As of August 7, 2025, changes were made to the Foreign Police registration system.
The new system now categorizes users into two groups:
- Authorized users who already have a residence permit.
- Unauthorized users who do not yet have a permit (first-time applicants).
AUTHORIZED FOREIGNERS
- You can only register using your electronic residence card + a card reader, or the eIDENTITA mobile app + a BOK code.
- You can book an appointment up to 60 days in advance.
WHAT IS A BOK CODE?
It's a 6-digit code you set when you receive your card. You do not have to go to a Foreign Police department to activate this service in person. Due to increased demand, there are long queues and long waiting times at the foreign police departments. The police recommend you can also get this done at any office for issue of documents of the District Police Directorate or at client centers of District Offices throughout Slovakia. If you do go to a Foreign Police department, booking an appointment for this is not required. You can take a queue number on-site (if numbers for the day have not run out).
It is also possible to book an appointment in advance. When using the booking system, select "Doklady / pasy" (Documents / passports) as the area of inquiry, and "Aktivácia BOK / PIN" (BOK / PIN activation) as the specific issue. However, given the new booking conditions for authorized foreigners, it is likely that you will not be able to make this booking without a BOK code.
Using the eIDENTITA mobile app is only possible if you have a residence permit card with a dual-interface chip, issued on or after October 18, 2023. Logging in with the mobile app is the easiest method and doesn't require purchasing a separate card reader or installing multiple programs. All you need is an NFC-enabled iOS or Android phone.
Residence permit cards issued several years ago (some sources indicate a cutoff date of before 06/2021) do not provide full access to the electronic services of the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic (MV SR), though they do work for eDane/eKasa. We recommend checking if this applies to you, even if your document is slightly newer.
FOREIGNERS WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION (FIRST-TIME APPLICANTS)
- You can register without an electronic document (card).
- You can book an appointment up to 40 days in advance.
- You must provide your first and last name, date of birth, passport number, phone number and email.
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Check your card's issue date. If it was issued several years ago (some sources point to a cutoff date of before 06/2021), you will not be able to submit an online extension application, but you can still book an appointment.
- Activate your BOK code if you have not already.
- Buy a card reader or install the mobile app (the app is only valid for cards with a dual-interface chip issued after 10/18/2023).
- Plan your booking in advance. The system may be overloaded.
GENERAL RULES FOR THE BOOKING SYSTEM:
- Bookings must be made for the specific name of the foreigner who will appear in person at the Foreign Police department. The booking can be made by the foreigner themselves or by an authorized person.
- Bookings that do not meet this condition will not be accepted.
- A single individual (foreigner) can create only one booking across all departments in Slovakia within a 15-calendar-day period.
- Even a cancelled booking is considered used. If you try to exceed this limit, you will receive a warning during the booking process.
- At the end of the process, an automatic check of the booking is performed. If the system detects a violation of any of the rules above, the booking will be automatically cancelled, and it will not be possible to schedule a new appointment.
- FAQ on documents with electronic chips
- eIDENTITA instructions (in Slovak)
- eID Client instructions (in Slovak):
- Rules for using the electronic registration system (in Slovak)
For any questions regarding your residence permit or other legal issues, please feel free to contact us via our Telegram channel or by email at hrl@hrl.sk.
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