Over the past five years integration policies in Slovakia have improved in some areas and deteriorated in others, leading to an increase of only +1 point in its overall MIPEX score. Although migrants now benefit from significant improvements in education policies especially in relation to access to higher education and targeted policies to address the educational situation of migrants, there has been a backslide in policies regarding the involvement of migrants in healthcare services. All in all, the MIPEX score of Slovakia is 15 points below the EU average at 39/100 with political participation and labour market mobility being the most unfavourable/restrictive areas followed by education and access to nationality. On the other hand, there are slightly favourable policies in the areas of antidiscrimination and permanent residence and halfway favourable policies in the area of family unification.

Since the MIPEX scoring, Slovakia has adopted a new National Strategy for the Governance of Asylum and Migration (2025–2030), launched on 12 June 2025. Major amendments to the Residence of Foreigners Act and the Asylum Act, effective from 1 March 2025, introduced digital visa and permit applications, streamlined administrative procedures, and ID cards for Ukrainian temporary protection holders. While the overall vision has been welcomed, concerns remain regarding implementation, limited civic participation, and the absence of robust safeguards for civic space, the rule of law, and democratic oversight.

• Positive changes on MIPEX indicators:
  Access to higher education
  Language Instruction
  Communicative and academic literacy
  Measures to address educational situation of migrant groups
• Negative changes on MIPEX indicators:
  Involvement of migrants in information provision, service design and delivery in healthcare

   

• Labour market mobility: Unfavourable:
  Immigrants face unfavourable policies in Slovakia, which ranks among the lowest MIPEX countries in this strand. Even with the introduction of a slight change in the procedure of diploma recognition of TCNs in 2016, some categories of immigrants continue to face obstacles in their integration into the labour market. Non-EU citizens - third country nationals, in Slovakia receive little or no targeted support towards their employment needs.
• Family reunification: Halfway favourable:
  Newcomers in Slovakia have a basic legal right to reunite with their families thanks to EU standards, which Slovakia only follows to a minimum. Most non-EU sponsors can apply through a typically discretionary procedure with more demanding conditions than in most countries. Slovakia limits the opportunities for the social and economic integration of these family members, treating them as temporary dependents of their sponsor. The policies in this strand have changed very little since 2007, leading to a consistent score over the years.
• Education: Slightly unfavourable:
  Education policies for migrants in Slovakia have improved significantly since 2019, leading to a positive score change of +19 points since 2019. With the adoption of the new higher education Internationalization Strategy in 2021, access to higher education has improved with the adoption of measures that lead to an increased acceptance and more successful participation of migrant students. Additionally, with the implementation of a new curricula reform, better regulations and methodological tools have been introduced for the provision of continuous and ongoing education support in languages of instruction for migrants in compulsory education. Since 2022, targeted policies have been developed to address the educational situation of migrant groups, particularly through a systematic provision of guidance in education, assistance with the enrolment of children and pupils in schools, communication and assistance with the recognition of documents for pedagogical and professional staff in education, and methodological support and advice for schools and teachers. Despite these positive developments, education policies in Slovakia remain slightly unfavourable for migrant pupils and only migrant children with permitted residence can access full schooling and general support for disadvantaged students. 
• Health: Slightly unfavourable:
  Migrant patients in Slovakia continue to face obstacles to their full and uninhibited access to the healthcare system. Slovakia’s health system is not strong at responding to migrant patients, which is a problem common to Central European countries. There have been no new initiatives aimed at involving migrants in information provision, service design and delivery in healthcare since 2018, leading to a negative score change of -6 points.
• Political participation: Unfavourable:
  Ranking as one of the lowest among MIPEX countries, political participation is still missing from integration strategies in Slovakia, which has not made any progress in this area since 2007. Under an incoherent policy, non-EU immigrants with permanent residence in Slovakia are allowed to vote and stand as candidates in local elections, but do not have the right to join political parties, to form political associations or to be consulted. These policies are unfavourable for promoting political participation among immigrants.
• Permanent residence: Slightly favourable:
  Non-EU immigrants looking for equal rights in integration must pass a relatively discretionary procedure to become permanent residents. Immigrants are confronted with some of the most restrictive conditions in Europe (e.g. concerning accommodation, income, criminal record, and fees). 
• Access to nationality: Slightly unfavourable:
  Immigrants’ access to naturalisation in Slovakia continues to be slightly unfavourable due to restrictive requirements. The few eligible must meet some of the most subjective requirements in Europe and can be rejected by authorities on vague grounds. The 2-year-long procedure and the fee of EUR 700 (only if a positive decision is reached) are among the longest period of time and highest fees in Europe.
• Anti-discrimination: Slightly favourable:
  Discrimination on national, religious and ethnic/racial grounds is prohibited. Though Slovakia’s strength lies in its slightly favourable anti-discrimination policies, there remains much work to be done in ensuring the implementation of its equality policies.