How do you choose health insurance in Slovakia in 2026?

Public insurance is compulsory for anyone with permanent residence. For non-permanent residents the law names specific groups. Employees of a Slovak employer who earn at least the minimum wage must join. Self-employed people with a Slovak residence permit must join. Full-time university students under the stated conditions are covered, and so are dependent children under 18 who hold a residence permit when at least one parent is publicly insured.

Notice who is missing from that list. An adult spouse who does not work is not automatically included, so a trailing partner needs their own coverage, usually a commercial policy from an insurer that accepts foreigners. Check this before you finalise the family move in Best for families.

All three run the same public benefits package, so you are choosing service, not coverage. VšZP (Všeobecná zdravotná poisťovňa) is the state-owned fund and the largest by members. Dôvera and Union are private companies operating inside the same public system, and they compete with bonus programmes, so compare the extras, the app, and the nearest branch before you sign.

You apply to the fund you choose, normally within eight days of becoming insured. Bring your residence card or the sticker in your passport, your employment document that states the agreed wage, and your birth number if you have one. The fund then issues an insurance card, and on request a European Health Insurance Card.

You can switch once a year. Your application must reach the new fund by 30 September, and the change starts on 1 January. Employees must then tell the employer within eight days of the switch, otherwise a fine from the health supervisory authority can follow. Any change of address, job, or name also goes to the fund within eight days. See Register your address for the matching Foreign Police deadline.

The Foreign Police treat insurance as a condition of keeping your permit. Within three working days of picking up the residence card you must sign up, and within 30 days you hand the police proof of cover plus a medical certificate that you do not carry a disease dangerous to public health. The certificate must be less than 30 days old and come from a facility on the Ministry of Interior's list. How to apply for a residence permit puts that step in order.

If you are applying through an employer, the cover starts after your job contract begins and your employer registers you, so the first payslip usually settles the question. The employer path is covered in Temporary residence for employment.

Public cover does not remove every cost. Check Healthcare costs for dental, medication, and private clinic prices.