Why students should work during their studies
Financial support and independence
Life in another country is not only an exciting adventure, but also a serious financial burden. For foreign students, especially those who do not receive a scholarship or financial support from their parents, it is important to find ways to cover part of the expenses for housing, food or educational materials. Work during studies helps a student not only improve his material situation, but also develop responsibility and financial literacy.
In addition, the presence of a constant source of income increases confidence in oneself and allows one to avoid personal debts. Even a small part-time job for several hours a week can significantly ease the daily life of a student in Slovakia.
Gaining practical experience and professional skills
Work during studies is an excellent opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in practice. Even if the part-time job is not directly related to the chosen specialty, it helps develop communication skills, time management, teamwork and other skills that are in demand on the labor market.
For many students, this is the first step on the path to a future career. Experience in an international environment is especially valued, where knowledge of Slovak and English languages is required - it can play a decisive role in finding a job after graduation.
Legal foundations for student work in Slovakia
Permissions and restrictions for students from non-EU countries
Students from countries not belonging to the European Union can work in Slovakia if they have a valid temporary residence permit (dočasný pobyt) for study purposes. This permission gives the right to work without an additional work visa, but with certain restrictions.
It is important to remember that a student must remain officially enrolled in a course, and work must not interfere with the educational process. In case of violations, migration management may reconsider the residence status.
Permitted number of hours and types of work
According to current legislation, a student can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic semester and a full working day during vacation. This opens up opportunities for flexible work, especially in fields with hourly pay.
Typical vacancies for students:
Work in cafes or restaurants (waiters, barista)
Cleaning premises or assistance in warehouses
Work in call centers
IT projects, freelance
Tutoring and language courses
Where to find part-time work for a student
Online platforms and employment agencies
Slovakia offers many resources for job search. Among the most popular:
Profesia.sk — the largest job board
Kariera.sk — a similar site with filtering by city and type of employment
Facebook groups and Telegram channels for students (for example, "Job for students Slovakia")
Some agencies also offer vacancies with hourly wages, especially in cities with large universities (Bratislava, Košice, Žilina).
Work on campus, in cafes and in the service sector
Many universities cooperate with companies offering work on campus. Also popular are vacancies in cafes, supermarkets, warehouses and in the field of logistics. These positions do not require a high level of Slovak language and are well suited for beginners.
Volunteering and internships as a career start
Even unpaid work can be useful. Volunteer programs (e.g. Erasmus+ or ESC) and internships in non-profit organizations help build contacts and get the first line in your resume. Later this can lead to official employment.
Useful tips for balancing work and studies
Time and priority management
The most important thing is not to sacrifice your studies for earnings. It is recommended to plan your time clearly: use a schedule, set priorities, and pay attention to rest.
Useful habits:
Keep a calendar of tasks
Set reminders
Use applications for time management (for example, Trello, Notion)
Communication with the employer and employee rights
If you are a student and work on a flexible schedule, it is important to discuss the working conditions from the very beginning: the number of hours, the payment, days off. The employer is obliged to draw up a contract (usually dohoda o brigádnickej práci študenta), which specifies all the details.
Remember that you have the right to safe working conditions, timely payment and respect. In case of conflicts, you can contact the labor inspectorate or work with Liberty School to get advice on how to proceed.
What is important to know about the employment contract
Types of contracts and employment conditions
The most common form for students is a student work agreement (dohoda o brigádnickej práci študenta). It allows you to work with a reduced tax and a flexible schedule. It is also possible to be offered a fixed-term contract (zmluva na dobu určitú).
The contract must necessarily specify:
Employer name
Volume of work and schedule
Salary amount
Validity period
Minimum wage and taxation
For 2025, the minimum hourly rate is approximately 4.31 € / hour gross. Students under 26 years old when concluding a part-time work agreement up to 200 € per month may be exempt from some taxes.
Important: tax rules are regularly updated, so before signing the contract, it is recommended to consult with a Liberty School coordinator or a lawyer.
