Temporary Protection - Slovakia | DIP EUAA
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The Slovak Republic has transposed the Temporary Protection Directive. Temporary protection was activated from March 1 as a National Status through Government Resolution No. 144/2022. After Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382 was issued, Government Resolution No. 185/2022 implementing the Council Decision was approved on 16 March 2022. The government also approved a proposal for amendments in several laws on civil protection, asylum and cybersecurity which became effective on 26 February:
- The amendments to the Asylum Act allowed the provision of temporary protection for the purpose of protecting foreigners from war, the consequences of a humanitarian catastrophe or a systematic or mass violation of human rights in the country of which the foreigner is a national, or for a stateless person in his or her country of residence.
- The amendments to the Civil Protection Act create a legal framework for the government to declare an emergency situation due to the higher influx of foreigners which will enable the implementation of economic measures to ensure accommodation, necessary organisation of transport and healthcare.
- The Slovak Parliament has adopted a set of legal regulations called Lex Ukraine on 22 March 2022. It concerns the presence of persons from Ukraine on our territory and aims to facilitate their access to the Labour Market, housing, health insurance etc. Currently new amendment Lex Ukraine IV is effective from 1 July 2024 changing the system to a more targeted system of provision of assistance to persons fleeing Ukraine and streamlining the provision of protection to third-country nationals on the territory of the Slovak Republic.
By a resolution no. 93 of 26 February 2025, the Government extended the provision of temporary protection to displaced persons from Ukraine until 4 March 2026. The resolution allowed for the protection to be extended repeatedly if the Council of the European Union decides so by means of an implementing decision. Thus the temporary protection is effectively extended until 4 March 2027.
Following the entry into force of the reformed EU asylum acquis, a new law on international protection will take effect in June 2026.
Resolution of the Government of the Slovak Republic No. 93 of 26 February 2025, on the proposal to amend Resolution of the Government of the Slovak Republic No. 185 of March 16, 2022, on the proposal to declare the provision of temporary shelter in accordance with Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382 of March 4, 2022 as amended by Resolution of the Government of the Slovak Republic No. 102 of February 21, 2024 | UZNESENIE VLÁDY SLOVENSKEJ REPUBLIKY č. 93 z 26. februára 2025 k návrhu na zmenu uznesenia vlády Slovenskej republiky č. 185 zo 16. marca 2022 k návrhu na vyhlásenie poskytovania dočasného útočiska v súlade s vykonávacím rozhodnutím Rady (EÚ) 2022/382 zo 4. marca 2022 v znení uznesenia vlády Slovenskej republiky č. 102 z 21. februára 2024
Resolution of the Government of the Slovak Republic No. 185 of March 16, 2022 on the proposal to declare the provision of temporary refuge in accordance with Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382 of March 4, 2022 | Návrh na vyhlásenie poskytovania dočasného útočiska v súlade s vykonávacím rozhodnutím Rady (EÚ) 2022/382 zo 4. marca 2022
Law of February 25, 2022, on certain measures in relation to the situation in Ukraine | 55/2022 Z. z. ZÁKON z 25. februára 2022 o niektorých opatreniach v súvislosti so situáciou na Ukrajine
480/2002 Coll. Act on Asylum and on Amendments to Certain Acts | 480/2002 Z. z. Zákon č. 480/2002 Z. z. o azyle a o zmene a doplnení niektorých zákonov
Motion for resolutions on the Provision of Temporary Shelter pursuant to § 29(2) of Act No. 480/2002 Coll. on Asylum and on Amendments and Supplements to Certain Acts, as amended, for Ukrainian Citizens and Their Family Members. | Návrh na vyhlásenie poskytovania dočasného útočiska podľa § 29 ods. 2 zákona č. 480/2002 Z. z. o azyle a o zmene a doplnení niektorých zákonov v znení neskorších predpisov štátnym občanom Ukrajiny a ich rodinným príslušníkom
575/2001 Coll. Act on the Organization of Government Activities and the Organization of Central State Administration | 575/2001 Z. z.Zákon o organizácii činnosti vlády a organizácii ústrednej štátnej správy
42/1994 Coll. Act of the National Council of the Slovak Republic on Civil Protection of the Population | 42/1994 Z. z.Zákon Národnej rady Slovenskej republiky o civilnej ochrane obyvateľstva
Following the entry into force of the reformed EU asylum acquis, a new law on international protection will take effect in June 2026.
