Slovakia's healthcare system provides access to quality medical care for citizens, residents, and foreigners, including Ukrainians with temporary protection. While it is not the most advanced in Europe, the country is actively modernizing hospitals and clinics, equipping them with new technology.
Primary care centers are available in almost every village. The system is based on mandatory health insurance, which covers basic costs for primary, emergency, and specialized care within certain limits. Services beyond these limits or in private clinics must be paid for out-of-pocket or with commercial insurance.
This article explains how the system works, how to get insurance, find a doctor, make an appointment, use emergency services, and what rights Ukrainians, especially refugees, have.
The private clinic network DoctorPRO has a branch in Bratislava. They have Ukrainian-speaking doctors specializing in various fields, including internal medicine, gynecology, gastroenterology, urology, proctology, and dermatology. In Košice, the Ukraine Care Centre provides medical help for Ukrainians. Adults can visit the clinic at Rastislavova 43, and children have a separate clinic at Trieda SNP 1.
Additionally, there are active Facebook groups where people share doctor contacts and experiences: Ukrainian-speaking doctors and medical staff in Slovakia (Ukrainian-speaking doctors and medical workers in Slovakia) or Medicine in Slovakia. Doctors and clinics - Bratislava (Medicine in Slovakia. Doctors and clinics - Bratislava). These groups offer recommendations, reviews, and up-to-date addresses.
Besides public and private clinics, the International Association of Doctors and Medical Professionals in Slovakia operates in Slovakia. It connects Ukrainian-speaking specialists and helps patients access quality healthcare without language barriers. The organization offers online consultations with Ukrainian doctors, which is convenient if you cannot get an in-person appointment quickly or need advice on treatment or examination.
For quick online consultations without visiting a clinic, use eLikari. This is an online service in Ukrainian that allows you to get advice from qualified doctors, no matter where you are. The platform acts as an intermediary between the patient and a licensed medical professional.
Doctors4UA is a social project created for Ukrainians affected by the war. The platform connects doctors worldwide who offer free online consultations on any medical issue. This is useful if you are abroad or cannot visit a doctor in person. You can also book a free consultation with a veterinarian for your pet on the site.
How Slovakia's Healthcare System Works
The Slovak healthcare system is built on the principle of universal coverage, guaranteeing access to medical services for all insured individuals. The foundation is mandatory state insurance, funded by contributions from salaries, taxes, and the state. The insurance companies – Všeobecná zdravotná poisťovňa (VŠZP), Dôvera, and Union – pay for services from hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies. You usually pay nothing or a small fee (e.g., €2–€10 for emergency care). Without insurance, all costs are your responsibility. The state invests in modernization: hospitals receive new equipment, and every village has a primary care center with general practitioners (všeobecní lekári for adults, pediatri for children). They conduct check-ups, issue prescriptions, refer patients to specialists, and monitor health. If complex treatment or hospitalization is needed, insurance covers it within limits, but private clinics or additional services (like cosmetic surgery) are paid for separately.Who is Eligible for Mandatory State Health Insurance
- Slovak citizens - Foreigners with a residence permit (temporary or permanent), and those who have received temporary protection (odídenec); - Children under 18 of insured individuals. Contribution Rates: - For employed individuals: 4% of salary (paid by the employee) + 10% (paid by the employer). - For self-employed individuals (Fyzická osoba - natural person): 14% of income. If you have the status of "odídenec" (temporary protection), you automatically receive insurance through VŠZP without needing to register separately. This insurance covers emergency care (This is medical help that is needed immediately when there is a threat to life or serious health damage. For example: heart attack, stroke, drowning, cardiac arrest, heavy bleeding, injuries after a car accident, labor starting, acute asthma or epilepsy attack) and necessary care (This is treatment that is not urgent, but is needed to maintain health and cannot be postponed for a long time. For example: treatment of chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension); follow-up doctor visits; basic check-ups before school or kindergarten; gynecologist visits, pediatrician visits; children's vaccinations.). Children under 18 have full coverage, like Slovak children, including vaccinations, preventive care, and therapies.Who is NOT Eligible for Mandatory State Health Insurance
- Students from Ukraine (without a job) If you came only to study and do not have the status of odídenec, the state does not insure you. - Owners of companies (s.r.o.) without an employment contract Simply being a company founder is not enough. If you do not officially receive income as a director or employee, state insurance does not apply. - Foreigners on short-term or seasonal work For example, those who work only a few months without a residence permit. If you do not have an employment contract, the status of odídenec, or a residence/permanent residence permit, the state will not insure you. In this case, your only option is to get private insurance (this is mandatory, especially if you plan to stay in Slovakia long-term). We recommend not delaying the insurance application. The cost is typically €25–€35 per month, which is much less than potential medical costs that can reach thousands of euros.❓ If you are unsure which insurance to choose, we can recommend a trusted insurance agent with an NBS license who works with all insurance companies in Slovakia. Write to us on Telegram with any questions: t.me/kompas_support
How to Apply for State Health Insurance
If you earn a salary in Slovakia and have an employment contract or a mandate agreement as a director/employee of an s.r.o. (limited liability company), you must register with one of the insurance companies (VšZP, Dôvera, or Union). The employer usually handles the registration within 8 days of starting work, but your personal involvement is often needed – submitting an application and documents. Also, if you are self-employed, you must arrange state insurance yourself with your chosen insurance company. After registration, you will receive an insurance card, which you show to doctors. Here's how to apply:- In person: Visit one of the branches of your chosen insurance company, fill out, and sign the "Insured Person's Application."
