New high-capacity foreign police centers will be established in Bratislava and Banská Bystrica as part of Slovakia’s response to increasing demands on the foreign police in 2025. Several other departments are also expected to be strengthened, according to a personnel expansion proposal approved by the government on Wednesday. Currently, the foreign police process about 60 to 70 percent of applications, highlighting the need for capacity expansion.
The Ministry of the Interior cited labor recruitment as a key driver, noting that Volvo plans to hire new employees next year, with an expected influx of third-country nationals. Volkswagen has been hiring since September and aims to employ over 4,000 third-country nationals by the end of 2026. Other sectors, including truck transport, nursing, caregiving, and the Šurany battery plant, are also expected to recruit foreign nationals. Additionally, Slovakia anticipates admitting 10,000 to 12,000 new international students starting September 2025.
The ministry described the capacity situation as urgent, warning that Slovakia will face even greater demand following the end of the state of emergency related to the war in Ukraine, requiring at least 60,000 foreigners to apply for renewed residency. The situation will be further complicated by the termination of temporary asylum for Ukrainian refugees, affecting approximately 130,000 individuals who will need to transition to a different residency status, creating significant administrative workload.
The personnel and infrastructure boost is expected to cost the state under €300,000 this year and nearly €2.8 million in 2026. The ministry has already identified locations for the new high-capacity centers and plans to strengthen foreign police staffing by 100 employees—half in the Bratislava center and western departments, 25 in Banská Bystrica and central Slovakia, and the remainder in eastern Slovakia. These centers will process case materials sent by foreign police departments, with additional support measures including more service windows and extended office hours.
Source: TASR
