiking we recommend you to visit the Pieniny routes, which are National Park (PIENAP), situated to the easy to follow east of “Vysoké Tatry”. The most popular thanks to colour attraction is a fork in the River Dunajec, symbols along where rafting in 9 km long Dunajec Canyon the way. The (Dunajec gorge) from the Red Monastery hiking (trekking) to Lesnica is on offer. routes are mostly marked More information: by 3 horizontal website of the municipality Vysoké Tatry stripes forming – www.vysoketatry.sk (in Slovak only) a square, 2 white stripes at borders to draw website of the Slovak Tourist Board – attention and a coloured one (red, blue, www.slovakia.travel green or yellow) in the middle to indicate the route. If necessary the striped square Low Tatras “Nízke Tatry” is the second takes the form of a striped arrow to highest mountain range in Slovakia and indicate a change in the direction of the lies between the Váh and Hron valleys. route. The lengths of the routes are given The highest peaks are “Ďumbier” (2,043 m) as average hiking times or as a distance and “Chopok” (2,024 m), from which there in kilometres at frequent signposts. To see is an unmatched view of the surrounding the used hiking symbols, please, visit the landscape. The National park of Low Tatras website of the Club of Slovak Tourists has also been established there (NAPANT). at www.kst.sk (in Slovak only, section “Značenie”, subsection “O značkovaní”). More information: website of the National park of Low Walks Tatras (NAPANT) – www.napant.sk website of the Slovak Tourist Board In Bratislava region (official – www.slovakia.travel website of the city of Bratislava – www.bratislava.sk, Bratislava Guide – Other natural attractions are: www.bratislavaguide.com), you can use Slovak Paradise “Slovenský raj”, your free time for walks in the historical “Slovenský kras” – the largest karst centre of the capital, its cobbled streets region in Central Europe, and squares, visit Bratislava or Devín 158 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
Castle, St. Martin’s Cathedral, Church complex, Square of the Slovak National of the Poor Clares, Trinitarians Church, Uprising, Monument of the Slovak St. Elizabeth’s Church (so‑called Blue National Uprising), trips to hills and Church) or other churches, Michael’s such ranges as “Starohorské vrchy”, the Gate or Primatial Palace, Old Town Hall, Low Tatras (“Nízke Tatry”) and “Veľká Grassalkovich Palace – the seat of the Fatra” or“Kremnické vrchy”. Do not miss president. You can visit also surrounding the historical mining towns of Banská towns and villages, make a trip to hills Štiavnica and Kremnica. Near Banská like “Malé Karpaty”, cycling expeditions Štiavniaca there is also an Antol Castle along the Small Carpathian Wine – mansion house in Svätý Anton. Route (“Malokarpatská vínna cesta”, In Zvolen area (www.zvolen.sk), you www.mvc.sk) or you can go cycling can admire a stunning landscape of along the Morava and Danube Rivers. hills like “Kremnické vrchy”, “Štiavnické
Daily life in Slovakia Do not forget to visit thermal spas and vrchy” and “Vtáčnik”. The spa resorts of museums in this area. Kováčová and Sliač offer relaxation after In Trnava region (www.trnava.sk), a long hike. Visit also Zvolen Castle and visit the historic town of Trnava and Castle Pustý hrad directly in Zvolen that make a trip to the hills of the “Malé belongs to the largest ones in Central Karpaty” and the Driny cave – the only Europe. cave open to the public in western In Žilina region (www.zilina.sk), you part of the country. You can also visit can seize the day by walking in the town nearby castles of “Červený kameň” (long pedestrian zone, Square of Virgin (Red Stone), “Smolenice” or castle ruins Mary, church of St. Stephen in Rudiny of “Dechtice”. In Trnava region, there is from 13th century, Budatin Castle), also a popular spa resort of Piešťany. visiting small villages, or hike in the hills In Nitra region (www.nitra.sk), as “Malá Fatra”, “Súľovské vrchy” or in addition to Nitra’s historic treasures relax in the spa resort of Rajecké Teplice. (Nitra castle, Franciscan Church and In Ružomberok area Monastery, The Small and Grand (www.ruzomberok.sk), there are Seminary, Romanesque Church of beautiful villages near Ružomberok St. Michael Archangel in Drážovce from offering hikes up the hills and the “Veľká 12th century), visit nearby thermal spas Fatra”, Low Tatras (“Nízke Tatry”) and in Diakovce. “Chočské vrchy” ranges. The mineral In Trenčín region (www.trencin.sk), use springs of Kúpele Lúčky and Korytnica your stay for a walk around the town provide refreshment to everyone; (Trenčín Castle, Roman inscription an open thermal pool in Bešeňová offers from 2nd century) or a trip to such hills possibility of year‑round swimming. as the “Biele Karpaty”, as well as In Prešov region (www.presov.sk, the “Strážovské vrchy” and “Považský in Slovak only), you can walk in the Inovec”. If you like spa resorts, town (Uniate Bishop’s Palace, Uniate you should definitely pay a visit to Cathedral Temple of St. John the Trenčianske Teplice. In Trenčín region, Baptist, Klobusiczky Palace, Church near the town of Prievdza, lies an of St. Nicholas), visit nearby villages enchanting neogothic castle of Bojnice or towns or take a trip to the areas of (www.bojnicecastle.sk). Sigord, Haniska and Cemjata, as well In Banská Bystrica region as to the hills (“Slanské vrchy”) or relax (www.banskabystrica.sk), you can at the Domaša reservoir. Be sure not enjoy the town’s beauty (town castle to overlook Dubník with its opal mines The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 159
– a real European rarity. The town of and lasted till the half of the 14th century. Levoča (www.levoca.sk) is famous for its New stone forts were built in the place of gothic art (wooden altars and statues) original wooden castles or near them, but by the workshop of Master Pavol, new castles were built as well. Most of the the sculptor. Slovak castles were built before the half of Daily life in Slovakia In Košice region (www.kosice.sk), the 15th century. The nobility got the royal visit the Košice town (St. Elizabeth’s property step by step either as advance Cathedral, St. Michael’s Chapel, Saint payment for a loan given to a monarch Urban’s Tower), the second largest or for extraordinary and loyal services to town in Slovakia. The village of Herľany the king. In the period of humanism and offers a unique cold geyser and mineral renaissance, the system of the castles springs to relax by. Excursions to gradually lost its military and strategic the surrounding countryside are not importance and aristocratic families started complete without seeing the Zemplínska to move from castles to manor houses and šírava region, while wine lovers should to the towns. In this period, a lot of castles certainly pay a visit to the wine cellars were demolished, burned and others fell of the Tokay region, such as those into disrepair after inhabitants moved in Malá Tŕňa or Veľká Trňa. out. At present, many of the castles are reconstructed and are open to the public.
