Legal status and visa requirements for those who were forced to leave Ukraine
General information and legal support within the Slovak Republic
- The two legal statuses available in Slovakia are temporary protection or asylum.
- Ukrainians with a valid biometric passport can legally stay in the territory of the Slovak Republic for 90 days. To legally stay on the territory of Slovakia for longer, during this time the person seeking protection needs to decide whether to apply for temporary protection status or asylum.
- At the moment, entry is also possible for persons who do not have a valid travel document (biometric passport). In this case, it is necessary to apply for temporary protection or political asylum (asylum). If Ukrainians come with young children, it is recommended to have at least a child’s birth certificate.
- Persons without a valid passport are recommended to have other documents with them (for example, identity card, driver’s license, residence permit in Ukraine, birth certificates, etc.).
- A visa is not required if you have a valid biometric passport. You can legally stay in the Slovak Republic and the Schengen area for 90 days.
- The two legal statuses available in Slovakia are temporary protection or asylum.
- If you have a valid biometric passport, you can legally stay in the territory of the Slovak Republic for 90 days. To legally stay on the territory of Slovakia for longer, during this time you need to decide whether to apply for temporary protection status or asylum.
List of useful institutions
Consulate General of the Slovak Republic
Lokoty 4, 880 00, Uzhhorod, Ukraine
+380 503 178 719 (emergency mobile)
Embassy of Ukraine in Slovakia
Radvanská 35, 81101, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
+421 259 202 810
Permanent service of the Ministry of the Interior
+421 248 593 312
Infolines of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic
For persons speaking Ukrainian
+421 513 816 111
+421 259 765 111
Center for Labor, Social Affairs and Family
Špitálska street no. 8, 812 67, Bratislava
Refugee status/ asylum seeker status/ temporary protection status
- If Ukrainians can confirm their identity (passport, ID card), temporary asylum will be provided to them immediately after registration. If Ukrainians do not have the documents, their application for temporary asylum will be considered in a short time frame, within about 30 days.
- In the current situation, Ukrainian citizens should apply for temporary protection than for asylum. If you apply for asylum, you will only be able to work after a decision has been made, if your application is not considered within 9 months of the start of the proceedings.
Infolines of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic for persons speaking Ukrainian
+421 513 816 111
+421 259 765 111
Learn more about migration counselling websites are useful for the Ukrainians who were forced to leave Ukraine:
- Information for Ukrainians entering the Slovak republic (Ukrainian, Slovak, English languages)
- IOM Migration information centre
Free Advice and Services for Non-EU Nationals - Ministry of interior affairs provides phone lines for people speaking Ukrainian:
+421 513 816 111
+421 259 765 111
>> Find migration counselling institutions:
Grösslingová 35, 811 09, Bratislava
+421 2 5263 0023
Ukrainian Embassy in Slovakia
Radvanská 35, 81101, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
+421 2 5920 2810
Information for people coming from Ukraine: From Ukraine to Slovakia
This website is an initiative of the Human Rights League and Mareena and is regularly updated according to information from Slovak state institutions
“SME SPOLU” (English meaning: “We are together”) in Slovakia
SR Police
Tel. number: 158, 112
Ambulance service
Tel. number: 155, 112
Interpretation services (local NGOs, volunteers, reception centres)
Non-governmental organizations that provide information to foreigners and refugees about their stay, visas, and asylum in several languages.
Slovak Red Cross - Connecting families
If Ukrainians who were forced to leave Ukraine have lost contact with Ukrainians who were forced to leave Ukraine or family, loved ones or relatives, Ukrainians who were forced to leave Ukraine can use the service of the Slovak Red Cross - Family Reunion. For more information, visit the redcross.sk website.
The League for Human Rights
Non-governmental organizations that provide information to foreigners and refugees about their stay, visas, and asylum in several languages.
Phone (hotline) for people from Ukraine: +421 918 366 968
Email: ukrajina@hrl.sk
More information: ukraineslovakia.sk
Telegram and Signal applications
Phone: +421 908 767 853 (voice services only)
Email: mic@iom.int
Further information: www.mic.iom.sk
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Information and advice on entry and stay in Slovakia.
