Procedure for EU Insured Persons. EU REGULATIONS:
Individuals publicly insured in another EU member state or in a contracting state of the European Economic Area Agreement and the Swiss Confederation (hereafter ‘EU insured’):
- Short-Term Stay Necessary Healthcare During a short-term stay in Slovakia (vacation, visiting relatives, etc.), an EU insured person (due to their participation in the healthcare system of their home country) is entitled to necessary healthcare.
To avail themselves of this, they must present the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued by the institution in their home country where they are insured.
If the EHIC is not available, the EU insured person should request a substitute certificate from their health insurance institution.
Substitute certificates and the European Health Insurance Card are subsequently used to ensure payment for healthcare services.
Based on the aforementioned documents, they are entitled to receive necessary healthcare from a healthcare provider affiliated with the public system (i.e., a healthcare provider with a contract with at least one health insurance company in Slovakia) under the same conditions as an insured person within the Slovak healthcare system.
Planned Healthcare If an EU insured person intends to access planned healthcare during their stay in Slovakia, they are entitled to it based on the E112 form or the portable S2 document (planned healthcare). They must request these forms (before traveling to Slovakia) from their health insurance institution. Before traveling, they must also consult the procedure with a healthcare provider in Slovakia affiliated with the public system.
If an EU insured person presents the E112 form or the portable S2 document issued by their health insurance institution in the EU for planned healthcare in Slovakia (including palliative care) at a healthcare provider affiliated with the public system, they are entitled to the healthcare specified in the forms and only pay fees equivalent to those paid by insured individuals in Slovakia.
Without a substitute certificate or EHIC If an EU insured person fails to present any of the aforementioned documents and requires outpatient or institutional healthcare, they can request a substitute certificate from a healthcare provider connected to the public system, a relative, an embassy, or the Health Care Surveillance Authority, or contact a health insurance company in the EU. Subsequently, the process proceeds as outlined above.
If a substitute certificate or EHIC is not requested, the patient must be aware that they are liable to directly pay for the healthcare provided.
EU DIRECTIVE Cross-border Healthcare according to Directive 2011/24/EU of the European Parliament and the Council of 9 March 2011 on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare.
Under this directive, patients can seek healthcare across other member states’ borders. The extent of care and procedures requiring prior authorization vary depending on the specific state, allowing patients to receive treatment from any healthcare provider, regardless of their affiliation with the public system.
EU insured individuals have the right to receive cross-border healthcare in Slovakia from a healthcare provider, paying directly for the cost of such healthcare. Prices set by healthcare providers must be equal for EU insured individuals and those insured within Slovakia. The healthcare provider issues a report on the healthcare provided to the EU insured person.
The EU insured person, following the legislation applicable in their home country, submits documentation and specified documents to claim reimbursement from their healthcare insurance institution in their home state.
For these purposes, the National Contact Point was established at the Health Care Surveillance Authority, obliged to provide information to EU insured persons, our insured individuals, and healthcare providers (ยง 20d of Act No. 581/2004 Coll., as amended by Act No. 220/2013 Coll.).
Details are specified in the Slovak Ministry of Health Decree No. 232/2014 Coll., regulating the procedures of healthcare providers, health insurance companies, and the Health Care Surveillance Authority in providing cross-border healthcare.
- Long-Term Stay For a long-term stay, when an EU insured person declares residence in Slovakia and economic activity, and thus insurance in another EU member state, they require the registration of an ‘E106 residence form’ or a portable ‘S1 document.’
The health insurance institution in the EU issues the E106 form or the S1 document upon their request and the fact that they declare residence in Slovakia.
Upon arrival in Slovakia, they register this form with their selected health insurance company in Slovakia. Subsequently, they receive a card labeled ‘EU,’ entitling them to access and payment for the full range of healthcare services, just like an insured person within Slovakia’s healthcare system.
- Procedure for Third-Country Nationals Without an International Agreement Third-country nationals not publicly insured in another EU member state or in Slovakia and without an international agreement:
These individuals are entitled to emergency healthcare from a healthcare provider affiliated with the public system, and they are obliged to fully cover the costs of this healthcare.
If these individuals have valid commercial health insurance covering medical expenses, they can subsequently request reimbursement from the relevant commercial insurer, as per the insurance terms of their specific contract.
With an International Agreement Slovakia has concluded bilateral agreements on social security with certain third countries, where citizens of these contractual states may have broader access to healthcare than individuals from other non-contractual third countries.
Detailed information on healthcare scope and rights is outlined in the respective agreements.
These countries include: Serbia Montenegro North Macedonia Bosnia and Herzegovina Jordan Yemen
- Frequently Asked Questions and Answers How can I obtain a European Health Insurance Card?
You can obtain the card through the local branch of your health insurance company, as each state is responsible for producing and distributing cards within its territory.
Where can I obtain the E112 form or the S2 document?
Request the issuance of the form or portable document (before traveling to Slovakia) from the institution where you are insured.
Where can I obtain the E106 form or the S1 document?
Your health insurance institution in the EU will issue the E106 form or the S1 document based on your request and the fact that you declare residence in Slovakia.
- Who can citizens contact? National Contact Point for Cross-Border Healthcare in Slovakia Health Care Surveillance Authority Phone number: +421 2 20856 789