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I just arrived in Slovakia: First steps checklist (2025)

A practical “do this first” sequence based on the 2025 rules: status → address → documents → health → housing → kids/school → work.

Do now You must report your location to the Foreign Police within 3 working days of entry.

Official Policy:
- Every foreigner (visa-free or seeking protection) must report their stay using the "Hlásenie pobytu" (Notice of Stay) form.
- This applies even if you haven't applied for Temporary Protection yet.
In Practice:
- Hotels/Hostels: They are legally required to report you via the digital system. Ask reception: "Did you report my stay to the Foreign Police?" just to be safe.
- Private/Airbnb: This is the trap. Landlords often assume you will do it. You must print the "Hlásenie pobytu" form, get the owner to sign it, and mail it (registered mail recommended) or deliver it to the Foreign Police.
- Why it matters: If you don't report this, you don't legally exist at that address in the police database, which causes errors when you try to apply for Temporary Protection later.

Do now This status grants you health insurance, housing allowance eligibility, and the right to work.

Official Policy:
- The Form: Go to portal.minv.sk and fill out the form named "Declaration of a Foreigner Applying for Temporary Refuge" (Vyhlásenie cudzinca...).
- The Booking: After filling the form, you must book a separate appointment slot in the Ministry of Interior's reservation system.
In Practice (The Booking Reality):
- Not a Reservation: Filling the "Declaration" form does not give you a time slot. It only generates a PDF registration code.
- Finding Slots: Appointments disappear instantly. Check the website at 07:00 AM or 08:00 AM when new waves of slots are often released.
- Walk-ins: Officially refused. While "vulnerable" people (pregnant, elderly) might occasionally be processed without a booking at the discretion of the chief officer, relying on this is high-risk and often results in being turned away.

Details →

Decision You are legally allowed to stay 90 days as a tourist, but your rights differ significantly.

Official Policy:
- You may stay visa-free for 90 days in any 180-day period.
- You can apply for Temporary Protection at any time during your legal stay.
In Practice:
- Healthcare Cost: As a tourist, you have zero state coverage. You must pay full price for everything or use commercial travel insurance.
- Work Ban: You strictly cannot work. "Trying out" a job without TP is illegal employment and can lead to deportation.
- The "Switch": Do not wait until Day 89. If the police system is full (no appointments), you might technically overstay your 90 days while waiting, creating a "grey zone" legal gap.

Details →

Do now Registration is decentralized to 13 specific Foreign Police departments.

Official Policy:
- Bratislava: Go to Regrútska 4. (Note: The large center at Bottova 7 is CLOSED for registration).
- Other Cities: Dunajská Streda, Trnava, Nitra, Trenčín, Nové Zámky, Banská Bystrica, Rimavská Sobota, Žilina, Ružomberok, Prešov, Košice, Michalovce.
- Processing Hours: Strictly Tuesdays & Thursdays 07:30–13:30.
In Practice:
- Wednesday Risk: Do not go on Wednesday unless you have a specific "vulnerable group" confirmation for the Regrútska center. Most departments handle other visa agendas on Mon/Wed/Fri and will turn refugees away.
- Queues: Arrive 30 minutes before your slot. Technical outages (system down) are common, so bring water and snacks.

Details →

Prepare Bring Biometric Passport (best) or Internal ID. Children must have Birth Certificates.

Official Policy:
- You must prove identity and family links (for children).
- If you have accommodation, you can register your address immediately.
In Practice (The Address Trick):
- Bring the Affidavit: If you bring a signed "Čestné vyhlásenie" (Owner's Affidavit) or a lease contract to the appointment, the police will print your Slovak address on your TP document.
- Why: If you don't do this, you get a "municipal" address (just the town name). You will then be forced to make a second trip to the Town Hall later to register properly. Doing it now saves you days of bureaucracy.

Children: Without a birth certificate, proving a child is yours is extremely difficult and may require DNA testing or embassy involvement. Bring any secondary proof you have (medical records, school ID).

Details →

Habit Slovakia runs on paper. Your status is initially just a sheet of A4 paper.

