Imagine you have used the card of one insurance company for years, you are used to its bonuses and dental reimbursements, and now it is merging with its main competitor. On July 14, 2026, the biggest deal in the Slovak health insurance market took place — Dôvera company signed an agreement to buy Union's shares.
For hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians and Slovaks who have health insurance with these institutions, the news sounds significant, but there is no need to panic. At this stage, all your medical records, reimbursements, and cards work without changes. However, in the near future, the healthcare system in the country will undergo significant transformations — instead of three players, only two will provide services.
Why it matters and how the market will change
Until yesterday, there were three health insurance companies operating in Slovakia: the state-owned VšZP and two private ones — Dôvera (owned by the powerful investment group Penta) and Union (a subsidiary of the Dutch holding Achmea B.V., which has been operating here since 2006). After the merger is completed, the private sector will be represented by a single giant.
The purchase agreement has already been signed, and the companies are preparing the final application to the Health Care Surveillance Authority. An important point for taxpayers: the purchase is financed exclusively by Dôvera shareholders' own funds. This means that your monthly insurance contributions from your salary or profit will not be used to cover the costs of this business deal — they will continue to be used to pay for medical services.
Union itself is not leaving the country entirely. It is only withdrawing from the mandatory health insurance sector for patients and will now focus exclusively on commercial insurance (here it is called komerčné poistenie — for example, policies for property, car, or travel insurance).
What will happen to benefits and doctors
The merger of such massive structures does not happen overnight. The process will take several more months, as the deal must receive approval from the Antimonopoly Office of the Slovak Republic and other state regulators. It is expected that all formalities will be completed by the end of the year.
While the documents are being processed, the status quo remains for clients of both companies:
Your plastic or electronic card in the app remains active and valid.
The network of contracted doctors is not shrinking — you can continue to see your family doctors and specialists as before.
Loyalty programs, such as reimbursements for dental care or children's glasses, are working as usual.
Martin Kultan, CEO of Dôvera, has already stated that the goal of the merger is not to cancel benefits, but rather to combine the best bonuses from both insurance companies and make them available to all clients of the merged company.
Should you change your insurance now
Every year by September 30, residents of Slovakia have the right to apply to change their health insurance company (then the changes take effect from January 1 of the following year). Given the news, many may wonder if they should switch to the state-owned VšZP in advance.
Experts advise not to rush. The management of both private companies emphasizes that the transition period will be as seamless as possible for patients. If you are satisfied with your current doctor and the bonuses you receive from Union or Dôvera, there is currently no reason for drastic action. The companies will publish all official updates and instructions regarding the process on their websites as the legal merger progresses.