Caves
There are many karst regions in the Slovak Republic. There are more than 6,200 caves in Slovakia, including ten stalactite caves, two ice caves, and one aragonite cave that are open to the public (Slovak Caves Administration – www.ssj.sk).
In different mountain areas you can Castles find beautiful caves: in Nízke Tatry The country’s historic and architecturally – Demänovská jaskyňa slobody, precious buildings are also great tourist Demänovská ľadová jaskyňa, Bystrianska attractions. The first castles were built jaskyňa and Važecká jaskyňa; in Belianske at the territory of the Slovak Republic Tatry – Belianska jaskyňa; in Slovenský in the 10th century at the strategically kras – Domica, Jasovská jaskyňa and important locations. In those times, it Gombasecká jaskyňa; in Malé Karpaty was necessary to protect the border areas – Driny; in Slovenský raj – Dobšinská against attacks of invaders and to prevent ľadová jaskyňa; in Veľká Fatra their entering into the country. In addition – Harmanecká jaskyňa; in Slovenské to guarding services, a system of castles rudohorie – Ochtinská aragonitová jaskyňa. was used also to guard the most important roads. A protecting system of castles Spas in the Považie region protected crossings over the Váh River. The most extensive Spa treatment has a long history thanks construction of stone castles in Slovakia to the country’s large number of mineral started immediately after the Tartars springs. Some of them are mentioned under invasion in the middle of the 13th century “Walks“. 160 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
two Roman Catholic, three Protestant and three Greek Orthodox churches built between the 16th and 18th centuries (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1273).
Natural Monuments Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst – the greatest karst region in Central Europe. Caves open to the public: Dobšinská Ice Cave, Domica Cave, Gombasecká Cave, Jasovská Cave, Krásnohorská Cave, Ochtinská Aragonite Cave (www.ssj.sk/jaskyne,
Daily life in Slovakia http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/725). More information: Primeval Beech Forests of the website of the Slovak Tourist Board Carpathians and the Ancient Beech – www.slovakia.travel Forest of Germany (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1133) Slovakia and UNESCO World Heritage Intangible Heritage Places included on the UNESCO List Fujara and its music – musical of the World Heritage and the UNESCO instrument that can be found only List of the Masterpieces of the Oral and in Slovakia. It is a wooden over‑tone Intangible Heritage of Humanity: fipple flute that can be up to 1,8 m long (http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/ Cultural Monuments index.php?lg=en&pg=00011&RL=00099). Bardejov Town Conservation Reserve Music of Terchová – traditional (www.bardejov.sk, in Slovak only; musical culture in the village of http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/973), Terchová in north‑west Slovakia Historic Town of Banská Štiavnica and (www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index. the Technical Monuments in its Vicinity php?lg=en&pg=00011&RL=00877). (www.banskastiavnica.sk, http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/618), More information: Levoča, Spišský Hrad and the Associated Website of the UNESCO – Cultural Monuments http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/sk (www.spisskyhrad.sk) – the most extensive fortress in Central Europe Website of the Slovak Tourist Board – and monuments in its surroundings, http://slovakia.travel/en and historic town‑centre of Levoča (www.levoca.sk, http://whc.unesco.org/ en/list/620), Vlkolínec – a Monument Reserve of Folk Architecture (www.vlkolinec.sk, http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/622) – a remarkably intact settlement of 45 traditional log houses, Wooden Churches of the Slovak part of the Carpathian Mountain Area – The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 161
5.10 Language Course in Contact and Distance Form” for all levels of language development, Slovak is the official language and i.e. beginners (A1, A2), intermediate and belongs to t he West Slavic subgroup upper‑intermediate (B1, B2) and advanced of the Indo‑European language family, (C1, C2). Daily life in Slovakia and uses the Roman script. It does not differ significantly from Czech, and Bilateral agreements often offer scholarships comprehension in both languages is rather for participation in summer courses of the common. The majority of the population of Slovak language and culture organised the Slovak Republic (86%) speaks Slovak by the SAS. This intensive programme is as their mother tongue. The second most especially offered to university professors, widely spoken mother tongue is Hungarian. experienced teachers, postgraduates of Slovak and Slavonic studies, writers, The most widely spoken foreign languages translators and all others interested in Slovak are English, German, Russian, Hungarian language and culture. A summer course and French. The young urban population lasts 3 weeks and takes place in August. is generally considered to be the most linguistically proficient. Foreign languages More information: are sometimes taught at kindergarten, www.fphil.uniba.sk/sas usually at primary school in lower grades and always in the upper ones (5th till 9th) The Institute for Language and and at secondary schools. There are some Academic Preparation for foreigners primary and secondary schools that conduct and compatriots, part of the Comenius classes in foreign languages such as University, offers preparation of international Hungarian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, English, students for study at all levels of university German, French, Italian and Spanish. studies in the Slovak Republic. Private language schools offer many possibilities for children, young people and More information: adults to learn foreign languages. www.cdvuk.sk/blade/index. php?c=1820&our-programmes-and-courses Slovak language courses Third‑country nationals can attend a free To familiarize yourself with the Slovak of charge Open Course of Slovak Language language, you can use a free on‑line portal organized in Bratislava and Košice by IOM www.slovake.eu, which offers Slovak Migration Information Centre. language courses at different levels (A1 and A2), grammar, exercises or games. More information: http://mic.iom.sk/en/home.html. To foreign students, scholarship holders, host students and others, who are Some universities and research interested, courses of Slovak as a foreign institutions organise Slovak language language are offered by Studia Academica courses for their international Slovaca (SAS) – The Centre for Slovak students/researchers, e.g. the Institute as a Foreign Language. In 2006, the for Language and Academic Preparation SAS Centre acquired accreditation for Foreign Students of the Comenius of the Ministry of Education of the Slovak University in Bratislava (www.cdvuk.sk), Republic for providing education activities and the Methodical Centre of Matej Bel “Slovak as a Foreign Language – Language University in Banská Bystrica (www.umb.sk, 162 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