Official Policy:
- Lost documents must be reported to the police immediately to get a "Potvrdenie o strate" (Confirmation of Loss).
In Practice:
- Digital Backup: Take a clear photo of your Temporary Protection document and Passport now. If you lose the physical paper, showing the photo on your phone makes getting a replacement at the Foreign Police 10x faster.
- Lamination Warning: Do not laminate official documents (like birth certificates) permanently, as this invalidates them for some legal uses. Use a plastic sleeve instead.

Details →

Do now You can still apply, but you will undergo "Identity Verification".

Official Policy:
- If you lack a biometric passport, the police will defer the decision for up to 30 days to run background checks.
In Practice:
- The Wait: You will not get the TP document on the spot. You cannot work or travel during this waiting period.
- Embassy Action: The Slovak police cannot give you a passport. You must go to the Ukrainian Embassy (Radvanská 35, Bratislava) to apply for a "Certificate of Identity" or a new passport immediately.

Details →

Do now If granted TP after 15 Dec 2024, you must apply for the plastic residence card within 90 days.

Official Policy:
- Booking Type: You must book a slot for "Žiadosť o vydanie dokladu o pobyte" (Application for residence card).
- Fees: €10 (standard 30-day issue) or €39 (expedited 2-day issue). Children are often exempt.
In Practice:
- Why pay? The paper certificate (Potvrdenie) is often rejected by foreign border guards and looked at with suspicion by Slovak pharmacists. The plastic card is recognized instantly and is durable.
- Travel: Re-entering Slovakia is much smoother with the card. The paper document often gets crumpled and unreadable, causing delays.

Details →

Do now Report moves within 3 working days at the Municipal Office (Mestský/Obecný úrad).

Official Policy:
- Any change of address must be reported.
- Bring your TP document + New Lease or Owner's Affidavit + "Hlásenie pobytu" form.
- Do not go to the Foreign Police for a simple address change; it is handled by the town halls.
In Practice:
- The "Mail Trap": Fines (e.g., public transport, unpaid trash tax) go to your registered address. If you move and don't report it, you never see the letter, and the fine automatically triples or goes to a debt collector.
- Temporary Moves: Even if moving for just 2 months, report it. It connects you to local schools and aid.

Details →

Do now Register with an insurer (VšZP, Dôvera, or Union) to get your card.

Official Policy:
- Children (0-18): Full public insurance coverage (same as Slovak children).
- Unemployed Adults: "Urgent and Necessary Care" (Neodkladná a potrebná zdravotná starostlivosť).
- Employed: Full public insurance.
In Practice (The "Chronic" Debate):
- Chronic Illness: The Ministry of Health explicitly states that "Urgent" includes care to prevent condition deterioration (e.g., insulin for diabetes, heart medication). You do not need to wait for a heart attack to get treated.
- Pediatricians: Finding a doctor for a child is very hard. Find one before the child gets sick. If a clinic refuses you, show them your insurance registration; often they just fear the paperwork.

Details →

Plan early State housing allowance is paid to landlords, but it is time-limited.

Official Policy:
- Limit: Support is limited to 60 days from the grant of TP (effective 2025).
- Vulnerable Exceptions (Indefinite Support):
  - Age 65+
  - Child under 5 years old (and their caregiver)
  - Disabled persons or those in "Material Need".
- Rates: €5/night (private) or €6/night (hostel).
In Practice:
- The "Age 5" Trap: The moment your child turns 5, you lose the "vulnerable" status. The housing money stops immediately for the whole family unless you qualify another way. Plan for this birthday.
- Monthly Reporting: You must sign the report within the first 5 business days of every month. If you miss this, the landlord gets €0, which often leads to immediate eviction.

Details →

Do now School attendance is mandatory for all children aged 5–16 residing in Slovakia.

Official Policy:
- Age 5: Last year of kindergarten is compulsory.
- Age 6–16: Primary/Secondary school is compulsory.
- Online School: Studying online in Ukraine is NOT recognized as a substitute for Slovak school attendance.
In Practice:
- "Full Capacity": Schools often claim they are full. Do not accept a verbal "no." Submit a written application to the "Catchment School" (Spádová škola) for your address. They are legally obliged to find a solution or refer you to the municipality.
- Consequences: If a child is absent for >30 days without reason, the school must report you to Social Services (Sociálna kuratela), which triggers an investigation for child neglect.

Details →

Work You can work immediately without a work permit.

