Odídenec (person granted temporary protection) is the official Slovak legal term for a person who has been granted temporary protection (dočasné útočisko). This is the status that most Ukrainians have who moved to Slovakia after the full-scale war began.
What this status gives you
- Legal stay in the country without needing to apply for asylum (azyl).
- Access to medical care, the job market, and education.
- The right to certain housing assistance and social support.
The status is confirmed by a document for tolerated stay marked ODÍDENEC. It is issued at the alien police department or a migration center. Temporary protection is granted for a set period and is periodically extended by a decision of the EU and the Slovak government, so you need to watch the deadlines carefully. With this document, you can open a bank account, get health insurance, and legally get a job. An application must be submitted for each family member, including children, so make sure you have documents for everyone.