[email protected]). For more information A portal to catalogs and collections contact the International Relations of Slovak libraries can be found Office of the respective higher education at www.kis3g.sk/en/index.html. institution. A database of the Slovak libraries can Foreigners can attend courses in the Slovak be found at www.infolib.sk/sk/kniznice/ language at several private language adresare/zoznam-kniznic-sr/, a few of the schools that provide courses at all list (national and scientific labriaries) can be levels of language proficiency: beginner, consulted on the web pages as per below: intermediate, advanced. They offer group National Library of Slovakia, Martin instruction or individual courses tailored to www.snk.sk the clients’ individual needs. The courses are University Library in Bratislava aimed at mastering all four language skills: www.ulib.sk
Daily life in Slovakia speaking, listening, reading and writing. State scientific library, Banská Bystrica The courses are usually held twice a week, www.svkbb.eu 2 standard lessons (90 min. in total) per day. State scientific library, Košice www.svkk.sk Private language schools offering courses State scientific library, Prešov of Slovak are, for example, Academy of www.svkpo.sk Education (www.aveducation.sk, in Slovak Central Library of the Slovak Academy only), Eurolingua (www.eurolingua.sk), of Sciences in Bratislava Berlitz (www.berlitz.sk) or other smaller www.uk.sav.sk private language schools. Slovak Medical Library, Bratislava www.sllk.sk Slovak Pedagogic Library, Bratislava 5.11 Libraries www.spgk.sk (in Slovak only) Slovak Centre of Scientific and Technical There is 1 National Library, 8 scientific Information, Bratislava libraries, 33 academic libraries, www.cvtisr.sk 2 598 public libraries, 357 special libraries Slovak library of economics and 4 554 school libraries in Slovakia. of University of Economics in Bratislava The University Library in Bratislava, founded www.sek.euba.sk in 1919, contains more than 2 million volumes Slovak Library of Forestry and Wood and is the country’s most important library. Sciences at the Technical University, The Slovak National Library (1863), located Zvolen in Martin, includes a collection of materials sldk.tuzvo.sk relating to Slovak culture. Slovak Agricultural Library at Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra www.slpk.sk
In general, users of the library‘s research areas, including Computer Catalog Centers and Copyright Office public service areas, are each required to have a Reader Identification Card issued by the library. You need to have a reader‘s card also to borrow books. It can be obtained by producing a valid state‑issued identification card or passport. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 163
Usually there are anual charges Food for using library services that can vary Lunch at a canteen: from 1.60 € around 6 €. New researchers should Restaurant meal: from 5 € register in person at Central Registration A pizza in a pizzeria: from 4 € Station Desks. The libraries do not accept 1 litre of milk: 0.80 € Daily life in Slovakia registrations via mail, e‑mail, or telephone. 1 litre of mineral water: 0.40 € A loaf of bread: 0.70 € Almost all media available at the libraries 400 g spaghetti: 0.70 € can be found in the on-line catalogues Beer: 1 € (LIBRIS, BIBLIS or Web‑OPAC system) that allows you to search according to various Transportation factors. You can see where the publication Local transport, basic non‑through is located and whether it can be borrowed, ticket (single journey): from 0.40 € viewed in the reading room, or is already Local transport, monthly ticket/travel signed out. It is also possible to access pass: from 16.60 € electronic journals through university servers. Coaches: The loan period is normally four weeks. Bratislava – Košice, 445 km, from 20 € Renewal may be usually made up to three Bratislava – Žilina, 203 km, from 8 € times, provided no one has placed a hold Bratislava – Banská Bystrica, 230 km, on the item(s). After the third renewal, the from 11 € item must be returned to the library. Trains Libraries in Slovakia mostly have public Bratislava – Košice: from 18 € Internet points. The terms of their Bratislava – Žilina: from 9.40 € usage may vary from library to library, Bratislava – Banská Bystrica: from 10.50 € but generally using a computer is free of Taxi within Bratislava: app. 0.60 € per charge, in some cases a fee may be asked. km (minimum fare from 3.20 €) Sometimes the usage terms limit the Petrol per litre: from 1.50 € amount of time that a computer may be Diesel per litre: from 1.40 € used per day or week by one person. Having fun 5.12 Living costs Cinema ticket: 3 – 8 € Museum ticket: from 1 € Prices provided below give an idea of how Theatre ticket: 2.50 – 20 € for drama, much it costs to live in Slovakia. These 4 – 35 € for opera and ballet costs are only approximate and they are Fitness centre ticket: from 3 € a subject to change. Swimming pool ticket: from 1.50 € Rent a bike: from 8.80 € per day Rent a guest room at a students’ dormitory: from 11.80 € per night 5.13 Healthcare 1 bedroom flat: from 300 € per month including utilities (in larger towns The healthcare system in Slovakia falls the prices are higher, especially in town under the competence of the Ministry centres) of Health of the Slovak Republic 2 bedroom flat: from 400 € per month (www.health.gov.sk). In Slovakia there are including utilities state and private health care providers. 164 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
An initial medical examination in case is paid for by the insurance company. of an illness is provided by state or private Depending on the type of service provided, general practitioners (“všeobecný the health insurance company will pay lekár“). Everybody can choose a general for this service either in full or partially. practitioner who usually provides basic If the health insurance company pays for health care and can refer a patient to an the service only partially, the rest is paid appropriate specialist for further medical by the foreigner directly to the health care examination or treatment. provider. If a foreign national does not have health insurance, he/she must pay the full In general, you don‘t need an appointment amount for healthcare provided. to see a general practitioner. It is advisable to arrive early in the morning/beginning Doctors of the doctor‘s office hours in order to
Daily life in Slovakia join a waiting list for the particular day General practitioners and specialists (sometimes there are numbered cards have their consulting rooms in hospitals available in the waiting room and their (“nemocnica“) or in health centres number per day is limited). If you need (“poliklinika“). You do not necessarily have to see a specialist, you have to ask your to register with a local doctor when you first general practitioner for a referral card arrive but it may be useful to get information first, unless the specialist is a dentist, and contacts before you need one. a gynaecologist, a psychiatrist, a dermatologist or an ophtalmologist (only A list of general practicioners in case of glasses prescription), otherwise in Slovakia can be found here: the specialist will not admit you. The www.zzz.sk/?page=hladaj&typ= referral card is only necessary for the first praktickylekardospeli (in Slovak only, but consultation of the specialist. Usually the contact details are comprehensible). it is possible to make an appointment for a specific time (for a fee) or get The list of other ambulances according to a preferential entry (for a higher fee). the specialization can be found at This means you do not have to wait but www.zzz.sk/?page=zoznam_ambulancii. you may have your medical examination immediately or within a very short time, The list of health care providers according ahead of other patients waiting. to the specialization may be found also in the web catalogue at If a foreign national wants to use the www.azet.sk/katalog/zdravotnicke- services of Slovak healthcare system, zariadenia/ (in Slovak only). these may be covered either by direct payment (usually cash, or using a card, if Dentists available) or by health insurance. There may be various types of health insurance In every town there is either a private or state – public or commercial, Slovak or foreign. dental practice (“zubár“, “stomatológ“). More information is available in the Upon arrival you should ask for details chapter 4.4 Social security and Health of the chosen dentist. However, even if you insurance. If a foreign national has health have an insurance, part of the treatment insurance (which has to be demonstrated is normally not covered and it is charged by showing a health insurance company directly to the patient after the care has ID card or other relevant document to been provided. It is usually essential to book a nurse/doctor), the health care provided an appointment with a dentist in advance. