Ukrainian Community in Slovakia

The easiest way to start is with our event calendar: we gather meetings, fairs, concerts, and educational events for the Ukrainian community in the Events section. It shows what's happening nearby in the coming days.

Outside the website, the community gathers around Ukrainian and pro-Ukrainian organizations. Among the most active are Mareena, which focuses on integration and community events, and Človek v ohrození with humanitarian and adaptation programs.

Many things happen locally: Ukrainian Saturday schools, social media communities, and city aid centers. Ask about the nearest centers and follow announcements.

If you have just arrived and don't know where to start, the IOM Migration Information Centre provides guidance and contacts of organizations.

Consular matters are handled by the Embassy of Ukraine in the Slovak Republic (Bratislava). They issue and renew foreign passports, ID cards, certificates, powers of attorney (splnomocnenie), notarize documents, and handle other consular matters. The Embassy of Ukraine publishes the current list of services, schedule, and booking information on its website: Embassy of Ukraine.

Some services require an appointment, usually made online. Carefully check the list of required documents in advance to avoid making two trips.

Documents issued by Ukrainian authorities that need to be used in Slovakia often require an official (sworn) translation, and sometimes an apostille — the requirements depend on the institution where you submit them.

If you are unsure whether to contact the consulate or a Slovak institution, the IOM Migration Information Centre offers free guidance.

If you need help — consultations, humanitarian support, assistance with institutions — contact organizations working with Ukrainians. Key organizations include Mareena with integration programs and Človek v ohrození with humanitarian services.

If you want to help, these same organizations are looking for volunteers: translators, escorts for newcomers, event support, mentoring. You can get involved even for a few hours a week — details and forms are on their websites.

Many local initiatives operate within city communities and social media; ask about current fundraisers and needs in our community and follow announcements.

The IOM Migration Information Centre maintains a general map of support organizations for newcomers.

The Office of Labor, Social Affairs, and Family — ÚPSVaR — is responsible for social benefits in Slovakia. This is where you apply for assistance in material need (dávka v hmotnej núdzi) and other social benefits. The conditions and list depend on your status, income, and family composition, so the right to a specific benefit should be clarified individually.

Rules for people with temporary protection change periodically — check amounts and conditions before applying on the official website of ÚPSVaR. Do not rely on old advice from communities: figures become outdated.

In addition to state benefits, there are humanitarian programs run by non-governmental organizations — from food and clothing aid to consultations. The IOM Migration Information Centre collects guidance.

Many benefits require documents about your stay, income, and registered place of residence — prepare them in advance, as this speeds up the process.

The three pillars of integration are language, work, and social circle. Slovak opens access to better job opportunities, institutions, and daily life; where to start learning is covered in the Language section.

Work is not only income but also the fastest way to join the local environment. Look for vacancies, employment procedures, and advice in the Work section.

A social circle is built around events, volunteering, and neighborhood connections: attend community events, meet people, help other newcomers — this works best against isolation.

Systematic advice on adaptation — from housing to documents — is provided free of charge by the IOM Migration Information Centre.