When relocating with a school-age child, their legal status matters alongside age and address. Section 146 of the School Act provides education on the same terms as for Slovak citizens for the foreign-child categories it covers. Educational entitlement and compulsory attendance are related but distinct questions. Do not delay contacting a school because your child lacks Slovak or permanent residence.

Step 1. Identify the admission route

Future first graders use the first-admission procedure. For permanent residents in Slovakia, apply when the child turns six by 31 August, even if continued kindergarten attendance is being considered. Applications for 2026/2027 ran from 1–30 April 2026. Current rules set the next application window at 1 February–31 March, with school zápis in April. Follow your chosen school’s announcement in advance for autumn 2027.

If your child has already studied abroad and has just arrived, ask the headteacher for placement in the appropriate grade without waiting for spring admissions. For foreign children without permanent residence, section 146 requires prompt placement after an application and assessment of prior education and the teaching language. Transfer from another Slovak school is a separate procedure; state where your child is currently enrolled.

Step 2. Find a school serving your address

Confirm your school district with the municipality or city district, then compare schools through ePrihlášky and their official websites. Public basic-school priorities consider permanent district residence, court-ordered placement and habitual residence (obvyklý pobyt) in the statutory order. Your actual address also matters if the family lacks permanent residence; explain it to the school.

A useful first email gives the child’s age, last completed grade, previous country of study, address, residence status and proposed start date. Ask which application route applies, whether capacity is available and who coordinates language support. This is practical preparation, not an additional legal admission condition.

Step 3. Apply and prepare documents

First-grade applications can use ePrihlášky or the approved paper form. Both legal representatives normally consent; the law provides exceptions and allows a written agreement that one representative signs. Electronic consent in ePrihlášky counts as a signature for this procedure. If the other parent is unavailable, follow the applicable exception rather than simply leave their details blank.

Prepare evidence of the child’s and representative’s identity, residence status and address, plus available school reports or records of previous education. Confirm translation requirements for your procedure before paying for them. Medical statements for early admission or special educational needs are separate cases; the kindergarten medical certificate is not automatically a universal first-grade attachment.

Step 4. Agree on grade placement and language support

Lack of Slovak does not mean a child must learn it independently before approaching a school. The headteacher assesses prior education and the teaching language; conditional placement in an age-appropriate grade is possible. Under the current section 146, placement in a lower grade requires informed parental consent and a counselling and prevention institution’s statement. Ask for the educational reasons and support plan.

Discuss Slovak as a second language, adapted teaching and assessment, school psychologist support and any adaptation class. The law provides support according to the foreign pupil’s language level and needs; the school determines delivery. Agree when to review the plan and who to contact about difficulties rather than rely on a vague expectation that the child will adjust unaided.

If capacity or school records are missing

For Ukrainian children covered by section 161r, lack of capacity triggers further action: the headteacher informs the family, municipality and regional school administration, which identifies a school. Keep the headteacher’s response and contact your regional RÚŠS. For an administrative refusal, follow the appeal instructions in that decision; distinct procedures should not be treated as interchangeable.

If some school records are missing, explain this immediately and ask how previous learning will be assessed. Recognition of a study period for a transfer differs from recognition of a completed education level. Deal with the former through the school; for completed foreign education, consult the official recognition portal and the competent authority it identifies. Do not commission blanket recognition services before establishing which procedure you need.

After admission: practical arrangements

Before the first day, confirm timetables, meals, after-school care, messaging-system access, absence rules and the class teacher’s contact. If the child also follows a Ukrainian online programme, discuss workload and the legally approved education arrangement separately: overseas online lessons do not automatically waive obligations in Slovakia. Keep admission confirmation and the agreed adaptation plan.

Official sources and forms