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 165
Find a dentist in a list at emergency medical care providers www.zzz.sk/?page=hladaj&typ=zubna in Bratislava); or www.zlatestranky.sk/ and http://zoznamzubarov.sk/vysledky- hladanie/emergency/ (list of emergency hladania/?alllistings=true#headeranchor medical care providers in Slovakia). (in Slovak only). Daily life in Slovakia Important telephone numbers: Integrated emergency rescue system: Hospitals 112 (communication in foreign languages In every university town there is a hospital possible) (“nemocnica“). Normally you are referred Emergency ambulance service: 155 there by your general practitioner, specialist, Rescue line (Reťaz Života or an emergency service, who will explain Foundation): +421/850 111 313. A doctor what you need to do and where to go. will advise you about how to provide the first aid prior to the arrival of the List of hospitals can be found at medical rescue team. www.zzz.sk/?page=zoznam-nemocnic- liecebni (in Slovak only). Emergency ambulance telephone numbers: Emergency ambulance service Emergency in Banská Bystrica: +421/48/414 66 66 If you need emergency services (“záchranná Emergency ambulance service služba“), dial telephone number “112“ in Bratislava region: +421/2/63 83 31 30 which is an integrated number for all (street Strečnianska), +421/2/48 27 92 57 services. The dispatchers should be able to (clinic Ružinov) speak English. You may also call telephone Emergency ambulance service in Nitra: number “155“ which is used exclusively for +421/37/654 52 88, +421/37/651 42 59 medical emergencies, or local emergency Emergency ambulance service in Košice: ambulance services that you can see below. +421/55/16 183 Ambulances are well staffed and equipped Emergency ambulance service in Prešov: with life‑sustaining apparatus needed 051 773 2 220, 051 773 3 444 to safely transport patients to hospital. Emergency ambulance service in Trenčín: Hospitals provide 24‑hour emergency +421/51/773 22 20, +421/51/773 34 44 services. If your condition is not apparently Emergency ambulance service in Trnava: life‑threatening but you still need medical +421/33/553 61 03 services after working hours of your Emergency ambulance service physician, you can go to “pohotovosť“, in Žilina region: +421/41/51 1 04 38, an Accident and Emergency department +421/41/723 33 83 (street V. Spanyola), which can be found in a local hospital or +421/41/569 36 66 (street Osloboditeľov). a specialised clinic. It usually opens in the afternoon hours and closes in the evening Pharmacies or remains open overnight (depending on the particular city or hospital). You will be You can buy medicine only charged a small fee to use this service. in pharmacies (“lekáreň“), located in every town and Some emergency health care providers in some villages (they are marked can be found at www.visit.bratislava. with a green cross). Every town has to sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_ have at least one emergency pharmacy org=700014&id=1183&p1=3134 (list of (“pohotovostná lekáreň“) open 24 hours 166 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
a day, 7 days a week – for further details price using modern techniques of consult the information posted on the door cosmetology and skin care. Most of them of every pharmacy. If you require treatment provide also nail design. There is also a lot at night, look for the sign “nočná služba“. of hairdressers’ providing hair expert advice Pharmacies sell domestic and foreign upon request. medical products. Certain medicine can be obtained only with a prescription from a physician. For a list of pharmacies, please, 5.15 Public holidays visit this page: www.zzz.sk/?page=lekarne (in Slovak only). The following days are official public holidays: January 1 (Day of the Establishment of the Slovak Republic) 5.14 Other services January 6 (Epiphany)
Daily life in Slovakia March – April (Good Friday, Easter Car rental Monday, set according to the Christian In Slovakia, there are many car rental Calendar, check the concrete dates companies. Prices depend on the period of the respective year after arrival) over which the car is rented and the May 1 (Labour Day) type of the car. Contact phone numbers May 8 (Day of victory over fascism are available on the website of the – End of World War II in Europe) Yellow Pages www.zlatestranky.sk, July 5 (St Cyril and Methodius Day) section “Automobiles – rental & leasing” August 29 (Slovak National Uprising (“Automobily – požičovne”) and the Green anniversary) Pages http://greenpages.spectator.sme.sk, September 1 (Day of the Constitution section “Automotive” (“Auto‑moto”), of the Slovak Republic) subsection “Car Rental Companies” September 15 (Day of Our Lady of the (“Autopožičovne”). Seven Sorrows, patron saint of Slovakia – the Blessed Virgin Mary) November 1 (All Saints’ Day) Laundry and dry cleaning service November 17 (Struggle for Freedom At present, there are several launderettes and Democracy Day) in Slovakia (“práčovňa” in Slovak) – e. g. December 24 (Christmas Eve) www.cent.sk (in Slovak only); December 25 (Christmas Day) www.pramako.sk/samoobsluzne-pracovne/ December 26 (St. Stephen’s Day) (in Slovak only); www.flipperwash.sk. You can also use home laundry facilities People usually do not work on these days; or commercial laundries that wash and banks, post offices, shops, ambulances iron clothing and linen for their clients. are closed; some public transport offers However, there are many dry cleaning a reduced service (esp. buses and trains). services (“čistiareň” in Slovak) or even fast dry cleaners (nearly in every shopping centre). Some of them also provide 5.16 Regional and local leather/suede/fur cleaning and dyeing. administration
Within the launch of decentralisation Beauty salons and hairdressers’ as of January 1, 2002 a regional level There are many beauty salons of self‑administration was established. providing high quality service at a good Slovak Republic territory is divided into The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 167
