Travel Insurance from Slovakia: What to Know Before You Travel

A trip to see relatives in Ukraine, a holiday in Croatia or a business trip to Germany — in all of these cases Slovak state health insurance does not work the way it does at home. Here is what the European card covers, what it does not, and when you should not travel without a travel insurance policy.

The European health insurance card is not the same as travel insurance

If you have state health insurance in Slovakia, you can get a European Health Insurance Card (EPZP) from your insurer free of charge. It entitles you to necessary medical care in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland on the same terms as local residents.

That sounds like full protection, but there are three significant limits:

  • the card only works in state facilities; nobody will pay for you in a private clinic;
  • you pay the same co-payment as locals, and in some countries that is not small;
  • the card does not cover transport home, and that is often the most expensive part of the bill.

What travel insurance adds

  • Treatment in private clinics and the co-payments the card does not cover.
  • Repatriation — transport of a sick or injured person home. This is the key item: an air ambulance costs tens of thousands of euros.
  • Baggage cover — theft, damage, delay.
  • Liability — if you cause damage to others, on a ski slope for example.
  • Trip cancellation (storno) — a refund of the cost of the trip if it falls through for a valid reason.
  • Sport and active holidays — usually as a separate option.

Trips outside the EU

Outside the countries listed above the European card does not work at all. For a trip to Ukraine, Turkey, Egypt or the United Kingdom, travel insurance is your only protection. Check separately whether the destination country falls within the policy’s territorial scope: some companies exclude countries where there is fighting, or cover them with restrictions.

A single-trip policy or an annual one

If you travel once a year for a week, a single-trip policy is cheaper. If you travel several times a year, including visits to family, an annual policy is almost always better value. Watch the maximum length of a single trip: annual policies usually cap it at 30 or 45 consecutive days.

What to look for in the contract

  1. The limit on medical cover. A limit that is too low makes the policy worthless.
  2. Chronic conditions. Many policies exclude flare-ups of chronic illnesses — if that applies to you, look for a product where it is included.
  3. Age limits. For older travellers the price and the terms are different.
  4. Working abroad. An ordinary travel policy does not cover incidents while you are working; there are separate products for that.
  5. The excess. The amount you pay yourself in each claim.

What to do if something happens

The first thing to do is call the assistance line, the number for which is in your policy. It operates around the clock, will tell you which facility to go to and will often pay for the treatment directly. If you paid yourself, keep all the original invoices and the medical documentation — without them it is hard to get reimbursed.

You can compare policy prices across insurers in a couple of minutes with an online calculator: 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

I have a residence permit in Slovakia. Can I take out a Slovak travel policy?

Yes, travel insurance is arranged on the basis of where you live, not your citizenship.

Does a policy cover a trip to Ukraine?

It depends on the company and the product. Some insurers limit or exclude cover in regions where there is fighting. This needs checking before you buy, not afterwards.

Do I need insurance if I am travelling by car?

PZP covers damage to other road users, but not your own medical treatment. For a trip abroad by car it makes sense to have both a travel policy and a check that your motor insurance is valid in the destination country.

What is a green card?

Confirmation that your compulsory motor insurance is valid abroad. For EU countries it is usually not required, but it is asked for when entering Ukraine.

See also

This information is for guidance only

This article describes the general rules in force in 2026 and is meant as a rough guide. The exact terms depend on the company you choose and on your situation, so read the conditions before signing a contract and consult a specialist if you need to.

Travelling in your own car? Find out what KASKO covers in Slovakia.

Still have questions? Write to us

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