Children and Family in Slovakia for foreigners

The basic monthly child benefit — prídavok na dieťa — in 2026 is €60 per child. In the month the child first starts 1st grade, an additional one-time payment of €110 is made; for parents without the right to a tax bonus, there is also a príplatok of €30.

The right to the benefit depends on your status and type of stay in Slovakia, and on the child being dependent and studying. For persons with temporary protection status, the conditions may differ from the general ones, so do not rely only on the amount — check your own rights.

The application is submitted to the Office of Labor, Social Affairs and Family (ÚPSVaR) at your place of residence; the benefit is processed to a bank account.

Up-to-date amounts, conditions, and forms are on the official website upsvr.gov.sk; explanations for Ukrainians are on mic.iom.sk.

These are two different benefits. Materské is paid by the Social Insurance Agency (Sociálna poisťovňa) and is linked to insurance: the parent who was properly insured (approximately at least 270 days of insurance in the last two years) has the right to it, so the amounts are individual.

Rodičovský príspevok is paid by ÚPSVaR to those who care for a child up to 3 years old and do not receive (or have already exhausted) materské. In 2026, this is approximately €500.20 per month for parents who previously had materské, and €364.90 for those who did not; the amounts are indexed annually.

Both benefits require childcare and residence in Slovakia; specific eligibility depends on your status and insurance record.

About materské — socpoist.sk, about rodičovský príspevok — upsvr.gov.sk.

After childbirth, the birth is first registered: the maternity hospital transmits the data, and the registry office (matrika) at the place of birth issues a birth certificate (rodný list). This is the basic document for all further steps.

The newborn must be medically insured: the child is registered with a health insurance company (zdravotná poisťovňa) — usually the one where the mother is insured. A child of an insured mother has the right to medical care from birth, but the registration should be done as soon as possible.

Child benefits are processed in parallel — príspevok pri narodení dieťaťa, prídavok na dieťa, and, if eligible, materské or rodičovský príspevok.

General information about the healthcare system is on health.gov.sk; practical steps for foreign parents are on mic.iom.sk.

A child needs their own pediatrician (pediater, children's doctor) to whom they are 'assigned' — this doctor handles treatment, preventive check-ups, and vaccinations.

The easiest way to get a list of pediatricians accepting new patients is from your health insurance company (zdravotná poisťovňa) — it is obliged to provide you with access to a doctor. In large cities, due to a shortage of pediatricians, it is sometimes necessary to contact several clinics.

When registering, you will need the child's insurance card and documents about previous vaccinations; it is useful to have a translation of the medical history.

About the rights of the insured and the healthcare system — health.gov.sk; tips on how to find a doctor — on mic.iom.sk.

The main institution for family matters is the Office of Labor, Social Affairs and Family (ÚPSVaR). This is where you apply for child benefits, and single parents also apply for assistance in hardship (dávka v hmotnej núdzi) and other forms of support.

If the other parent does not pay alimony (výživné), the state may grant náhradné výživné — a substitute payment; this is also processed through ÚPSVaR. Matters of establishing and collecting alimony are decided by the court.

Guardianship, custody, and protection of children's rights are handled by the Department of Social and Legal Protection of Children (SPODaSK) at ÚPSVaR; in difficult situations, this is where you turn for help and mediation.

A list of services, branch contacts, and forms are on the official website upsvr.gov.sk; guidance for Ukrainians is on mic.iom.sk.