8 higher territorial units/self‑governing Liptovský Mikuláš regions, 79 districts and 2927 communes. www.mikulas.sk There is no hierarchy between both levels Martin of local self‑administration (self‑governing www.martin.sk regions and municipalities). Both levels have Nitra Daily life in Slovakia their own elected officials, distributed duties www.nitra.sk and liabilities. Some duties are divided Poprad between the state and self‑administration. www.poprad.sk Prešov Regional Administration www.presov.sk (in Slovak only) Banská Bystrica higher territorial unit Ružomberok www.vucbb.sk www.ruzomberok.sk Bratislava higher territorial unit Trnava www.region-bsk.sk www.trnava.sk Košice higher territorial unit Trenčín http://web.vucke.sk/sk www.trencin.sk Nitra higher territorial unit Zvolen www.unsk.sk www.zvolen.sk Prešov higher territorial unit Žilina www.po-kraj.sk www.zilina.sk Trenčín higher territorial unit www.tsk.sk Trnava higher territorial unit 5.17 Religion www.trnava-vuc.sk Žilina higher territorial unit The Slovak Republic is by tradition www.zask.sk a religious country; the first Christian bishopric was established in the 9th century in Nitra. At present, several legal norms Local Administration regulate the freedom of conscience and Local administration in the Slovak Republic religion, and provide a guarantee for is directed by municipalities. Every town general respect of these fundamental has its own town hall and administration human rights and freedoms. According headed by a city mayor. Every village has to the Slovak Constitution, “Freedom of a community office headed by a mayor. thought, conscience, religion and belief will Many towns and villages have their be guaranteed. This right will include the own websites where you can find useful right to change religion or belief”. information e.g. about local sightseeing, seats of public bodies, accommodation Religious Services or current weather. Here is a sample list There are services available in foreign of the biggest towns and their websites: languages (mainly in English, German and Banská Bystrica Hungarian) all over the country (for more www.banskabystrica.sk information, please, consult your church, Bratislava for Bratislava some information on www.bratislava.sk worships in English is available at: Komárno www.bratislavaguide.com/english- www.komarno.sk religious-services-bratislava). Košice www.kosice.sk 168 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
List of registered Churches: 5.18 Shopping Apostolic Church in Slovakia Bahá’í Community in the Slovak Republic Souvenirs include pottery, porcelain, Baptist Union in the Slovak Republic wooden carvings, hand‑embroidered Brethren Church in the Slovak Republic clothing and straw figures and food items. Central Union of Jewish Religious There is a number of excellent shops Communities in the Slovak Republic specialising in glass and crystal goods, Christian Corps in Slovakia while various associations of regional Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day artists and craftsmen run their own Saints in the Slovak Republic boutiques. Czechoslovak Hussite Church in Slovakia Evangelical Church of Augsburg Most shops are open from Monday to Confession in Slovakia Friday from 9:00 to 18:00, till noon on
Daily life in Slovakia Greek (Byzantine) Catholic Church Saturdays and are closed on Sundays. in the Slovak Republic However, there are no strict regulations New Apostolic Church in the Slovak and many shops are open longer and some Republic for 7 days a week, esp. supermarkets, Old Catholic Church in Slovakia hypermarkets and shopping centres. There Orthodox Church in Slovakia is a possibility of on‑line shopping, too. Reformed Christian Church in Slovakia Religious Society of Jehovah’s Witnesses 5.19 Sport in the Slovak Republic Roman Catholic Church in the Slovak Summer Sports Republic Seventh‑day Adventists Church, In Slovakia there is a wide range of facilities Slovak Association for summer sports. The most popular are United Methodist Church, Slovak District cycling, water sports and hiking. Large reservoirs such as Zemplínska šírava, Oravská priehrada, Liptovská Mara, Sĺňava near Piešťany, Ružín at the River Hornád, and Domaša at the River Ondava along with artificial lakes like Slnečné jazerá near Senec and Zlaté piesky in Bratislava offer visitors a chance to enjoy water sports. Many Slovak rivers are navigable and canoeing is very popular amongst young people. Horse riding is becoming more popular, with stables for public existing in many towns. Mountaineering, hill‑walking, white water rafting, adrenaline sports and paragliding are only some of the ways to spend a weekend in the mountains. Another very popular activity is camping or renting cottages, and hiking (trekking) in the mountains. For those who prefer green lawns and white sport dress there are many possibilities to play tennis at tennis clubs, at public courts or golf in clubs. The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 169
More information: These centres are often equipped with www.holidayinfo.sk, saunas, solaria and masseurs, and many http://rivers.raft.cz/slovensko, also offer body care services, such as www.panorama.sk/index.asp?kam=/go/ cosmetic and pedicure facilities. Some clanky/430.asp&lang=en&sv=2 towns also have indoor swimming pools Daily life in Slovakia that provide opportunities for swimming, Winter Sports saunas and massages.
Thanks to its mountainous nature, Slovakia You can also rent a gym‑hall to play squash, offers great opportunities for downhill indoor football, volleyball, basketball, and cross‑country skiing, as well as handball, etc. These gyms are mostly snowboarding. The mountains enjoy associated with a primary or secondary over 80 days of snow per year which often school, or a university faculty. reaches a level of 2 m in the “Nízke” and “Vysoké Tatry” (Low and High Tatras). More information: In these high mountain regions, there www.sportslovakia.sk is snow on the ground for 130 days each year. Ice hockey and ice‑skating are very popular sports that can be practised 5.20 Transport in closed stadiums, as well as outdoors. Travel by train
Mountain Rescue Service Insurance Trains in the Slovak Republic are safe and comfortable way to travel. There exist As of July 1, 2006 tourists bear the basically 6 different types of train: cost of search and rescue operations Os Passenger train (“osobný vlak”) they require the Mountain Rescue Service (“Horská záchranná služba” Zr Semi-fast train (“zrýchlený vlak”) – HZS) to conduct, excluding the costs R Fast train (“rýchlik”) covered by health insurance. Insurance Ex Express companies offer products that cover IC InterCity the potential risk. You can conduct the insurance on‑line or via SMS. For more EC EuroCity (international) information, please, consult a commercial SC SuperCity (international) insurance company (e.g. Allianz – Slovenská poisťovňa www.allianzsp.sk, How to find a connection and buy a ticket Union www.union.sk, Kooperativa The websites of the Slovak Railways www.kooperativa.sk). www.slovakrail.sk or www.zsr.sk provide information on time schedule, prices, More information: duration and whether you have to switch www.hzs.sk – Mountain Rescue Service the trains at any point. The websites (in Slovak only), Emergency number: 18 300 www.cp.sk and www.vlak-bus.sk provide www.onthesnow.sk (in Slovak only) a complex travel itinerary. Here you can www.holidayinfo.sk choose the means of public transport (bus, train, airplane, town public transport) Indoor Sports but also search for optimal combination of them to find the shortest journey. Sports centres offer opportunities for fitness, aerobics and sometimes squash. 170 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
8 regular international lines together with its domestic branch Slovak Lines (www.slovaklines.sk). For international lines operated by Eurolines it is possible to buy/book a ticket on‑line at www.eurolines.sk.
