Daily life

How to open a bank account in Slovakia

Which documents banks ask for, what to do if you are refused, and the two accounts the law provides: the standard account for at most 3 euros a month for anyone legally resident in the EU, and the free basic banking product for those whose income is below the set limit. Both are only for someone who does not already have an account for everyday payments.

Who this guide is for

For people from Ukraine living in Slovakia who need an account for wages, benefits, rent or everyday payments.

What to prepare

  • A valid passport or another identity document the bank accepts.
  • Proof of your residence in Slovakia: the tolerated-stay document marked ODÍDENEC, a residence card, or another document showing legal residence in the EU.
  • A postal address in Slovakia and a phone number: the bank sends the card, codes and confirmations to them.
  • For the free basic product: a written declaration (čestné vyhlásenie) that your net monthly income is below the set limit and that you hold no other payment account. For the standard account: only the declaration that you have no other current account.

What to do, step by step

  1. 1Decide which account you need. An ordinary account at the bank’s own price list is the simplest option if the price suits you. If not, the law gives two options: the základný bankový produkt, free of charge for people on a low income, and the platobný účet so základnými funkciami (standard account) for at most 3 euros a month for anyone legally resident in the EU.
  2. 2Check the conditions of the statutory accounts. For the free basic product your net monthly income may not exceed 1.1 times the minimum wage (1,006.50 euros from 1 January 2026), and you may hold no other payment account. For the standard account income does not matter; the only condition is that you have no other current account.
  3. 3Before you go, call or message the branch and ask which documents they accept from someone with your status and whether you need a Slovak phone number. Banks verify identity under anti-money-laundering rules, so the list differs from bank to bank.
  4. 4Ask for a statutory account in writing and use its exact name: základný bankový produkt or platobný účet so základnými funkciami. Branch staff may offer a more expensive package; you are entitled to insist on what the law provides.
  5. 5The bank has to decide within 10 working days of receiving all your documents, and a refusal must be in writing with a reason. The lawful grounds for refusing are limited, for example you already hold such an account or did not pass the anti-money-laundering check. If you are refused verbally, ask for the refusal in writing and try another bank.
  6. 6Once the account is open, save the IBAN: your employer, Sociálna poisťovňa and the labour office will ask for it. Check the charges for cash withdrawals and transfers outside the EU, because only the services the law names are free or cheap.

Fees and deadlines

Základný bankový produkt: free if your net monthly income does not exceed 1.1 times the minimum wage (1,006.50 euros from 1 January 2026) and you hold no other payment account. Platobný účet so základnými funkciami: at most 3 euros a month for the services set by law. The bank decides within 10 working days of receiving all documents.

Official sources

Open these links before submitting documents—the official authority defines the current rules.

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