Can you obtain temporary protection in Slovakia if you already had status in another country? Lawyers from Visit Ukraine explain

Want to apply for temporary protection in Slovakia after being protected in another EU country? We will tell you whether this is allowed by law, how to correctly renounce your status in the previous country, and what to prove in Slovakia. Find out what documents you need and how to avoid rejection using a real request to VU lawyers as an example

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After the start of the full-scale invasion, many Ukrainians found refuge in various EU countries. However, over time, some people decide to change their country of residence for various reasons: to look for work, reunite with their families, or due to other life circumstances. Today, we will look at a situation where a person has already received temporary protection in Italy but plans to apply for Dočasné účtočisko in Slovakia. Is this possible? What steps need to be taken? In this article, Visit Ukraine lawyers explain how to do this using a real client request as an example.

Request: I am currently in Italy and have temporary protection status (Protezione Temporanea). After the war started, I left Ukraine via the Polish border using only my internal passport. I do not have any border crossing stamps. I obtained my foreign passport while in Italy.

For a number of reasons, I am considering applying for temporary protection in Slovakia (Dočasné útočisko). Please clarify whether the current legislation allows me to obtain temporary protection in Slovakia, given the circumstances, and how to correctly renounce temporary protection in Italy.

Read also: Repeated temporary protection for Ukrainians in 2025 — conditions, countries, exceptions.

Is it possible to obtain temporary protection in Slovakia after receiving protection in another EU country — legal advice from Visit Ukraine

Is it possible to apply for temporary protection in Slovakia?

No, according to EU and Slovak national legislation, temporary protection is only granted in one EU member state. This is enshrined in Directive 2001/55/EC, which regulates temporary protection, as well as in Slovak national legislation (Act No. 480/2002 Z.z.). This means that if you already have temporary protection in Italy, Slovakia has the right to refuse to grant you status.

However, some exceptions are possible if you:

● officially renounce your status in Italy before applying in Slovakia;

● have valid reasons for moving (e.g., family reunification, employment, housing, long-term stay in Slovakia without support in Italy, etc.);

● can prove that you are not abusing the protection procedure.

In Slovakia, there have been cases where individuals who officially renounced their previous status (e.g., in the Czech Republic or Germany) were granted Dočasné útočisko in Slovakia, but each case is considered individually.

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How to correctly renounce temporary protection in Italy?

To renounce correctly, you need to:

1. Contact the Questura (immigration police) at your place of registration.

2. Submit a written statement of voluntary renunciation of temporary protection (rinuncia alla protezione temporanea).

3. Provide identity documents (domestic or foreign passport).

4. Obtain written confirmation of the cancellation of your status (or at least a copy of the application with a note of acceptance).

You will need this confirmation when submitting documents in Slovakia to prove that you do not have valid protection in another EU country.

Therefore, it is only possible to apply for temporary protection in Slovakia after officially renouncing your status in Italy.

The absence of marks in your passport is not critical if you can prove your route and change of country of residence (e.g., registration certificates, travel documents, etc.). Before applying in Slovakia, it is advisable to obtain preliminary advice or confirmation from the migration authority (Migračný úrad SR) regarding the possibility of your application being considered.

Need legal assistance?

Contact the immigration lawyers at Visit Ukraine. Our specialists will help you:

● assess your chances of obtaining temporary protection status again;

● prepare a complete set of documents;

● draft a statement of refusal of protection in your previous country;

● accompany you to the migration service.

Contact the lawyers at Visit Ukraine — we have already helped thousands of Ukrainians!

To sign up for a consultation:

1. Select a convenient format (support, written or oral consultation).

2. Fill out the form with your details (full name, email, contact phone number).

4. Select a convenient date for the consultation.

5. Read the terms and conditions of the agreement and make the payment.

Not sure which consultation format to choose? Contact our managers via Telegram or WhatsApp – they will help you choose the best option for your situation.

Visit Ukraine is your reliable legal partner abroad!

We remind you! In previous articles, Visit Ukraine lawyers have already discussed:

– How to renounce UKR status in Poland and obtain asylum in Germany.

– How to obtain temporary protection in Austria after staying in Poland.

– How to obtain temporary protection in Portugal after staying in other countries.

– How to move to Spain in 2025 with temporary protection in another country.

– How to obtain temporary protection in Belgium if you were abroad on February 24, 2022.

– Is it possible to obtain temporary protection in Germany if you have a residence permit in another country?

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