Health insurance for foreigners is regulated by the Act on Health
Insurance No. 580/2004.
EU citizens
EU citizens working in Slovakia can either use the health insurance they pay for in their home country or apply for health insurance in Slovakia.
Public health insurance covers basic health-care services; some services and medications are fully covered by the insurer, others do not fall under the public insurance scheme. Public health insurance is compulsory for everyone living in Slovakia, including people who do not have permanent residence in Slovakia, if they are not insured in another EU or EEA member state.
If a person is employed in Slovakia, he or she is required to apply for health insurance within eight days of the start of his or her work contract, or if he or she is not a permanent resident in Slovakia.
Non-EU citizens
People who do not have permanent residence in Slovakia are required to have public health insurance if they are asylum holders, if they are paid their retirement pension in Slovakia, if they are self-employed in Slovakia or when they are employed by a person or company located in Slovakia.
Slovak law does not require foreigners to have health insurance when entering Slovak territory. Health insurance is only required when a foreigner applies for a temporary address in Slovakia. When a foreigner is granted a (temporary or permanent) residence permit in Slovakia, he or she is required to hand in a statement about his or her health insurance and a statement about his or her health within 30 days of entering the country. This is not required for foreigners who ask for a permit in order to be able to carry out their duties as civilian employees of the armed forces.
Author: IOM Migration Information Centre, www.domavsr.sk