Info line: 0850 211 478 (from the territory of the Slovak Republic)
From abroad: +421 252 630 023, +421 556 258 662
SOS Ukraine Slovakia - Ukrainian community in Slovakia
Hotline: +421 911 201 889
Email: ukrajina.sk.sos@gmail.com
Facebook: Ukraine-Slovakia SOS
Access to healthcare services
Legal prerequisites for the Ukrainians who were forced to leave Ukraine to get health care including treatment in the Czech Republic (these prerequisites apply for Ukrainians who have a refugee or asylum seeker or temporary protection status)
- Persons residing in Ukraine are entitled to urgent care before submitting an application for asylum, subsidiary protection, or temporary refuge, but no longer than 30 days from the date of entry into the territory of the Slovak Republic.
- In case of health problems, Ukrainians who were forced to leave Ukraine will be treated and receive the necessary health care.
- Infolines to the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic for persons speaking Ukrainian
+421 513 816 111
+421 259 765 111 - Those just passing through Slovakia, but the goal is to reach another country, are entitled to acute and urgent health care provided by contracted health care providers with General Health Insurance. Other health care must be paid out of pocket.
- Those, who applied for asylum or temporary refuge will be entitled to urgent and necessary indicated health care. This also includes the health care that the doctor recommends by examination. There is an emergency service in the relevant region or city of a central hospital reception. Contacts: www.e-vuc.sk
- Those who received asylum or temporary refuge will be entitled to full health care coverage.
In the event of a threat to life, health care is provided immediately to everyone in the Slovak Republic.
- DENTAL CARE:
For those passing through Slovakia, or who have applied for temporary refuge/asylum, care is reimbursed in acute cases under the conditions set by the insurance company. Contacts for dentists in Slovakia who provide free urgent dental health care can be found at www.skzl.sk/stomatologhelp or also at www. stomatolog.help - MEDICATION:
For those passing through Slovakia, or gaining temporary refuge status, in addition to a specialist, medications can be prescribed by a general practitioner and will be accepted by pharmacies. - For those who requested temporary refuge, they will be entitled to medicines, medical devices, and dietetic food at no extra charge.
Important telephone numbers:
- Single European emergency number 112
- Slovak Emergency medical service: 155
- Slovak Police 158
- Slovak Fire brigade 150
- Health line for Ukraine: +421 221 025 075
- General Health Insurance Infoline: 0850 003 003
- Infolines for Ukrainian speakers (summary information) +421 513 816 111 / +421 259 765 111
- Infoline for patients with HIV and tuberculosis +421 907 923 122
Useful resources
Where can the Ukrainians who were forced to leave Ukraine go for healthcare services?
Emergency service can be found in the relevant region or city, or a central hospital reception, urgent dental health care Chronic/long-term treatment and other services e.g. screening, testing, and vaccination can be found in hotspots of the self-governing region www.ua.diagnose.me
Third-country nationals who are fleeing Ukraine can also access these services
General Health Insurance Company
Infoline 0850 003 003
www.vszp.sk
Contacts of hospitals and doctors Rus www.mic.iom.sk
Healthcare services are available in Slovak, English, Ukraine
Registration with a health care provider and visiting family doctors
Ukrainians do not need any registration with the healthcare system or a family doctor. In case of health problems, Ukrainians who were forced to leave Ukraine will be treated and will receive the necessary health care.
General Health Insurance Company Infoline: 0850 003 003
Services for People Living with HIV
HIV-testing
- HIV testing is free of charge for persons with public health insurance or commercial insurance. The health insurance is issued after border crossing for 90 days.
- HIV testing is not free of charge when a person demands anonymous testing.
Ukrainians can get HIV testing (free of charge), ART, PrEP and PEP services at the following institutions:
National reference centre for the prevention of HIV/AIDS
Slovak healthcare university Bratislava
Limbova 14, Bratislava
Phone: +421 02/593 701 44
Email: danica.stanekova@szu.sk
HIV Check Point Bratislava
Zdravotné stredisko Babuškova, číslo dverí 8
Babuškova 2, Bratislava
24/7 free phone AIDS help: +421 0800 666 777
Email: info@domsvetlaslovensko.sk
- Minors can also get HIV testing, as no exclusion criteria is mentioned. HIV services are provided to everyone in the Slovak Republic www.walki.sk.
