page_title: Romani people in Slovakia
section_title: Migration to Slovakia
hierarchical_section_title: Romani people in Slovakia / History / Migration to Slovakia
caption_attribution_description: Roma minority in Slovakia
context_page_description: According to the last census from 2011, there were 105,738 persons counted as Romani people in Slovakia, or 2.0% of the population.
context_section_description: The first record of sightings of small groups of Romani within the area of present-day Slovakia are from 1322 AD, when the region was part of the Kingdom of Hungary. Major waves of Romani nomads were recorded from 1417 onwards. In 1423 they received a decree from the Hungarian king Sigismund of Luxemburg at Szepes Castle, granting them Europe-wide right of passage and the right to settle. They proved to be useful metal workers for the royal armies fighting the Turks.
  Through the ensuing centuries, whilst in western and central Europe Romani were treated violently and often expelled, the Hungarian Kingdom and Habsburg Monarchy in general provided a tolerant and stable safe-haven for the Romani community. In the 18th century, Joseph II of the house of Habsburg attempted to 'civilize' the Romani, for example by prohibiting their dress and customs and educating them.  However these efforts generally failed.
caption: The Roma minority in Slovakia (census 2001)
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