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Category: Migrant Integration

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There are over 167 thousand foreign nationals with residence permit In Slovakia. They represent 3.07% of the total population of Slovakia. Citizens from countries that are not Member States of the European Union (so-called third country nationals) represent 66.5% of the total number of foreign nationals in Slovakia. Despite the fact that the Slovak Republic is among EU countries with the lowest share of foreign nationals within the population, the number of foreign nationals has increased several times, and their numbers have grown since the accession of the Slovak republic to the EU. This migration trend leads to greater cultural as well as religious diversity, and according to various surveys, the majority population does not have sufficient information on migration and thus persists to have prejudices and stereotypes.

IOM in Slovakia responds to these trends by implementing the following activities in the field of integration of foreign nationals:

Direct assistance and counselling in integration for foreigners in SR

IOM‘s key program in the field of integration of foreigners in Slovakia, is the IOM Migration Information Centre (MIC), which provides to its clients – third-country nationals – free legal and social counselling, labour counselling including job seeking assistance, retraining  courses and courses of Slovak language and supports community life of foreign nationals in Slovakia.

More information on: www.mic.iom.sk

Capacity building of professionals in the field of migration

From 2010 to 2015, IOM organized trainings and workshops for employees of the state Administration, local Authorities and Non-Governmental Organizations, who work with third-country nationals. Trainings provided by IOM emphasized reinforcement of knowledge in various aspects of migration and integration of foreign nationals, to enhance intercultural and communication skills and mutual cooperation among various institutions providing services to foreign nationals.

More information.

Raising Awareness on Migration

In the past, IOM has carried out several activities which helped to raise awareness on migration and migrants in Slovakia and to remove barriers between the native citizens and foreign nationals:

Migrants in the Spotlight: Training and Capacity Building for Media Representatives and Students

IOM in Slovakia and five other European countries, held an international media competition on migration and professional workshops by means of which it increased professional capacity of current and future media professionals, which should help providing the public with high-quality media coverage through balanced information on migration and thus to reduce stereotypes and prejudices towards the migrants.

More information.

Next Door Family EU

This international project, in an original way, united native families and those of foreign nationals through mutual lunches in seven European countries. Due to personal contact, the foreign nationals had a unique chance to gain personal experience with Slovak natives and the natives had the opportunity to host a lunch for foreign nationals living in Slovakia at their homes and thus to overcome mutual prejudices and barriers. In a number of European cities, such family meetings were filmed and the footage was later used to create a documentary called Next Door Family.

More information.

We Are At Home Here

Within the project, IOM prepared and released a documentary film, didactic material and an information poster, which all serve to introduce well balanced and substantiated information on migration to the public and also serve as educational resources for teachers and lecturers. Teaching staff may also use this material to introduce the topic of migration at schools and lecturers to use it in the training process of professionals working with foreigners.

More information.

Research on various aspects of migration

Causes, forms and consequences of violence against third country nationals in SR

In Slovakia, IOM examined the experiences of migrants with violence and abuse in the context of public places, domestic violence and violence at the workplace. Based on the research, IOM carried out an analysis on the phenomenon of violence against third country nationals, to form the basis for the introduction of effective legislative, political and practical measures aimed at preventing, detecting, combating violence and addressing its consequences. Results of the research are published in the publication Migrants' Experiences with Violence in Slovakia.

More information.

Migration in the Slovak Republic following its accession to the EU (2004 – 2008) – analysis of migration trends and public attitudes toward issues of migration and integration of foreigners

In the first component of research, IOM analysed the main elements of migration (legal and illegal migration, labour migration and emigration and naturalization) for a period of four years following Slovakia's accession to the EU. Research outlined the impact of migration on Slovak society, including demography, economy and the labour market, and mapped the evolution of migration management and current challenges of Slovak migration policy. Results of the research are published in a study Migration Trends in the Slovak Republic after Its Accession to the EU (2004-2008).

The second component of research focused on identification, representative survey, questionnaire survey, qualitative survey with focus groups and semi-structured interviews with public policy makers and experts, analysis and presentation of Slovak public attitudes towards foreign migration, integration and employment of migrants. Results of the research, along with recommendations for communication strategies and information campaigns on migration and integration of foreign nationals, are published in a study Public Attitudes toward Foreigners and Foreign Migration in the Slovak Republic.

Information on other IOM activities in the field of integration of foreign nationals may be found here.

Migration Information Centre to Support Integration of Migrants in Slovakia (phase IX, Individual Project). The project is co-funded by the European Union from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). Home Affairs Funds.

