Reception - Slovakia | DIP EUAA
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Slovakia is bound by the recast Reception Conditions Directive and has transposed its provisions through Act No 480/2002 on asylum and amending certain acts | Zákon 131/2015 Z. z. ktorým sa mení a dopĺňa zákon č. 480/2002 Z. z. o azyle a o zmene a doplnení niektorých zákonov v znení neskorších predpisov a ktorým sa menia a dopĺňajú niektoré zákony. Other relevant acts transposing provisions of the recast Reception Conditions Directive may be found here.
20 July 2015: Slovakia transposed the recast Reception Conditions Directive by Act No 131/2015 amending Act No 480/2002 on asylum and amending certain acts | Zákon 131/2015 Z. z. ktorým sa mení a dopĺňa zákon č. 480/2002 Z. z. o azyle a o zmene a doplnení niektorých zákonov v znení neskorších predpisov a ktorým sa menia a dopĺňajú niektoré zákony
Act No 480/2002 on asylum and amending certain acts | Zákon č. 480/2002 Z. z. o azyle a o zmene a doplnení niektorých zákonov and its amendments regulate reception.
| Authority responsible for reception | Migration Office of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic | Migračný úrad Ministerstvo vnútra SR have the overall responsibility for reception |
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| Other actors involved | The Migration Office closely cooperates with the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family to provide care for unaccompanied minors. The Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family is responsible for the reception of unaccompanied minors, as well as providing legal guardians for them and all relevant actions (e.g. BIC assessment, applying for asylum, etc.). The Migration Office is responsible for the asylum procedure. Support centres of the Ministry of the Interior provide building maintenance, technical support and repairs in accommodation facilities. The Migration Office also cooperates with NGOs (e.g. the Slovak Humanitarian Council, the Human Rights League), international organisations (e.g. IOM, UNHCR), which carry out activities like Slovak language courses, psychological and legal counselling, free-time activities and provide additional non-food items. |
Reception is managed at a central level. The Migration Office is responsible for managing different kinds of reception facilities: reception centres, accommodation facilities and the integration centre. Building maintenance, technical support and repairs are provided by the Support Centres operating under the Ministry of the Interior.
All applicants stay at the initial reception centre in Humenné for 3-4 weeks. After the health check results are received, they are transferred to one of the two accommodation centres in Opatovská Nová Ves for vulnerable groups (except unaccompanied minors whose reception is under the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs) or Rohovce for men for the rest of the asylum procedure.
There is no exact ratio of staff to applicants as the need for services is not determined by the number of applicants but by various individual factors, such as health status and degree of dependency. The authority reacts dynamically and flexibly, mainly through short-term contracts.
The employees of the Migration Office can attend training courses organised by state institutions, international organisations and the EUAA.
Applicants are entitled to material reception conditions from the moment of registration at the Reception Centre in Humenné.
After arrival, all applicants will stay at the initial reception centre in Humenné for 3-4 weeks, where health and security checks are carried out.
Once health check results have been issued, applicants are transferred to one of the two accommodation centres where they reside for the rest of the asylum procedure.
If international protection is granted, beneficiaries can request to stay in the centre even after the decision enters into force until they are transferred to the integration project. Beneficiaries of international protection may request the Migration Office for accommodation in the integration centre in Zvolen, which is designed as a temporary accommodation facility.
Applicants who receive a negative decision are provided with housing, food and personal hygiene products until the decision enters into force. If applicants request a voluntary return assisted by the IOM, they can request to stay at the centre until the day of their return to the country of origin.
The National Contingency Plan of the Slovak Republic in the Field of International Protection was adopted in April 2025. The main objective of the measures proposed in the national plan is to ensure adequate asylum and reception systems, with an emphasis on procedural guarantees for vulnerable applicants, including unaccompanied minors. The measures mainly aim to increase and expand accommodation capacity, maintain the functionality of the asylum system when there are an increased number of applications for international protection, and prevent the asylum system from becoming completely overloaded and dysfunctional.
During an increased number of asylum seekers, it is necessary to focus on optimising processes and prioritising activities in all departments of the Ministry of the Interior. At the same time, measures should be taken to ensure readiness for the next phase of the escalation of migration pressure, mainly in the area of increasing human, material and financial capacities.
