From September 1, 2025, all foreign students living in the dormitories of Študentské domovy a jedálne TUKE (Technical University of Košice) must have valid health insurance for the entire period of their stay – link to the official document.
This decision was made after several critical health situations involving foreign students occurred last year: due to a lack of insurance, they only sought medical help at the last moment. For now, this requirement applies only to TUKE dormitories, but given the seriousness of the situation, it is highly likely that a similar rule will be introduced in other universities in Slovakia.
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Why is insurance needed?
1. It is now a mandatory condition for living in a dormitory. 2. It protects against large financial costs in case of emergencies (ambulance, hospitalization, surgery) – if you do not have insurance, it can cost thousands or tens of thousands of euros. 3. Having insurance is a mandatory condition when applying for permanent residence and citizenship in Slovakia (When applying for permanent residence or citizenship, insurance coverage during your entire stay in Slovakia is checked – and its absence can cause problems when processing your application.) 4. It is your personal safety and the certainty that in a critical situation, you or your children will not be left alone.
Insurance options for students in Slovakia
Before looking at the options, it's important to understand the main difference between them: commercial health insurance works on the principle of "you pay first, then get reimbursed with receipts" – it's cheaper but more complex to manage. Risk insurance offers a quick payout and does not require receipts – it is more convenient and versatile, especially during your studies.
Commercial health insurance (Union, AXA):
Minimum term is 1 month (usually for six months to a year, paid upfront).
Rate for urgent cases only: approximately €25–€32 per month.
Rate with full coverage (excluding dental): from €55 per month.
You pay for treatment yourself first, then the insurance company reimburses your expenses with receipts.
Life risk insurance (Metlife, Allianz, NN, Generali):
Available for those with a residence permit or asylum.
Monthly payment: approximately €25–€35 per month.
Covers injuries, burns, critical illnesses, surgeries, hospitalization.
Payout is made without receipts – money is sent directly to your account.
Valid worldwide.
Suitable for dormitory accommodation.
We recommend not delaying the insurance process. The cost is on average €25–€35 per month, which is much less than the possible medical costs, which can reach thousands of euros.
Why Ukrainian travel insurance is not suitable?
Ukrainian policies usually cover only the tourist period up to 90 days, which meets Schengen requirements but is not suitable for living or studying in Slovakia. If you are staying in the country legally for more than three months, by law you must have insurance valid in Slovakia. We are preparing a detailed article about insurance in Slovakia soon, where we will explain the different types of insurance policies, how to get them, and which ones are suitable for students.
Is it better to get insurance: by yourself or through an agent?
By yourself – You can choose an insurance company on its website and get a policy online by filling out an application and paying for the insurance with a card. In this case, you need to compare companies yourself, fill out applications, and pay attention to details – this can take more time and effort, and usually more money.
Through an insurance agent – more convenient, faster, and cheaper: – usually, the agent works with various insurance companies and will recommend the best option for cost and conditions, considering your situation; – will provide a free consultation; – will process the contract online; – will explain the contract details in understandable language and provide support throughout the policy's validity – this is especially important in a critical moment when quick help and support are needed.
Recommendation from KOMPAS | Slovakia
If you don't know which insurance to choose, we can recommend a trusted licensed insurance agent from the NBS (National Bank of Slovakia) who works with all insurance companies in Slovakia. They will help you choose the best option for you, process the contract online or offline, and provide support throughout the insurance period.
All consultations and agent assistance are completely free.
➡️ If you are interested in the offer – write to us on Telegram – t.me/kompas_support
Health – is important, do not save on it.
Do you need advice or help opening a bank account in Slovakia?
Leave your request and we can give you free advice and help with this matter!
