Temporary protection in Slovakia for Ukrainians in 2025: how to apply and basic rules for refugees

Slovakia remains on the list of countries where many Ukrainian refugees are moving to in search of protection from Russian armed aggression. This European country provides Ukrainians with a number of rights and benefits, including the possibility of obtaining temporary protection. Find out about the current requirements and updated rules for obtaining temporary protection status in Slovakia in 2025

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In July 2025, the Council of the European Union officially approved the extension of temporary protection until March 2027. The corresponding regulatory decision also applies to Slovakia. At the same time, in March 2025, it became known that Slovakia was reducing assistance for Ukrainian refugees, in particular, reducing the period of residence in free housing and social benefits.

Temporary protection provides the following rights for Ukrainians in Slovakia in 2025: residence, work, medical care, education and financial assistance.

Read about the features of temporary protection for Ukrainians in Slovakia in 2025 in this article.

Learn more:

➤ features of tourist trips to Slovakia;

➤ work for Ukrainians in Slovakia;

➤ obtaining a student visa in Slovakia;

➤ obtaining a residence permit in Slovakia.

Not sure how to proceed in your situation? Contact the solicitors at Visit Ukraine and get answers to all your questions!

Rules for entering Slovakia in 2025

Do Ukrainians need a visa to Slovakia?

Citizens of Ukraine can enter the territory of Slovakia with biometric passports as part of the visa-free regime with EU countries and stay there without hindrance for up to 90 days within a period of 180 days.

For a longer stay, you will need a visa. Read here when Ukrainians need a visa to Slovakia and how to apply for one?

Documents for entering Slovakia in 2025

- A biometric passport is valid for more than 180 days from the date of entry.

- An insurance policy is mandatory for tourists and all Ukrainians entering from outside Ukraine.

EES system

From October 12, the EES system will start operating in all Schengen countries - what you should know:

- the registration procedure is free;

- no need to fill out any preliminary forms;

- data is recorded once every three years;

- the EES system is different from ETIAS - the latter will be operational in 2026 and will involve filling out an online form and paying 7 euros;

- the EES consists only of taking fingerprints and taking a photo when crossing the border;

- the implementation is taking place gradually, so a significant increase in queues is not expected on October 12.

Read here what surprises the EES system is preparing and how to avoid unpleasant surprises when traveling to Europe.

It is important to remember that after the 90-day period of stay in Slovakia expires, you need to obtain temporary protection status.

Which border crossing points with Slovakia operate in 2025?

In 2025, the following border crossing points will operate on the Ukrainian-Slovak border:

- Maly Berezny – Ublya (24/7, car/pedestrian),

- Uzhhorod – Vyšné Německé (24/7, car),

- Maly Selmenty – Velké Slémenty (daily from 09:00 to 21:00, pedestrian/bicycle),

- Pavlove – Mateovce and Chop (Stráž) – Čierna nad Tysou railway crossings.

More information about the working hours, queues, and rules for crossing the Ukrainian-Slovak border here.

Please note that there are currently no quarantine restrictions in Slovakia due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

Who can receive temporary protection in Slovakia in 2025?

You can apply for temporary asylum in Slovakia if you meet at least one of the following conditions:

1. You have Ukrainian citizenship.

2. Ukraine has granted you international or equivalent national protection until February 24, 2022.

3. You do not have Ukrainian citizenship, but you have received a permanent residence permit in Ukraine until February 24, 2022, but you cannot return to your homeland in safe and stable conditions.

4. You are a family member of a citizen of Ukraine or a person who has been granted international protection or equivalent protection in Ukraine until February 24, 2022 (if the family member resided in Ukraine until February 24, 2022). You can apply for temporary asylum:

- your husband or wife.

- your minor children or your spouse's minor children,

- parents of a child under the age of 18 who is a citizen of Ukraine,

- your close relatives who live in the same household with you and are fully or partially dependent on you.

Is it possible to obtain temporary protection in Slovakia if you already had status in another country? Explanation from Visit Ukraine lawyers at the link.

How to apply for temporary protection in Slovakia in 2025?

Starting from August 6, 2024, Slovakia has new rules for Ukrainian refugees to apply for temporary protection. Here are the main steps to take to obtain this status:

Step 1 – Preliminary online registration

Before submitting documents to the police station, you must fill out an online application for “Dočasné útočisko”. This is a necessary step without which the documents will not be accepted. You can register on the official website of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic in the booking system section.

Step 2 – Making an appointment at a police station

After submitting the online application, you need to reserve a date and time to submit your documents at the selected police station. This can be done through the same booking system. Please note that only one person can be reserved for each visit.