There are four reception centres which are owned and managed by the Migration Office:
- An initial reception centre in Humenné
- Two accommodation centres in Opatovská Nová Ves and Rohovce
- An integration centre in Zvolen: for those who are granted protection.
| Name of the reception facility | n/a |
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| Access description | n/a |
| Management | n/a |
| Type of applicants accommodated | n/a |
| Number of centres | n/a |
| Capacity | n/a |
| Location of the centres within the country | n/a |
| Name of the reception facility | Initial reception centre |
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| Regime | Closed |
| Management | Migration Office |
| Type of applicants accommodated | All newly-arrived applicants after registration |
| Number of centres | 1 |
| Capacity | 524 beds |
| Location of the centres within the country | The initial reception centre is located in Humenne (eastern part of the country and near the border with Ukraine) |
| Name of the reception facility | Open collective facilities |
|---|---|
| Regime | Open |
| Management | Migration Office |
| Type of applicants accommodated | Asylum applicants, voluntary returnees and refugees. The centre in Opatovska Nova Ves accommodates applicants with special needs/vulnerabilities and families. The centre in Rohovce accommodates male applicants only. |
| Number of centres | 2 |
| Capacity | No available information |
| Location of the centres within the country | Opatovska Nova Ves, which accommodates applicants with special needs/vulnerabilities and families, is located in the south-central part of the country, in the vicinity of borders with Hungary. Rohovce, which accommodates male applicants only, is located in the south-western part of the country, in the vicinity of borders with Hungary, 30 km from Bratislava. |
| Name of the reception facility | Integration centre |
|---|---|
| Regime | Open |
| Management | No available information |
| Type of applicants accommodated | Beneficiaries of international protection |
| Number of centres | 1 |
| Capacity | No available information |
| Location of the centres within the country | The integration centre is located in Zvolen |
| Name of the reception facility | n/a |
|---|---|
| Regime | n/a |
| Management | n/a |
| Type of applicants accommodated | n/a |
| Number of centres | n/a |
| Capacity | n/a |
| Location of the centres within the country | n/a |
Arrangements have been made in reception facilities for applicants with special needs or vulnerabilities:
The reception centre in Humenné is wheelchair accessible, and rooms have been adapted for persons with reduced mobility.
Hyperlink to the Applicants with special needs in reception page
The material reception conditions provided to applicants are in line with the recast RCD. Reception conditions, such as housing, food, clothing and personal hygiene products, are provided in kind, in addition to providing a daily expense allowance;
| Type and purpose |
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| Duration and recurrence | Applicants are entitled to material reception conditions throughout their stay in asylum facilities.
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| Type and purpose | A daily expense allowance (pocket money) is provided. |
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| Duration and recurrence | During the stay in the asylum centre, the applicant is provided with pocket money, which is paid in cash once a month to applicants who are entitled to it. |
| Calculation and amount | Information not available |
| Applicants granted allowance | Information not available |
| Modalities of provision | Information not available |
When vulnerabilities are identified through an individual assessment, specific reception needs will be taken into account with regards to accommodation, the provision of services or intervention of a specialist.
| Modalities of information provision on benefits and obligations related to reception conditions | Information about essential aspects of the stay in the reception facility (e.g. about meals, security or accommodation) is provided immediately after arrival at the facility. Information may be provided face-to-face, through leaflets and brochures, and during individual and group meetings. |
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| Provision of legal assistance on the reception conditions available | Information not available |
| House rules | The ministry ensures that applicants accommodated in asylum facilities are informed of the internal house rules in a language they can understand. |
| Assignment of a particular area of residence to applicants | Information not available |
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| Reporting obligations | Applicants residing in accommodation centres have the possibility to leave the centre with a ‘laissez-passer’, which is issued either for a short-term absence (up to 7 days) or long-term (more than 7 days). |
| Time limit to access the labour market | Applicants can access the labour market 6 months after the start of the asylum procedure, according to the Section 23(6) of the Act on Asylum. |
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| Criteria to access the labour market | An asylum applicant requires a certificate of admission to the labour market, which is issued by the Migration Office of the Ministry of the Interior. There are no costs to be covered by applicants. Employers must check that a third-country national has a valid residence card or other document which allows their stay in the country. Employers must keep a copy of the documentation, including the employment contract, work permit, copy of the identification card and an insurance card, and must inform the Regional Office of Labour Social Affairs and Family about the applicant’s start and termination of employment. |
| Employment support for applicants | Information not available |
| Adults’ access to vocational training | Access to vocational training is possible. |
| Access to tertiary education | Information not available |
| Medical screening | Medical screening is carried out upon arrival at the initial reception centre in Humenné. Applicants are accommodated in this facility until medical clearance is issued. A nurse is available at the initial reception and accommodation centres, and doctors conduct visits. |
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| Level of healthcare | Asylum applicants are entitled to necessary medical care both in initial reception and accommodation centres. Necessary healthcare includes both physical and mental healthcare. An applicant who is not covered by public health insurance and is not insured in another state is entitled to reimbursement for necessary healthcare. Applicants are entitled to necessary dental care outside of the reception or accommodation centre. Supplementary healthcare, psychological support and other mental healthcare in reception and accommodation centres are provided by NGOs. |
| Access to healthcare | All applicants have the right to receive necessary medical care. Necessary healthcare includes also care for physical and mental health. |
Minor applicants must attend a Slovak language course and are subject to compulsory school attendance. Adult applicants are welcome to attend the Slovak language course.