Official Policy:
- Your employer must report your start to the Labour Office via an "Information Card" within 7 days. This is their duty, not yours.
In Practice:
- TPP vs. Dohoda:
  - Dohoda (Agreement): Very common for refugees. Low security, easy to fire, often no paid holiday.
  - TPP (Employment Contract): Much better. Includes health insurance, paid vacation, and meal vouchers. Always ask for TPP if possible.
- Job Loss: If you lose your job, you do not lose your Temporary Protection status (valid until 2026). However, you should register as a "Job Seeker" at the Labour Office to keep your health insurance covered.

Details →

Do now Your status is valid until 4 March 2026, but your paper might show an old date (e.g., 2024 or 2025).

Official Policy:
- The extension is automatic in the government system. You do not need to visit the police to "renew" it.
In Practice:
- The Problem: Foreign border guards and some employers do not trust the old date on your paper.
- The Fix: Go to portal.minv.sk and generate/print an "Updated Confirmation of Temporary Protection" (Potvrdenie o poskytnutí dočasného útočiska) which explicitly shows the new 2026 date. Carry this to avoid arguments.

Details →

Related guides:

Operational Handbook: Integration, Legal Status, and Daily Life for Ukrainian Nationals in Slovakia (2025 Edition)

Executive Overview: The Transition from Emergency to Integration

Since 2025, the system for Ukrainian nationals in Slovakia has shifted from an emergency, “walk-in” style support model to a more structured, compliance-focused process. In practice, this means more online steps, stricter deadlines, and more situations where you’ll be asked to prove your status with up-to-date documents.

This handbook keeps the same information, but adds short explanations so you can quickly understand: what to do, why it matters, and what can go wrong.

Helpful mindset: Treat your first weeks as “setup time.” Your goal is to establish a stable legal and administrative footprint: status + address + health insurance + (if relevant) school enrollment.

Core Legislative Shifts in 2025

Extended Stability: Temporary Protection is extended until March 4, 2026.
Mandatory Documentation: New arrivals (after Dec 15, 2024) must obtain a plastic residence card within strict timeframes.
Targeted Social Support: Housing allowance is often limited to 60 days for non-vulnerable adults.

1. Legal Status: Acquiring and Maintaining Temporary Protection

Temporary Protection (Dočasné útočisko) is the main legal status for Ukrainians to live in Slovakia. The key change is that the process now requires planning ahead (online + booking), not “just show up.”

1.1 Validity and the 2026 Extension

Current expiration: Temporary Protection statuses are valid until March 4, 2026.

Automatic renewal: If you already have the status, the extension is automatic in the Ministry’s database. You don’t need to visit the Foreign Police just to “extend the date.”

Common problem: your paper (or older document) might show an older date, but the official system already treats you as extended. That mismatch can confuse employers, landlords, or border officers.

Operational advice: Print an updated “Confirmation of Temporary Protection” from portal.minv.sk and carry it with your older document. This is often the fastest way to remove confusion in real life.

1.2 The “Plastic Card” Mandate (New 2025 Regulation)

The new rule (effective Dec 15, 2024)

If you received Temporary Protection after Dec 15, 2024, you are required to apply for a plastic residence document within 90 days of receiving the initial paper status.

Why Slovakia is pushing this: paper documents are fragile and easier to misuse; plastic cards are compatible with e-government checks and are more reliable as everyday ID.

Consequences of missing the 90-day window

Missing the deadline places you in administrative non-compliance. It may not automatically cancel protection, but it can increase risk during official interactions and may lead to fines or complications.

Application process (separate act)

Booking requirement: You must book the appointment type for issuing a residence card (Žiadosť o vydanie dokladu o pobyte).
Fees: Standard (within 30 days) €10; expedited (within 2 business days) €39.
Typical exemptions: children under 18; spouses of Slovak citizens (verify at the desk).

1.3 Initial Registration: Step-by-Step Guide (Decentralized)

The large-capacity center at Bottova 7 in Bratislava is closed for registration purposes. Procedures are handled through Foreign Police departments.

Phase 1: Digital pre-requisites (do these first)

Online form: Fill the “Declaration of a Foreigner Applying for Temporary Refuge” on portal.minv.sk.
Appointment booking: Reserve a time slot in the reservation system (the form alone is not a booking).

