Slovakia is bound by EU legislation and has transposed relevant provisions through the Act No. 480/2002 of 20 June 2002 on Asylum and on changes and amendments of some other acts | ZÁKON z 20. júna 2002 o azyle a o zmene a doplnení niektorých zákonov, (20 June 2002) with further amendments. 

Following the entry into force of the reformed EU asylum acquis, a new law on international protection will take effect in June 2026.

Act No. 480/2002 of 20 June 2002 on Asylum and on changes and amendments of some other acts | ZÁKON z 20. júna 2002 o azyle a o zmene a doplnení niektorých zákonov, (20 June 2002).

Following the entry into force of the reformed EU asylum acquis, a new law on international protection will take effect in June 2026.

The provision of this information takes place in several locations, such as at borders, transit zones, detention centres, and asylum facilities. It is provided in both individual and group settings depending on the situation. Border and Foreign Police officers are the first to provide oral information to third-country nationals regarding their right to apply for asylum. During this interview, the officers explain the asylum process and the rights of the individual. If a third-country national has no legal grounds to remain in Slovakia, they will be interviewed during the administrative expulsion procedure. During this interview, they will be asked whether they wish to apply for asylum in Slovakia.

For further assistance, third-country nationals can also receive advice and counselling from NGOs, though this is generally provided upon request. Once the individual has been identified as seeking asylum, authorized employees from the Migration Office take over the process. Information about the asylum procedure, the applicant's rights and obligations, the consequences of not complying with the law, and the possibility of legal representation is provided. Information about NGOs offering services to asylum seekers is also shared with applicants.

The information is communicated both orally and in writing. For instance, when the Border and Foreign Police inform the individuals about their right to seek asylum, the information is usually delivered orally in a language that the applicant can reasonably understand. The Migration Office also provides written information through a comprehensive document titled Instruction of the Asylum Seeker on the Rights and Obligations, which is available on the official Ministry of Interior website. This document is also distributed to applicants at the asylum facility and includes information about the procedure, the applicant’s rights and obligations, and the potential consequences of not complying with the rules. The instructions are translated into 12 main languages reflecting the languages of the most common countries of origin: English, Arabic, Dari, Farsi, French, Hindi, Panjabi, Pashto, Russian, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Urdu.

The Border and Foreign Police and the Migration Office make sure that information is offered in a way that accounts for the applicant's age and maturity, especially for minors. Additionally, a simplified version of the instruction is available to make the material more accessible. Both the full and simplified instructions are translated into multiple languages, including English, Arabic, Dari, Farsi, French, Hindi, Panjabi, Pashto, Russian, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Urdu, to accommodate the diverse backgrounds of asylum seekers.

In addition to the primary materials, the UNHCR and the Migration Office have also collaborated to develop a joint information leaflet, which is available in 13 languages. This leaflet supports the broader information provision process by summarising key points of the asylum process and is used alongside the comprehensive instructional material.

Although there are no separate materials specifically designed for unaccompanied minors (UAM) the existing resources do cover the specific needs of different vulnerable groups. Both the full instruction and its simplified version contain relevant information tailored for minors. In the case of minor applicants, whether they are accompanied by a guardian or unaccompanied, the information is provided to the parent or guardian. However, in certain situations, such as in preparation for a personal interview, some information may be communicated directly to the minor applicant. For example, a minor would be informed about the details of the personal interview process before it takes place.

For those in detention, this information is provided as soon as they arrive. Subsequently, third-country nationals in detention are informed systematically about their rights and obligations upon their arrival. The Border and Foreign Police ensures that they understand the process, providing both written and oral information.

For more information:

• Instruction of the Asylum Seeker on the Rights and Obligations
• UNHCR Slovakia Asylum Information

Following the entry into force of the reformed EU asylum acquis, a new law on international protection will take effect in June 2026. 