What to do in case of violation of employee rights
In case the employer does not pay salary or violates the contract conditions, the student can:
Write to the employer
Apply to the labor inspection (Inspektorát práce)
Get free legal advice from a lawyer (napr. cez univerzitné poradenské centrum)
Real stories of Liberty School students
How students combine courses and work
Anastasia from Odessa completed a six-month Liberty School course and already during the learning process got a job as a waitress in a cafe at the dormitory. Thanks to the flexible schedule, she was able to successfully complete the course and enter the tourism faculty.
Dmitry from Georgia started with a side job at a logistics company while studying Slovak. After 6 months, he moved to part-time work and enrolled at the Technical University in Košice. Today he combines his studies with work in the IT field.
Which sectors are most open to foreign students
Service (cafes, restaurants)
Logistics (warehouses, delivery)
Education (tutoring, language teaching)
IT and marketing (freelance, remote work)
The role of Liberty School in employment assistance
Support in CV preparation and interview practice
Liberty School regularly conducts seminars on resume writing, conducts interview simulations, and also helps students adapt their strengths to the requirements of the Slovak market.
Students can receive:
Help writing a motivation letter
CV correction
Training interviews in Slovak and English languages
Consultations on labor law and typical mistakes
Liberty School coordinators provide individual consultations regarding:
Contract conclusions
Understanding rights and obligations
Protection from unscrupulous employers
Can foreign students legally work in Slovakia?
Yes, foreign students have the right to legally work in Slovakia, but conditions depend on their citizenship. Students from countries EU/EEA and Switzerland have free access to the labor market and do not need special permits. Students from third countries (not included in EU/EEA), studying in full-time department, do not require work permit, if their employment does not exceed 20 hours per week and 100 days per year. They must have residence permit for the purpose of study.
What are the employment rules for students from EU/EEA?
Students who are citizens of the EU, EEA or Switzerland, have in Slovakia the same work rights as Slovak citizens. They do not require work permission or temporary residence permission (if the stay does not exceed 90 days). They can work on a full-time basis, part-time or under contracts for work performance outside of employment relations (for example, student work agreement). If they plan to stay longer than three months, they need to obtain confirmation of temporary residence in the foreign affairs policy.
What work restrictions apply to students from third countries?
Students from third countries (not included in the EU/EEA), studying in Slovakia on a full-time basis, are in a more favorable position. According to the Law on Employment Services, they do not require a work permit, if their employment constitutes a maximum of 20 hours per week or 100 days per year. A mandatory condition is the presence of a residence permit for the purpose of study. If they want to work beyond the established limit, they need to submit an application for a work permit to the Department of Labor, Social Affairs and Family.
What is a "Student Work Contract" (DBPŠ)?
Student Work Agreement (DBPŠ) — is the most common type of contract for students in Slovakia. It is intended exclusively for students of secondary and higher educational institutions under the age of 26 years. Its main advantage lies in reduced contributions (social and medical insurance), which means a higher net salary. A student can work a maximum of 20 hours per week on average during the entire period of the contract.
How to obtain a residence permit for study purposes (Prechodný pobyt na účel štúdia)?
You must submit an application for residence permit for the purpose of studying to the Foreign Police (Cudzinecká polícia) in Slovakia or to the embassy/consulate of the Slovak Republic in your country. You will need documents such as confirmation of enrollment in a Slovak university, certificate of good conduct, proof of financial support and medical certificate. A residence permit is usually issued for the intended duration of studies, but for a maximum of six years.
What happens with the right to work after finishing studies?
After successful completion of studies (receiving a diploma) your student status ceases. Students from third countries who had a residence permit for the purpose of study may submit an application for extension of stay for the purpose of job search or opening a business for a period of up to nine months. If you find a job, you need to submit an application for residence permit for the purpose of employment (single permission for residence and work).
Can students work full-time during vacations?
Students from third countries with a residence permit for the purpose of study are required to comply with the established work time limit: no more than 20 hours per week or 100 days per year. This limit applies throughout the entire study period, including vacations, if they have not changed the purpose of their stay. If a student wants to work full-time, he needs to submit an application for work permission or change the type of stay. Students from the EU can work without restrictions.