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Category: Migrant Integration

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If you are a citizen of a non-EU country, you may use the following free services of the IOM Migration Information Centre (MIC):

Legal counselling

We will advise you in the matters regarding residence, employment, business, family reunion, housing, social security, health care and health insurance, education, citizenship and other fields of life and residence of foreign nationals in Slovakia.

Labour and social counselling

We will help you to navigate on the labour market, with your job search, with the preparation of your CV and cover letter, in communicating with your employer, to prepare for a job interview, in contacting the Authorities and also in the process of arranging social security benefits.

Support of education and retraining of foreign nationals

We will help you to correctly asses your skills and qualifications and also to seek training and retraining courses and to obtain information on study in Slovakia. We also provide allowance towards the completion of an educational/retraining course in different fields.

Slovak language courses for foreign nationals

We also provide language training for foreign nationals. You may attend our free Slovak language courses in Bratislava and Kosice.

Courses of social and cultural orientation in Slovakia

We organize courses that will help you to navigate in important fields of life in Slovakia and will facilitate your first steps in our country.

Support of the life of foreigners in Slovakia

We have had a long-term cooperation with the representatives of migrant associations and communities in Slovakia – cultural mediators who support social life of the community, help their fellow countrymen and also organize multicultural events, which subsequently help to introduce the culture of the country of their origin to the public and by doing so, are creating space for mutual understanding between foreign nationals and the majority society.

More information

You may use these services personally at MIC offices in Bratislava on Grösslingová Street 35 and in Košice on Floriánska Street 19. You may also contact MIC staff by telephone on our information helpline 0850 211 478 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Further information may also be found on the MIC website www.mic.iom.sk.

Migration Information Centre to Support Integration of Migrants in Slovakia (phase IX, Individual Project). The project is co-funded by the European Union from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). Home Affairs Funds.

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Category: Migrant Integration

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International Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with a film, director Marcel Pázman created a documentary We are at home here, which through specific story lines of three migrants from different cultures – a Palestinian doctor, Florist from Ukraine and an entrepreneur from Vietnam – talks about the life of migrants in Slovakia. The film also uses footage of public opinion surveys that took place in the streets, asking people to express their attitudes on migrants in Slovakia. On the other hand, the film brings substantiated information based on which it portrays the reality of migration in Slovakia.

See the film and make your own opinion:

The film is also available on the IOM YouTube website, from where it may be directly projected. The film is part of the IOM educational materials on migration.

The film is freely usable and distributable for the purpose of its non-commercial use for educational purposes in schools, in training of intercultural skills and for its public presentation with the aim to support the creation of an well-informed public opinion on migration and migrants, for the debate on migration and migrants, to get rid of stereotypes and myths and to prevent manifestations of intolerance, discrimination and xenophobia in the society. No part of the film or the film as a whole may be reproduced for any other purpose, stored in search engines or distributed in any way and in any form without prior consent of IOM.

         

Implemented with the financial support of the Government Office of the Slovak Republic within the framework of the Grant Programme Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms. Only International Organization for Migration is responsible for the content of this document.

Production of film was financially supported by the Slovak Audiovisual Fund.

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Category: Migrant Integration

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Results and achievements of MIC in Slovakia in 2024

In 2024, the IOM Migration Information Center (MIC) provided counselling and integration services to a total of 9,455 new unique beneficiaries, of whom 5,043 were women—representing 53.34% of all clients. Read all the results in key programs and main areas of activity of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Slovakia for 2024 below:

Migrant integration – IOM Migration Information Centre (MIC)

The IOM’s key programme in the field of integration of migrants in Slovakia is the Migration Information Centre (MIC), which accompanies citizens of other countries arriving in Slovakia from their first steps in their new country. It provides them with Slovak language courses, supports them in obtaining an education and improving qualifications or retraining, provides free legal and social counselling and job counselling, including job search assistance and organises social and cultural orientation courses with information on various aspects of life in Slovakia. The MIC has been supporting the integration and community life of foreigners in Slovakia for 18 years.

Counselling for foreigners in Slovakia

In 2024, MIC provided 17,989 consultations via in-person meetings, phone, or email on residence, family, employment, business, education or citizenship in Slovakia.. Of these, 9,046 consultations were provided to women, accounting for 50.29% of the total.

Support for labour market integration

MIC supported foreigners in navigating the Slovak labour market and education system through personalised counselling and information:

• 3,326 consultations were focused on employment-related topics such as job search, CV preparation, and employer communication. Of these, 1,660 consultations (or 49.91%) were delivered to women.

• 1,571 consultations addressed education, retraining, and qualification recognition. 1,179 of these (or 75.05%) were provided to women.