| Area | Competent national authority | Assistance to the competent authority (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|
| Screening at the external border (if relevant) | Bureau of Border and Foreign Police | |
| Biometric data (if relevant) | Bureau of Border and Foreign Police Presidium of Police Corps | Úrad hraničnej a cudzineckej polície Prezídia Policajného zboru | |
| Granting temporary protection | Migration Office of the Ministry of the Interior | migračný úrad Ministerstvo vnútra SR | |
| Issuing the residence permit | Bureau of Border and Foreign Police Presidium of Police Corps | Úrad hraničnej a cudzineckej polície Prezídia Policajného zboru | |
| Providing accommodation | Migration Office of the Ministry of the Interior | migračný úrad Ministerstvo vnútra SR | |
| Medical care | Ministry of Health | |
| Social welfare | Labour, Social Affairs and Family Office |
According to the Government Resolution No. 185/2022, the following categories of persons are eligible for temporary protection:
- Ukrainian nationals and their family members if they lived in Ukraine before 24 February 2022
The following is considered a family member of a Ukrainian citizen:
- spouses of Ukrainian citizens,
- a minor child of a citizen of Ukraine or a minor child of the spouse of a citizen of Ukraine,
- the parent of a minor child who is a national of Ukraine,
- another close relative of a Ukrainian citizen who lived in the same household at the time and was wholly or partly dependent on him.
- Foreign nationals and their families who have been granted international protection or equivalent protection status in Ukraine before 24 February 2022
The following are considered family members:
- spouses
- a minor child of the foreign national or a minor child of the spouse
- another close relative who lived in the same household at the time and was wholly or partly dependent on him or her
- Foreign nationals who have a permanent residence in Ukraine granted before 24 February 2022 and who cannot return to their country of origin under safe and stable conditions.
Following the entry into force of the reformed EU asylum acquis, a new law on international protection will take effect in June 2026.
Based on Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 November 2018 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement (Annex 2) and pursuant to Section 2(6) of Act No. 404/2011 Coll. on the Residence of Foreigners and on Amendments to Certain Acts , Ukrainian citizens who hold a biometric passport can enter visa-free and stay in the country for a total of 90 days every 180 days. For humanitarian reasons, the Slovak Republic allows entry to its territory to all nationals of third countries from Ukraine, including those who under normal circumstances would not meet the entry conditions. For example, if the arriving person does not hold a biometric passport, they will be allowed to enter with a passport without biometric data, an ID card or a driver's license.
There are currently three road border crossings (Veľké Slemence - Mali Selmenci for pedestrians and cyclists, Vyšné Nemecké – Uzhgorod for passenger and freight transport and Ubla – Malyj Bereznyj for passenger transport and freight transport with a total vehicle weight of up to 3.5 tons, including pedestrians and cyclists) and two railway border crossings (Čierna nad Tisou – Čop for passenger and freight transport and Maťovské Vojkovce – Pavlovo for freight transport).
Following the entry into force of the reformed EU asylum acquis, a new law on international protection will take effect in June 2026.
Information platforms
- Ministry of Interior dedicated page on the situation in Ukraine – Information and assistance
Dedicated contacts
- Hotlines of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic for Ukrainian-speaking persons: +421 513 816 111, +421 259 765 111 - Emergency contacts are listed on the government information website
Other
- IOM page on Information and assistance-situation in Ukraine
- UNHCR page on Temporary protection
- Mareena & Human Rights League page on Information for people coming from Ukraine
EUAA Booklets
EUAA Booklet on Temporary Protection in Slovakia also available in UA and RU
Registration for an application for temporary protection in Slovakia can be done at any Foreign Police department and a new dedicated office in Snina which falls under Foreign Police Department of Michalovce, based on a reservation made through the reservation system of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic. A pre- registration form can also be submitted online.
Applicants can apply even without identification documents, and the processing time in such cases is approximately 30 days. If an applicant submits the online registration form must visit either a Foreign Police department or the dedicated office in Snina (in proximity of the UA border). If an applicant provides a valid passport or ID card, the documents are processed immediately, and he/she receives a decision on temporary protection.
Upon positive decision, applicants receive a certificate of temporary protection, which serves as a residence permit and allows for a tolerated stay in Slovakia under the designation "temporary protection."
The process for renewal or extension is not automatic and requires an application.
