• news
• foreign employees

What do foreign employees say about living and working in Slovakia?

An exclusive Synergie survey among 153 foreign employees revealed a high level of satisfaction and showed why the right support changes everything.

Slovakia is changing

The Slovak labour market is undergoing a structural transformation. According to data from the Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family (ÚPSVaR), a record-breaking 135,195 foreigners were employed in Slovakia in September 2025, representing nearly 7% of the total workforce. Just a few years ago, this number was only a fraction of today’s figures.

Workers from India are among the fastest-growing groups. While only 283 Indian workers were officially registered in Slovakia in August 2021, their number had risen to nearly 7,700 by September 2025, representing an increase of more than 2,500% in four years. Including those working under information cards, the total reaches almost 9,000 people. This trend is not a temporary fluctuation – it is a structural change in the Slovak labour market.

It was in this context that we decided to ask a question few had truly explored: How do these people really feel? Are they satisfied? Are they integrating successfully? What helps them, and what do they still lack?

We conducted an extensive survey among 153 foreign employees whom we supported throughout the entire process – from recruitment and arrival to everyday life in Slovakia. The results exceeded our expectations.

Key findings of the satisfaction survey

The average satisfaction score reached 8.5 out of 10. The Net Promoter Score – an indicator of whether someone would recommend Slovakia to others – reached +49.7. In the context of labour migration, this is an exceptional result. For comparison, only brands with truly loyal customers typically achieve an NPS above +50.

• 95.4% of respondents would recommend Slovakia as a country to live and work in
• 82% stated that their life situation is better compared to their first months in Slovakia
• 9 out of 10 rate their current situation as better or significantly better than upon arrival

These numbers are no coincidence. Statistical analysis of the responses revealed why.

Three factors that determine satisfaction

Surprisingly, salary was not the most important factor. We identified three key drivers that together explain up to 75% of overall satisfaction:

1. Onboarding and post-arrival support
   The strongest predictor of satisfaction overall. The quality of the first days determines everything that follows.
2. Quality of the recruitment process
   Realistic expectations set before arrival significantly reduce disappointment and premature departures.
3. Ongoing support and assistance
   Access to help with everyday situations – from dealing with authorities to accommodation – determines whether a person feels alone or supported.

The message is clear: foreign employee satisfaction is not a matter of luck. It is a direct result of process quality and a human approach.

Why Slovakia needs foreign workers and why now

The Slovak labour market has long faced a structural labour shortage. The population is ageing, younger generations are leaving to work abroad, and positions in manufacturing, logistics, and services are becoming increasingly difficult to fill. According to EURES, Slovakia ranks among the European countries with a chronic shortage of machine operators, assembly workers, and drivers.

Foreign workers in Slovakia are concentrated mainly in manufacturing, logistics, construction, and services. According to the latest ÚPSVaR statistics, operators and support workers form the core of the foreign workforce, while the number of qualified craftsmen and technical specialists is steadily increasing.

Synergie: More than a staffing agency

The survey results clearly showed that foreign employees do not perceive Synergie merely as a job intermediary. They see us as a partner throughout the entire life cycle – from the first contact in their home country to solving everyday situations in Slovakia.

What we do for foreign employees

Our support neither begins nor ends with signing a contract:

• Recruitment and selection of candidates in their home countries with realistic information about life in Slovakia
• Communication and preparation before arrival – legal requirements, accommodation, practical advice
• Onboarding and initial integration support immediately after arrival
• Daily assistance with communication with authorities, employers, and accommodation providers
• Resolution of crisis situations – job loss, health issues, administrative complications
• Support during transitions to new workplaces or changes in life circumstances

Where there is still room for improvement

High satisfaction does not mean everything is perfect and respondents told us that openly. They most frequently mentioned the speed and availability of communication during their employment in Slovakia, accommodation conditions, and support during transitions to new workplaces. Most of these issues are not directly related to our services. Nevertheless, we perceive them as our responsibility – employees do not distinguish who is responsible for what. For them, we are one point of contact, and that is how it will remain.

A sense of safety as the foundation of everything

One finding deserves special attention: most respondents feel safe and supported in Slovakia. That is not something to take for granted. An employee who feels safe performs better, stays longer, and recommends Slovakia to others.

According to experts, Slovakia could reach a 15% share of foreign workers in its labour force in the coming years. For companies planning growth, this is not a distant vision – it is a real opportunity. And the data is clear: investment in proper onboarding and ongoing support pays off through lower turnover, better adaptation, and a stronger employer reputation.

Migration works when it is responsible.

• Contact us
• Share article