Country-by-country guide

The Ministerstvo Zdravotníctva SR also known as Health Ministry SR will be able to provide information.

Ministerstvo Zdravotníctva SR
Limbová 2, P.O. BOX 52,
837 52 Bratislava 37
Slovakia

• Telephone: 00421 2 593 73 111
• E-mail: office@health.gov.sk
• Website: http://www.health.gov.sk 

In case you find yourself in an emergency during your stay in Slovakia, dial 155. You might want to save the number in your phone.

Doctors

Ensure you consult a doctor who is working under the Slovakian health insurance system. A patient contribution is charged. This is non-refundable in Slovakia but you may be able to seek reimbursement when you are back in the UK.

Dentists

Ensure you consult a dentist who is working under the Slovakian health insurance system. Emergency dental treatment is available free of charge, however, a patient contribution for all other dental treatments is standard. This is non-refundable in Slovakia but you may be able to seek reimbursement when you are back in the UK.

Hospital treatment

Emergency hospital treatment is available at any casualty ward. A referral is not necessary. A daily charge is due for inpatient hospital treatment (maximum for 21 days). All other services and medicines are normally free, but there may be substantial non-refundable charges for complex procedures. Outpatient treatment is charged. This is non-refundable in Slovakia but you may be able to seek reimbursement when you are back in the UK.

Prescriptions

A standard fee is payable for each prescription and you may have to pay part of the cost of the medicines itself. This is non-refundable in Slovakia but you may be able to seek reimbursement when you are back in the UK.

Pharmacies have a list of nationally subsided medicines.

Ambulance

No information available

Air ambulance

No information available

The most common treatments or conditions that require advanced arrangements are listed below. For all other conditions or treatments, you should consult your doctor. Remember, for all treatments abroad you must present your EHIC.

Oxygen therapy

Contact the Slovakian Health Ministry SR to make the necessary arrangements before leaving the UK.

Dialysis

You need to speak to the co-ordinator in your UK Dialysis Unit who will contact the dialysis unit in Slovakia nearest to where you will be staying. The provision of dialysis will be subject to availability in Slovakia.

Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will enable you to access state provided healthcare at a reduced cost or sometimes free. It will cover you for treatment that is needed in order to allow you to continue your stay until your planned return. It also covers you for treatment of pre-existing medical conditions and for routine maternity care provided the reason for your visit is not specifically to give birth.

How to claim refunds

Reimbursements are claimed from the Slovakian authorities. Standard patient contributions are not refundable.

If you have had to pay for the cost of your care and have been unable to claim a refund during your stay in Slovakia, you should contact the Overseas Healthcare Team (Newcastle) on 0191 218 1999 (Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm) on your return to the UK. However, this process will take longer than claiming for a refund in Slovakia. 

If you're receiving a UK state pension, or in receipt of long-term incapacity benefit, you may be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK. You will need to apply for an E121, which you should then present to the Slovakian health authorities.

However, if you move to Slovakia to live but not work and do not receive a UK benefit, you may be eligible for up to two-and-a-half years of state healthcare cover, paid for by the UK. In this case, you will need to apply for an E106.

For more details on how to apply for an E121 or E106, visit the  'Moving abroad' section. 

How to register your E121 or E106

In both cases, you will need to contact the Health Ministry SR. Additionally, you might be asked to provide a copy of the original E121/ E106 and a proof of identity.

How to register with a GP

No information available

This section applies if you have been issued with an E106, your posting is for less than two years and you are using an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access healthcare.

How to register your E106

You will need to contact the Health Ministry SR. Additionally, you might be asked to provide a copy of the original E106 and a proof of identity.

How to register with a GP

No information available 

UK citizens registered in another EEA country and using an E106 or E121 are not automatically eligible for free treatment in the UK.

You should also visit the 'Planned treatment abroad' section for detailed information.