On December 7, 2018, the National Council of the Slovak Republic (parliament) approved an amendment to the Act on Employment Services, which is intended to simplify the rules governing employment of foreigners in the territory of the Slovak Republic.

Members of parliament approved the amendment in a shortened legislative procedure. The Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, and Family justified the shortened legislative procedure on the grounds that there is urgency to address the current economic situation when many employers experience an acute shortage of labor force.

The amendment brings, among other things, the following changes:

• introducing the possibility of employing third-country nationals (i.e. persons who are not citizens of the member states of the European Union) through temporary employment agencies in the case of positions with labor shortages;
• shortening the time limit for issuing decisions on applications for a temporary residence for employment purposes from 90 to 30 days in the case of positions with labor shortages;
• shortening the time limit for issuing decisions on applications for seasonal work permits;
• removing duplication of information obligations for employers when employing persons from third countries.