Work in Care, Medicine, and Social Services in Slovakia
Due to an aging population, demand for care and medicine is growing: caregivers need a course, nurses need diploma recognition and Slovak language skills.
Due to an aging population, Slovakia constantly needs people in care and medicine – it's a stable niche with growing demand. But it's divided into two very different parts. The first is social care (opatrovanie): caregivers in nursing homes, hospitals, and private homes. Entry is more accessible, although an accredited course is required. The second is regulated medicine: nurses (zdravotná sestra), for whom diploma recognition and a confirmed level of Slovak are mandatory.
Salaries differ accordingly: caregiver (opatrovateľ/ka) – approximately 915–1,400 € gross, nurse – 1,300–1,900 €. In addition to the base pay, there are supplements for night and weekend shifts, as care and medicine operate 24/7 – norms are confirmed by employment.gov.sk.
How Much Do They Pay in Care and Medicine?
3 jobs
All filtersCaregiver in a senior care facility
Sister of the Dialysis Center Košice Kalinčiaková
Caregiver — full-time care for a senior (with accommodation)
Frequently asked questions about work
How Much Do Caregivers and Nurses Get Paid in 2026?+
Caregiver (opatrovateľ/ka) – approximately 915–1,400 € gross/month, nurse (zdravotná sestra) – 1,300–1,900 €, practical nurse – from ~1,000 €, orderly – from ~915 €. Since facilities operate 24/7, supplements for night and weekend shifts are added to the base pay – norms at employment.gov.sk.
What is a kurz opatrovania (220 hours) and why is it needed?+
This is an accredited caregiving course of at least 220 hours – a basic legal requirement for social services to work as a caregiver in social service facilities. Having the course opens up many more job vacancies; some employers and agencies help you complete it.
How can a nurse get their diploma recognized and what language is needed?+
Nursing is a regulated profession: official recognition (uznanie) of qualifications through the competent authority and a confirmed level of Slovak (approximately B1/B2) are required. The list of regulated professions and the recognition procedure for Ukrainians is explained at mic.iom.sk.
Can you work as a caregiver without knowing Slovak?+
Formally, basic care is possible with minimal language skills, but in practice, Slovak is very important: a caregiver communicates daily with clients, their families, and staff. For social services, the accredited caregiving course (220 hours) is key.
Caregiving through an agency – what to watch out for?+
There are many agencies in caregiving, including those offering accommodation or work abroad; the main rule is – charging employees a fee for employment is forbidden by law. A legal agency has a license from ÚPSVaR, earns from the client, and pays employees the same as in-house staff – check at upsvr.gov.sk.