Povolenie

Povolenie is a noun used in Slovak to denote permission or authorization granted by a competent authority to perform an act that would otherwise be restricted. It comes from the verb povoliť, meaning to allow, and is commonly used in legal and administrative contexts.

In law and public administration, povolenie is a formal grant that allows a specific activity under defined conditions. It is typically issued by state bodies, regional authorities, or regulatory agencies. Common examples include povolenie na pobyt (residence permit), povolenie na zamestnanie or pracovné povolenie (work permit), and stavebné povolenie (building permit). Some areas also use licenses or certificates, but povolenie generally signals permission established by law rather than a general, open-ended license.

Obtaining a povolenie usually involves submitting an application to the appropriate authority, providing required documents, and paying any applicable fees. The authority assesses compliance with legal requirements and may attach conditions to the permit. Povolenie is often time-limited and renewable; it can be suspended or revoked if the holder breaches conditions or laws. There are typically remedies or appeals processes to challenge a decision.

Usagewise, povolenie covers a broad range of permissions, from entry or residence and work to land use or construction. It is distinct from related terms such as licencia (license) or osvedčenie (certificate), though in practice the lines can blur depending on the jurisdiction. In Czech, the equivalent term is povolení, with a similar meaning and function.