- If a Ukrainian who was forced to leave Ukraine tests positive, then the person continues the treatment or is started on antiretroviral treatment (ART) treatment www.health.gov.sk/cvuzumz.
- Prescription and indication restrictions do not apply. In addition to the specialist, the medication can also be prescribed by a general practitioner and pharmacies will accept it. www.health.gov.sk/cr.
Antiretroviral treatment (ART)
Where should the Ukrainians who were forced to leave Ukraine go to get ART?
For those passing through Slovakia or gaining temporary refuge status, in addition to a specialist, medications can also be prescribed by a general practitioner and will be accepted by pharmacies.
Those who request temporary refugee will be entitled to medicines, medical devices, and dietetic food at no charge www.ua.gov.sk
Under which preconditions can people who inject drugs receive ART in the country?
People who inject drugs require a positive HIV test in order to receive ART.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
The Ukrainians who were forced to leave Ukraine can receive HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis. Information on the conditions is available at contact centres.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
Specific criteria are defined by the standard procedure for the prevention of the spread of HIV infection in high-risk populations in the Slovak Republic: evaluation and selection of persons for prophylaxis after possible HIV exposure.
PEP is available for Ukrainians, free of charge.
HIV post-exposure prophylaxis can be found at the following centres:
Services for People Living with Hepatitis B or C
Hepatitis B or C testing, hepatitis B vaccination, and hepatitis B or C treatment availability
Hepatitis B or C testing, vaccination, and treatment, including treatment of hepatitis-related liver diseases, are available and fully covered by public health insurance and commercial health insurance – conditions are the same as for Slovak citizens.
It is also available for those with no insurance who are willing to pay.
What indications are considered for hepatitis B vaccination?
- Hepatitis B vaccination is possible post-exposure. The recombinant vaccine is currently used intramuscularly in 3 doses. The second dose is given 1-2 months after the first dose and the third is given 6 months after the second dose.
- Mandatory vaccinations were first introduced for people with increased risk for hepatitis exposure, such as health care workers, children of HBsAg positive mothers, haemodialysis patients, people employed in public houses, and the like. In 1998, nationwide vaccination of newborns, against hepatitis B, was introduced in Slovakia. 11-year-old children born in 1994-1997 were gradually vaccinated.
What indications are considered for hepatitis B or C treatment?
- Treatment: Antiviral therapy with nucleotide/analogues (NA) is indicated in EASL (European Association for the Study of the Liver), as recommended in patients with severe, advanced coagulopathy or prolonged course. The aim of treatment is to prevent the risk of liver failure and to prevent the transition to chronic infection.
- Patients with acute hepatitis C should be treated with one of the following combinations according to the EASL recommendations of 2018: sofosbuvir + ledipasvir (genotypes 1, 4, 5 and 6) or ritonavir-boosted paritaprevir + ombitasvir + dasabuvir (genotype 1b) for 8 weeks, sofosbuvir + velpatasvir (for all genotypes), glecaprevir + pibrentasvir (for all genotypes), grazoprevir + elbasvir (genotypes 1b and 4) for 8 weeks.
What are screening methods for hepatitis B or C?
- Screening for infectious diseases is done at the first primary care physician’s visit. Screening of hepatitis B or C is carried out in case of clinical symptoms or based on epidemiological risk considerations.
- See more
Support systems (harm reduction/safer use, social support or psychosocial support) available for the Ukrainians undergoing therapy for hepatitis C or related liver diseases
www.ozodyseus.sk (operates in Bratislava)
www.primaoz.sk (operates in Bratislava)
www.zdruzeniestorm.sk (operates in Nitra, Sereď, Trnava)
Tuberculosis services
TB screening
Humanitarian arrivals, refugees, victims of trafficking, and those who have been detained from the age of 11 (at the time of arrival/detention) should have a chest X-ray taken. Children aged 2 to 10 years, who are unaccompanied minors, or persons coming from a country with a high prevalence (incidence) of TB, should have Interferon Gamma Release Assay or Tuberculin skin tests. Other tests should be taken if one of these tests is positive. The same applies to refugees and migrants arriving by air unless they have sent an X-ray to the national information system before arrival. It is not necessary to undergo screening for active TB or latent TB infection repeatedly unless there is a reasonable suspicion of false data or a change in health status. LTBI is by definition asymptomatic and non-infectious.
