All about the working holiday in Slovakia!

Slovakia is an undiscovered gem, most known for its mountains, castles, lakes, forests and caves. History and culture buffs will love learning about its folklore and traditions on a unique working holiday.
Wherever you are in the process of working holiday preparation, pvtistes.net provides free information and resources to help with your planning and big move.
Working Holiday Visa travel insurance.

We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalisation, repatriation…).

1 Eligibility requirements
Age limit

Between 18 and 30 or 35 years old

Read more

Valid passport

A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday

Read more

Sufficient funds

At least €1,785 or equivalent in another currency

Read more

First participation

This must be your first participation

Read more

Mandatory health insurance

Must cover medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation

Read more

Qualifying citizenship

Must be a citizen of a partner country

Read more

Contents
2 FAQ

01. What is the Working Holiday Visa?

WHVs are bilateral accords signed between governments to promote youth mobility and cultural exchange. Participating countries allow young adults to spend a set period of time (usually one year) living and working abroad. Most of the accords are signed between countries in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and East Asia. A WHV encourages cultural exchange alongside the chance to gain valuable work experience, though participants are not obligated to work.

03. What is the application fee?

The application fee is €50.

Exception: Canadians do not need to pay a visa fee. (Source.)

04. What documents are required for the application?

  • Passport
  • Passport-sized photo of yourself
  • Copy of birth certificate
  • Completed application form
  • Proof of funds
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Self-addressed prepaid envelope
  • Confirmation of tertiary qualifications or completion of at least two years of undergraduate university study
  • Written confirmation of your intentions for your stay in Slovakia
  • 05. How long is the visa good for?

    The WHV allows holders to stay up to one year in Slovakia.

    06. How long is the processing time?

    The usual processing time is 15-30 days.

    07. When do I have to enter the country by?

    You need to enter Slovakia within one year of your application.

    08. Do I need to buy health insurance?

    Yes. Your insurance must be valid for the full year. Coverage amount must be at least €30,000. It should cover at least medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation.

    We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They’ve accompanied thousands of working holiday makers in their adventures.

    09. Can I leave and re-enter at any time?

    Yes, you can leave and re-enter Slovakia within the visa period and travel through other European countries, subject to compliance with the Schengen area.

    10. Are there any restrictions or requirements I must be aware of?

  • You cannot bring dependents.
  • You cannot work for an employer for more than six months.
  • You cannot study/participate in a course for more than four months if you are from Australia, or six months if you are from New Zealand.
  • You must register your place of residency at the respective Department of the Slovak Border and Foreign Police (related to the place of your residency) within three working days of arriving.
  • 11. What is pvtistes.net and how can it help me?

    We are a team of current and former working holiday makers dedicated to providing free information and resources about the working holiday, to Slovakia and other destinations. Read our helpful articles, leave comments if you have questions, and check out our special deals.

    We don’t ask for any money, and neither should anyone else in your application process (besides the embassy/consulate and their official partners). Be very careful of online scams where someone might ask you for an exorbitant amount to help you get your visa. Working Holiday Visas are designed to be relatively easy to obtain yourself, so there is absolutely no need to pay any professional service to do it on your behalf.

    12. Where can I apply?

    The application must be submitted in person at the Slovak Embassy or Consulate General of the Slovak Republic.

    Contents
    3 Buying health insurance

    As mentioned earlier, all working holiday makers must have health insurance for the duration of their WHV. Your insurance must be valid for the full year. Coverage amount must be at least €30,000. It should cover at least medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation.

    We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They meet the requirements and have covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.

    Learn more about Globe WHV
    Useful links
    Contents
    4 Opening a euro account

    Slovakia’s currency is the euro (€). There are two main ways to open a foreign-currency account: via 1) a traditional bank or 2) an online neo-bank. Traditional banks usually require you to already be in the country. You would have to make and attend an appointment where a representative would ask you for some documents.

    If you want to have a euro debit card in hand before even arriving in Slovakia, you may want to consider the second option, an online neo-bank like Wise. It is an app that offers multi-currency financial services. Customers receive a physical debit card that can be used to withdraw cash at local ATMs. Your euro account would also have its own routing and account numbers, so you can set up autopay, direct deposits, or transfer money to recipients in Slovakia. These capabilities could be useful in exchanges with your employer or landlord. You can register from your home country or once you arrive in Slovakia. Learn more about Wise.

    There are advantages to both options. Wise registration is simple and quick, but traditional banks offer the possibility of issuing and depositing cheques, if that is something you need. So you could make a Wise account first and then a traditional account once you arrive in Slovakia.

    Learn more about Wise
    Contents
    5 Finding housing in Slovakia

    Once your application is approved, you’ll need to think about where to live, especially in the first few days and weeks. If you are planning on renting long term housing, we recommend you wait until you arrive in Slovakia before paying a deposit or signing anything. Never send money to anyone without seeing the place in person.

    For your first couple of weeks, you could consider Airbnb or hotels. But the most affordable option is going to be youth hostels. You can find some great ones on Hostelworld.

    Find a hostel on Hostelworld
    Useful links
    Contents
    6 Getting ready for departure

    After you get your visa, you will have plenty of things you need to take care of. Some of them are more urgent than others, so this list breaks down your to-dos, from the most urgent to the least. It may seem like a lot but don’t worry, take it one step at a time!

    Useful links
    Contents
    7 Read up on other important topics

    As you prepare for your working holiday in Slovakia, check out our library of free articles and guides. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team has done (or is currently on) a working holiday, and so everything we write is from personal experience.

    Library of free articles and guides on the working holiday
    Useful links
    Contents
    8 Check out language courses and other deals

    This is the perfect chance to learn or brush up on a foreign language. Babbel is partnering with pvtistes.net to offer 20% off on language courses (learn more). Also check out our other deals for working holiday makers.

    Learn more about Babbel (-20%)
    Our special offers
    Take advantage of our special offers for flights, banking, money transfers, and language courses.
    Read more
    Contents
    Age limit

    The age limits vary by nationality. You can be up to 35 years old if you are from New Zealand or Canada, and up to 30 years old if you are from Australia.

    Valid passport

    You must have a passport that exceeds the entire duration of your working holiday by at least three months.

    Sufficient funds

    At least €1,785 (or equivalent in another currency) to show that you can support yourself during your stay and purchase a departure ticket.

    See our chapter on budgeting for an idea of how much more savings you should have for a working holiday.

    First participation

    This must be your first participation. If you have already been in Slovakia on a working holiday, then you cannot apply again.

    Mandatory health insurance

    Your insurance must be valid for the full year. Coverage amount must be at least €30,000. It should cover at least medical, hospitalisation and repatriation.

    Qualifying citizenship

    You must be a citizen of a partner country to apply. Slovakia currently has bilateral accords with Australia, Canada and New Zealand.