Applicants in Slovakia receive information about the application of the Dublin III Regulation, including the right to and purpose of the personal interview, immediately after lodging their application for asylum. This information is provided as part of a comprehensive brochure detailing their rights and obligations throughout the asylum procedure. The brochure includes details about the Dublin procedure and is supplemented by a specific information leaflet dedicated to the Dublin process, which explains all relevant aspects, including the personal interview. Additionally, police authorities inform applicants about the Eurodac system and the processing of their data within national information systems.

The responsibility for providing information on the Dublin procedure is with reception workers immediately after the asylum application is lodged, and with Dublin case officers when the Dublin procedure begins. The initial comprehensive brochure and its simplified version cover essential information about the Dublin process, including the possibility of family reunification in another Member State. The Dublin-specific information leaflet complements this by providing further details about the procedure and its implications for the applicant.

The information is primarily provided in printed format, including the comprehensive brochure and the Dublin-specific leaflet. The materials are available in Arabic, English, Spanish, Persian, French, Armenian, Italian, Pashto, Portuguese, Tigrinya, Urdu, Chinese, Russian, Somali, and Albanian.

The information leaflet is complemented by specific national details, including the timeframe and the competent court to which appeals can be submitted. It also provides contact details for various entities such as the asylum authority, the UNHCR, the Data Protection Authority, legal aid providers, the International Organization for Migration and the Eurodac controller.

For applicants with special needs, such as unaccompanied minors (UAM), specific information materials are available.

Regarding legal remedies, applicants are informed about their right to legal assistance and the conditions for appealing a transfer decision at the start of the asylum procedure. This information is reiterated when the Dublin transfer decision is notified. The Migration Office employee responsible for notifying the decision provides explicit details about legal remedies, the appeal process, and associated deadlines, using the services of an interpreter to ensure comprehension.

While Slovakia does not currently have its own publicly available information materials online, general resources and products related to the Dublin procedure can be accessed through the EUAA Let’s Speak Asylum platform.

Following the entry into force of the reformed EU asylum acquis, a new law on international protection will take effect in June 2026.

In Slovakia, there is no separate admissibility procedure for asylum applications. Instead, inadmissibility grounds are examined as part of the regular procedure, as provided by Section 11 of the Act on Asylum.

Upon arrival at an asylum facility (or another location, but no later than 15 days after the procedure begins) each applicant receives a comprehensive document, the Instruction of the Asylum Seeker on the Rights and Obligations. This document, provided by employees of the Migration Office, contains detailed information on the asylum procedure, including the personal interview. The brochure is made available in a language the applicant is reasonably expected to understand.

Subsequently, the applicant is notified in writing of the specific date and location of their personal interview. This written notification also explains the purpose of the interview, the obligation to attend, the right to review their case file and the necessity of bringing any relevant documentation to support the application.

Before the interview begins, the caseworker provides a detailed oral explanation of how the personal interview will proceed. This oral briefing follows EUAA standards and the EUAA Practical Guide on Personal Interview. It covers all key aspects, such as the purpose and importance of the interview, procedural specifics, the applicant's rights and obligations, confidentiality issues, the role of participants in the interview, and the availability of interpretation services.

If the applicant resides in private accommodation, the written notification of the interview date is delivered several days in advance. For those accommodated at asylum facilities, notification is provided at least one day before the interview, since they are present directly in one of the asylum facilities.

The obligation to submit any evidence relevant to the asylum procedure is outlined in the Instruction of the Asylum Seeker on the Rights and Obligations. Applicants are also informed in writing that they may submit additional evidence during the personal interview or at any time before the decision is issued.

Following the personal interview, procedural steps are clearly explained both in the comprehensive brochure and orally during the final phase of the interview. The applicant is informed of the next steps in the process, including the legal time limits within which the asylum authority must issue a decision.

When a positive decision is issued granting international protection, beneficiaries are provided with information about their rights and obligations in written form. This information, presented in a language reasonably understood by the beneficiary, includes the duration of the protection status, steps for renewal if applicable, and details on residence permits, family reunification, childbirth, citizenship, initial integration support, healthcare, employment, education, financial and material assistance, travel abroad, voluntary return, and withdrawal or termination of the status. Specific guidance for unaccompanied minors is also included.