Following the entry into force of the reformed EU asylum acquis, a new law on international protection will take effect in June 2026.
| Registration | Applications can be registered:
Temporary protection can also be requested if the applicant does not have any documents. The application will be fully processed in a short timeframe (approximately 30 days until a decision is issued). The registration form is available electronically in Ukrainian, Slovak and English. After filling in the electronic form, applicants submit their declaration on application for temporary protection either upon entry into the territory of the Slovak Republic at relevant police department at the border crossing point; or after entry into the territory of the Slovak Republic at the police department covering the place where the foreigner is staying (Unit of Foreign Police of the Police Force). When it comes to minors, their declarations are submitted by their legal representatives. A minor must always be present when submitting the declaration. If identification is provided (passport or ID card), applicants for temporary protection will have their documents processed and obtain temporary protection immediately. |
|---|---|
| Residence permit | A certificate of temporary protection is issued - document permitting tolerated stay on the territory of the Slovak Republic marked “Temporary Protection”. Displaced Ukrainians can update their residence documents via the online service. Currently, it is possible to submit an application for temporary protection as well as an application for the issuance of a proof of residence in the form of an ID card at the Foreign Police Departments. |
| Legal aid | Beneficiaries of temporary protection have right to free legal advice by the Slovak Bar Association |
| Appeal | Decision in written form with justifications is being issued only when the temporary protection is not being granted. In such cases applicants have right to appeal against the decision of the Migration Office to a relevant court. An appeal may be lodged within 15 days from the delivery of the decision. |
| Exclusion | The grounds for revoking temporary protection are:
|
| Termination/Withdrawal | The provision of temporary protection shall cease not only upon the expiration of the time limit or the death of the person granted temporary protection, but also if the person:
|
The Migration Office is responsible for accommodation of applicants for and beneficiaries of temporary protection in structures already available for international protection procedures.
Temporary accommodation for Ukrainian citizens and their families is provided including food, health care.
Following the entry into force of the reformed EU asylum acquis, a new law on international protection will take effect in June 2026.
Initial reception
Initial reception is organized through a mobile team at three border crossing points (Veľké Slemence, Ubľa, Vyšné Nemecké) where initial reception needs are covered by staff of the Slovak Humanitarian Council, which is a non-governmental organisation. There are further referred to safe places, referred to as Blue Dots, where necessary assistance and support is provided. They are located all over Slovakia - in Bratislava, Nitra, Dunajská Streda, Košice, Michalovce and Trenčín, Žilina.
Accommodation
Temporary accommodation for Ukrainian citizens and their families is provided including food, health care.
Provision for means to obtain housing
The allowance for accommodation of the refugee is paid to the housing providers only for the accommodation of the beneficiary for 60 days from the first provision of temporary protection in the territory of the Slovak Republic. After this period, only this scheme covers accommodation of vulnerable persons, which are:
- a member of a household receiving assistance in material need,
- a person with a severe disability who receives a subsidy in support of humanitarian aid,
- a person who has reached the age of 65,
- a parent caring for a child under five years of age, or a natural person who is personally caring for a child under five years of age on the basis of a court order, and
- a child under five years of age of a parent or a natural person who is personally caring for the child by order of a court.
Following the entry into force of the reformed EU asylum acquis, a new law on international protection will take effect in June 2026.
Following the entry into force of the reformed EU asylum acquis, a new law on international protection will take effect in June 2026.
