All about the working holiday in Slovakia!
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalisation, repatriation…).
Between 18 and 30 or 35 years old
A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday
At least €1,785 or equivalent in another currency
This must be your first participation
Must cover medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation
Must be a citizen of a partner country
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.
02. Which nationalities are eligible?
Young adults from Australia and New Zealand can apply.
03. What is the application fee?
The application fee is €50.
04. What documents are required for the application?
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, 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?
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.
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, 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.
- Chapter 5: Getting WHV health insurance
- Everything You Need to Know About Insurance for Working Holiday and Other Adventures Abroad
- What to have in your Working Holiday adventure first-aid kit
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.
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.
- Chapter 6: Booking housing for your arrival
- 7 Tips for finding housing during your working holiday abroad
- Couchsurfing Abroad
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!
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.
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.
The age limits vary by nationality. You can be up to 35 years old if you are from New Zealand, and up to 30 years old if you are from Australia.
You must have a passport that exceeds the entire duration of your working holiday by at least three months.
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.
This must be your first participation. If you have already been in Slovakia on a working holiday, then you cannot apply again.
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.
You must be a citizen of a partner country to apply. Slovakia currently has bilateral accords with Australia and New Zealand.