Slovakia faces shortage of over 130,000 workers as Fico proposes new restrictions on foreign labor

Slovak employers are seeking to fill more than 130,000 job vacancies, but the domestic labor market cannot meet this demand. Prime Minister Robert Fico has flagged security risks related to employing workers from non-EU countries and announced new plans for stricter rules. The government intends to regulate the number of foreign workers, step up inspections, and increase efforts to involve long-term unemployed Slovaks in the workforce.

This approach is creating tension between business needs and the government’s migration plans. Companies warn that without foreign workers, they could struggle to maintain production or offer essential services. The state, on the other hand, argues that economic needs must not override residents’ security.

According to Fico, Slovakia already has one of the strictest regimes for accepting and expelling workers from third countries. Despite this, the government plans even tighter regulations.

Over 130,000 jobs remain unfilled

The Prime Minister noted that employers are looking to occupy more than 130,000 positions. This demand, he said, cannot be met even with active involvement from state institutions and unemployment levels of around four percent.

According to the Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family, there were almost 138,000 job openings in Slovakia in September 2026. Unemployment measured by the PDU indicator stood at 4.02 percent, with over 170,000 registered jobseekers.

Simply having job openings and unemployed people does not automatically link these groups. Many jobseekers lack the qualifications that companies require or live in regions with fewer job opportunities. There are also differences in offered salaries, working conditions, and people’s willingness to relocate for work.

This mismatch is one of the main reasons why the labor shortage persists despite a relatively high number of unemployed people on record.

Fico wants to limit workers from third countries

The Prime Minister has announced the preparation of several measures. One of these would set a maximum number of temporary workers from selected non-EU countries. The government also wants to strengthen the foreign police and implement additional regulatory mechanisms.

Fico argues that everyone coming to Slovakia for work must undergo a security screening. He insists that these checks should occur not only before a work residency permit is granted, but also during workers’ stay in Slovakia.

The proposed changes also include more intensive work with long-term unemployed Slovaks. The government wants to prioritize finding workers domestically, while reducing risks linked to uncontrolled migration.

As of now, the government has not specified what the cap on foreign workers would be, nor which countries and industries could see new restrictions.

Employers say foreign workers are essential

Business associations have long argued that foreign labor is vital to the Slovak economy. Foreign workers fill positions in manufacturing, industry, logistics, services and other sectors where Slovak firms cannot find enough local staff.

The Slovak Association of Employers’ Unions (AZZZ SR) has previously pointed out that simply raising wages will not solve the shortage of workers. They argue that retraining, better education, reintegration of people who are not part of the labor market, and managed legal migration are all necessary.

Employers also highlight the lengthy and complex administrative process for hiring foreign workers, which can take several months. If rules are tightened further without streamlining procedures, companies say it will be even harder to fill positions critical to their operations.

For more information about why Slovak businesses need foreign workers and how the labor market is shifting, see the article “Fewer Slovaks leave for work abroad. Thousands are returning home, but the problem only shifts.”

Problem goes beyond unemployment numbers

Slovakia’s labor market has long struggled with major regional disparities. In some regions, employers cannot find staff even for basic positions, while in others, job opportunities are limited.

Qualification is another hurdle. Companies need, for example, technicians, manufacturing workers, healthcare professionals, and technology experts. Many registered jobseekers have skills and education in other fields and cannot immediately fill open jobs without further training or retraining.

Demographic changes are also an important factor. Fewer young people are entering the labor market, while the number of employees retiring is on the rise. According to data and forecasts cited by experts, the shortfall of workers could deepen in the coming years.

Foreign workers are increasingly vital

The number of foreigners working in Slovakia has risen sharply in recent years. For many businesses, they are no longer just a supplemental labor force, but a crucial part of their staffing.

Data published in 2026 shows that more than 150,000 foreign workers were employed in Slovakia. Employers warn that without them, some operations would be unable to function at their current scale.

However, this does not mean that labor migration should go unregulated. The key issue is to set appropriate rules so that the state can manage the arrival and residence of foreigners, without holding back businesses that need to fill vacancies.

For a more detailed look at the labor shortage and its causes, see the article “Slovakia suffers a shortage of workers. According to demographic forecasts, the situation is set to worsen.”

What will shape future developments?

The government faces a complicated challenge. On one hand, it wants to reduce risks associated with third-country workers. On the other, Slovak businesses need tens of thousands of people whom the domestic labor market currently cannot supply.

The outcome will depend on whether stricter security checks can be combined with quicker legal work permit processing. Improvements to education, retraining, and opportunities for those currently outside the job market are equally important.

Simply limiting foreign workers will not create new qualified employees. Unless the pool of local labor can be broadened, Slovakia’s worker shortage will continue to hamper businesses and economic growth.

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This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.