Aerial view of Košice

Arriving in Košice

This page is the practical starting point for moving to Košice. It is built as a step-by-step guide, from visa checks and residence status to healthcare and useful local support.

Visa
Residence
Social Security
Healthcare

Visa

Slovakia is part of the European Union and the Schengen Area. For many people entry is straightforward, but non-EU nationals may still need a visa for entry and short-term stay.

EU, EEA, Swiss

You can usually enter Slovakia without a visa with a valid ID or passport.

Non-EU nationals

If you are not visa-exempt, check the official conditions before booking travel.

Short stays first

Verify entry rules early if you are coming for an initial short-term stay.

Check the official visa checker before you start collecting documents or arranging travel.

Open official visa checker

Use the official page as the final source before travel. Entry conditions can change by nationality and residence status.

Residence

If you want to stay in Košice or anywhere in Slovakia for more than 90 days in any 180-day period and you do not qualify for a national visa, you must apply for a residence permit. A residence permit is a form of long-stay visa that allows you to stay in Slovakia and travel within the Schengen Area during its validity.

A foreign national in Slovakia may apply for temporary, permanent or tolerated residence. Temporary residence is typically granted for purposes such as employment, study or family reunion.

Temporary residence

For purposes listed in the Act on Residence of Foreigners, such as employment, study or family reunion.

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Permanent residence

Usually for family reunion with a Slovak family member or after several years of continuous legal residence in Slovakia.

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Tolerated stay

A special short-term form of residence granted exceptionally to address a specific situation.

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EU citizens

If you are an EU citizen staying in Slovakia for less than 3 months, report the start of your stay to the Foreign Police within 10 working days. For stays longer than 3 months, register your stay in person at the competent Foreign Police Department.

Residence - EU citizens

Always verify current conditions on official MIC and Ministry websites before submitting documents.

Temporary Protection

If you are coming from Ukraine and want to stay in Slovakia, you can apply for Temporary Protection. This status provides practical access to key services during your stay.

  • Access to the Slovak labour market.

  • Access to education.

  • Urgent and necessary healthcare.

  • Support with finding short-term and long-term accommodation.

Temporary Protection informationForeign Police contactsForeign Police booking system

Social Security

Social insurance entitlements are usually tied to prior insurance contributions. The system covers retirement, sickness, work accidents, pregnancy, maternity, disability and unemployment, with conditions differing by benefit type.

If you work in Slovakia, social insurance is generally compulsory and your employer handles registration and payments. If you run a business, your obligations depend on your activity and annual income, and registration is done by you.

Social insurance basics

Rules, entitlements and conditions explained by the IOM Migration Information Centre.

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Social Insurance Company

Official forms, contribution rules and practical claim information.

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Family benefits

Guidance on child-related and parental benefits and who can claim them.

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Assistance in material need

Support for households below subsistence minimum when legal conditions are met.

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Healthcare

Healthcare in Slovakia is provided by both public and private institutions. Foreign nationals can use care according to their insurance status, and emergency care is available to everyone.

Health and medical care

Healthcare in Slovakia is managed by the Ministry of Health and delivered by public and private providers.

Insurance and coverage

With valid insurance, costs are covered fully or partly. Without insurance, you pay full cost.

EHIC for EU/EEA/Swiss

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can use EHIC and access care under the same conditions as Slovak citizens.

International students

Scholarship students under international agreements can be covered by Slovak public insurance.

Additional insurance

Foreigners outside public coverage can buy commercial insurance from VŠZP, Dôvera or Union.

Scholarship holders (from 2023)

Since January 1, 2023, selected scholarship holders staying over one month may receive full public coverage.

Obtaining health care

Everyone in Slovakia, including foreigners, can access necessary healthcare and choose their provider.

Doctors and specialists

General practitioners and specialists work in hospitals and medical centers, and local recommendations can help on arrival.

Dentists

Dental services are available in public and private practices, and appointments are usually required.

Hospitals

Each university city has hospital capacity with emergency support for urgent and specialist treatment.

Emergency services

For urgent medical situations, call 112. Ambulance services are available day and night.

Pharmacies

Pharmacies are marked with a green cross, and each town usually has at least one 24-hour pharmacy.

Medical facilities in Košice

Košice has modern hospitals and clinics with experienced teams for routine, specialist and emergency care.

List of key medical facilities in and around Košice.

Detská fakultná nemocnica Košice (Children's University Hospital Košice)

General hospital specialized in pediatric care.

Univerzitná nemocnica Louisa Pasteura Košice (University Hospital of Louis Pasteur Košice)

Major university hospital providing comprehensive healthcare services.

Vysokošpecializovaný odborný ústav geriatrický sv. Lukáša (Highly Specialized Geriatric Institute of St. Luke)

Specialized care for elderly patients, including general, geriatric, internal, diabetology and rehabilitation services.

Železničná nemocnica s poliklinikou Košice (Railway Hospital with Polyclinic Košice)

Hospital providing a broad range of medical services for the public.

Letecká vojenská nemocnica Košice (Aviation Military Hospital Košice)

Military hospital offering various medical services.

Nemocnica Košice-Šaca, a.s. 1. súkromná nemocnica (Hospital Košice-Šaca, 1st Private Hospital)

Private hospital offering a range of medical services.

Východoslovenský ústav srdcových a cievnych chorôb Košice (East Slovak Institute for Heart and Vascular Diseases)

Specialized institute focused on heart and vascular diseases.

Východoslovenský onkologický ústav Košice (East Slovak Oncology Institute)

Specialized institute focused on oncology.

Inštitút nukleárnej a molekulárnej medicíny (Institute of Nuclear and Molecular Medicine)

Specialized institute focused on nuclear and molecular medicine.

Poliklinika ProCare KVP Košice (ProCare Polyclinic KVP Košice)

Private polyclinic providing a wide range of outpatient services.

Useful Links & Support

A curated set of official and support resources covering city services, migrant integration, legal support, business networks and practical life in Košice.

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