Health insurance legislation is going to change. (source: Marko Erd)
The Health Ministry is proposing to clarify the rules for applications to health insurance companies. It aims, for example, to shorten the period for withdrawing an application and to improve the efficiency of data exchange between health insurance providers and the Health Care Surveillance Authority (ÚDZS). These changes are outlined in a draft amendment to the Health Insurance Act, which the ministry has submitted for interdepartmental review. The aim is to simplify administration and address several issues identified in practice, the TASR newswire reported in late June.
The ministry also intends, through the amendment, to tighten the conditions under which self-employed individuals (SZČO) from non-EU countries may enter the public health insurance system. They would only be permitted to join the system after two years of proven business activity and submission of a tax return. Furthermore, it is proposed that such individuals would only be entitled to receive publicly funded health care within the territory of Slovakia, and not in other EU member states.
The status of students from other EU member states is also to be clarified – if they are studying in Slovakia, they would no longer be automatically enrolled in public health insurance. In addition, Slovak students studying abroad would be required to inform their health insurance provider of this fact.
The amendment also seeks to address problematic situations involving children born abroad. If a child’s parents report permanent residence in Slovakia within 90 days, public health insurance will apply retrospectively from the date of birth. If not, insurance cover will begin only from the date the child obtains legal residence.
The Health Ministry proposes that the amendment come into effect on December 10, 2025, although some provisions will take effect at a later date.
