Slovakia
In emergencies, call 112 or 155 (ambulance) for help.
Sudden illness and access to treatment in Slovakia
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles you to medically necessary treatment whilst staying temporarily in Slovakia.
Medically necessary treatment refers to treatment that cannot wait for your return home.
You can receive medically necessary treatment, for example, for:
- a sudden illness
- an accident
- pregnancy and childbirth
- a chronic illness
If your medical condition requires regular treatment while abroad, please contact the healthcare provider in advance to arrange your treatment.
Please note the following:
- The European Health Insurance Card does not guarantee treatment free of charge, but gives you the right to medically necessary treatment on the same terms and at the same cost as for local residents.
- It is also advisable to carry a paper copy of the card with you.
- If you do not have a card or it is not accepted, you will have to pay the costs of treatment yourself. In this case, you can apply for reimbursement from Kela afterwards.
- Seek treatment at a public or private healthcare facility that has an agreement with a health insurance company (DÔVERA,UNIONor VšZP). With a European Health Insurance Card, you can usually receive treatment without having to register in advance.
- If you seek treatment from a healthcare provider that does not have an agreement with a health insurance company, you will pay the costs yourself.
- Rescue, first aid and medical transport expenses in the mountain regions of Slovakia are not covered by public healthcare; you need to pay for them yourself. The costs may amount to thousands of euros, which is why acquiring separate insurance is recommended.
Doctor in Slovakia
Make an appointment with a general practitioner who has an agreement with a Slovakian health insurance company. At the reception, present your European Health Insurance Card and your identity card.
In order to access free treatment, you need to indicate which health insurance company you choose and how long you will be staying in Slovakia. Seeing a specialist requires a referral from a general practitioner, and in such cases, the treatment is also free.
Dentist in Slovakia
You can see a dentist without a referral. Essential dental treatment is available free of charge from a contracted dentist. Health insurance companies can provide information about these dentists. The payment procedure is similar to that of a general practitioner.
Free treatment includes the use of basic materials. The dentist is responsible for informing you in advance if more expensive materials are to be used. In such cases, you must pay the difference between the cost of the basic and the more expensive materials. Prices may vary between dentists.
Medication in Slovakia
You can collect prescribed medicines from any pharmacy. Present your European Health Insurance Card and your identity card. The amount you need to pay depends on the medicine. In Slovakia, prescriptions are valid for seven days.
Hospital treatment in Slovakia
A doctor’s referral is required for hospital treatment. At the hospital, present your European Health Insurance Card and your identity card. If you do not have the card, you can request a temporary replacement certificate to be sent to the hospital by one of the Slovakian health insurance companies listed above.
If the patient’s state of health prevents them from choosing an insurance company, the hospital will make the choice on their behalf. Once the necessary documents have been provided, the treatment and medicines will be free of charge.
In an emergency, you can go directly to the emergency unit of a contract hospital. Present your European Health Insurance Card and your identity card. A small emergency fee will be charged unless the patient is admitted to the hospital. Please note that some complex treatments may be very expensive and are not necessarily reimbursed in Slovakia. You can apply for reimbursement from Kela afterwards.
Ambulance transport is free in emergencies.
If your illness requires special transport for your return to Finland, you will be responsible for covering the full costs. It is strongly recommended to take out travel insurance that includes coverage for these expenses.
Patient data in Slovakia
Remember to ensure that your patient data is transferred between countries. You can provide those responsible for your follow-up care or your healthcare provider with the patient records related to the treatment you received abroad. If the patient records need to be translated, you will be responsible for arranging the translation yourself.
Quality and safety of treatment in Slovakia
The Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic, the Health Care Surveillance Authority, and medical associations supervise the quality of healthcare operations. More information about quality control and complaing procedures is available on the website of the Slovak National Contact Point.
You can use the search function on the Slovak National Contact Point’s website to check whether your chosen service provider is authorised to operate in the healthcare sector.
In the event of treatment injuries, the legislation and patient insurance of the country providing the treatment will apply. If you are dissatisfied with the care you received, you should first try to resolve the issue with the healthcare provider. The Slovak National Contact Point can assist you in finding the appropriate authority if you wish to file a complaint.
Healthcare system in Slovakia
In Slovakia, healthcare is provided under a system of public (mandatory) health insurance. In principle, everyone is entitled to free healthcare. However, in certain cases—such as dental care and medications—patients are legally required to pay part or all of the costs themselves.
There are three health insurance companies in the Slovak Republic. All of them are joint-stock companies that manage public funds and operate throughout the country. Everyone has the right to choose their health insurance company freely.
The Slovak healthcare system includes both public and private healthcare services. Each healthcare sector is served by both public and private providers, and most of them have contracts with the health insurance companies.
How do I find a place of treatment in Slovakia?
The website Zzz.sk (in Slovak) provides a list of hospitals in the country. It also features a search function that allows you to look up for doctors, ambulance services, opticians, and other healthcare providers.
If you plan to travel to Slovakia for healthcare services, please visit our website for general information about seeking treatment abroad. For specific questions about healthcare in Slovakia, contact the Slovak National Contact Point.
Information about healthcare is available in English on the websites of Slovak National Contact Point and the National Health Information Center (Národné centrum zdravotníckych informácií).
How much does treatment cost in Slovakia?
You will receive treatment free of charge if you seek care at a healthcare provider that has an agreement with a Slovak health insurance company. At the reception, inform the staff which health insurance company you will choose (DÔVERA,UNION or VšZP). Remember to also present your ID and your European Health Insurance Card at the reception.
If you seek treatment at a healthcare provider that does not have an agreement with a Slovak health insurance company, you will be responsible for the costs of treatment yourself.