Social security for students (including PhD students)
Full-time PhD students are considered students and not employees solely on the basis of their doctoral studies. Therefore, receiving a doctoral scholarship does not in itself establish an employment relationship with the university or create compulsory social insurance coverage. If a PhD student also has an employment relationship with the university or another employer, the social and health insurance rules applicable to employees apply.
Students and doctoral students are not subject to compulsory social insurance solely because they are studying. They may, however, take out voluntary social insurance. Voluntary insurance may cover sickness, pension and/or unemployment insurance, depending on the insurance package chosen. The insured person pays the contributions themselves and may thereby acquire periods of insurance relevant for entitlement to certain social security benefits, provided the other statutory conditions are met.
If a student works during their studies, the applicable social insurance rules depend on the type of work and the legal relationship with the employer. Students may work under a regular employment contract or under an agreement, including the Agreement on Student Work (“dohoda o brigádnickej práci študentov”). In such cases, the employer registers the student with the Social Insurance Agency and fulfils the relevant reporting and contribution obligations.
Students working under an Agreement on Student Work may apply an allowance deductible from social insurance contributions (odvodovo odpočítateľná položka) of up to EUR 200 per month. This reduces the assessment base for pension insurance contributions. The allowance may be applied to one student work agreement at a time and must be claimed in writing from the employer.
Benefits from state social support
State social support is one component of the social security system in Slovakia. Foreign nationals may be entitled to certain state social support benefits if they meet the statutory conditions, including applicable residence requirements. Entitlement is not based on student status alone and depends on the type of benefit and the individual circumstances of the applicant.
Which state social support benefits may students and PhD students be entitled to?
yes
Health insurance is compulsory in Slovakia, but the type of coverage depends on the student's circumstances. EU/EEA/Swiss students may be covered by Slovak public health insurance or remain insured in their home country and use an EHIC or, where applicable, an S1 document. Foreign students studying in Slovakia under an international treaty may also be covered by Slovak public health insurance, with the state as the payer. Other students generally need to arrange commercial health insurance. For more info, please seeHealth Insurance
Yes, subject to insurance conditions
Students are not automatically covered by sickness insurance solely on the basis of their student status. However, students who meet the applicable conditions may take out voluntary sickness insurance in combination with voluntary pension insurance. Entitlement to sickness benefit arises only if the statutory conditions are fulfilled.
No, not automatically
Students are not automatically covered by unemployment insurance solely on the basis of their student status. However, they may take out voluntary unemployment insurance as part of a voluntary insurance package, provided that the applicable statutory conditions are met.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit arises only if the person has been insured against unemployment for at least 730 days within the four years preceding registration as a jobseeker.
Yes, subject to specific conditions
Students may be entitled to benefits related to parenthood under two different schemes:
Maternity benefit is a benefit provided under the sickness insurance scheme. Students are not automatically entitled to maternity benefit solely on the basis of their student status. Entitlement depends on meeting the applicable sickness insurance conditions, including the required period of insurance. Students may, subject to the statutory conditions, take out voluntary sickness insurance.
Parental allowance and other family benefits form part of the state social support system and are not conditional on employment or payment of social insurance contributions. Students may therefore qualify for these benefits if they meet the conditions laid down for the particular benefit, including the applicable residence and family-related conditions.
Yes, subject to specific conditions
Disability pension is a benefit provided under disability insurance, which forms part of the pension insurance system.
Students are not automatically covered by pension insurance solely on the basis of their student status. However, students who work during their studies may become insured through their employment. Students working under an Agreement on temporary work for students (dohoda o brigádnickej práci študentov) are subject to pension insurance and may apply an insurance contribution deductible allowance to one such agreement, subject to the applicable conditions.
Students may also take out voluntary pension insurance. Entitlement to a disability pension depends on meeting the statutory conditions, including recognition of disability and, where applicable, the required period of pension insurance.
Yes, subject to specific conditions
Students are not automatically covered by pension insurance solely on the basis of their student status. However, they may become covered through employment or may take out voluntary pension insurance.
Students working under an Agreement on temporary work for students (dohoda o brigádnickej práci študentov) are subject to pension insurance. They may apply an insurance contribution deductible allowance to one such agreement, subject to the applicable conditions.
Entitlement to an old-age pension generally requires reaching pension age and completing at least 15 years of pension insurance. Periods of insurance completed in other countries may also be taken into account in accordance with EU social security coordination rules or applicable international social security agreements.
Yes, on a voluntary basis
Students may participate in supplementary pension savings (the 3rd pillar), which is a voluntary pension savings scheme designed to provide additional income in retirement. Participation is generally voluntary and is not dependent on student status. Contributions may be paid by the participant and, where applicable, also by their employer.
Yes, where applicable
In the case of students working under an Agreement on temporary work for students (dohoda o brigádnickej práci študentov), the employer pays contributions for accident insurance and, where applicable, guarantee insurance. These contributions are paid by the employer, not by the student.
The employer also pays contributions to the Solidarity Reserve Fund in connection with such employment. Persons who take out voluntary pension insurance are also required to contribute to the Solidarity Reserve Fund.