Student Agency also provides several international lines with special prices for students (tickets can be bought on‑line at www.studentagency.sk).
How to buy a ticket
Daily life in Slovakia When travelling by coach within Slovakia, tickets can be bought when boarding. It is possible to buy a ticket with a seat reservation (“miestenka”) for long‑distance coaches at the ticket office of any bus Tickets can be bought at the train station station or on‑line, in some cases. ticket offices or at some train stations in ticket machines. If applicable, the Travel by plane teller may ask what type of train you would prefer (see the table above). To Travel by plane within the country is guarantee a seat, it is possible to buy a seat rather comfortable. There are airlines reservation (“miestenka”), since the trains that provide connections within may be crowded, especially on Fridays Slovakia and to foreign countries, such and Sundays, when students travel to and as Ryanair (www.ryanair.com), Czech from schools. Airlines (www.csa.cz), Austrian Airlines (www.austrian.com) and Danube Wings International trains run several times a day (www.danubewings.eu). from several train stations in the country. There are 3 international airports For some trains it is also possible in Slovakia. The airports are to buy a ticket on‑line at the website in Bratislava (“Letisko M. R. Štefánika”, www.slovakrail.sk. www.airportbratislava.sk), in Košice (“Medzinárodné letisko v Košiciach” Travel by coach www.airportkosice.sk) and in Poprad (“Medzinárodné letisko Poprad‑Tatry”, While the trains are more comfortable, www.letiskopoprad.sk, in Slovak only). coaches are sometimes more direct; they connect most of the towns and villages in Slovakia, and are reliable and Transportation between international satisfactory. The first thing is to check out airports and principal Slovak towns the website www.cp.sk or www.vlak-bus.sk. Vienna International Airport (Austria) Thanks to the short distance between For international bus travel you can buy Vienna and Bratislava (60 kilometres) tickets at the ticket office or travel agency. it is also possible to use the Schwechat Eurolines is the biggest provider operating International Airport in Vienna The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 171
(www.viennaairport.com) which is larger A taxi into the town costs about 6 – 9 €, than the M. R. Štefánik International depending on where in the centre you Airport in Bratislava and then take a bus want to go. By bus, take No. 61 to Hlavná or a taxi to Bratislava. Just in front of the železničná stanica (Main Railway Station). arrival gate at Vienna airport you will find Daily life in Slovakia the platform for departure of buses leaving Košice International Airport to Bratislava where you can change to Košice international airport is located bus/train to other Slovak principal towns, approximately 6 km to the south of the e.g. Košice, Banská Bystrica, Trnava, town. The airport is situated between the Žilina, Trenčín, Piešťany, etc. Most of the suburbs Košice‑Barca and Košice‑Pereš. buses terminate at the Main Bus Station The airport is located less than 2 km from in Bratislava (Hlavná autobusová stanica) the expressway from Košice to Rožňava. called Mlynské Nivy. You can reach it by car in 10 minutes from the town of Košice, in 30 minutes from Standard one‑way ticket from the Vienna the town of Prešov and in 20 minutes from Airport to Bratislava bus station costs the Slovak‑Hungarian boarder. 7.70 €, return ticket costs 14.30 €, plus 1 € per a piece of luggage. For the bus schedule Košice town public transport company browse www.cp.sk or www.vlak-bus.sk. operates regular bus service No.23 which connects the airport of Košice with Moreover, there is another bus connection the downtown and at the same time between the M. R. Štefánik International offers a possibility of transport to/from Airport in Bratislava, Bratislava city centre the airport. The bus leaves the airport once (Most SNP – Bridge of the Slovak National every hour. Uprising) and the Schwechat International Airport in Vienna, Vienna city operated Taxi to the city centre costs about 7 €. by Blaguss Slovakia. Standard one‑way ticket from the Vienna Airport to Bratislava Local transport bus station costs 7.20 € and return ticket costs 12 €. For the bus schedule and The public transport system in towns is up‑to‑date prices, please, visit the website quite reliable. A network of public transport www.blaguss.sk. – usually buses (in Bratislava and Košice also a network of trams and trolleybuses) Bratislava International Airport covers most of the towns. Operating hours M. R. Štefánik International Airport is are from 5:00 to 23:00. After 23:00 there located 15 km from the Bratislava Old Town. are a few night‑bus lines. Every town is responsible for running its own public transport (“mestská hromadná doprava”, abbr. MHD).
Common features Public transport is the most widely used means of transportation in towns. Schedules can be found at every bus/tram stop and in Public transport stands.