Is registration required in the Labor Management when employing a student from a third country?
Employer is obliged to inform in writing the Labor Management, Social Affairs and Family about hiring and completion of employment of a student from a third country who works without work authorization (i.e. within 20 hours per week). This must be done within seven working days from the start and end of work. Student does not need to register independently, but should verify that employer fulfilled this obligation.
What is the minimum wage for students in Slovakia?
Minimum wage in Slovakia is established by law and also applies to students, regardless of the type of contract concluded. The amount of the minimum hourly rate depends on the overall amount of the minimum monthly wage. Students working on DBPŠ often have a higher net hourly rate thanks to a benefit on deductions (i.e. odvodová odpočítateľná položka).
What is a "benefit on deductions" (Odvodová odpočítateľná položka) and how does it work for students?
A benefit on deductions is a tax and insurance benefit that a student under 26 can apply when working on DBPŠ. It allows not to pay pension contributions on part of the monthly income, namely on the amount up to 200 euros. This means that when the income is up to 200 euros per month, the net salary will be higher. A student can apply this benefit only to one DBPŠ per month.
How does work affect the student's tax situation?
Work income from a student is subject to taxation in Slovakia. A student can file an application for the application of non-taxable part of the tax base (nezdaniteľná časť základu dane), which can significantly reduce or completely exclude his tax obligation if his total annual income does not exceed the limit established by law. It is recommended to file annual tax return for possible return of overpaid tax.
Can I change my employer without losing my residence permit?
Yes, you can change your employer without loss of residence permit for educational purposes, as long as you comply with restrictions on working hours (up to 20 hours per week). Your residence permit is linked with educational purpose, not with a specific workplace. However, the employer is obliged again to notify the Labor Office of your start of work.
Where can you find a job or part-time work for international students in Slovakia?
Foreign students often find work through student employment agencies that specialize in temporary work (brigáda). You can also search through online employment portals, on job boards in universities, or directly in the international department of your university. Popular sectors include gastronomy, retail trade and administrative assistance.
How to extend a residence permit for study purposes if I did not complete my studies on time?
To extend your residence permit you must submit an application to the police for foreign affairs no later than the last day of validity of your current permit. You need to provide confirmation from the university that you continue full-time studies and the expected completion date. The residence permit will be extended for the necessary period to complete your studies, but not more than six years in total.
What are the consequences of illegal work for a foreign student?
Illegal work (work without necessary permission or exceeding the working time limit) is a serious violation of Slovak legislation. This can lead to cancellation of your residence permit for study purposes and deportation. Moreover, you may be banned from re-entry to Slovakia or the Schengen zone for a certain period. The employer is also subject to penalties.
Can I work on a student work programme (DBPŠ) after graduating from university?
No, work on DBPŠ is possible only if there is active student status (up to 26 years old). After successful completion of university (receiving a diploma) you lose this status. The law allows an exception: if you completed higher education on a full-time basis, you can work on DBPŠ until October 31 of the same calendar year. After this date it is necessary to conclude a labor agreement or switch to another type of agreement.
Does work affect scholarship recipient status?
The impact of work on the status of a scholarship recipient depends on the specific scholarship program. Most scholarships, such as the National Scholarship Program (NSP), are intended to cover living expenses and do not prohibit part-time work. However, some private grants or full scholarships may have restrictions on additional income. Always carefully read the terms and conditions of your scholarship.
What is a "work book" in Slovakia and do I need it?
In Slovakia, work books in the traditional sense are not used. Your employment relationships and work experience are registered through the Social Insurance Company (Sociálna poisťovňa). When concluding an employment contract or work contract (DBPŠ) the employer registers you with the Social and Health Insurance Company. If necessary, you can request a certificate of insurance periods.
How to find work related to my specialty during studies?
To find work related to your specialty, look for internships (stáž), practice (prax) or part-time employment in your field. Attend job fairs (kariérne dni), which are often organized by universities. Use professional social networks (for example, LinkedIn) and contacts of teachers. Such work will not only bring income, but also valuable experience for your future career.
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