Quick check: If you only filled the form, you are not “booked.” You still need an appointment slot to avoid being turned away.

Capacity issues (what to do if slots are full)

Slots fill quickly and may appear in waves. Checking often (including mornings) can help. If you travel, you may consider checking multiple locations. Without a booking, you can lose a full day to travel and waiting — and still get refused.

Phase 2: Physical registration locations

Designated departments equipped for these applications include:

Bratislava (Regrútska 4), Dunajská Streda, Trnava, Nitra, Trenčín, Nové Zámky
Banská Bystrica, Rimavská Sobota, Žilina, Ružomberok, Prešov
Košice, Michalovce

Operating hours

Temporary Protection processing is listed as Tuesdays and Thursdays from 07:30 to 13:30. Bratislava (Regrútska) may sometimes process vulnerable groups on additional weekdays, but this can depend on capacity.

Don’t rely on the “vulnerable group exception” as your only plan. A booking is still the safest route.

Phase 3: Documentation and biometrics

Biometrics: fingerprints + facial photo (adults and children; infants still must be present).
Passport: biometric passport is best; internal passport/ID may be accepted if a passport is unavailable.
Children: birth certificates are essential to prove family link.
Proof of accommodation: owner affidavit (Čestné vyhlásenie) or rental contract helps print your Slovak address on the document.

1.4 Scenario analysis: registration challenges

Scenario A: “I fled without a valid passport.”

You can still apply, but identity checks may be deeper and the decision may take longer (up to ~30 days). Contact the Ukrainian Embassy as soon as possible to start arranging a travel document.

Scenario B: “I’m in Slovakia on a tourist stay — can I switch?”

Yes. Temporary Protection gives faster access to work and healthcare. Once granted, your practical “tourist mode” ends and you enter the protection regime.

2. Housing and State Financial Support (Príspevok za ubytovanie)

Housing support is no longer “forever.” For many adults, it’s a short bridge — and the cliff edge is often at day 61. Plan for what happens after support ends.

2.1 The 60-day limitation

For non-vulnerable adults, the allowance is provided for a maximum of 60 days from the date Temporary Protection is granted. This used to be longer; the policy now pushes faster employment and self-sufficiency.

2.2 Who gets ongoing support (vulnerable groups)

Seniors: 65+
Young children: child under 5 (support can end as soon as the child turns 5)
Caregivers: single parent caring for a child under 5; in two-parent households, only one parent can claim this
Disabled persons: severe disability / personal care requirements
Material need: household receiving “Pomoc v hmotnej núdzi” (ÚPSVaR)

Cliff edge warning: If your child turns 5 and your household’s vulnerability status depended on “child under 5,” support can stop immediately.

2.3 Financial rates and payment mechanics

The allowance is paid to the landlord/accommodation provider, not directly to you.

Private housing: €5/night/person (≈ €150/month)
Hostels/communal: €6/night/person (≈ €180/month)
Children: count as full persons for calculation

2.4 Administrative obligations (easy to miss)

Contract: landlord + refugee sign a specific accommodation contract for displaced persons and file it with the municipality.
Monthly reporting: within the first 5 business days of the next month, confirm nights spent (common failure point).

If you miss the monthly confirmation window, the landlord can lose that month’s payment. This can damage trust or even trigger eviction pressure.

2.5 Strategic scenario: “My child is about to turn 5.”

If your support depends on “child under 5,” you should plan for the birthday month: secure employment, renegotiate rent, or apply for material need support ahead of time if you may qualify.

3. Healthcare: Navigating Coverage and Entitlements

Healthcare access often becomes “fast” only after one administrative step: register with a health insurance company so providers can bill correctly.

3.1 Coverage tiers

Children (0–18): treated as fully insured; access similar to Slovak children (check-ups, vaccines, specialists, hospitalization).
Unemployed adults: urgent and necessary care, including chronic conditions if needed to prevent deterioration.
Employed adults: full public health insurance via employer contributions.

3.2 Registering with an insurance company

Choose one: VšZP, Dôvera, or Union. Bring your Temporary Protection document and passport. Ask for the confirmation/card and keep it ready for doctors.