| Rights | Description |
|---|---|
| Access to the labour market | Ukrainian nationals have access to the labour market once they have been granted temporary protection. Information and vacancies in Ukrainian are available on a dedicated website of the employment service |
| Access to medical care |
Health care will be provided to citizens affected by the war in Ukraine on the basis of their status:
The Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic publishes information in Slovak and Ukrainian for the assistance to refugees. |
| Social welfare assistance and means of subsistence | Refugees from Ukraine are entitled to basic benefit and allowances under the same conditions as citizens of the Slovak Republic. Assistance for material needs can be requested at the Labour, Social Affairs and Family Office. For the request, a document indicating the application for temporary protection or the temporary protection certificate (document permitting tolerated stay) is required. The application form is available in several languages. The local office of the applicant’s place of residence will assess the person’s entitlement to the assistance. The precise amount of assistance depends on the number of household members and their situation. It is also possible to apply for meal subsidies when enrolling a child in kindergarten or primary school. The school will guide parents on the procedure. |
| Education | Children can register in schools by presenting documents certifying their application to asylum or temporary protection and will be placed in the relevant school year according to their level of education and their command of the Slovak language. As of 1 September 2025, compulsory education became mandatory for minor beneficiaries of temporary protection of school age during the state of emergency declared in connection with the mass influx of foreigners into the territory of the Slovak Republic caused by the armed conflict in Ukraine. Information can be found on the website of the Ministry of Education. |
| Family reunification | The Slovak Red Cross provides support for finding family members or for contacting family members in Ukraine or other countries, in any of their branches. IOM provides information on family reunification procedures and on applications for temporary residence for the purpose of family reunification. Family tracing: The Slovak Red Cross provides support for finding family members or for contacting family members in Ukraine or other countries, in one of the closest Red Cross branch in the place of accommodation. |
| Other | Sports: Children, young people and athletes from Ukraine who applied for temporary shelter or asylum can apply to join sports clubs. Transportation: As of July 2022, free transportation for beneficiaries of temporary protection is no longer unlimited. Free travel will be limited to 5 days from arrival. Persons with a travel document (a Slovak Help document with a red stamp with a text in Ukrainian), issued after crossing the border, or beneficiaries of temporary protection are entitled to free transportation in trains and suburban buses. Holders of the first issue of a temporary protection document continue to have free transportation to their work place during the first 60 days from the day it was issued. Children in kindergarten, primary and secondary school can continue to travel to and from school for free during school days with one accompanying person. Seniors over the age of 62 can also travel for free on trains. Information is available on the Government information website. An overview of emergency measures in trains can be found directly on the website of the Railways of the Slovak Republic. Integration: The Migration Office of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic, as the main coordinator of the Management Committee for migration and integration of displaced persons from Ukraine, presented an Action Plan for integration in collaboration with public administration institutions, including municipalities and non-governmental organisations. The goal of this Action Plan is to create conditions for the integration of persons who left Ukraine in 12 key areas. The plan defines tasks for state and self-governing bodies and foresees cooperation non-governmental organisations to benefit from their expertise. The areas covered include coordination, data collection, communication towards public and beneficiaries of temporary protection, housing, education, employment, health care and mental health, legislation, community and social work, access to justice, as well as culture. This Action plan was approved by the Central Crisis Committee in September 2022. The Ministry of the Interior and UNICEF signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 25 August 2022 for cooperation in the protection and integration of refugee children and families from Ukraine. The Ministry of the Interior had already developed activities in cooperation with other partners, to ensure that women and children have access to vital services. As of July 2023, over 40,000 children obtained temporary protection in Slovak Republic. Based on this agreement, support will be provided in areas such as education, social and health services, as well as protection from human trafficking and exploitation and sexual abuse. |
In cases where minor children enter the Slovak Republic without a legal guardian, the competent district authority for social and legal protection of children and social guardianship, has to immediately submit a petition to the court for the issue of an urgent measure to appoint a legal guardian and to ensure that the child's basic needs are met and that, if needed, they are admitted to an adequate centre for children and families.
The Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family has established centres for children and families, including for unaccompanied minors.
A temporary government regulation entered into force on 30 March 2022 and enabled the appointment as legal guardian of adults who accompany minors but do not have their custody. The regulation was adopted in the context of the high inflow of arrivals from Ukraine. The regulation considers the minor and their legal guardian as a single household which can be provided with assistance.
The competent authority will, in cooperation with the police, coordinate the placement of the child in the selected facility. The Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family has established centres for children and families, including for unaccompanied minors.
Children can register in schools by presenting documents certifying their application to asylum or temporary protection.
Children will be placed in the relevant school year according to their level of education and their command of the Slovak language.
Following the entry into force of the reformed EU asylum acquis, a new law on international protection will take effect in June 2026.
The Ministry of Interior warns about risks of trafficking in human beings in the current situation of people fleeing the war from Ukraine. Information leaflets in various languages are distributed directly at the borders in cooperation with district authorities, NGOs, the police, etc. Information is also available online www.ua.gov.sk and a there is a national phone helpline (0800 800 818) for victims of trafficking.
Following the entry into force of the reformed EU asylum acquis, a new law on international protection will take effect in June 2026.
Information currently not available.
Beneficiaries of temporary protection (not only Ukrainian citizens) may apply for international protection within the territory of the Slovak Republic, which will result in the termination of their temporary protection according to Art. 31, para 7 d of the Act on Asylum.
Following the entry into force of the reformed EU asylum acquis, a new law on international protection will take effect in June 2026.