If the person has TB symptoms
- If Ukrainians (adults and children) who were forced to leave Ukraine have symptoms of TB (e.g. cough, fever, weight loss), or do not have symptoms but have been in contact with someone with TB, they can go to the standard network of general practitioners (for adults, children, adolescents), and outpatient specialists.
- They also can go to UA points at 11 university hospitals.
- Národný ústav tuberkulózy, pľúcnych chorôb a hrudníkovej chirurgie
NÚTPCHaHCH, Vyšné Hágy 1, 059 84 Vyšné Hágy
+421 / 52 / 4414 111 - National Institute for TB, Lung Diseases and Thoracic Surgery
Vysoké Tatry-Vyšné Hágy
Vyšné Hágy 1, 062 01
Phone: +421 52 4414284
Services offered: TB testing and treatment
All the above-mentioned services are relevant as well for those:
- who are on directly observed treatment (DOT)/ video directly observed treatment (VDOT); or
- those who started the TB treatment for multidrug-resistant TB in Ukraine and need to continue in Slovakia.
Non-medical support
Each region has created hotspots which provide assistance to Ukrainians, including psychological and material assistance (Ubľa, Vyšné Nemecké and Veľké Slemence).
If a person has a Ukrainian prescription for TB treatment medication…
A Ukrainian who was forced to leave Ukraine that is on TB treatment and has a prescription from their doctor in Ukraine, can collect the medicines with that prescription at the pharmacy. www.health.gov.sk
Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) Services
Medication rules
Decision of an outpatient psychiatrist is required in order to obtain OAT, but all medication is free of any charges www.health.gov.sk
For OAT Ukrainians can contact:
Drug Addiction Treatment Centre
Cesta k nemocnici č. 55, 974 01 Banská Bystrica
MUDr. Martin Somora – Head Physician: +421 902 533 061
Email: somora@cpldz-bb.sk
Veronika Končoková – Head Nurse: +421 903 901 830
Email: koncokova@cpldz-bb.sk
Outpatient office: +421 901 911 912
Email: info@cpldz-bb.sk
Centre for Drug Addiction Treatment
Hraničná 2, P.O.BOX 51, 827 99 Bratislava
+421 2 53 41 74 64
+421 2 53 41 74 67
+421 2 53 41 74 72
Email: cpldz@cpldz.sk
To get their dosage, Ukrainians should first see a doctor at outpatient psychiatric facilities or specialised substitution treatment centres.
What OAT drugs are available in the country?
The minimum age for people who use drugs to receive OAT is 18 years.
Sources
General requirements and access to healthcare
HIV
-
08. Zákona 576/2004
Ministerstvo zdravotníctva Slovenskej republiky podľa § 45 ods. 1 písm. c) zákona 576/2004 Z. z. o zdravotnej starostlivosti, službách súvisiacich s poskytovaním zdravotnej starostlivosti a o zmene a doplnení niektorých zákonov v znení neskorších predpisov vydáva štandardný postup. www.health.gov.sk.Standardny_postup.pdf
Hepatitis B/C
-
03. Akútne vírusové hepatitídy. Štandardné postupy
Paraličová Z., Schréter I. Akútne vírusové hepatitídy. Štandardné postupy: 15. mája 2021 www.health.gov.sk.pdf
TB
-
01. Tuberkulóza a latentná tuberkulóza
Solovič I. et all. Odporúčaný postup pre skríning a zabezpečenie dohľadu nad prenosným ochorením v súvislosti s migráciou: Tuberkulóza a latentná tuberkulóza. Zdravie a migrácia: 1. decembra 2020
https://health.gov.sk/pdf
OAT
-
05. Komplexný manažment pacienta so závislosťou od opioidov
Okruhlica L. et all. Komplexný manažment pacienta so závislosťou od opioidov. Štandardné postupy: 1. decembra 2020.
www.health.gov.sk.KM-pacienta-so-zavislostou-od-opioidov/pdf