Slovak Language Exam for Permanent Residence: How It Works and Where to Take It

From 15 July 2025, a new requirement came into effect in Slovakia for foreigners applying for permanent residence (dlhodobý pobyt). Now, to obtain permanent residence, it is necessary to confirm knowledge of the Slovak language at level A2.

Previously, only applicants for Slovak citizenship were required to take a language exam. Now, a similar requirement applies to those submitting documents for permanent residence. The introduction of this rule is explained by the fact that the status of a permanent resident, in terms of rights and obligations, is close to that of a citizen, and therefore requires language knowledge that facilitates communication with state authorities, promotes social integration, and demonstrates the foreigner’s readiness to participate in economic and public life.

Where to Take the Exam

Exams are conducted in state language schools in the presence of a representative from the Ministry of the Interior. Currently, in Slovakia, the list of these schools includes 11 educational institutions:

• Bratislava: Language school on Palisady (1. Jazyková škola, Palisády 38, 811 06 Bratislava)
• Žilina: Language school on Veľká okružná (Jazyková škola, Veľká okružná 24, 010 01 Žilina)
• Poprad: Language school on Mnoheľova (Jazyková škola, Mnoheľova 828, 058 46 Poprad)
• Košice: Language school on Hlavná (Jazyková škola, Hlavná 113, 040 01 Košice)
• Spišská Nová Ves: Language school on Javorová (Jazyková škola, Javorová 16, 052 01 Spišská Nová Ves)
• Martin: Private language school Mobile College (Súkromná jazyková škola Mobile College, P. Mudroňa 10, 036 01 Martin)
• Prešov: Language school on Plzenská (Jazyková škola, Plzenská 10, 080 01 Prešov)
• Trenčín: Language school on Ul. 1. mája (Jazyková škola, Ul. 1. mája 2, 911 01 Trenčín)
• Liptovský Mikuláš: Language school at Gymnázium M. M. Hodžu (Jazyková škola pri Gymnáziu M. M. Hodžu, M. M. Hodžu 860/9, 031 36 Liptovský Mikuláš
• Nitra: Language school on Golianova (Jazyková škola, Golianova 68, 949 01 Nitra)
• Nitra: Private language school of the E-KU Institute of Language and Intercultural Communication (Súkromná jazyková škola E-KU Inštitútu jazykovej a interkultúrnej komunikácie, Piaristická 2, 949 01 Nitra)

The migration police accept certificates issued by all schools from this list. Importantly, these certificates have an indefinite validity period. This means that if an applicant has already taken the language exam at one of these schools previously, they will not need to retake it.

Each school independently determines the exam dates, registration conditions, and testing costs.

How the Exam is Structured

The government has not established clear rules for the content of the exams. This means that language schools independently develop their tests. Reports from foreigners who have already taken the exams show that formally the exam is unified by level, but in practice, its organisation does indeed differ in various schools.

Typically, the exam is conducted in groups of about 10–15 people. Before it begins, examiners require phones to be turned off, after which the written part of the test begins — it usually lasts about two hours. After this, there is a long break, and then the exam organisers announce those who did not pass the written stage. Following this, applicants take the oral part — usually, it is conducted individually.

Some participants note that control during the written part in some schools may not be very strict. However, one should not rely on this: the rules prohibit the use of phones, and if a violation is detected, the exam may be annulled.

What is Asked in the Exam

According to reviews, the written part of the exam usually includes several types of tasks:

• Listening — the examiner reads a text twice, after which questions are asked about it. Some questions require choosing the correct answer, some require stating whether a statement is true or false;
• Vocabulary and grammar — questions may concern correct word endings, the use of prepositions, and basic grammatical constructions;
• Essay or summary — some schools require writing a brief summary of a text or a small written text on a topic. Importantly, an essay is not a mandatory legal requirement and in some schools, it is not included;
• General knowledge block — in some schools, examiners ask up to 15 questions with basic information about Slovakia (names of the capital and major rivers, flag colours, the name of the current president or prime minister).

After successfully completing the written part, candidates are invited to the oral exam. In it, they may be shown an image (for example, a post office or shop building, office, street) and asked to describe it. If a person struggles, examiners often help with leading questions.

Another option for the oral exam is a situational dialogue. The candidate receives a card with a situation and must act it out with the examiner. Examples of topics: registration on a social network, conversation with a friend, booking a hotel room, discussing the pros and cons of something. This method checks the ability to maintain a basic dialogue, express opinions, and understand questions.

The main conclusion from most reviews is that for a person who truly knows Slovak at a basic level, the exam does not present serious difficulty. However, those who hardly speak Slovak may encounter difficulties.

It is important that the exam does not test perfect grammar but the ability to understand text, navigate basic topics, compose simple sentences, and maintain an elementary conversation.