Insurance in Slovakia 2026: Which Policies You Need and How Not to Overpay

Once you have moved to Slovakia, sooner or later the same question comes up: which insurance policies are genuinely compulsory here, which are simply sensible, and which you can safely do without. We have put it all in one place — with an honest split into “must have”, “as good as must have” and “optional”.

Compulsory by law

Health insurance

You cannot stay in Slovakia without it. If you work under an employment contract or run a živnosť, you are covered by public insurance and the contributions are paid automatically. If you are not covered by public insurance, you need a commercial policy — and that is exactly what the foreign police ask for when you apply for residence.

More detail: who is entitled to which health insurance and which insurance you need for a residence permit.

PZP — compulsory motor insurance

Compulsory for every registered vehicle. It covers the damage you cause to others, but not your own car. Driving without it is not allowed, and there are fines for having no policy.

More detail: how PZP works in Slovakia.

Formally voluntary, in practice compulsory

Property insurance with a mortgage

The law does not oblige you to take it out, but the bank does — you will not get a mortgage without a policy. That said, you are not obliged to insure with the company the bank offers: you can arrange the policy anywhere and bring it in, and this is often noticeably cheaper.

More detail: what property insurance covers and how to get a mortgage in Slovakia.

Voluntary, but usually worth it

Household contents and liability insurance

The most underrated policy of them all. It costs little and covers two things: your possessions (furniture, appliances, your bike) and the damage you cause to your neighbours. The classic case is a burst washing-machine hose and freshly renovated flat below. Without insurance, you pay.

Travel insurance

The European health insurance card works only at state facilities in EU countries and does not cover repatriation home — which is often the most expensive item on the bill. For a trip to Ukraine, Turkey or Egypt the card does not apply at all.

More detail: what a travel policy should include.

KASKO

Worth it if suddenly losing your car would be a financial problem for you: the car is new, on finance, or represents a large part of your savings. For a fifteen-year-old car worth fifteen hundred euros, usually not.

More detail: how KASKO differs from PZP.

How to compare policies and avoid overpaying

The price of identical cover varies noticeably between companies in Slovakia, and the difference is by no means always explained by quality. So the only sensible approach is to compare rather than take the first offer.

What to look at when comparing:

  1. What exactly is excluded. A cheap policy is often cheap because flooding, water damage or flare-ups of chronic conditions have been cut out of it.
  2. The excess (spoluúčasť). The higher it is, the lower the price — but the more you pay yourself in every claim.
  3. The sum insured. An understated sum means a proportionally reduced payout on a large claim.
  4. No-claims bonus. For motor insurance, Slovak companies usually do not recognise a claims record from another country, so your first policy is more expensive and the price falls after a couple of years.

The easiest way to compare offers from several companies is through online calculators that price a dozen insurers at once, rather than going round them one by one.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming PZP covers your own car. It does not. For that you need KASKO.
  • Taking a travel policy for a residence application. The foreign police will not accept it — you need a policy tied to the purpose of residence.
  • Insuring the flat but not the contents. After a flood you will be compensated for the walls, but not the furniture.
  • Not cancelling a commercial policy after starting a job. Once public insurance applies, the commercial policy can usually be cancelled and the unused part refunded — but only if you ask for it yourself.
  • Understating the sum insured to save money. You save a few euros a year and lose hundreds when you claim.

You can compare prices from several insurers for any of these policies online: compare offers on Netfinancie.

Affiliate link: if you take out a policy, we receive a commission from the insurance company. This does not affect the price you pay.

Frequently asked questions

How many policies does the average person actually need?

The minimum is health insurance. If you have a car, add PZP. If you own a home with a mortgage, add property insurance. Everything else depends on your situation.

Do the terms depend on your citizenship?

For property, motor and travel insurance, no. For health insurance, your type of residence does matter.

Can I arrange everything with one company?

You can, and several policies often earn you a discount. But it is far from always the better deal — it is worth comparing that against using different companies.

What should I do when something happens?

Tell the insurer as quickly as possible, record the damage with photographs and keep all documents and invoices. After a road accident, fill in the European accident statement.

See also

This information is for guidance only

This article describes the general rules in force in 2026. The specific terms, limits and exclusions depend on the company and product you choose, so read the insurance conditions before signing a contract.

Still have questions? Write to us

Describe your situation — we will do our best to answer and point you in the right direction.