Social Security

National bodies in charge of social security affairs are Ministry of Employment, Social Affairs and Family and Social Insurance Agency.

In Slovakia, the social security coverage is based on occupational activity, not residence. The Social Insurance System in Slovakia comprises apart from the sickness insurance, pension insurance and accident insurance, also from the unemployment insurance with a current inclusion of the legal form of providing benefits out of this system, and the insurance in case of employer’s insolvency named the guarantee insurance.

The duty to register the foreigner with the Social Insurance Agency (SIA) and the duty to inform SIA about changes of foreigner’s situation lies upon the employer. The foreigner should have accompanying documents issued by his/her previous social insurance institution at his disposal.

PhD students enrolled at Slovak universities are considered as students and not employees; their medical insurance is paid by the state. There’s a possibility for voluntary social insurance.

The provision of social security for migrant workers basically differentiates when you move within the EU/EEA and when you go to/from third countries.

The social security issue is in general very complex as the cases are specific, and consultation with competent authorities and its branches is strongly encouraged. For this purpose, relevant information is published on the portals of Ministry of Employment, Social Affairs and Family (www.employment.gov.sk) and of Social Insurance Agency (www.socpoist.sk). These portals also provide online consultations, contacts for phone help lines and contact points for personal enquiry. However, even though the English versions exist, most of the information is only in Slovak.

Social Security within EU/EEA

Third Countries Citizens

Last modified: 2011-02-04