- By mail: Download the application from the website, fill it out, and send it to the branch.
- Online: Fill out the application directly on the website.
How to find a family doctor
A family doctor is your main helper. They perform check-ups, issue prescriptions, referrals to specialists, and monitor your health. You can find a doctor online on the websites TopDoktor or e-vuc.sk. You can search by region and doctor type (všeobecný lekár for adults, pediater for children). If you want to find a Ukrainian-speaking doctor, there are several options. In Bratislava, the Center at Rovniankova 1 offers a family doctor, gynecologist, and psychiatrist.
The private clinic network DoctorPRO has a branch in Bratislava. They have Ukrainian-speaking doctors specializing in various fields, including internal medicine, gynecology, gastroenterology, urology, proctology, and dermatology. In Košice, the Ukraine Care Centre provides medical help for Ukrainians. Adults can visit the clinic at Rastislavova 43, and children have a separate clinic at Trieda SNP 1.
Additionally, there are active Facebook groups where people share doctor contacts and experiences: Ukrainian-speaking doctors and medical staff in Slovakia (Ukrainian-speaking doctors and medical workers in Slovakia) or Medicine in Slovakia. Doctors and clinics - Bratislava (Medicine in Slovakia. Doctors and clinics - Bratislava). These groups offer recommendations, reviews, and up-to-date addresses.
Besides public and private clinics, the International Association of Doctors and Medical Professionals in Slovakia operates in Slovakia. It connects Ukrainian-speaking specialists and helps patients access quality healthcare without language barriers. The organization offers online consultations with Ukrainian doctors, which is convenient if you cannot get an in-person appointment quickly or need advice on treatment or examination.
For quick online consultations without visiting a clinic, use eLikari. This is an online service in Ukrainian that allows you to get advice from qualified doctors, no matter where you are. The platform acts as an intermediary between the patient and a licensed medical professional.
Doctors4UA is a social project created for Ukrainians affected by the war. The platform connects doctors worldwide who offer free online consultations on any medical issue. This is useful if you are abroad or cannot visit a doctor in person. You can also book a free consultation with a veterinarian for your pet on the site.
How to register with a family doctor
To receive full medical care in Slovakia, you need to register with a family doctor (všeobecný lekár):- Prepare documents: Passport, "odídenec" card (or VŠZP confirmation), employment contract (if you are working).
- Find a doctor: As mentioned above. Check if the doctor is accepting new patients (prijíma nových pacientov). You can do this by calling the clinic or checking the notice on the office door when you visit. Your insurance company (VšZP, Dôvera, Union) can also provide this information.
- Sign a contract: Call or visit the clinic and sign the "zmluva o poskytovaní zdravotnej starostlivosti" (agreement on the provision of healthcare). This is free of charge.
Calling an ambulance in Slovakia
155 is the number for emergency medical services. Call only in medical emergencies (heart attack, severe injury, difficulty breathing, etc.). Only a doctor or paramedic will respond. 112 is the pan-European emergency number. It is a universal number for police, fire department, and ambulance services. If you call 112, the dispatcher may transfer you to 155 if it is a medical emergency. Call an ambulance only in cases of life threat or serious danger to health: severe chest pain, loss of consciousness, serious injuries, difficulty breathing, uncontrollable bleeding, etc. For those insured by the state insurance, the call and assistance are free. Without insurance, you will have to pay the full cost, which can be €150–€250 for the call, plus additional costs for hospital treatment. For less severe cases (fever, cold, stomach pain without complications), it is best to first contact your family doctor, an on-call doctor, or an emergency room (urgent). On this website, you can find an updated list of all "urgentných príjmov" (emergency rooms) in your region. These are official emergency departments where you can go in urgent situations. In Slovakia, you can find the right doctor or medical facility on the website zzz.sk. On the website, you can search for clinics and doctors by city, specialty, and language of consultation. You can also view contact details, addresses, and opening hours of facilities.
