Renting an Apartment in Košice in 2025 – Navigate Smart, Live Better

Whether you're moving to Košice for work, study, family reasons — or you're already a resident looking for a better place — 2025 presents new challenges and opportunities in apartment rentals.

This guide will walk you through how to find, evaluate and rent your ideal apartment, whether for 3 months or 3 years.

1. Why Renting in Košice Makes Sense in 2025

Buying property in Slovakia remains expensive, while mortgages became harder to secure.
That's why renting:

✅ Gives you mobility
✅ Requires lower upfront costs
✅ Lets you focus on your career or study
✅ Works well for digital nomads, expats, doctors, university employees or short-term project managers

Many people now prefer to rent even long-term, especially when the apartment comes fully furnished, energy-efficient and located near the city center.

2. Know Where to Look – Košice Neighborhoods for Renters

📍Old Town (Staré Mesto)

• Direct walking access to everything
• Restaurants, culture, nightlife
  − More expensive per square meter

📍Sever + Terasa districts

• Great transport options
• Schools, hospitals, business parks
• Balance of price and accessibility

📍Nad Jazerom / Barca / Košice-South

• Larger apartments, quieter areas
• Often include parking
  − Slightly farther from Old Town

📍Myslava and outskirts (Kavečany, Šaca)

• Green areas, nature access, peaceful
  − Limited public transport, car needed

3. Rental Terms & Types – What's Legal and Safe

💬 In Slovakia there's a difference between legal rental and sublease (podnájom):

• Rental = direct agreement with property owner
• Sublease = person living in apartment rents it to someone else (with or without owner approval)

For full legal and financial stability, always demand a direct rental agreement (nájomná zmluva) with the owner or legally authorized property manager.

4. Smart Tenancy Contracts – What Every Rental Agreement Must Include

A secure, professional contract should always include:

✅ Full name and ID of both parties
✅ Detailed property address and description
✅ Clear rental amount and due date
✅ Security deposit (and conditions for refund)
✅ Rental duration and type – fixed or open-ended
✅ Termination clauses – notice period, penalties
✅ List of included furnishings, utilities or extra fees
✅ Signature and date from both sides

📌 Most reliable contracts are bilingual (Slovak–English).
📌 Never agree to oral rental agreements – demand written form with notarized ID copies.

5. Identifying a Responsible Landlord

A good landlord will:

✔️ Provide a clear, written rental contract
✔️ Show legal ownership of the apartment
✔️ Not ask for untraceable cash payments
✔️ Respond promptly about repairs or issues
✔️ Respect your privacy and legal quiet enjoyment

🚩 Red flags:

❌ Refuses to show title (LV – list vlastníctva)
❌ Avoids a visit or in-person meeting
❌ Changes terms last minute, after verbal agreement
❌ Claims "we don't use contracts here in Slovakia"
❌ Pressures you to pay "deposit now, talk more later"

If you feel uncomfortable — walk away.

6. Rental Prices in Košice (2025 Snapshot)

Average monthly prices by area and flat type:

Table Apartment Type Old Town (€/month) Other Districts (€/month)
1-room 500 – 630 € 400 – 500 €
2-room 650 – 780 € 520 – 650 €
3-room 760 – 950 € 620 – 800 €

💡 Tip: Many listings do not include internet, energy bills or garbage fees. Read carefully.

Rent may vary also by apartment condition, floor level, and whether it includes private parking.

7. What to Verify Before Signing

Before signing anything, check:

🔍 Is the person renting to you the actual property owner?
🔍 Get the land register extract (list vlastníctva) online (www.katasterportal.sk)
📦 Inventory list – what is included in the rental (Do you get a microwave? Bedding? Washing machine?)
⚡️ Review current utility usage – ask for recent SIPO / bills
📑 Review all contract clauses for exit terms

Never assume. Always verify.

8. Tenant Rights – What You're Entitled To

As a tenant in Slovakia (especially with a written contract), you have clear legal protections:

🟢 You have the right to:

• peaceful, undisturbed use of the apartment
• functional utilities as listed in the agreement (hot water, heating, electricity)
• a repair response time from the owner for breakdowns (e.g. heating failure)
• get proper notice for anyone entering the apartment
• receive your security deposit refund — if no damage occurred

📌 By law, landlords may never enter the apartment without your prior consent unless in emergency situations.

9. Tenant Obligations – What You Must Comply With

🔴 You are expected to:

• pay rent (and utilities, if applicable) on time
• respect the space and avoid damage
• follow the building's internal rules (quiet hours, cleanliness)
• notify the landlord of problems or repairs needed
• vacate the apartment in the agreed condition upon termination

Failing to comply may result in:

• loss of deposit
• immediate termination
• legal action (if behavior causes property damage or disturbs neighbors)

10. Security Deposit – How It Works in Slovakia

🪙 In most Košice apartments, the standard deposit is 1–2 months' rent.

🚫 The deposit is not legal income for the landlord — it is refundable unless:

• serious damage is caused
• rent is unpaid
• the property is surrendered dirty or missing items

✅ Always insist on a written and dated confirmation when the deposit is received
✅ Upon moving out: request an inspection, written report, and refund timeline

🧾 Deposit must be returned within a reasonable time, generally 30 days — unless otherwise agreed.

11. Contract Termination – Your Exit Options

🔁 Most contracts allow termination:

• with 1 or 3 months' notice (standard in open-ended leases)
• at the date specified in fixed-term contracts
• immediately, in case of emergency (e.g. major safety violations or repeated landlord interference)

📋 Check carefully:

• who submits the termination
• how notice must be given (email, registered mail, phone call)
• if early exit penalty applies

🏳️ You may also move out early by mutual agreement — always get it in writing.

12. Renting vs. Buying – What Makes Sense in 2025

With mortgage rates, inflation and global job mobility in 2025, long-term rent in Košice is often a smarter choice than buying.

✅ Renting gives you:

• flexibility to move for career or family
• lower initial cost than a mortgage
• no responsibility for building maintenance
• minimal legal risk if the contract is clear

When should you consider buying instead?

• if you plan to live in Košice 7+ years
• if you want to invest long-term for rental income
• if you're eligible for housing subsidies or bank incentives

🏡 But for most young professionals, digital workers, students or short-term contracts → renting wins.

13. Tips for Landlords – Stand Out in the Košice Market

If you want to rent out your apartment successfully in 2025:

✅ Offer a clean, neutral interior – no clutter, easy to personalize
✅ Provide a full, transparent contract in Slovak and English
✅ Respond to tenants with professionalism and care
✅ List honestly – size, condition, utilities, internet, building age
✅ Include clear deposit and termination rules

💬 Good landlords don't just rent apartments – they build trust. And tenants stay longer when they feel respected.

14. Looking for a Smart Rental in 2025?

Whether you're a resident, a tech worker, a family, student, or expat – Košice City Centre Rental Apartments offer:

🏢 Fully furnished, stylish flats
📍 Right in the historic core or near TUKE and major employers
💡 All utilities on extra bill , WiFi, air-conditioning, tv channels included
✅ Secure contracts, 24/7 support, private parking

📩 Contact us for availability – with no hidden fees and full flexibility.