In the event of a negative decision, the applicant is informed of their right to lodge an appeal. This information is included in the Instruction of the Asylum Seeker on the Rights and Obligations, which details the time limits for filing an appeal and the procedure to request free legal aid or representation from the Legal Aid Centre. Specific instructions, including information on the competent authority and the suspensive effect of the appeal, are also included in the written decision delivered to the applicant. If applicable, the applicant may receive the official form to request legal aid at the time of the decision's notification.

Additionally, the Instruction of the Asylum Seeker on the Rights and Obligations contains a section on voluntary return and Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Programs (AVRP). However, no separate informational materials are provided to applicants whose applications have been rejected beyond the details included in the decision notification.

Following the entry into force of the reformed EU asylum acquis, a new law on international protection will take effect in June 2026.

The right to legal representation is thoroughly explained in the Instruction of the Asylum Seeker on the Rights and Obligations. This document specifies that an applicant can be represented during the proceedings by a lawyer or a representative of their choice. The representative must be a natural person with full legal capacity, the Legal Aid Centre, or an NGO providing legal aid to foreigners. However, the applicant may only have one chosen representative per proceeding at any given time. For NGOs, the representation must be provided by an authorized employee or a member who holds a master's degree in law.

Applicants are also informed of their entitlement to free legal aid from the Legal Aid Centre if they choose to appeal against a decision made by the Migration Office. Detailed information regarding free legal aid, including how to access it, is included in Part V of the Instruction.

Following the entry into force of the reformed EU asylum acquis, a new law on international protection will take effect in June 2026.

Slovakia does not implement resettlement and humanitarian admission programmes.

Beneficiaries of international protection receive detailed information about their rights and obligations associated with their protection status on the day their decision to grant international protection becomes legally effective.

The information provided is regarding legal rights such as access to social services, healthcare, education, and the obligation to comply with local laws. It is delivered by an employee of the Migration Office both orally and in written form through a document referred to as the "Material for PGIP" (Material about Rights and Obligations for Persons Granted International Protection), provided in a language the beneficiary understands. Beneficiaries are required to sign a statement confirming they have understood the information.

A staff member of the Migration Office also informs beneficiaries about integration projects on the same day the decision becomes legally effective. The integration-related information covers services such as social counselling, social assistance, employment counselling, legal counselling, psychological support, language courses, and cultural orientation. These details are provided in the Material for PGIP. Further guidance and personalised assistance are offered through meetings with an "integration office", which is run by a non-governmental organization contracted by the Ministry of Interior. Basic information on employment and the labour market is provided in the Material for PGIP. Additional and more detailed guidance is given during a meeting with the integration office. Beneficiaries can schedule this meeting at their discretion, either in person or online. The information typically includes creating a CV, job counselling, assistance with finding a suitable job, preparing for job interviews, and other tailored advice based on the beneficiary's circumstances. Counselling is provided orally by NGO staff during the meeting.

Basic information about education is included in the Material for PGIP and expanded upon in a meeting with the integration office. The guidance generally addresses how to enrol in school, the Slovak school system, and other education-related issues specific to the beneficiary's circumstances. Initial basic information is provided by Migration Office staff, while detailed counselling is provided orally by NGO staff during personal meetings.

Healthcare-related information is also introduced in the Material for PGIP and further clarified during the integration office meeting. This information includes an overview of Slovakia's healthcare system, health insurance details, and other healthcare-related topics relevant to the beneficiary. Basic information is provided by the Migration Office, while NGOs offer additional counselling orally in personalized meetings.

Beneficiaries of international protection are automatically considered holders of residence permits under Slovak legislation. Therefore, no specific information about obtaining residence permits is provided.

Following the entry into force of the reformed EU asylum acquis, a new law on international protection will take effect in June 2026.