Step 3 – Visit to the police station

Applications for temporary protection are accepted only on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 07:30 to 13:30. You must have your identity documents, such as a foreign passport, with you during the visit. It is not possible to submit documents without an appointment.

Step 4 – Choosing a police station

You can apply to any of the 13 police stations for foreigners in the cities of Michalovce, Košice, Prešov, Romavská Sobota, Ružomberok, Banská Bystrica, Žilina, Trencin, Nitra, Dunajská Streda, Nove Zamky, Trnava, and Bratislava. Choose the branch that is most convenient for you, regardless of the place of your planned residence in Slovakia.

Step 5 – Submission of documents and processing time

If you have a foreign passport or other identity document, temporary protection status is granted immediately. If you do not have such documents, the application may take at least 30 days to be processed. After the decision is made, you will receive a document marked “DOČASNÉ ÚTOČISKO”, which confirms your right to stay in Slovakia.

What opportunities does temporary protection in Slovakia provide for Ukrainians?

1.Financial assistance to refugees in Slovakia

The amount of financial assistance in Slovakia depends on the number of family members and their age. However, the amount cannot exceed 380 euros per family per month.

The amount of payments per month:

- €80 for an adult;

- €160 for children under 3 years of age;

- €60 for children from 3 to 18 years old.

Families with a person with a disability may receive additional funding.

Financial assistance is not available to persons and their families who are employed in Slovakia.

The application for financial assistance is submitted together with the application for temporary protection status.

According to the new rules, from March 1, 2025, refugees who received temporary protection after that date can only receive housing benefits for the first 60 days instead of the previous 120 days established from July 2024.

2. Housing assistance in Slovakia

Slovakia provides Ukrainians with temporary housing under certain conditions. You can be accommodated in a hotel or with a Slovak family. 

According to the new rules, from March 1, 2025, refugees who received temporary protection after that date will be able to stay in shelters for no more than 60 days.

3. Where to look for a job in Slovakia?

According to Slovak law, Ukrainians who have been granted temporary protection status can work, but are not allowed to conduct entrepreneurial activities.

The Istp.sk portal allows you to find a job quite quickly. You fill out a questionnaire in which you indicate in which city or district you would like to work in Slovakia. The data will be transferred to the Slovak Employers' Association, the Migration Office, and registered employers on the ISTP website.

If you speak English or Slovak, you can try to find a job on Linkedin or Upwork.

4. Education in Slovakia for Ukrainian children

Ukrainian children who come to Slovakia with their parents have the right to attend educational institutions, just like all Slovak children.

Preschool education is compulsory for children who have reached the age of 5. You can find a kindergarten in Slovakia here.

Primary and secondary education in Slovakia is free. Children attend school from the age of 6 to 16. The list of schools in Slovakia is available here.

To register, you need to contact the kindergarten or school of your choice directly.

5. Medical services for refugees in Slovakia

Ukrainians who have been granted temporary protection status in Slovakia are entitled to free emergency medical care, but are limited in many other basic medical services that are provided on a paid basis. Therefore, please note: if you are not applying for temporary protection status in Slovakia, but are planning a trip to this country, you should take care of your insurance policy, as it is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside Ukraine. If you have a temporary protection status, but you want full medical care in Slovakia to avoid any troubles and be calm for yourself and your loved ones, Visit Ukraine recommends taking out health insurance online.

Read everything you need to know about insurance for entry into Slovakia: who needs it, application rules for different visa categories, and where to buy it in this material.

How to enter Slovakia by car?

Traveling by car to Slovakia, as well as to Europe as a whole, does not require special preparation, but a prerequisite is car insurance under the Green Card. In addition, to cross the border by car, you need to have a technical passport and a driver's license. You can buy a Green Card insurance policy for traveling abroad in your own car here.

Read more about the rules for using your own car in Slovakia here.

Assistance for Ukrainian refugees from Visit Ukraine

The extension of temporary protection in the EU in 2025 is an important step. The Visit Ukraine team provides comprehensive support to Ukrainians who have been forced to leave their country due to military action. You can receive:

➤ Consultations on documentation and rights.

➤ Assistance in obtaining insurance for travel or residence.

➤ Legal advice in difficult situations.

➤ Access to online services (e.g. ticket booking) that simplify your stay in the EU.

If you still have any questions about entering and staying in Slovakia, or if you just need help with the preparation of documents for traveling abroad to another country, you can contact Visit Ukraine's migration lawyers at any time for advice, who provide 24/7 legal support to our compatriots around the world.