Tickets are usually not sold on buses. In such cases, they can be bought at 172 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
newsstands, ticket machines, some Information on the routes, schedules bus stations or public transport kiosks. and tickets in Bratislava can be found at In several cities electronic SMS tickets www.dpb.sk or www.imhd.sk. Information are also available to post‑paid and pre‑paid on public transport in Banská Bystrica, clients of Slovak mobile operators. Košice, Nitra, Prešov, Trnava, Žilina and However, the possibilities depend other towns is available at www.imhd.sk. on the respective towns. Check this upon Connection search for public transport arrival. of a larger number of principal towns is available at www.cp.sk (under MHD), Tickets vary from town to town. it is necessary to be familiar with the names There are time‑tickets (you can change of stops though. means of transport within a given period) or single‑use tickets (every time you Taxi
Daily life in Slovakia change means of transport, you use a new ticket). Fare depends also on tariff zones There are many taxi companies, although given by the town area. There are usually cruising taxis are seldom available. Taxi also tickets valid for several days upon stands are located throughout the towns. validation after entering the vehicle. You Taxis ordered by phone have cheaper fares must also have a ticket for large pieces (usually 50% cheaper). The fare is flexible of luggage and animals. and varies from company to company. When taking a taxi, look for one with If you stay longer in a certain town and the company’s name on the car. you are sure to use public transport more often than once a day, it is advisable to buy To find out contact numbers on taxi travel pass, for example 30, 90 or 365‑day services in the respective town search pass. the Yellow Pages at www.zlatestranky.sk (section “Taxi services”) or the Green Pages To get a pass (30, 60 or 365‑day pass) you greenpages.spectator.sme.sk (section need an up‑to‑date photograph (3 × 3.5 cm), “Automotive”, subsection “Taxi Companies”). your ID card and a completed application form. It is always helpful to consult with Travel by car local people. Driving licence Children, students and pensioners travel for A driving licence issued in another EU/EEA reduced fares (ask for details as conditions country authorises the holder to drive motor may vary from town to town). vehicles of the categories indicated in it when in the Slovak Republic, regardless Useful glossary of the type of stay in the country. In case Autobus – bus the person will be granted temporary or Električka – tram permanent residence permit in Slovakia, Trolejbus – trolleybus he/she can apply for replacement of the driving Zastávka – stop licence after 185 days from being granted Cestovný poriadok – schedule permanent residence permit, or after being Cestovný lístok – single (one‑time) granted temporary residence permit. ticket Mesačník, predplatný cestovný lístok, In case a foreign national is residing električenka – a monthly travel pass permanently in another country that has Zastávka na znamenie – request stop signed the Geneva or Vienna Convention The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 173 on Road Traffic (done in 1968 and in 1949), Department in the place of your residence he/she may only drive a motor vehicle and its website www.minv.sk/?informacie-6 in Slovakia if being holder of a driving licence (in Slovak only). issued by the country of residence together with a valid international driving licence. Traffic regulations Daily life in Slovakia The current traffic regulations are the same If the person will be granted temporary as in other European countries. Seat belts or permanent residence permit in Slovakia, are compulsory. The use of a mobile phone he/she can use both documents only up is forbidden while driving. It is prohibited to further 185 days. Within 60 days after to drink any amount of alcohol before or this period, it is necessary to apply for while driving. No level of alcohol in blood is replacement of the former driving licence tolerated. A car must have the appropriate at the respective Police authority. lights on during the whole year. An accident with presumed loss over 3 990 € must Everyone riding a moped must be at be reported to the police, otherwise the least 15 years old and must hold a driving participants of an accident clarify the licence even if such a licence is not circumstances themselves and report it to required in his/her country of permanent the insurance company according to their residence. Everyone riding a car or lorry and agreement. a motorcycle in general must be at least 18 years old. Speed limits On a motorway: max. 130 km/h After being granted a permanent residence (80 mph), min. 80 km/h (50 mph) permit in Slovakia and if using a motor On a motorway in built‑up area: max. vehicle, it is also necessary to register your 90 km/h (55 mph), min. 65 km/h (40 mph) motor vehicle in use, if registered in another On an open road: max. 90 km/h (55 mph) country. Technical control of the car must In built‑up area: max. 50 km/h (30 mph) be executed before the registration, and be followed by a mandatory Motorway stickers contractual insurance against the liability For the motorways, your automobile must for damage caused by operation of the have a motorway sticker valid in the given motor vehicle and an optional accident calendar year. They are available at border insurance. crossings, petrol stations and post offices or on-line at: www.dialnicnenalepky.sk/ For any questions related to driving en/types-of-vignettes. The sticker must be licences you may visit the website placed on the right‑hand side of windscreen of the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak and you must always have the second Republic, section driving licences part of the sticker with you and show it to www.minv.sk/?vodicske-preukazy a police officer upon request. Any sticker (in Slovak only) or in person at the District not fixed is not valid. It is possible to buy transport inspectorate of the Police forces a motorway stickers for one calendar year in the place of your residence (addresses or valid for 30 or 10 days. Motor‑bikers do and office hours to be found at not need toll stickers on motorways. www.minv.sk/?strankove-dni-a-hodiny- na-pracoviskach, in Slovak only). For more Petrol stations information and required documents Petrol stations are located throughout for the registration of your car please the whole territory of Slovakia. They are contact the Police Vehicle Registration usually open 24 hours a day, and easy 174 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
to find. Most of these are operated by Breakdown service Europe’s largest petroleum companies ASA – Autoklub Slovakia Assistance, s. r. o., www.asaauto.sk and are well‑stocked. They sell diesel 18 112, +421/2/49 20 59 49 and non‑leaded petrol, Super 95 Natural, AC Autoclub, www.acautoclub.sk Natural 98, Normal 21, V‑Power, V‑power 18 007, +421/2/20 92 00 07 Racing, EVO Benzin, etc. For older vehicles SATC –Slovak Automotive Tourist Club, www.satc.sk the non‑leaded petrol with special additives 18 124, +421/2/68 24 92 11 replacing lead are available. There is a network of petrol stations providing also The services are commercial and operate LPG (www.autolpg.sk/cerpacie-stanice- 24 hours a day. lpg-na-map, in Slovak only). Almost all petrol stations sell drinks and snacks. Toilet facilities tend to be quite acceptable and 5.21 Veterinary care
Daily life in Slovakia larger stations offer showers. In all big petrol A list of veterinarians in Slovakia stations you can pay with credit cards. can be found at www.zoznamveterinarov.sk or at www.zzz.sk/?page=veterinari Parking (both websites in Slovak only). The services Parking in cities is well marked by of a veterinarian must be paid for in full international traffic signs. Parking at the point of use. in forbidden places can result in being fined, towed or wheel‑clamped. In bigger cities, some parking places are specified for parking with a parking card, which can be bought from newspaper kiosks. Other parking places require the use of automatic parking meters. In several cities of Slovakia, it is possible to use your mobile phone to pay for parking. For detailed information, please consult the website www.m-parking.sk (in Slovak only). The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 175
6. Glossary