After submitting their asylum applications, applicants are promptly informed about their rights, obligations, and reception conditions. Upon arrival at the reception facility, applicants are given a written document outlining their rights and obligations, which is tailored to a language they are presumed to understand. Additionally, social workers from the Migration Office meet with the applicants, usually on the day of or the day after their arrival, to provide further explanations. In cases where multiple applicants speak the same language, the information may be presented in a group setting to facilitate collective understanding. For more sensitive topics, such as assistance for victims of gender-based violence or trafficking, applicants are discreetly informed of their right to approach a social worker individually for a private consultation.

The information is primarily delivered by Migration Office employees, with additional input from NGOs that specialize in assisting asylum seekers. These NGOs often collaborate with the Migration Office to produce comprehensive and user-friendly informational materials. The content of the information provided is extensive and designed to cover all aspects of the asylum and reception process. It includes:

• The rights and obligations of applicants during the asylum procedure.
• The rules and expectations specific to the reception facility, which are explained in detail by social workers and displayed on information boards.
• Guidance on accessing legal assistance, including the types of support available and the organizations that provide it.
• An overview of healthcare services, including how to access medical care while in the reception facility.
• Information on reception-related topics, such as available support services, voluntary return programs, and resources for victims of trafficking.
• Contact details for assisting organizations and the types of specialized help they offer.

Brochures, leaflets, and other written resources are developed by the Migration Office in collaboration with NGOs. Written materials are distributed to applicants and include detailed information about their rights, obligations, and available services. Furthermore, social workers explain orally critical aspects of the system during one-on-one or group sessions. Additionally, Information boards placed at facility entrances provide visual reminders of essential topics, including legal assistance, healthcare access, and the rules of the reception facility.

Written materials and information boards are available in English, French, Russian, Arabic, and Persian.

Applicants with special needs receive additional support tailored to their specific circumstances. For example, victims of trafficking or other vulnerable individuals are identified by social workers, who provide targeted assistance and connect them with appropriate resources. Information on trafficking in human beings and available services is also made accessible to those who may need it.

Information about healthcare is an integral part of the reception process. Visual displays on information boards outline the availability of healthcare staff within each facility. During their initial interaction with social workers, applicants are given a verbal explanation of the healthcare system and how to access medical services.

Employment-related information is shared during individual counselling sessions with social workers.

Education-related information is initially provided in a written document, "Instruction of the Asylum Seeker on the Rights and Obligations",  and further clarified during meetings with social workers.

Applicants are also informed about the legal assistance available to them. This information is included in both the written materials they receive upon arrival and during their counselling sessions with social workers.

For more information:

• Slovak Ministry of Interior - Asylum and Migration
• EMN - Organisation of Asylum Facilities
   

Following the entry into force of the reformed EU asylum acquis, a new law on international protection will take effect in June 2026. 

Upon the detention of a third-country national, the police are required to promptly provide them with essential information regarding the detention. This includes explaining the reasons for their detention, ensuring the individual is aware of their right to notify their embassy of their country of citizenship, and informing them of the opportunity to notify a close relative and their legal representative. The police must also communicate the detainee’s right to challenge the lawfulness of the detention order.

This information is delivered orally in a language that the detainee understands, or in a language they can reasonably be presumed to understand. If necessary, an interpreter may be requested. Along with the oral explanation, detainees are also given a written copy of the detention decision. The Foreign Police Department, which is responsible for the detention process, provides this information at the time of detention.

Once the individual is placed in a detention facility, the facility staff must provide them with key details regarding their stay. This includes information about the detainee's specific place of residence within the facility, as well as a clear outline of their rights and obligations while in detention. Additionally, the detainee is informed about the internal rules and procedures of the facility, so they understand the environment and expectations. This information is delivered immediately after the detainee’s placement, with facility staff providing both an oral explanation and written documentation. The accommodation rules are provided in written and information is repeated periodically throughout the detention period.

Following the entry into force of the reformed EU asylum acquis, a new law on international protection will take effect in June 2026.