| Access to socio-cultural orientation | Applicants are encouraged to take part in the following activities, while being at the reception/asylum facilities:
Both activities are voluntary and attendance heavily depends on the attitude and will of the applicants themselves, so far there is no compulsory element in place The Migration Office’s social workers are obliged to inform applicants about the socio-cultural orientation classes during the information provision upon arrival at the facility. To date, a mechanism has not been established to make participation mandatory. The classes are organised according to the profile of applicants, for example for larger groups of applicants from one country, a poster is put up with information on the date, time and topic; otherwise the applicant is approached individually. During socio-cultural orientation classes, social workers cooperate with the NGO Slovak Humanitarian Council (SHR) in all facilities. They hold jointly conducted lessons. Cultural mediators from SHR plan trips with applicants to attend leisure activities so that they learn the theory in practice (the applicants are encouraged to try in practice the knowledge they acquired during the courses, e.g. to buy bus/train tickets independently, etc.). They are also introduced to the practical and cultural aspects of life in Slovakia directly during the trips and other free-time activities. The choice of the topic of socio-cultural orientation classes depends on several factors, in particular what stage of the stay in the national reception system the applicants are in (stay in the initial reception centre vs in accommodation centre), their previous knowledge, literacy, etc. For example, in the initial reception centre they are preferably briefed on what to expect during the asylum procedure and the stay in the accommodation centre, basic aspects of Slovak culture and legislation are highlighted (punctuality, gender equality, proper childcare, etc.), while in accommodation centres, applicants are briefed on topics like managing finances, practical skills training (CV writing, job interview process, shopping, etc.). The topic of socio-cultural orientation is recorded in the applicant's “social profile of the asylum applicant” document (SPA). English language is used during the cultural sessions (in case the applicant understands and communicates it), otherwise different ways are used: online translators, a handbook on cultural orientation (“New Start in the Slovak Republic” issued by the Migration Office, which is currently being updated) is available in different languages, interpreting through an interpreter (which has to be booked in advance), etc. If the applicant is granted one of the forms of international protection, the social worker also fills in the "summary of integration potential" section in the SPA to summarise the overall level of Slovak language skills, knowledge of culture and ability to apply skills in practice, so that the integration manager (governmental employee, who deals with beneficiaries of international protection) can set up further work with the applicant after the applicant's transition to integration. |
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| Language classes | The Migration Office cooperates with SHR for the provision of Slovak language courses. Slovak language classes are provided by SHR. They take place 2 to 3 times a week, the planned classes are posted on the SHR noticeboard next to the classroom. When there are more applicants who are interested, the teacher usually divides them into two groups according to level (beginner/advanced), when the numbers of applicants are low, they are in one class, but the teacher gives them individual attention. In the event that the scope of classes is not enough for the applicant, the social worker/SHR cultural mediators can provide tutoring upon agreement with the applicant. Applicants are also provided with a list of websites and links to videos with Slovak language classes for foreigners. |
The Ministry may allow applicants to stay outside of reception structures following a written request if:
- They are capable of covering all the expenses related their stay using their own funds.
- A Slovak citizen with a permanent residence in Slovakia or a foreign citizen who has been granted residence in Slovakia submits a written statutory declaration that they will facilitate the accommodation of the applicant and cover all expenses related to their stay.
Applicants living outside reception facilities still retain the right to emergency healthcare.
Persons with sufficient means, for example those who are employed or have another source of income amounting to at least the minimum subsistence level for one adult, may be requested to cover at least partial expenses related to their stay in reception, accommodation or integration centres, or costs related to medical care.
Information not available.
The Act on Asylum specifies that material reception condition may be reduced when:
- an applicants submit a new application after their first application had been discontinued;
- an applicant tries to illegally enter the territory of another country;
- an applicant voluntarily left Slovakia and returns;
- an applicant is employed or has a source of income amounting to at least the subsistence minimum level for one adult person;
- The Ministry of Interior issues a decision mandating applicants to adequately cover the expenses relating to their stay in reception facilities or the cost of medical care, if their financial and proprietary circumstances are such that it is possible to request from them at least a partial payment of the expenses relating to their stay.
For violations of obligations set out in law, applicants may have their pocket money withdrawn. In such cases, a formal decision is issued by the Ministry of the Interior.
Applicants can submit an appeal against the decision to withdraw pocket money, but this administrative action will not have a suspensive effect.