A diaľničná známka motorway sticker Glossary ambulancia outpatient room dieťa child auto car diéty per diem autobus bus, coach divadlo theatre autopožičovňa car rental dohoda agreement dohoda agreement on the B o vykonaní práce performance of work balík parcel doktorandské doctoral (PhD.) štúdium study benzín petrol domáci domestic byt flat, apartment doplnkové poistenie additional insurance C doprava transportation cena price dovolenka annual leave cestovná kancelária travel agency dovoz import cestovné náhrady travel allowances dôchodkové poistene old‑age insurance cestovný poriadok schedule dôchodok old‑age pension clo, colnica duty, customs DPH VAT standpoint druh type, kind cudzinec foreigner, alien čaj tea E čas time električka tram čerpacia stanica petrol station, električenka a monthly pass fuel station čistiareň dry cleaning F člen, členský štát member, financovanie funding member state finančný financial D G daň z príjmu income tax gymnázium secondary grammar daň, daňovník tax, taxpayer school daňové priznanie tax return, declaration of taxes 176 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
H M hory mountains manželka spouse, wife hrad castle materská škôlka kindergarten hraničný priechod border crossing medzinárodný international medzivládny intergovernmental
Glossary I mena currency internát dormitory, student hostel mesačník, a monthly pass predplatný izba room cestovný lístok mestská hromadná local public J doprava (MHD) transport jaskyňa cave miestenka seat reservation jazyk language mimoškolská činnosť after‑school activity jazykový kurz language course mimovládne neziskové non‑governmental jedáleň canteen organizácie non‑profit organisations jedlo food, meal mzda income, wage, K salary kaderníctvo hairdresser N kaviareň coffee bar, café nájomné rent kino cinema náklady costs kniha book nápoj drink knižnica library národný national kostol church nárok entitlement kúpele spa nemocenské poistenie sickness insurance L nemocnica hospital lekár doctor, general O practitioner, physician občan citizen, national lekáreň pharmacy obchod shop letisko airport oblečenie clothes list letter odborný lekár specialist lístok ticket odchod departure lyžovanie skiing osobný vlak passenger train The International Researcher’s Guide to Slovakia 177
P priemysel industry personálna agentúra personnel príchod arrival recruitment agency príjem income Glossary pivo beer plat wage, salary R rámcový framework počasie, weather reštaurácia restaurant predpoveď počasia weather forecast rezervácia booking počítač computer rodina family podpis signature rodné číslo birth registration podpora support number pohotovosť emergency rodný list birth certificate poistenie, insurance rozvoj development poistenie unemployment rýchlik fast train v nezamestsnanosti insurance rýchlosť speed pokladňa ticket office poplatok fee S poschodie floor samospráva self‑administration postihnutie disability sanitka ambulance pošta post office služba service povinná školská compulsory sobášny list marriage certificate dochádzka education spolupráca co‑operation povinné odvody levies into do fondov poistenia compulsory funds stredná škola secondary school povolenie na pobyt residence permit súkromný private práca work sviatok holiday pracovný čas working time škola school práceneschopnosť sick leave štátny state pracovná zmluva employment štipendium stipend, scholarship contract pracovné povolenie work permit T tretia krajina third country praktický lekár general practitioner trolejbus trolleybus prechodný pobyt temporary stay trvalý pobyt permanent priemerná mzda average income residence 178 EURAXESS SLOVAKIA
U vyučovanie teaching‑learning process ubytovanie accommodation vzdelávanie education účet bill úrad office Z úrazové poistenie injury insurance zahraničný, foreign, abroad
Glossary v zahraničí ústav institute základná škola primary school uzávierka deadline zákon act, law územie territory zamestnanie employment uznávanie diplomov recognition of diplomas zamestnanec employee zastávka bus/tram stop V zbraň firearm veda science zdravie health vedec scientist zdravotná health care veľvyslanectvo embassy starostlivosť vchod entrance zdravotná poisťovňa health insurance vláda government company vlak train zdravotné poistenie health insurance vodičský preukaz driving licence zdroj source vstupné admission fee zmenáreň exchange office výdavky costs zriaďovateľ founder východ exit zubár dentist výmenný kurz exchange rate železničná stanica railway station výnimka exception žiadosť application výpis z registra criminal record trestov výskum research výskumník researcher vysokoškolské higher education vzdelávanie výťah lift vyučovací jazyk language of instruction SAIA, n. o. (Slovak Academic Information Agency) is a non-governmental non-profit organisation implementing programmes and providing services aimed at enhancement of civil society, and assisting in internationalisation of education and research in Slovakia since 1990. SAIA came to existence in 1990’s at the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic. New conditions in the society naturally called for an independent information agency to guarantee access to information and provide advisory service on opportunities for study abroad. Such agency would also develop an open and transparent application system for distribution of scholarships offered to Slovakia by foreign governments and various non‑profit organisations after the regime change. SAIA registered as a civic association on January 1, 1992 and later transformed itself into a non-profit organisation providing public-benefit services. Initially, the agency carried out its activities only in Bratislava and later started to open its regional offices in univer- sity towns. In 1993, SAIA was authorised by the Ministry of Education of SR to adminis- ter two new intergovernmental programs: Action Austria – Slovakia, Co-operation in Science and Education and CEEPUS. After expanding its services to a new target group – non-govern- mental organisations – it became a service centre for the third sector. SAIA ceased its wide spectrum of activities in this area at the end of 2003. In 2004, it worked not only in the field of student and teacher mobility but it started to con- centrate also on mobility of researchers from both public and private research organisa- tions. It became a part of the European network of service centres EURAXESS, with funding from the European Commission. From 2011, the national EURAXESS network is funded by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic. NŠP Since 2006, SAIA started to implement two new programmes adopted by the Slovak
Government and financed by the Ministry of Education – Milan Rastislav Štefánik Fellowship Národný Programme and National Scholarship Programme for the Support of Mobility of Students, PhD štipendijný Students, University Teachers and Researchers. Financing of Štefánik Fellowship Programme program ended in 2009. In 2011, the National Scholarship Programme has entered the 2nd phase of its implementation and SAIA continues in its administration on the basis of the new public procurement. The Programme NIL Fund Supporting Co-operation in the Field of Education with funding from the EEA/Norwegian Financial Mechanisms and co-funding from the Slovak state budget was managed by SAIA from 2007 to April 2011. In Slovakia support from the Norway and EEA Grants entered into the second programming period in 2013 and SAIA has been established the Programme Operator of the EEA Scholarship Programme Slovakia, aimed at upper-secondary schools and higher education institutions. The implementation of the programme is projected from 2014 to 2016. At the beginning of 2010, the Sciex‑NMSch – Scientific Exchange Programme was launched in Slovakia, funded from the Swiss contribution to the enlarged European Union. SAIA became the coordination body for the programme. The last call for proposals will be closed on April 1, 2014. Currently, SAIA runs offices in six university towns (Bratislava, Banská Bystrica, Košice, Nitra, Prešov, and Žilina) with 25 employees. In 2013, the overall budget for scholarships and projects in all programmes totalled 2.1 mill. €, including operational and other programme costs. SAIA, n. o. Programmes: 1. Academic Mobility 2. Action Austria – Slovakia, Co-operation in Science and Education 3. CEEPUS – Central European Exchange Programme for University Studies 4. National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic 5. EEA Scholarship Programme Slovakia 6. Sciex‑NMSch – Scientific Exchange Programme 7. EURAXESS Service Centres