In total, MIC delivered 4,897 consultations related to employment and education support in 2024—representing a 50.08% increase from 2023.

Online assistance

The MIC website continued to be a trusted online resource, offering up-to-date legal and practical information in Slovak, English, and Russian. In 2024, it recorded 423,193 unique visitors, marking a 14.07% increase compared to 2023.

Slovak language courses for foreigners in the Slovak Republic

In 2024, a total of 738 individuals participated in MIC-supported Slovak language courses:

• 578 participants under the Recovery and Resilience Plan,

• 126 participants funded through the PRM programme,

• 34 participants attended courses organized in cooperation with Dopravný podnik Bratislava.

Supporting the cultural life of foreign communities in Slovakia

With continued support from MIC, cultural mediators helped foster mutual understanding and engagement by organizing community events and information sessions throughout the year.

IOM MIC – Supporting labour mobility and talent attraction

In 2024, the MIC continued implementing activities through a project funded under the Slovak Recovery and Resilience Plan that specifically targeted talent, highly -qualified migrant workers and international students from EU and non-EU countries, as well as Slovak returnees.

The Migration Information Center under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (MIC RRP) also expanded its role as a pioneering actor in the field of migrant integration through its targeted support for the recognition of education and qualification pathways. These services responded to a long-standing gap in integration support for highly skilled migrants who face structural and administrative barriers when seeking employment in their professional fields.

Under this project in 2024:

• 61 individuals received financial assistance for the recognition of foreign education, helping them navigate complex bureaucratic processes required to validate diplomas and certificates in Slovakia.

• 26 clients were granted financial contributions for retraining courses, allowing them to gain skills aligned with Slovak labour market needs, especially in sectors experiencing worker shortages.

• The MIC RRP also launched two comprehensive support programmes tailored to professionals in critical public service sectors:

1. Pedagogical Professionals Support Programme
Through this initiative, 60 teachers benefitted from a package of services that included specialised Slovak language courses, informational counselling, and financial support for qualification recognition. The aim was to empower them to secure employment in Slovak schools, where they contribute to inclusive education for both Slovak and migrant children. This programme directly addressed the dual challenges of teacher shortages and the need for more culturally responsive education systems.

2. Healthcare Professionals Support Programme
Similarly, 76 medical professionals—including doctors, nurses, dentists, and other healthcare workers—received targeted support to re-enter their fields of expertise in Slovakia. This included Slovak language preparation, guidance on legal and professional requirements, and financial assistance for the recognition of their medical qualifications. Their successful integration into the Slovak healthcare system not only improved their personal and professional wellbeing but also contributed to strengthening the country’s public health capacity.

These efforts were institutionally recognised when the Migration Information Centerunder the Revovery and Resilience Plan received 2nd place in the IOM Knowledge Fair and Impact Awards, in the “Regular Pathways” category. The recognition highlighted MIC RRP’s innovative, inclusive, and results-driven approach to supporting skilled migrants and returnees through practical tools, systemic cooperation, and client-centered services.

The education recognition and professional reintegration programmes have shown that integration is not only about basic services, but also about unlocking human potential. By enabling skilled migrants to contribute fully in their areas of expertise, the MIC is helping Slovakia build a more inclusive, diverse, and resilient labour market and society.

IOM Migration Information Centre – Supporting labour mobility and integration of migrants

In 2023, the MIC started implementing activities from the Slovak Recovery and Resilience Plan that specifically target talent, highly skilled foreign workers and international students from EU and non-EU countries, as well as Slovak returnees.

Since July 2023, the MIC has provided consultations and services under the Recovery and Resilience Plan activities, which have contributed to supporting the attraction and retention of talent in the Slovak Republic. The MIC also extended its advisory services to employers employing highly skilled foreign workers from EU and non-EU countries, for whom it provided consultations and specialised training on the employment of foreigners.

As part of supporting integration and retraining support, MIC also provides grants for recognition of education and grants for education and retraining. In 2023 169 clients received financial support for the recognition of their education in Slovakia.

MIC also supports retraining courses, thanks to which clients can find employment in Slovakia, in 2023, 72 clients received a financial contribution for retraining courses.

Viac informácií: www.mic.iom.sk

 

With the support of: 

U.S. Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration

  

 

 

Migration Information Centre to Support Integration of Migrants in Slovakia (phase X, Individual Project). The project is co-funded by the European Union from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). Home Affairs Funds.

 

IOM Migration Information Centre (MIC) activities supporting the labour mobility and integration of migrants under the Recovery and Resilience Plan of the Slovak Republic are funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.