Slovakia ranks 26th in the EU-27 for regular immigration: in 2024 it registered 6,824 arrivals and 4,425 departures, for a net balance of +2,399. In 2025 first-time asylum applications came to 135, 0% of the EU total; citizenship acquisitions in 2024 numbered 879.
Regular migration
The series includes all citizenships — EU citizens moving between member states and returning nationals included — and counts those moving their usual residence for at least 12 months. Compared with 2019, immigration is broadly stable.
Immigration Emigration
| Year | Immigration | Emigration | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6,824 | 4,425 | +2,399 |
| 2023 | 5,923 | 4,522 | +1,401 |
| 2022 | 5,463 | 4,468 | +995 |
| 2021 | 5,733 | 3,395 | +2,338 |
| 2020 | 6,775 | 2,428 | +4,347 |
| 2019 | 7,016 | 3,384 | +3,632 |
| 2018 | 7,253 | 3,298 | +3,955 |
| 2017 | 7,188 | 3,466 | +3,722 |
| 2016 | 7,686 | 3,801 | +3,885 |
| 2015 | 6,997 | 3,870 | +3,127 |
| 2014 | 5,357 | 3,644 | +1,713 |
| 2013 | 5,149 | 2,770 | +2,379 |
| 2012 | 5,419 | 2,003 | +3,416 |
| 2011 | 4,829 | 1,863 | +2,966 |
| 2010 | 5,272 | 1,889 | +3,383 |
| 2009 | 6,346 | 1,979 | +4,367 |
| 2008 | 8,765 | 1,705 | +7,060 |
Asylum applications
First-time applications for international protection lodged in Slovakia in 2025 came to 135 (the 26th-highest in the EU). The series peak remains 2012, with 550 applications.
| Year | First-time claims |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 135 |
| 2024 | 135 |
| 2023 | 370 |
| 2022 | 505 |
| 2021 | 325 |
| 2020 | 270 |
| 2019 | 215 |
| 2018 | 155 |
| 2017 | 160 |
| 2016 | 105 |
| 2015 | 275 |
| 2014 | 225 |
| 2013 | 285 |
| 2012 | 550 |
| 2011 | 320 |
| 2010 | 315 |
| 2009 | · |
| 2008 | · |
New citizenships
In 2024 citizenship acquisitions came to 879, the 23rd-highest in the EU-27. It is a lagging indicator: today's new citizens typically immigrated several years ago.
| Year | Acquisitions |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 879 |
| 2023 | 552 |
| 2022 | 677 |
| 2021 | 592 |
| 2020 | 548 |
| 2019 | 586 |
| 2018 | 721 |
| 2017 | 645 |
| 2016 | 484 |
| 2015 | 309 |
| 2014 | 234 |
| 2013 | 207 |
| 2012 | 255 |
| 2011 | 272 |
| 2010 | 239 |
| 2009 | 262 |
| 2008 | 478 |
Who leaves
In 2024, 4,408 of the country's own citizens moved abroad (the 23rd-highest in the EU). The true number is almost certainly higher: emigration is measured through de-registrations, and people who leave do not always deregister.
Compare with the other EU countries or return to the atlas.