3.3 Scenario: “I need a specialist for a chronic condition.”

Chronic care may be covered if treatment prevents serious deterioration. Often you start with a GP and request a referral. You may still pay standard medication surcharges (doplatok), similar to Slovak patients.

4. Education: Mandatory Attendance and School Integration

The policy direction is clear: prevent children from falling out of education by requiring attendance in the Slovak system.

4.1 Compulsory attendance

From the 2025/2026 school year, school attendance is mandatory for children aged 5 to 16 residing in Slovakia. Ukrainian online schooling is not treated as a substitute if the child physically lives in Slovakia.

4.2 Enrollment procedures and deadlines

Primary school: enroll in the catchment school based on your registered address.
Age 5 (kindergarten): the last year is compulsory; municipalities must provide a spot for every 5-year-old.

4.3 The “30-day” non-attendance rule

If a child is enrolled but does not attend for 30 days without valid justification, the school may expel the student and report to social services. Take attendance rules seriously and keep medical notes if needed.

4.4 Capacity challenges

For ages 3–4 (non-compulsory kindergarten), capacity can be tight, especially in Bratislava. Apply to multiple facilities and keep rejections as proof of effort.

5. Economic Integration: Employment and Labor Rights

5.1 Right to work

Temporary Protection holders have immediate access to the labor market. No work permit is required; employers handle the notification duty.

5.2 Contract types

Employment contract (Pracovná zmluva): stronger protections, paid leave, sick leave, benefits.
Agreement (Dohoda): flexible/part-time; typically fewer benefits and easier termination.

5.3 Scenario: “I lost my job — do I lose my status?”

No. Temporary Protection is tied to the situation in Ukraine, not your employment. However, job loss can affect housing support. If you qualify for material need, you may regain vulnerable status for housing allowance.

Do now: Register with the Labour Office (Úrad práce) as a job seeker quickly, especially if you have no income.

6. Administrative Maintenance: Address Changes and Lost Documents

6.1 Reporting a change of address

Report any address change within 3 working days. For moves within Slovakia, you usually go to the municipal office (Mestský/Obecný úrad), not the Foreign Police.

Bring: Temporary Protection document + new lease or owner affidavit (Čestné vyhlásenie).
Why it matters: Official mail goes to the registered address. Missing it can create legal problems quickly.

6.2 Lost passport

Report the loss/theft at a Slovak police station and get a confirmation.
Contact the Ukrainian Embassy in Bratislava (Radvanská 35).
Apply for a new passport or a certificate of identity for return (one-time travel).

Travel warning: you generally cannot cross Schengen borders with only a police report and your TP document.

7. Travel: Crossing Borders

7.1 Visits to Ukraine

Short visits are generally possible without losing Slovak Temporary Protection. To return, you typically need your valid Ukrainian passport and TP document. Long stays in Ukraine may create risk if authorities consider you re-established residence there.

7.2 Travel within the EU (Schengen)

Tourism: up to 90 days in any 180-day period in other Schengen countries.
No right to work elsewhere: Slovak TP does not grant work rights in other EU countries.
Double status warning: applying for Temporary Protection in another EU country can cancel your Slovak status via EU exchange systems.

8. Summary Checklist for 2025 Compliance

Use this table as a “reality check” for the first weeks and months. If something here is unfinished, it’s a good next task to schedule.

Action item	Deadline / condition	Consequence of inaction
Apply for plastic residence card	Within 90 days of TP grant (if TP after Dec 15, 2024)	Administrative non-compliance; risk of fines / complications
Update paper TP confirmation	Recommended immediately via portal.minv.sk	Confusion at borders/jobs regarding “expired” date on old paper
Review housing allowance	Track whether you exceed 60 days and whether you are “vulnerable”	Sudden loss of housing subsidy; landlord stops receiving payment
School enrollment (age 5–16)	Mandatory for children residing in Slovakia	School expulsion after 30 days non-attendance; social services involvement risk
Report address changes	Within 3 working days of moving	Missed legal mail; administrative problems
Register with health insurance (VšZP/Dôvera/Union)	As soon as possible after arrival / status grant	Delays in care; billing complications at clinics

Useful links (as referenced in this article)

Tip: Keep a small “digital folder” (phone + email) with: passport scans, children’s birth certificates, booking confirmations, and the latest TP confirmation printout. It saves time in almost every office interaction.