Social security for researchers/university teachers without an employment contract
Researchers and university teachers without an employment contract in Slovakia are usually not considered to be unemployed, but as individuals having an employment contract or self‑employment activities in another state. At the same time, they may move to Slovakia upon an invitation from a hosting organisation (e. g. per diems are paid) or with external funding (e. g. granted scholarship) of their activities.
In Slovakia, the social security coverage is based on the occupational activity, not the residence. Researchers without having an employment contract in Slovakia do not have to pay the compulsory contributions and shall be subject to the legislation of the state, in which they are employed/ self‑employed, or their state of residence. Researchers without an employment contract in Slovakia but with a permanent or temporary residence on the territory of the SR may opt for voluntary sickness, pension and unemployment insurance.
Researchers and university teachers employed or self‑employed in another EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland are subject to the social security legislation of this member state and continue paying contributions to the social security system of that state. They might perform their activities on the territory of Slovakia upon an invitation from a hosting organisation (e.g. per diems are paid) or when external funding (e.g. granted scholarship) of their activities is provided. They can also perform their activities as seconded workers, sent temporarily by their employer to work in Slovakia. In case a person does not work in any state (employed or self-employed), he/she is subject to the social security legislation of the state of residence.
Provisions on social security for third country nationals in the Slovak Republic are based on bilateral agreements on social security. Therefore the rules applied depend on the country of origin of the citizen. For more details, see the section Social security for third country nationals
Benefits from state social support – one component of the social security system in Slovakia, may be used by foreign nationals with a permanent or temporary residence on the territory of the Slovak Republic upon meeting specific conditions for entitlement (see the texts State social support, Parental allowance, Child allowance in the section Social security system in Slovakia.